Maddie stood at the fence, watching her new mustang early the next morning. The mustang had seemed to settle down a little overnight which was a relief and at first glance appeared to be calmer then Bel had been when she'd first arrived. Dakota stood on the opposite side of the pen, munching away on the remnants of the hay she'd thrown over the fence the night before.

Though she wore a thick and shaggy winter coat, underneath all that fur Maddie could see a beautiful sleek and well proportioned mustang. It would only take a little bit of love and care but she could already see in her mind how she would look in a couple months time; not only did she want her to look her best but part of what she would be judged on in the competition was presentation and condition. Already she had a plan in mind for what she would do with her but the first step was letting her have a little time to decompress before she started work with her.

As she kept watching her, Dakota lifted her head a few times to look over at her and she could see that the mare had more interaction with humans then Bel had ever had before she'd gotten her. The mare was watching her with a careful curiosity, still slightly frightened and fearful but nowhere near the extent that Bel had been. 'Hey Dakota.' She spoke gently and the mare looked back over at her, snorting softly. 'Hello.'

Lingering a little while longer she headed off to go do the rest of her chores and work Bel before heading inside to take care of the washing and other things she had to get done. Abeline would be returning home tomorrow and she wanted to make sure that absolutely everything was spick and span and where it belonged so that she wouldn't have any excuses for not resting.

Throughout the past week she had been the one keeping the house going, cooking meals, cleaning, doing the washing and everything else that Abeline did. It wasn't much different from what she used to do for her father except that she had more people to clean up after. She didn't complain though and didn't mind the extra work except for the fact that she was falling behind once more with her schoolwork. When Abeline was better though and able to take over running the household again she hoped she'd be able to catch up in a reasonable time frame.

August helped her where he could but he still had his arm in the sling and couldn't do much though what he did manage to do helped greatly. As she finished folding up the rest of the laundry and threw another load into the washing machine she looked at her watch. It was already past lunchtime... With a tired sigh she carried another basket full of clean clothing into the living room and asked August to fold it for her when he finished with what he was doing on his laptop.

By the time she was satisfied that the house was in order, it was close to four in the afternoon. Cordell and Stella would be home soon, Bonham too from the hospital and they needed dinner on the table. Some frozen stew she had made earlier last week was placed out to defrost on the bench then she went back out to do her outside chores and work with Bel for her afternoon session. As she worked with Bel she began to relax and enjoy her time with the mare, the two of them going for a nice ride in the pasture together bareback with only a halter on her mustang. Though her week had been quite disrupted and she hadn't been able to spend as much time as she would have liked to have with her mare, Bel's training was still coming along well.

Finishing up with her for the day she groomed Bel thoroughly until the mare's coat fairly shone then rugged her once more and brought her evening feed over to the pasture. The mustang eagerly headed for her feed bucket and she snapped a photo of her eating to post on her face book page then left her to eat in peace.

Dakota was pacing up and down the rails as she walked over to see her, Maddie slowing her approach as the mare trotted off to the other side of the pen. 'Hey Dakota...' She spoke softly as she came to the fence, checking to see how much water she had left in her buckets. Dakota threw her head up and down, snorting gently and she chuckled. 'I'm not that scary big girl. You want some more hay?'

The mare watched her every move as Maddie walked into the shelter and around to the feed room, returning soon with a large armful of hay. Dakota sniffed the air, pawing the ground a little when she tossed the feed over the fence but instead of stepping back as she had the night before and that morning, she stayed there at the fence.

She watched, the mare torn between wanting to eat and the fact that she was standing close to the hay. With the rest of her chores finished Maddie had time to wait and so she stood there quietly, patiently, waiting for the mare to realize that she wasn't something to be frightened off. The sun began to set as Dakota began pacing back and forth a few yards from the hay and Maddie could tell she was torn two ways. She wanted to eat but yet her caution of humans just wouldn't let her go any closer.

With a snort Dakota rushed towards the hay, snatching up a mouthful before bolting away again. Maddie didn't react at all and just kept standing there, the mare stopping across the yard and kept watching her as she ate what she had snatched up. It was almost like she could see the mare thinking. Huh. Maybe that creature isn't so scary after all...

A few moments later the mare stepped slowly back towards the hay and Maddie smiled as the mare began to eat. Hunger had won over fear. 'That's a girl.' She said softly to start accustoming the mare to her voice. 'That's a good girl Dakota.' The mare flicked an ear towards her direction and kept eating. 'I have a feeling you and I will become very good friends my girl.'

Abeline came home the next day, Maddie taking her role of 'carer' very seriously, much to her amusement. To her surprise the entire house had never looked so clean and she was very grateful to Maddie for the work that she had put into making sure everything was as it should be. While being on orders of bed rest for the rest of the day Maddie (and Bonham) had sent her to bed, assuring her that they could manage without her working around the house for a few more days.

Maddie was just beyond grateful to finally have her home.

Things were almost back to normal.

Almost.

It was nice to be almost normal again.

As Maddie chopped up potatoes to make up some potato soup for dinner, she sang along to one of her songs playing over her phone. Dinner would cook while she was out with Bel and Dakota, she just needed to get it on the stove before she headed out...

'Maddie girl.'

'Hey Dad.' She smiled as Cordell closed the back door behind himself. 'You're home early.'

'That I am Maddie, that I am.' He joined her in the kitchen, the two of them exchanging a hug and kiss then he looked down at what she was chopping up. 'What's for dinner?'

'Potato soup. Well, I hope it'll turn out as potato soup. We really really need to go grocery shopping. I know doing the grocery shop is Mawline's thing but someone needs to do it and I obviously can't.'

'I-uh-I'll talk to Dad and see if we can sort something out.'

'Thank you.' She turned back to peeling the potatoes, rather aggressively too. If dinner was going to be on the table at six she needed to get this into the pot straight away, not to mention she still had to do her second training session with Bel for the day and her chores... At this rate she'd be doing them in the dark. 'That would be much appreciated.'

Cordell looked at his daughter then gently placed a hand on hers. 'Maddie. Stop. What-what's the matter?'

'Nothing's the matter. I just need to get this on the stove and I need to go work Bel and do my chores and-'

'Woah, woah baby girl. Take a deep breath.'

Maddie looked at him.

He returned her look with one of his own.

'Fine.' She gave in with a sigh and took a deep breath. 'Happy?'

'Feel better?'

'Nope. I still have to get the washing in, set out your clothes, pack your lunch-'

'Maddie.' He interrupted her again. 'Maddie, just settle down. You've been running full steam ahead all week, you need to take a break-'

'I haven't got time for a break.'

'Yes, yes you do.' A new song started playing and Cordell recognized it from being played on the radio a couple times. 'Would you care to dance?'

'Dad, I need to get dinner done-'

'Three minutes. Just three minutes.'

She sighed again, knowing full well she wouldn't win and gave in, placing potato and peeler down on the bench. 'Alright.' She agreed, taking hold of his hand as he placed his arm around her waist. 'One quick dance then I really must get dinner on the stove before I head out and do my chores.'

I'd like to sail to lands afar,
out on a boat that's built for two
Beneath the canopy of stars
That would be just like a dream come true
Just to be with you..

(When We're Together by Mark Harris)

As Cordell and Maddie danced in the kitchen to the song Abeline came into the room and stood back, watching them with a smile on her face. Maddie giggled as she twirled around, starting to relax and enjoy herself as she kept dancing. Cordell too wore a smile on his face and if there had been anyone else watching they could see without a doubt that they both adored each other.

When the song came to an end Maddie gave him a hug, feeling much better then she had been. 'Thanks Dad, I needed that.'

Cordell kissed her head, holding her tight. What Maddie didn't know was that he had needed it just as much as her. With the day he'd had at work he just wanted to hold his children a little closer tonight... 'How-how about I help you with dinner now? What can I do?'

'You can keep peeling potatoes-' Out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of Abeline and turned to her. 'And just what are you doing out of bed Mawline?'

'I thought I'd see if there was anything I could do to help with dinner.' Abeline replied as she came over to join them, pulling a chair out from the island bench to sit on. 'I'm allowed to move around as long as I don't overdo it.'

'Are-are you sure you should be up Mama?' Cordell questioned with concern. 'We-we've got dinner handled.'

'Cordell, I'm fine.'

'Let us take care of dinner.' Maddie said as she started on the potatoes again. 'Go rest.'

'I've been doing enough of that this past week.' Abeline pointed out. 'Hand me a peeler.'

'You better hand it to her-' Cordell remarked to Maddie. 'when Ma puts her mind to something there's no persuading her otherwise.'

'Alright, alright...' The teen sighed as she handed her an extra peeler from the drawer. 'But you really should still be resting. I can see where August gets his stubbornness from, you know how hard it's been trying to convince him to take things easy? It appears being stubborn runs in this family.'

'And what, you're not stubborn at all my girl?' He asked with a chuckle.

'Nope Dad, I'm not.' She brought over a pot for them to put the potatoes into. 'If you guys have things handled here, I really need to go get my outside chores done before dinner.'

'Go on honey,' Abeline assured her. 'we've got it covered here.'

Hoping that her Dad wouldn't ruin dinner (but reassured that at least he had Abeline to keep an eye on him) she went out to do her chores. Wanting to spend some extra time with Dakota she kept Bel's session short and made sure that she had looked after for the night then went over to her new mustang. Dakota appeared less flighty as she approached her and after thinking it over for a moment, Maddie decided she'd see how the mare went with her being in the yard with her.

'Hey Dakota.' She started softly as she carefully opened the gate and walked in, closing it securely behind her. 'Hello girl.'

Dakota watched her closely, tossing her head and snorting a little.

'How you been Kota? You settling in well, big girl?'

Just as Maddie had done so with Bel before she worked with Dakota on facing up and was quite pleased that the mare took to the idea of facing her quite easily. Not wanting to push her too far she kept the first session short then tended to feeding and watering the mare before clearing the manure out of the shelter and yard.

Dakota kept a close eye on what she was doing but appeared more curious than anything else.

When she was finished with Dakota the sun was just starting to set and she quickly did the rest of her chores and gathered the clothes off the line before heading back inside. As she walked in she could smell dinner cooking and hoped that it tasted as good as it smelt. It wasn't a secret that Cordell wasn't the best cook...

'Hey Stells.' Maddie greeted as she came into the living room where Stella was.

'Hey Maddie.' Stella dropped her backpack down on one of the chairs. 'How was your day?'

'Busy. Yours?'

'It was alright I guess.'

'Anything interesting happen?' Maddie questioned, adding some extra wood to the fire.

'Not really.' She flopped down onto the couch. 'We've got this 'Career Day' thing on Friday so that's something I guess.'

'Have you thought about what you want to do when you finish school?'

'I have absolutely no idea on earth what I want to do.' Stella replied with an exhausted sigh. 'What about you? You got any plans?'

'Well, catch up on all the schooling I'm behind on for starters.' She took a seat beside a basket of washing to start folding the clothes up. 'And obviously finish school. After that, I'm not sure. I mean, I did think about following in Mama's footsteps and doing country singing but after working with the horses, I think I'm leaning more to being a horse trainer. I want to help horses like Bel, give horses a second chance where others have given up on them. Maybe run a ranch of my own too one day.'

'You sound like you've got your life all planned out.'

Maddie chuckled. 'Hardly. I haven't decided anything and I guess it's good I still have time to think about what I want to do. I know I don't want to go to college right now so...' She shrugged. 'But I want to at least finish school. Then after that, I guess I'll see where life takes me. Sometimes it leads you down a different road to the one you had planned out. Look at me for example. I sure didn't expect to be adopted and have a new family after my Mama died. Now I've got a family and I'm training horses and I'm competing in one of the biggest Mustang Makeover competitions in the country.'

Adding some clothes she had folded to the stack on the coffee table she looked back at Stella. 'I found my path, you'll find yours too.'

'Knock knock.'

'Come in Maddie.' Abeline replied, the teen opening the door to her room. 'Haven't you finished for the night yet?' She questioned as Maddie brought a basket full of clothing into the room to put away. 'You look exhausted honey.'

'Isn't the saying a woman's work is never done?' She asked with a chuckle, opening the drawer to start putting the clothes away. 'I sure do appreciate everything you do around here Mawline. I honestly don't know how you do it sometimes.'

'Well it helps having you around to lend a hand.' Placing her book aside she watched the girl closely. 'Maddie, is something wrong?'

'No, no I'm just really tired...' Maddie finished placing the clothes away and closed up the drawers, empty clothes basket resting on her hip as she turned to her. 'I still have to go organize Dad's clothes and lunch-'

Abeline patted the bed beside her. 'Come sit down for a moment. I want to talk to you.'

Placing the basket down on the floor she obliged, climbing onto the bed with her. 'What about?'

'I just wanted to thank you for everything you've been doing while I've been in hospital. You really rose to the occasion and I'm proud of you for stepping in like you have.'

She blushed a little as she snuggled up beside her grandma. 'I only did what needed to be done. Someone had to.'

'And I'm very grateful. Now that I'm home though I will start doing things again but I may still need your help for a couple weeks.'

'Sure, that's no problem. Just make sure you don't overdo it. It won't help anyone if you end up back in hospital.'

'I'm sure you won't let me do that, will you?'

Maddie chuckled. 'Nope.'

'Maddie...' Abeline started after a moment, pondering how she was going to put into words what she wanted to say to her. 'I um... How-how are you doing?'

'I'm fine, honest.' She hoped the expression on her face matched the lie she was trying to hide. Though the last couple days had been better and she was slowly getting over it, she was still quite shaken up by what had happened. 'Just happy that you're home.'

'I know what happened Maddie. With... everything.'

Maddie didn't reply.

'Bon told me about Saturday night.' She continued. 'I know it's been hard on you, what happened. I just want to make sure you're alright.'

'I-I wasn't.' Maddie finally said after a long moment of silence. 'But um... having you back home, I think I can work on putting it behind me now.'

'If you need someone to talk to, you know I'm always here for you.'

She smiled sadly. 'I know.'

Maddie lingered with Abeline though she had planned on getting other things finished, just content being able to be with her. They spoke for a little longer then after Abeline had asked her something and she hadn't replied, she'd looked down at her. Maddie was fast asleep.

You poor girl. She thought as she watched her granddaughter sleep. Maddie was beyond exhausted and she could see that the week they'd had had taken its toll on her. It had on all of them... With the sobering realization that she could have easily died if it hadn't been for the combined efforts of Maddie, the paramedics and the doctors at the hospital, she had a new outlook on things. She'd been given a second chance.

When Bonham came to their room a little while later, Maddie was still sleeping. He smiled when he saw them together, bringing another blanket over to lay over the girl. Not wishing to disturb her, he decided he'd spend the night in Maddie's room instead and so after gathering his things, had turned the light off for her and left.

For the first night since the incident, Maddie was able to sleep the night through.