Sorry for the wait between chapters in all my stories! I don't have wifi at home and we have spent so much time this winter snowed in! So even when I've had a new chapter, I haven't been able to get to internet access to post. But hopefully we are almost to spring and updating my stories will be easier now! Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter Guest, LuvReading, and MusesOwnMyMind! I really appreciate the support!

Chapter 51

Vin hadn't expected to find Kaylee without chasing down at least a few rabbit trails. But then he had seen the lights of the motel and figured it was as good a place to stop as any and ask about Kaylee. He had seen the truck that looked like Ezra's, and hope had flared. Hope he had tried to temper, but as soon as he stepped into the dated motel office, relief had taken over anything else.

"Hey," he said. It wasn't enough. Not nearly enough to let her know how worried they had all been, how panicked he had grown when he couldn't find anything leading to her, how lonely he had been without her around.

She looked stricken. Her face was pale, she looked like she had lost weight, her face nearly gaunt. Her eyes ran over him, then held his. He saw a flash of emotion when she met his eyes, then fear. Worry.

"Ezra?" she asked. She stayed behind the counter. "Is something wrong? Is—is he—"

"He's fine," Vin said, trying for an even tone. Ezra was fine if you didn't count his damn bullheaded stupidity. "Everyone's fine. Just missin' you."

Relief had Kaylee's shoulders wilting in relief and for a second Vin thought she might actually faint.

"I've missed ya," Vin said.

And then she was coming out from behind the counter, in his arms, as real as anything.

Vin held onto her for all he was worth. Everything he wanted to say to her making him hold her secure.

Her breathing was ragged and Vin pressed a hand to her head, holding her against his chest, against his heart.

"I missed you, too," she finally said, her words muffled against his jacket, a shuddery breath telling him how much she had been hurting. Her arms were wrapped around his waist and she held onto him like she was at risk of being swept away if she didn't cling on with everything she had. Vin let her hold on. He wasn't about to let her go again.

"Did…" Her voice was almost too soft for him to hear, but then she took a steadying breath and pulled back enough to look up at his face. "Did Ezra send you? To get his truck?" Her face was fragile, waiting for his answer and Vin got the feeling she was really asking if there was any chance Ezra wanted to know how she was, if he had sent Vin to check up on her.

"He don't know I'm here," Vin said softly. Trying not to break her by telling her how completely Ezra had cut her off.

Kaylee nodded slightly. Swallowed hard. It was clearly the answer she had expected, even if not the one she had hoped for.

Her arms slipped away from him and she took a step back, looking more frail than ever. More frail and—

"You're pregnant," Vin burst out.

If possible, she went even paler, stilled like a rabbit about to be snared.

"Does Ezra know?" If Ezra knew and had sent her away, Vin would never forgive the fool, no matter how deep their friendship ran.

A tiny shake of her head, then her green eyes were blowing wide with panic. "You can't tell him! You can't! If he finds out and thinks I'm—I'm trying to trap him, or this is another con—or—or—"

"I won't," Vin said. He would have said anything just then to calm the terror in her eyes, still the shaking that had started in her hands. "I won't say anything."

Kaylee didn't look convinced, but the words stopped spilling out of her. "You promise?" she asked, with more conviction than Vin had heard from her since he walked through the door. "Promise me, Vin. You can't tell him."

"I promise," Vin said before he had any chance to think of what he was really promising her. But he also knew he would promise her anything. Whatever it took to calm her down and keep her trusting him, he would do it.

She took in a long breath and blew it out.

"What time are you off?" Vin asked, trying for safer ground.

She glanced at the clock, then the nearly empty parking lot. "Now." She lookd back at him. "Do you need a room? We don't really have a friends and family rate, but I can—"

"I can crash anywhere," Vin said, realizing he couldn't quite let her out of his sight. Not after losing her for the last month. Not with how fragile she looked. "Are you hungry? I thought there was an all night diner a few miles back."

She shook her head and that worried Vin. He wondered if she was eating. If she was sleeping.

"You can stay with me and my…my mom," she said uneasily. "It's not…" she trailed off.

Vin remembered his time in foster homes well enough to know what her unease meant. "Gettin' extra time near you sounds good," he said. "If that's ok with you. I know family can be tricky."

Relief had some of the tension falling from her face. She nodded.

She went over to the door and flipped a sign over saying the office would be open at 7 the next morning. Then went to the desk and got a set of keys, pulled a jacket off the coatrack in the corner.

Vin watched her every move, the shape of her stomach under her fitted t-shirt. She was a little smaller than Inez. Vin tried to remember how far along Buck had said Inez was, figure out when Kaylee would be due.

All her headaches, the dizziness…Vin wondered if she was still dealing with that. Had that been the first signs of a pregnancy? It wasn't any surprise seven men could miss the signs.

But there was no missing it now.

Kaylee pulled her coat on and zipped it, hiding any evidence of her pregnancy for the moment. Vin schooled his face to hide any concerns and went to hold the door open for her.

"I can drive if you want to leave your truck here," Vin said.

"Ezra's truck," she quickly corrected him.

"Right," said Vin, not willing to push her on anything just then.

She got in his truck, the cab still warmer than outside since he had pulled up not long ago. Vin got in on his side and started it up, dialing up the heat a bit more for her benefit.

"Where to?" he asked.

Kaylee gave him directions onto the highway. She didn't ask about Ezra or any of the others. Vin debated telling her how miserable Ezra was since she left, but ended up keeping quiet for the time being. The last thing he wanted to do was upset her worse.

Kaylee directed him to a trailer house several miles down the road from the motel, on the other side of the small town. A short driveway off the highway, up a driveway that didn't look like it had been plowed all winter. There wasn't enough snow to make him turn on the four wheel drive, but Vin pulled in carefully, staying in the tire tracks already there.

A three sided shelter inside some drooping fencing sat off to the side of the house. Vin thought of Alcott, a champion horse who had won Kaylee gold belt buckles all summer, who had run at the national finals, in the meager set up.

Kaylee got down from her side of the truck before Vin could get down and help her. She picked her way over the icy walk up to a sorry set of stairs that led up to the front door.

"Watch the second step," she cautioned him.

Vin saw the missing board and stepped over it. Kaylee pulled open a screen door with a ripped screen and got out her set of keys, unlocking the front door.

Vin stepped inside after her and glanced around. The house was a far cry from Ezra's home. And not much warmer than outside.

Kaylee went to a thermostat and turned it up. Vin saw she didn't turn it up that much. He wondered how much propane was left in the tank outside.

Kaylee crossed into the tiny kitchen and opened the dated fridge. Vin clocked how empty it was. Kaylee pulled out a small pot.

"I have leftover mac and cheese," she said. Vin didn't miss the embarrassment coloring her words. "I need to get to the grocery store."

He had his doubts that the fridge was much more full after a stop at the grocery store. "I ate before I got to town," he said.

Kaylee nodded and put the pot back in the fridge.

"Do you work tomorrow?" Vin asked, trying to get his bearings in her new life, one that was unfamiliar to him as an adult, but the echo of every home he had bounced between growing up.

"At six," she said.

Vin bit back what he wanted to say. She looked like she needed more sleep than the six hours she would most likely get if she was lucky at this point.

"Ok if I take the couch?" Vin asked.

Kaylee started to argue, but Vin stopped her with an easy smile he didn't feel. "I ain't about to kick a pregnant lady out of her bed," he said.

Kaylee folded her arms self-consciously in front of herself, but nodded. "I'll get some blankets," she said.

She ducked into a bedroom off the living room and came back with a pillow and a couple warm blankets.

"I'll drive you back over to work tomorrow," Vin said. "Lookin' forward to spending some time with you."

Kaylee's smile was hardly more than a shadow, but it was sincere. "Me too." Vin took the pillow and blankets from her arms and set them on the couch.

"My mom probably won't be back tonight. If she is," Kaylee hesitated, frowning and pulling her lower lip between her teeth, her nose wrinkling slightly, "probably just come into my room and steer clear."

Vin didn't want to know why he would have to steer clear, but he could read between the lines. And the thought of going into Kaylee's room….he quickly shut the door on that thought. "I'll beou had a long day. Get some rest," he said. "I'll see you in the morning."

Kaylee nodded again. She caught him off guard, falling into his arms again for a tight hug.

Vin hugged her fiercely, feeling all her fears and worries in her slight frame.

He promised himself in that moment that he would make sure she was taken care of. No matter what.

And he'd kill Ezra for being such a damn idiot.

#

"Miss Nettie…" JD tried his best to keep his tone even. He kept his eyes on the road. "Are you sure—"

"Young man, are you about to question my judgment?" Nettie asked from her place in the passenger seat.

"No, ma'am," JD answered quickly. His foot pressed down on the accelerator as his heart rate increased. He caught himself with a couple calming breaths. "No ma'am," he tried again.

"Good." Nettie looked calmly out at the passing scenery as if she hadn't a care in the world. As if she hadn't roped JD into driving her out to the ranch to confront two of the men that JD would never dare speak up against.

They drove in silence, Nettie humming a little tune under her breath. JD flexed his hands against the steering wheel and adjusted his grip, his knuckles white with tension.

"Are you sure Christmas Eve is the best time to do this?" JD finally ventured.

Nettie narrowed her eyes and looked at him. JD quickly looked ahead at the road again.

"Do you think I'm going to ruin Ezra's Christmas spirit?" she asked. "Is he singing Christmas carols and baking cookies and I'll put a damper on that?"

Ok. She had a point. JD drove past Chris' place, past the bunkhouse that he knew was their next stop, and up the hill towards Ezra's.

He wanted nothing more than to sink down below the dash as they approached Ezra's, but he had to see to drive.

Ezra's front door still had the wreath JD had hung on it, and it was enough to convince JD that maybe Ezra wasn't a completely lost cause without Kaylee. But it was the only sign of Christmas spirit.

Nettie apparently wasn't going to let that deter her, though. She was opening her door and getting out, marching up to the door and rapping sharply.

JD debated if staying in the vehicle made him a coward. Probably not. Probably best for Ezra if he could talk to Nettie alone.

That sounded good enough to convince JD to go with it and stay put as Ezra opened the door and eyed Nettie.

#

"Ezra."

The older woman greeted Ezra succinctly.

"Miss Wells," he returned the formality.

"Are you going to let me in?" she asked.

Ezra wanted to close the door on her face. But she raised an eyebrow as if reading his thoughts, so he stepped back and let her cross the threshold. He glanced down at JD and saw the young man quickly look away and slouch down in his seat.

That made two of them who didn't want to be here with Nettie Wells.

Ezra closed the door. "Would you like a beer?" he offered. "I'm afraid I'm a little behind on my grocery shopping."

"Of course you are," she said. "Because your wife left."

Well, she got right to the point.

"Thank you for the reminder," Ezra said tightly.

"Is it a reminder, Ezra?" Nettie asked. "Or are you painfully aware of every second that she isn't here? Having trouble sleeping without her, the house feeling empty without her?"

Ezra felt a muscle in his jaw twitch as he clenched his teeth.

"I don't need to tell you you're miserable," Nettie said. "You know that." She folded her arms over her chest and fixed him with a look. "But I think somebody needs to tell you how to fix it."

"As much as I appreciate the visit, I think it's time for you to leave," Ezra said.

The old woman didn't budge.

"You need to get her home. Where she belongs," Nettie said, her tone leaving no room for discussion.

"Where she belongs is in a nice little retirement community, running a scam to bilk the population out of their life savings," Ezra snapped.

Ezra had seen disappointment in Nettie's eyes pretty much every time the woman had looked at him. But this was the first time he saw pity.

"Are you so sure everyone is as out to get what they can from the people around them as your mother?" Nettie asked.

The thought of Kaylee being the same as Maude didn't make sense. He had lived with Maude—and left as soon as he was able—and he had lived with Kaylee. Maude had never tried to make him smile just because. She had never gone out of her way to make his days easier. She had never thought of anyone but herself.

But Kaylee had taken his money. She had used him exactly the way Maude had warned she would.

Nettie was making her way back over to the door. "We'll see you over at Chris' tomorrow for Christmas." The way she said it didn't leave any room for excuses.

Ezra tried to shake himself enough to respond, to at least argue with her assessment of Kaylee and Maude, but Nettie was already walking out the door briskly, back down to her reluctant chauffeur, leaving Ezra alone in his silent house with thoughts he had been trying to avoid for the last month.

#

"Alright, let's go," Nettie said, fastening her seatbelt.

JD looked up at the house, no movement coming from inside. "That's it?" he asked. He had expected to be held captive in the car a good long time while Nettie and Ezra went head to head.

"It doesn't take that long to tell someone something they already know," Nettie said matter of factly. "Let's go."

JD didn't understand what she possibly could have said to Ezra, but he started the Jeep and headed back down toward the bunkhouse. This time he put it in park and didn't debate going in with Nettie.

Nettie made her way up to the door. This time it was Buck who answered. Nettie greeted him, then nodded toward the car. Buck's brow wrinkled and he shook his head in confusion. Nettie spoke again and pointed to the car. She waited until Buck was heading toward JD, then went inside and pulled the door closed behind her.

Buck slid into the passenger seat.

JD stared at him. Buck stared at his house.

"What'd she say to you? I thought I was driving her here to see you."

Buck finally looked over at him. "She's here to see Inez," he said, the doubt about the wisdom of that clear in his face.

"Oh," JD said. He couldn't imagine what Nettie could have to say to Buck's…whatever Inez was to Buck.

"Yeah. Oh."

They sat in silence.

#

Inez looked up when the older woman walked in without Buck. She had spread her jewelry making supplies across the kitchen table, her usual morning routine. Buck would pull up a chair near her and chat with her while she worked. It was becoming a comfortable routine, one she looked forward to after breakfast each day.

"Hello Nettie," Inez greeted her. She pushed her chair back, intending to stand to greet the woman she had met once at Chris', but Nettie waved at her to stay sitting. "Is Buck getting something for you?" Inez asked, not sure why else Buck would have headed outside when Nettie arrived.

"I'm here to see you," Nettie said without beating around the bush. Inez appreciated her straight forward way and returned the favor.

"What for?"

Nettie smiled slightly, apparently also enjoying a straight shooter. "To talk some sense into you."

Inez smiled, her eyebrows raising. "Oh really?"

Nettie took the chair opposite Inez, the one Buck had vacated to answer the door. "I'll admit Buck is usually the one who's missing a good solid dose of common sense, but today it's you, girl."

"Ok," Inez said, willing to see where this was going. "Where is my common sense lacking? Besides the obvious," she said gesturing to baby Wilmington, growing bigger and taking up more space within each day.

"Ain't nothing wrong with a baby," Nettie said.

Inez wanted to ease into the comfort of those words. Nothing wrong with a baby. Nothing wrong with finding herself pregnant after a week with a rodeo cowboy. Something she knew most people would look at as the most foolish thing she could have possibly done.

"But something wrong with keeping yourself at a distance from the man you should be with," Nettie said.

If Nettie's first words comforted, those ones burned. They ignited the truth she kept trying to douse. Every time Buck smiled at her. Every time he hurried over to make sure she wasn't going to lift something heavy. Every time he told her to take her time deciding, but he wasn't changing his mind about her…

"That's what I thought," Nettie said quietly, looking at the look on Inez' face. Inez quickly tried to cover her thoughts.

"He's a good man," Nettie said. "No reason for you to not lean in and make a family with him."

"I'm not going to be dependent on a man to take care of me," Inez said, hiking her chin.

"And what if he wants you to take care of him? It can't be an even trade?" Nettie countered.

Inez shook her head automatically. She couldn't. It didn't work that way. There was no such thing as an even trade, but she wasn't about to tell Nettie that.

"And who said he's taking care of you anyways if you let him help you out some?" Nettie asked. "Maybe he's just trying to do right by his baby. Don't take that from him." Her piece said, she pushed her chair back. She glanced down at the dainty silver and gemstone jewelry pieces Inez was working on. "Nice work you do. Next time you're in town, you should talk to Ryan Matson. He has a nice little shop in town. Does a good business selling jewelry there."

And with that she was heading out the door.

Inez sat quietly, her mind turning over everything Nettie had said. The emotions she had worked so hard to shove down and were now pushing forward.

"Darlin'?"

She jerked at Buck's voice. She hadn't heard him come back in.

"You ok?" he asked. "What did Nettie want?"

Nettie wanted Inez to have everything she dreamed of. Everything she longed for, but feared didn't exist. Inez swallowed hard. Took a breath. Smiled benignly. "There's a shop in town that might sell my jewelry," she said. "That would sure beat waitressing again." And would be better than the few pieces she had tried to sell to tourists in Vegas.

Buck nodded like he believed it, but Inez felt his eyes on her when she dropped her eyes back down to her jewelry and picked up her pliers again.

#

Kaylee pushed open the door from her bedroom. She should have showered, her hair was dull and really needed to be washed, but getting in the shower took more ambition than she could work up most days.

"Mornin'," Vin said.

Kaylee managed a smile she didn't feel. She glanced around the small living area and felt her shoulders drop slightly in relief when she didn't see any sign her mom had made it home last night.

"Breakfast?" Vin asked. He went to the kitchen counter and set a box of bakery donuts on the table.

"You went out and got these?" she asked.

"Nice little bakery in your town," he said, clearly dodging the question. He poured a glass of orange juice and set it on the table. "Even sell juice to go with your donuts."

Kaylee broke a donut in half. She caught the jelly filling with her tongue before it dripped on her hand. The sweetness hit her mouth. "It's good," she said, inspite of the lack of any appetite. She waited until Vin took a donut for himself and slid her donut back in the box when he turned to pour some juice.

Vin glanced down at the donut box and frowned slightly. He looked at her but didn't comment.

"What time do you need to leave for work?" he asked.

Kaylee took a sip of juice before setting the cup aside. "I should get going now."

Vin nodded and put the juice in the fridge. He went and got his jacket from where he had laid it over the arm of the chair. Kaylee pulled her own jacket on and locked the door behind them.

Vin opened the truck door for her and for a split second Kaylee was brought back to the summer. Riding with Vin between rodeos, before she really knew Ezra at all. Back when Vin was one of the first friends she had made on the rodeo circuit. Vin and Buck. Then JD, Josiah, Nathan. Even Chris in his own way. Like a family.

A family she had lost when she ruined everything with Ezra.

She dredged up enough strength to get up in the truck. To pretend she could keep going without Ezra. Without anyone.

Vin went around to his side and started the truck. He didn't say anything until they were pulling into the dark lot of the motel. A new dusting of snow had covered the lot and his truck laid new tracks.

"Do you have any plans for Christmas Eve?" Vin asked.

Kaylee stared at him blankly.

"Today's Christmas Eve," he said.

"Oh." There wasn't much she could say. Holidays, regular days, they didn't have much meaning in her life as it was now.

"How late do you work?" Vin asked, deftly moving to a question she should be ablet to answer without staring blankly at him.

"Noon," she said. Henny had wanted to give her the holiday off. Something Kaylee had tried to tell her she didn't need. And something Henny had ignored, insisting Kaylee take the holiday off.

"I'll be back for you before then," Vin said.

Kaylee knew she should tell him she didn't need him to pick her up. Her truck—Ezra's truck—was still in the motel lot where she had left it last night. But the thought of extra time with Vin, no matter how little or how inconsequential the time, had her just nodding.

Kaylee unlocked the office door and flipped on the lights inside. Turned up the heat, relishing the idea of finally getting warmer than the small mobile home did. It wasn't until she had all the lights turned on that Vin's truck backed out and turned onto the highway.

The quiet motel office felt lonelier than it had yesterday.

#