"Why do you hate her so much?" Jarrod inquired, keeping his gaze focused on Kathryn as she hollered at Raphael, who was running around her and yipping at her as she tried to mend the fence.

"I don't hate her, I just don't trust her." Nick answered, his eyes narrowed intently on Kathryn as well.

"Why?" Heath asked, with his trademark quirk of his mouth and eyebrow.

Nick whirled around in his saddle to level his gaze at Heath instead. "Get your spurs out of me." Nick growled in warning. Turning his gaze to Jarrod he added, "Both of you."

Jarrod smiled and squashing a chuckle returned to observing Kathryn. His brows drew together in concern.

"What?" Nick growled, turning back around to see what had garnered Jarrod's concern.

Kathryn was on her feet, her left hand on top of a snarling Raphael's head as she stared at the woods to the left. She whistled low so only to be heard by Raphael and Vacquero, who trotted over obediently. Still keeping her eyes trained on the woods, she grabbed her quiver and bow and methodically notched an arrow. Though she didn't pull it back, she did finger the fletching as she heard thundering approaching her. But she stayed still and did not acknowledge the sound, still keeping her eyes on the trees. Something was wrong. She could feel it.

"Ms. Quinn?"

At Jarrod's question Raphael stopped snarling, and plopping down grinned stupidly, his tongue lolling out of his mouth. Whatever it was, it was gone.

Kathryn returned her arrow to its quiver and placing both it and its bow back on Vacquero's saddle she turned to face the trio of men.

"Mr. Barkley." She greeted. "This is a surprise. Is there something I can do for you?"

"Yeah." Nick leaned forward in his saddle, his elbows resting on his knees as he leveled a suspicious glare at her, "What were you looking at?"

Kathryn bristled at his attitude but rather than give in to her temper, which was as fiery as her hair she smiled sweetly. "I wasn't looking at anything."

"You were looking at the woods." He growled, daring her to contradict him.

Keeping her voice sweet she stated. "I was looking not because I saw anything but because I sensed something. Must have been a bird. Or maybe a deer. It also could have been a squirrel."

"You notch your bow for a bird, deer, or squirrel?" Heath asked, suspicion lacing his tone.

She shrugged innocently. "Raph was snarling. But then again, he's a mutt. They like chasing things like that. Lost me many a meal because of it." She played it off non-chalantly.

But Jarrod was eyeing her with distrust. She inwardly squirmed. He wasn't going for it. He'd need some more convincing. She'd deal with it later. "Is Ms. Barkley at the ranch?" She inquired, reaching for a distraction, any distraction.

Jarrod was still eyeing her with suspicion that he didn't try to hide. "Not at the moment, no. She is currently at the orphanage. But, Audra made sure to inform me that she wouldn't miss your reading of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer for anything and that if she was unfortunately delayed to restrain you from continuing your reading until she had returned."

Turning her attention back to Nick she inquired, "Did your mother tell you why it needed to please her for me to continue my reading?"

Nick leaned back in his saddle, suspicion still on his features. "Something about peaches and a stubborn young lady refusing charity even though it wasn't that but a gift."

Kathryn shrugged her shoulders innocently. "What can I say? I'm not used to gifts that don't come with a price."

Raphael turned his attention to behind Kathryn and the fence and growled low in his throat. Kathryn turned to see what had his hackles raised. "… What assets do you have up in the mountains?"

The Barkley men looked at each other. "Nothing…"

"That we know of. Why?" Jarrod queried.

Kathryn threw an amused smile over her shoulder at them. "Living many years outside I know when a storm is approaching. And right now, you've got lightning and thunder coming your way."

"You sure?"

Kathryn gave Nick a stony stare. Nick shifted uncomfortably in his saddle. "Well… if… uh," He coughed nervously. "If you're sure, I'm going to go round up the hands, make sure everything's squared away."

Kathryn nodded. "Sounds like a good plan." She commended as she swung herself up into Vacquero's saddle and whistled to Raphael who stopped growling and instead tensed. "Barring any problems, I'll be back in time for roll call." She stated as a farewell.

"And just where are you rushing off to?" Nick bellowed and gulped nervously when he saw Kathryn's eyes were no longer as blue as the sky on a sunny, cloudless day, nor sprinkled with flecks of gold, or hints of green like new grass. They weren't even a grey that resembled a pale blue.

They were cold. A chilly ice grey.

"Up there, on that mountain, which happens to be part of your property, part of your assets, are trees. Lightning strikes those trees, trees catch on fire. Fire travels down to your pastures because this is the time of the year where everything is highly susceptible to catching fire. Trees, grass…" Kathryn slowly clarified, as if explaining to a child. Nick crossed his arms over his chest angrily as he scowled at her. "And as such, I'm going to stay up on that mountain until the storm passes. That way if something happens we'll know about it right away rather than too late."

Jarrod nodded his head slowly. "Sounds like a good plan." Flashing her a smile he motioned with his hand, "Lead the way."

She didn't try hiding her confusion. "I'm sorry Mr. Barkley, I don't understand."

"Well, if something does happen how were you planning on alerting us to the danger?" Jarrod questioned.

"I'd send Raphael to go get help." She stated as if it was obvious.

Nick rolled his eyes, "And that wouldn't end up badly because the hands wouldn't dare shoot at a wolf running on to the ranch."

Jarrod whipped around to glare at Nick and opening his mouth to reply was interrupted by Kathryn stating blandly, "Satire thy name is Mr. Nick Barkley." Jarrod quickly ducked his head to hide his smile. Nick opened his mouth but Jarrod quickly butted in by addressing Kathryn, "Well, this way you won't have to send your protector to his death. And I believe that I would be better received than your mutt." He said of Raphael not maliciously, but affectionately. Kathryn shrugged her shoulders. "It's your prerogative."

Heath wheeled Charger around so he was facing back towards the ranch and told Jarrod, "I'll be back soon with supplies."

Kathryn sighed heavily and opened her mouth to comment when Nick interjected hollering "Great! Just great! And what am I going to be doing? Sitting at home with mother and Audra, who by the way, SOMEONE has to inform that you won't be reading tonight, twiddling my thumbs or maybe, helping them with their newest sewing project?"

Jarrod smiled sweetly at him, "You are more than welcome to accompany us Nick."

Nick was about to protest when he saw Kathryn's exasperated look. With a wicked smile he answered back just as amiably, "Sounds fun. I'll be back with Heath after I get the ranch settled."

Kathryn held in a growl as she wheeled Vacquero around and setting off at a run towards the mountain muttered bitterly, "This should be interesting."

"I swear, Jake is wearing thin on my patience." Nick growled as he stalked towards Jarrod.

"Nick, you don't have patience." Heath stated simply.

"Why would I need it when you and Jarrod have plenty to spare?" Nick snapped, dropping the blankets unceremoniously.

"What did those blankets ever do to you Nick?" Jarrod questioned irately.

"Nothing. He's not angry at them, he's angry at Jake." Heath informed him, carefully laying down the food and cooking supplies.

Jarrod crossed his arms, adopting his amused expression. "And why is our dear brother angry at Jake?"

Heath's trademark smirk appeared as he explained. "As we were leaving Jake wanted to know where we were going. When Nick informed him that we were keeping Kathryn company because she said a storm was coming Jake asked why were we letting a girl lead us around by the nose."

Jarrod's eyes flashed. "I can see why he's upset."

"Speaking of which, where is Kathryn?!" Nick asked angrily.

Jarrod disentangled one arm so he could jerk a thumb over his shoulder. "Keeping an eye on the storm."

Kathryn pet Raphael absent-mindedly as she narrowed her eyes at the storm clouds rolling in. Soon, thunder would be rumbling and the winds were already becoming gusty.

As she shivered and rubbed her arms Raphael whined at her. "Silencio Raph. I'm fine."

"No you're not otherwise you wouldn't be shivering. And it's no wonder, just look at your jacket, your boots, your gloves… they're wearing mighty thin."

"I've managed with less Mr. Barkley." Kathryn replied as Heath came up to stand beside her.

"That was before you started working for us."

"… I could've done this alone. You and your brothers don't need to be here."

"You may be used to doing things alone, but as I've already stated, that was before you started working for us."

"… We should get shelters set up." Kathryn informed him distractedly as she walked away.

After Kathryn secured the blanket she had thrown over the tree branch by placing rocks on the edges, she stood up, dusting off her hands. "There we go. Raphael, venir."

"No! I am NOT sharing a tent with that mutt!" Nick forcefully protested.

"Nick…" Jarrod started to reprimand his hot-headed brother.

Kathryn glowered at Nick. "It's alright Mr. Barkley. As I told you when I first arrived, I've slept under the stars for most of my life. I can still do it. It still holds appeal to me."

"But you said we've got thunder and lightning approaching!" Jarrod exclaimed.

"And rain too." Kathryn stated blandly.

Jarrod whipped his head around to stare incredously at Kathryn. "How can you act so calm?!"

Kathryn gave him a sweet smile and without answering walked over to Vacquero and reaching up to the saddle plucked off a blanket.

Going over to the cliff she found a tree and constructed her shelter. The opening was facing away from the other shelter and instead faced the storm. When it was finished she turned to face the Barkley men and with a bright smile commanded, "Raphael, venir."

With a two fingered salute she followed him into their shelter.

As the wind gusted viciously and rain pelted against her shelter Kathryn shook. Raphael whined again at her. "I'm fine Raph." She growled affectionately as she stroked his fur and leaned back against the tree trunk, her eyes closing as pain assaulted her.

"So who's taking first watch?"

Nick looked past Heath to glare at Jarrod. "What do you mean?!"

"From what I know of Miss Quinn, I believe she will stay awake for the duration of the storm. Unfortunately though, she is still human and as such I believe she will succumb and fall asleep. So rather than place all the weight of making sure the storm doesn't do any damage on her shoulders, I believe one of us should stay up with her considering we're making sure damage isn't done to Barkley property."

"We wouldn't even be here in the first place if she hadn't gotten the fool notion into her head!"

Jarrod glared heatedly at Nick and if he had been standing, his hands would have been on his hips. "You really do hate her." He said as if stating an observation.

Nick raised himself on his elbows and swapping glares with Jarrod over Heath's back snarled, "We've been over this. I DON'T," he emphasized, "hate her. I just don't trust her."

"To save myself from having to listen to you two squabble over me all night or even squabble at all, I'll take first watch."

"Heath," Nick started apologetically but was interrupted by Heath's intimidating growl of, "Go… to… bed…" in a tone that brooked no argument.

Nick and Jarrod turned on their sides, their backs to each other.

"Great. Now you've got Heath mad at us."

"GOODNIGHT Nick."

Every time lightning flashed, pain pierced her skull. This wasn't anything new but it didn't lessen the extremity. Her lip was tender from all the biting she was doing and no matter how she arranged herself nothing was lessening the pain. Raphael started snarling. "Raph, if you're not quiet I swear," she stopped herself as she realized Raphael wasn't looking at her, he was looking outside. She narrowed her eyes, there was no way anyone would be stupid enough to be out in this kind of weather.

… She and the Barkley men didn't count. And she had been living outside for a large portion of her life she was used to…

Someone was out there. She jerked upright, shutting her eyes tightly when the world spun dangerously and it felt like a knife was being stabbed into her skull. She opened her eyes and saw a shadow in the clearing, staring up at… she was sure he was looking at her. Her blood ran cold. Then, with the next flash of lightning, it was gone.

Kathryn came awake with a start. She hadn't even realized she had fallen asleep.

She groaned softly as the sun's light blinded her. Maybe facing the cliff hadn't been such a smart idea. She scrambled from her shelter as quickly as she was able and breathed a sigh of relief when she noticed that no damage had been done by the storm while she had neglected her watch.

She smiled when she heard rumbling.

She hadn't been aware that the Barkley men snored.

"Let's get you into some dry clothes. You must be soaking wet."

Jarrod kissed his mother's cheek. "Not at all sweet lady. But the blankets we took with us are."

"And why are they?"

"Kathryn is very skilled at making shelters with blankets, tree branches, and a few rocks." Heath answered simply with a laughing smile.

Victoria graced him with one of her own.

"And how did Ms. Quinn fare?" She inquired.

"Son of a gun." Kathryn growled as she fought the headache that was currently splitting her head in two as she squinted against the harsh light assaulting her.

She was again working on mending the fence. But the light, the fact that she had to hammer to get the job done, the storm, and the nausea were making it extremely difficult.

And to add insult to injury Raphael was growling and looking like he was ready to attack.

Kathryn threw the hammer away. "Maybe I'll just leave you at the ranch next time. I never seem to get any work done when you're around." She griped as she swung her quiver over her shoulder. After what she had seen last night her weapons were remaining with her. She wasn't going to leave her protection out of reach on Vacquero's saddle.

Nocking an arrow she grumbled, "Lead the way."

… Raphael didn't need to be told twice.

This wasn't good.

At Kathryn's feet lay a cow, viciously slaughtered and grotesquely cut up. No animal did this. It was too clean. Kathryn whipped her head to look up and swayed dangerously as she clamped down on the rising nausea. Her blood ran cold when she realized that she was standing exactly where the shadow had been last night.

"There you are!" Jarrod exclaimed happily as Kathryn returned to the fence.

She was startled from her musings by his boisterous exuberance. She plastered on a smile, hoping that they wouldn't know it was fake.

"Where have you been?" Nick growled, arms crossed over his chest as he leveled a glare of suspicion at her.

Kathryn began to roll her eyes but quickly stopped when she realized that wouldn't be the smartest idea.

"Raph ran off. I didn't think he'd go as far as he did."

"Chasing after that bird, deer, or squirrel?"

Kathryn met Heath's gaze without flinching. "I don't rightly know. He just took off."

"That why you've got your bow and quiver?" Nick questioned.

"I didn't want to chance something happening to me and my weapons are on Vacquero's saddle instead of within my reach."

"You didn't feel that way yesterday." Heath stated simply.

Kathryn shrugged in reply.

"Well, before you run off again we need you to go into town for some supplies." Jarrod stated.

"You NEED ME to go?" Kathryn jested.

"Don't start getting a fat head now Ms. Quinn."

Kathryn tromped up the steps of the mercantile.

"Howdy there little lady. What are you doing dressing up like a man? Where's your frilly, dainty dress?"

"She ain't no kind of lady Luke. She's the newest employee over at the Barkley ranch."

It became so silent that, if there had been one, you could have heard a tumbleweed roll down the street.

Kathryn turned and with a sweet smile addressed the one who had quieted everyone.

"What are you doing here Jake? Still nursing your wounds after FALLING off your horse?" She queried through gritted teeth and without waiting spun around and strode into the mercantile.

"Megan! Johnny! Please settle down!"

Kathryn was greeted by an elderly gentleman in a shopkeeper's smock trying to get under control a young girl with brown pigtails and a younger boy with a mop of unruly brown hair who were running about from shelf to shelf.

"Excuse me!" Kathryn shouted out. The three occupants warily turned their attention to her. She smiled kindly. "I'm new here and was wondering if either of you two can read?" She asked, directing the question to the children. The girl thrust her hand into the air with a proud smile as the boy hung his head. "If you work together and get me all the items on this list WHILE behaving I'll give you a dime… each." Both children beamed brightly as they raced off.

The elderly gentleman gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you. I'm too old to be looking after young'ins. But, I'm their only relative and I couldn't give them to anyone else, they have too much of my daughter in them. Forgive me, I'm rambling. You said you were new here?"

"I'm Kathryn, Kathryn Quinn. I just started working at the Barkley ranch."

"Mighty nice to meet you Ms. Quinn."

"Would you mind directing me to your hats, jackets, gloves, and boots?"

Kathryn had narrowed down her choices. She had selected a durable cowboy hat with a wide, low hanging brim; a thick jacket with a high fur collar and fur cuffs; a pair of kid sized boots; and a pair of thick yet durable kid sized gloves. She finally looked at the prices and internally winced. She couldn't afford them. She could go for lesser quality, but from past experiences she wanted something that would last, at least for a good long while.

She sighed heavily as she looked down at what she was currently wearing. She needed new boots; the ones she was wearing were wearing thin and a few holes were starting to appear. Her jacket was also beginning to wear thin but her gloves already had holes in them, and that fence still needed to be mended and she could always wear another shirt. Winter was fast approaching… her old hat would last until she got more money… looking at the prices of the gloves, jacket, and boots she sighed, making her decision.

"Thank you so much. You got every item on the list and I didn't hear your grandfather yelling at you so you must have been behaving. Here you go, as I promised, after all a deal's a deal. A dime for you and a dime for you."

"Ms. Quinn, where are the hat, jacket, and boots?"

"I don't have enough for them at the moment. In fact, I barely have enough for the gloves."

"But aren't these items going on the Barkley account as well?"

"No! Good gracious no. These are my personal items. I'll be using my own money." She said it adamantly but Mr. Thompson knew by the wistfulness in her voice and the way she kept, what she must have thought was discreet, looking back at the hat, jacket, and boots she had planned to purchase that she was wishing she could just put the items on the Barkley account. He sighed with a smile. She was stubborn and full of pride. She wouldn't stoop to asking him to set up an account for her so she could purchase the items.

Proving him right she paid for the gloves with cash and walked out the door with the Barkley's purchases.