Kathryn scrubbed wearily at her face. After mending the fence it had been one thing after another. If she didn't know any better she would be thinking that because she was a girl they were making her work harder than the others. Well, actually she did know better and that was the reason. But it wasn't anything new or that she wasn't used to. And she didn't begrudge the Barkleys, she took it all in stride. It did wear on a body though and she was starting to feel the effects of the constant manual hard labor she was doing on her own. It also didn't help that snow was starting to powder the ground and she had still not acquired the hat, jacket, or boots. And her old ones were scarily thin and were starting to acquire holes. Also, more cows had appeared viciously slaughtered and Kathryn was investigating on her own, keeping it from everyone. Keeping a secret like that though ate away at people and her investigation occurred at times when she should be resting since that was the only time her time was not spoken for; hours for Mr. Nick Barkley and for Mrs… Victoria.

She closed her eyes and groaned. "Raph," she warned. She started to reprimand him before coughing. When Raphael heard the coughing he whined and ducking under her arm nuzzled into her side. Kathryn smiled at him affectionately. "Apology accepted." She stated with a congested voice.

"Miss Quinn!"

Kathryn inwardly groaned as Nick's loud voice bounced around in her aching head.

She stood to her feet slowly, her movements lethargic since that was all her achy body would allow.

She wiped her brows with her right wrist and plastering on a smile inquired, "What can I do for you Mr. Barkley?"

Nick arched a brow. Her voice didn't sound normal. It almost sounded like… "Are you ill?"

Kathryn stiffened and shut her mouth, her eyes widening in fear.

Nick became worried. Even though she was a woman Kathryn was one of his hardest workers. Because she was a woman he had been quite hard on her making her work harder than his other hands but she had done all he… demanded, efficiently and without complaint or grumble which was more than he could say for the others; this he knew from experience. "Are you okay?" He asked.

Kathryn smirked. "Careful Mr. Barkley, your concern is showing." She joked.

Nick crossed his arms over his chest angrily and harrumphed. "You're staying out here tonight to keep an eye on our herd of newest horse flesh."

Kathryn smirked. "No polite asking this time? Just an overbearing demand? Or is it a command?"

"It's an order." Nick growled, turning on his heel and stalking off.

Kathryn sighed in relief as Nick left. She held the tickling in her throat back as long as she could but it cost her for when the cough broke loose it was a hacking fit that had her bent over, hands on her knees.

"Raph, I swear if you whine again…" Her threat was cut short by another coughing fit.

"Not… a… sound…"

Kathryn huddled inside her jacket, rubbing her gloved hands up and down her arms trying to generate heat. She had a small fire going and Raphael was snuggled against her. Vacquero was enjoying himself with the new herd. She couldn't use her blanket because it was currently serving as her shelter.

Raphael stiffened and showing his teeth, snarled a warning. Kathryn jerked to attention and grabbing her bow slowly nocked an arrow.

"Come now Raph. I would have thought that you would know me by now and not greet me with such hostility."

Kathryn smiled at the greeting. "Sorry Mr. Barkley. When Raph thinks he needs to protect me, everyone, no matter how long he's known them or how much he likes them becomes an enemy. Raph, que està bien."

"… And why does he think he needs to protect you?"

Kathryn snapped her mouth shut. Whenever she wasn't feeling well she tended to blurt things out.

"Can I help you with something Mr. Barkley?"

"Come now Kathryn… can I call you Kathryn?"

Kathryn shrugged her shoulders. "You're my employer, Mr. Barkley. You can call me whatever you want."

Jarrod sighed. "How is it that my mother has gotten you to call her Victoria yet you refuse to call me Jarrod?"

"Mr. Barkley, have you TRIED saying no to your mother? It doesn't work. And have you TRIED disobeying her? It is NOT a pleasant experience."

Jarrod chuckled. "I won't disagree with you."

"Good. Now that we've settled that, what are you doing out here?"

"I should be asking you the same question."

Because your brother's a bully. Kathryn almost blurted out but had the nous to keep her mouth shut a little bit longer.

"Mr. Nick Barkley… asked, for a volunteer to watch the new herd."

"And you… volunteered?"

She shrugged non-chalantly. "I have nothing better to do."

"My brother doesn't ask. He ORDERS."

Kathryn kept silent, staring into the flames.

"He also confessed to us."

Kathryn met his amused gaze. "And how did that come about?"

Jarrod sat down next to her. "Audra was wondering if you'd be warm enough tonight and Nick blurted out, my guess is without thinking but then again, when does he ever? That he had sent you to keep watch over the new herd. I left the house to the amusing sounds of Nick being sternly reprimanded by Mother and being yelled… screamed?... ah, screeched, at by Audra."

Kathryn shook her head. "I'm fine. Honestly? This isn't the worst."

Jarrod's countenance fell. "It's depressing to know that."

Kathryn chuckled. "Sorry for ruining your mood. You better go before I spoil it further."

Jarrod smiled again. "Leave now? Just when it's getting good?"

Kathryn made to question his meaning, when she heard it.

She groaned.

Kathryn smiled as the Barkley men swapped stories. She'd interject here and there at the appropriate times but other than that she was inattentive. She was drifting off from her sleep deprivation, the hard work she had been doing, and the fact that it was so dang cold! Raph whined as her. She absent mindedly stroked his head, somewhat calming him.

Jarrod noticed this and instead of continuing his participation, kept an observant eye on Kathryn.

When he noticed her shivering his gaze went to what was in front of him; her thread bare boots with holes starting to make an appearance.

He sighed affectionately as he reached forward and pulling her right foot towards him, yanked off her boot.

"Mr. Barkley!" Kathryn meant to sound indignant but it came out as a terrified squeak.

"Hush child." He gently reprimanded as he began to rub her foot. "You know, you really should get some new boots."

"I decided to get new gloves instead. But, now that that fence is mended I'm starting to wish I had gotten new boots instead."

"What size are you?"

"… Kid…"

Jarrod chuckled. "Audra outgrew a pair not that long ago. They'll be big of course but they'll be better than what you've got now."

"No Mr. Barkley, that's quite alright. I… I almost have enough to buy the pair I was looking at."

"Well, in that case, how much more do you need?"

"That's not necessary. In fact… I'll go and attain them tomorrow."

"Kathryn, what in the woods are you glaring at so intently?"

Kathryn fingered the fletching on her arrow as her eyes narrowed.

"Probably a squirrel, deer, or bird." Heath answered for her with a small grin.

Kathryn started walking towards the trees. Raphael started following her, but stopped with a whine when she commanded, "Permanecer."

"NOW where is she running off to?"

Kathryn's eyes darted about as she stealthily crept beneath the trees. Leaves, whether they were still on the tree or had fallen to the forest floor were lightly dusted with snow, but that did not stop them from crunching under her feet. She was tense, her nerves on high alert as her eyes strained to find what was causing this sense of unease.

"Miss Quinn!" Nick's shout of anger easily reached her in the eerily quiet forest.

She turned to hush him and was pushed to the ground as pain exploded across her back.

Heath's and Jarrod's heads snapped up and met Nick's gaze of fear.

The men drew their guns and ran beneath the trees.

"Kathryn!"

"Miss Quinn!"

In front of them was their fear confirmed.

A mountain cat.

They breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the arrow protruding from its eye but the feeling was short lived when they heard Raphael's whine.

They turned to see Kathryn propped up against a nearby tree, Raphael gently nudging at her arm with his nose.

"Kathryn." Jarrod exhaled as he knelt before her.

"Nick, she's out cold and she's bleeding. Bad. We need to get her back. Now."

"What's taking him so long?!" Nick growled impatiently, as he paced in front of the fireplace.

"Nick, stop that incessant pacing. You're going to wear a hole through the floor."

Nick froze and leveling an icy glare at Jarrod he snarled, "Kathryn is being treated because a mountain cat attacked her and you're worried about a hole in the floor that will never happen?!"

"Why is it Nick that you only call her Kathryn when she's not around to hear it?" Heath offhandedly questioned.

Nick wheeled around to face him and opened his mouth to reply but stopped when Heath rose to his feet, concern on his face.

Nick whipped around to see Victoria and Dr. Merar descending the staircase.

Nick, Heath, and Jarrod met them at the bottom of the steps.

"How is she?" Heath was the one to voice the question.

"The injuries inflicted on her by the cat will have her laid up for at least two weeks."

They sighed in relief.

"However, I'm afraid her recovery time is going to be extended at least another week."

"Why so d**n long?!" Nick roared.

As Victoria glared in reprimand at her son Dr. Merar answered, "She is suffering from an illness. I don't know exactly which one because being unconscious she could not answer my questions. But, of the symptoms presented I would say she has a cold. She is shaking though she has a fever, her coughing fits drain her greatly, and she is congested."

Nick stiffened at the last symptom mentioned.

After showing Dr. Merar out Victoria joined her sons.

"Nicholas, why did you act guilty just now?" Victoria inquired of her son.

Nick gulped nervously. "When I spoke to her earlier her voice didn't sound normal."

"Well, I can't in good conscience allow her to return to her campsite in her condition. It's a good thing that I cleaned that bedroom recently. I'm going to go ask Silas to make some broth for her for when she wakes up."

The silence that followed as Victoria left the room was interrupted by an angered shout of "And just WHERE is that mutt going to be staying?!"

Audra had work to do at the orphanage and Victoria had offered to accompany her daughter leaving behind three anxious young men.

Nick stood propped against the wall, arms crossed over his chest and a scowl adorning his features. Jarrod sat at the foot of the bed, an inquiring gaze focused on the slumbering Kathryn who was being tended to by Heath as he placed a cool, wet cloth on her forehead.

"Did the men find any evidence of another mountain cat?" Jarrod queried.

"No. But then again, we didn't have evidence of this cat either."

Jarrod turned his attention to his silent brother. "You holding up okay Nick? You're awfully quiet."

Nick glowered. "Just because I was attacked you think I'm going to fall to pieces when it happens to someone else?"

"You haven't said one word since we entered this room. I thought you were mulling over the past."

"The only thing I've been MULLING OVER is the fact that that mutt is lounging quite contentedly on that imported, VERY EXPENSIVE chair!"

Raphael raised his head and gave Nick a bored stare. He then yawned and closing his eyes, laid his head back down.

Nick sputtered in indignation then muttered, "No respect."

"Le do thoil (please)… Le do thoil nach (please don't)… Nach dtèann (don't go)… Athair (father)… Màthair (mother)… Dearthàireacha (brothers)… Deirfiùr (sister)… Le do thoil (please)… Mè nach ba mhaith a bheith ina n-aonar (I don't want to be alone)…"

"WHAT…" Nick started to holler but was shushed by Jarrod, "what language is that?"

Heath's brow furrowed. "It's not Spanish, that's for sure."

Nick turned his attention to Jarrod whose brows were drawn together and his chin was resting on the knuckles of his right hand.

"Alright Pappy, out with it. Something's stuck in your craw, what is it?"

Jarrod snapped his head up to meet his brother's suspicious gaze.

"I…"

"Raph… Raph… Le do thoil… Le do thoil nach saoire (leave) dom (me) freisin (too)…"

"Kathryn… Kathryn it's time to wake up." Jarrod encouraged.

Kathryn opened her eyes slowly. "Mr… Mr. Barkley… where… where am I?"

"Guest bedroom."

Her eyes flew wide open at that revelation, bright with fever. She began to struggle fiercely.

"What's the matter? What's wrong?" Heath asked in alarm.

"I… I… I need to get back to Raph. He'll go crazy if I don't get back to him."

"Try again Miss Quinn. Your mutt is lounging quite comfortably on that VERY EXPENSIVE chair next to your bed. Now, what's the real reason you're trying to run away?"

Kathryn glared at Nick with a glare that would have scared him out of his boots if her gaze hadn't been so feverish.

"Let me set you right on something Mr. Barkley. I… don't… run. Not from anyone, not from anything." She growled before lapsing into a hacking fit.

Raphael growled as Jarrod handed Kathryn a glass of water.

"Hey, mutt, heel." Nick growled threateningly as Jarrod chuckled. "Easy there boy, we're not hurting her." Jarrod placated.

At Heath's and Nick's questioning looks he elaborated. "Kathryn told me that when Raph thinks he needs to protect her, everyone, no matter how long he's known them or how much he likes them becomes an enemy."

Nick glared at the snarling Raphael. "I suggest you put a muzzle on it mutt. Otherwise I will put you out on your a*s."

"Do that Mr. Barkley and you will regret it."

"Is that a threat Miss Quinn?"

Kathryn smiled sweetly at the steaming Nick. "I'm not the one you should be directing that question towards Mr. Barkley."

"And who exactly should that question be directed…"

"Nick, get your spurs out of her." Heath commanded gently.

"Don't worry Mr. Barkley. I can take anything your brother decides to throw at me."

"Of that I have no doubt Kathryn, but you can prove that point later. Right now, it's time for soup and medicine." Jarrod told her holding out to her the bowl of broth Silas had prepared.

Kathryn made no move to take it. Instead she reclined against the pillows, and crossing her arms over her chest defiantly smirked as she purred, "Sure it is…"

"Young lady… you're not going to give us any trouble, right?" Jarrod inquired sternly but his smile diminished his severity.

She smiled in reply. "… Maybe."

"Well, if that's the case… your stubbornness has left me no choice but to go and acquire the services of Audra. …Or perhaps that of my mother. If I remember your words correctly, and I believe I do, saying no doesn't work and disobeying her is not a pleasant experience." At her glare he smiled broadly. "So, that settles that. Judging by your thundercloud of an expression I'm wagering that my mother is the best… cure, for your stubbornness. If you'll excuse me I will be back with her momentarily." He gave a bow, and rose from the bed.

Kathryn ducked her head. Shaking it, she uncrossed her arms and lifting her head, an amused smile adorning her face, sighed. "I surrender. You win. Give me the dang medicine and soup." As Jarrod placed both in her open hands she nodded her head at him. "Well played Mr. Barkley. I'll have to remember in the future not to admit such weaknesses to you."

Jarrod smiled to hide the quick jab of pain that lanced him at her words. He truly did like Miss Kathryn Quinn and her admitting that she had confessed a weakness of hers to him made him realize what exactly he had lost. But if it made her take care of herself, the loss could be acceptable, though he was loathe to admit it. But, with a spark of hope he realized that he could win her trust again.

He would.

"Now that you're taking your medicine and we're not having to stuff it down your throat, mind telling us how long you've been ill and why you felt the need to hide it from us?" Nick questioned.

Kathryn placed the bowl of broth on the bedside table and demurely placed her hands in her lap. Smiling innocently she stated in a sweet voice, "First off Mr. Barkley, if you had attempted to force anything down my throat you would have removed a handless stump and second of all," she said this firmly effectively stopping Nick who had opened his mouth to interject, "I'm not exactly sure how long I've been feeling under the weather. I was fine when I finished mending that fence which was… five days ago. And after that it was one thing after another for the past three days so… my guess? Not long enough for me to consider hiding it from you."

Nick held her stare. He had poked the wolf and she had snarled. It was time to back down judging by the fire in her eyes. He noticed Jarrod giving him a reprimanding look. He sighed heavily. "I apologize Miss Quinn. I was assuming, based on previous experience, that your stubbornness was why we didn't know you were ill."

Kathryn was about to retort when she remembered that Nick had asked her if she was ill and okay and she had snarked back that his concern was showing.

Her stubbornness HAD kept her from telling him she wasn't feeling okay and she HAD made the decision to hide it from him.

She opened her mouth to tell them the truth and… apologize and promptly yawned.

She snapped her mouth shut immediately, thoroughly embarrassed.

Jarrod smiled. "Kathryn, your face is as red as your hair."

Nick chuckled. "It looks good on you. We should embarrass you all the time."

"Let her be Nick." Heath gently reprimanded, though he was smiling thus diminishing the effect.

Kathryn rolled her eyes knowing she would get no support from any of the men occupying the room with her. "Where are my clothes?" She inquired, scanning the room.

"My guess? Getting clean." Nick answered casually as he suppressed a shudder, remembering the amount of blood.

Kathryn shrugged. "Where's Vacquero? I can ride back to my campsite where I have more clothes."

"He's in the barn pen and enjoying himself thoroughly. Besides that Dr. Merar said you'll be bed ridden for three weeks at least." Jarrod informed her.

Kathryn snorted in amusement. "That's not going to happen. I need to work. I don't accept charity."

Jarrod pinched the bridge of his nose. "We remember."

"I don't care if you don't accept charity! You are bed ridden until Dr. Merar says you're okay!" Nick bellowed.

Kathryn glared at him, her hackles raised and spoiling for a fight, her blood hot until she started hacking again. When her fit was over she resumed her glare, daring Nick to say something.

He just grinned in triumph.

Because of her coughing Kathryn was now thoroughly drained. She didn't want to admit anything but she just didn't have the energy to argue anymore. She leaned back against the pillows and closing her eyes stated, "Alright Mr. Barkley. You win." And was promptly asleep.

All three Barkley men breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"I should hire you Brother Nick. Your methods are quite effective."

"How so?"

"She agreed. You really tired her out."