Author's note: 1 month later

The afternoon sun reflected on the cold snow across the pasture. The work hands were gone for the day except for Cal and the family was outside enjoying the warmer temperatures. A snowball hit Calli in the back and she laughed. She looked over at her devilish boy and he threatened to throw another ball. She ducked when he threw and the snowball crushed into the snow.

"Ah Mom!"

She laughed and looked back at him. He began packing another ball into his glove covered hands and she scanned the property line. Today was one of the last days before her brother would be returning home and she couldn't help but feel relieved at that thought. Her thoughts turned to Joe and she fought back the groan. Those two would try to kill each other as soon as look at each other and she knew it was just a matter of time before her brother found out she was here.

The town people had sworn to keep quiet until she could leave, but Calli didn't trust the gossip hens. A snowball struck her face and all thoughts stopped. Tommy was laughing as she wiped the snow off her face and she looked at him. He hugged his sides as he continued to laugh and she shook her head.

"You wait."

He smiled triumphantly and she wiped her gloves off. She watched him pack another ball and shook her head. Soon enough his free time would end and the preparations for Spring would force him to stay indoors. This was his last year home and she knew it would be painfully quiet once he went off to school.

"Who's that?"

Blinking, she looked back at her son and found him looking at someone coming from a nearby tree line. The ball remained secured in his right hand and she walked up to him. Her hand caught his shoulder and he looked up at her. She shook her head and looked back at the stranger approaching. He was a burly looking man with a thick brown curly beard and a red snowcap on his head.

He kept his hands in his coat pockets and tears along his pant legs made her hand tighten on Tommy's shoulder. The boy felt her edge him behind her and she kept her eyes on the man. Slowly he stopped about twenty feet away and stared back with a defiante look in brown eyes.

"What do you want?"

"I want to know when your dear brother will be getting home."

Calli felt her throat tighten but she held the worry back. The last thing she needed was for this brute to find out she was worried. It would only make the situation worse.

"He isn't home so I suggest you leave."

The man chuckled and said "I'm not going anywhere."

"You aren't staying here."

He continued to chuckle and said "You know otherwise. I believe under your family's tradition any wanderer will be provided a warm bed and a good hot meal if requested."

Her eyes narrowed and she said "You are an exception."

The guy let out a sigh of aggravation and said "Keep your mouth shut."

He pulled his right hand out of his pocket and the 22 handgun sparkled in the sunlight. Tommy's gasp didn't miss his attention and he looked down at the little boy.

"You ever played with one of these Boy?"

He shook his head behind his mother and heard "Well come here then."

Tommy didn't budge and a frown crossed the man's face. He stepped closer and Calle nudged her son back. The man caught her wrist and tugged her up to him.

"Give me a room or the boy will get it."

Her eyes widened enough for him to see the fear and he laughed. Setting the trigger, he aligned the 22 with Tommy's head and looked back at Calli.

"You have 3 seconds woman."

Tommy stepped back again and Calli tried to twist her wrist free.

"1."

The man tightened his grip on her and Tommy turned his back on the man.

"2."

A finger rested on the trigger and he focused on the mid of the boy's back. Calli saw his finger begin to draw back and heard a gunshot. The gun dropped to the snow and she ran over to her son. He clung to her as she hugged him close to her and kissed his head. Slowly she looked back at the man and found him lying dead on the snow, the snow turning red beside him.

"Is he dead?"

She looked back at Tommy and nodded. Hugging him again, she ran her fingers through his hair and looked up. Up the hill she found Joe watching from the saddle on her stallion and saw the gun resting on the woman's knee. It was still smoking and she felt the wave of relief swarm through her. Tears of relief threatened to fall but she fought them back and took her son's hand.

Tommy glanced over his shoulder and smiled when he saw the woman. He looked back at his mother and she nodded. Letting go of him, she stood up and they walked up the hill. Joe swung her stallion around and trotted back to the barn. They followed her into the barn and found her hanging her tack on the stall door.

Tommy ran over to her and hugged her. She stopped and let the boy cling to her as she met Calli's gaze.

"How did you know?"

Joe glanced over at Cal, who was working in one of the stalls, and said "He told me."

Cal looked up and caught Calli looking at him with relief. He held his tongue and nodded.

"Tommy, come help me inside real quick. Cal, would you mind taking care of the mess?"

"Not a problem, Calli."

The two left the barn and he waited for them to disappear across the driveway. He stepped out of the stall and shut the door. Setting the lock, he turned around and saw the brunette woman grabbing some blankets from a basket by the door.

"Why did you tell her I did it?"

She looked back at him and said "I don't need her to feel like she is in debt to me."

"You saved Tommy. I think she should feel in debt."

Joe shook her head and said "She's done more than enough by letting me stay through the winter. I am the one in debt."

Cal shook his head and said "If you're going out to the pasture, let me help you. I don't need Calli getting worked up any more than she is."

He took one of the blankets from her and they walked outside. The snow was glistening as they headed out to the middle of the pasture. A crimson circle lay around the body as they reached it and he stretched the blanket out next to it. Joe covered the body with her blanket and Cal rolled it up. He caught the shoulders and lifted the upper half off the ground.

She took the legs and they carried the body back to the barn. The walk was much slower than the one coming out there and it left her struggling to keep her breathing under control. When the body laid by the barn, Cal looked at her and saw her favoring her ribs.

"I think you should check on Bear and then head in for the night."

"I'm fine."

He held her gaze and shook his head. She watched him go inside to hunt down a sturdy shovel and took a deep breath. Going inside sounded really appealing but she couldn't let him dispose of the guy alone. Closing her eyes briefly, she pressed against the aching ribs and forced the pain under control. Opening her eyes again, she walked into the barn and walked into Bear's stall.

He lifted his head when she sat next to him and he licked her hand. His nose sniffed at the scent on her hands and he shook his head with a sneeze. Smirking, she kissed his head and rubbed his ear. Carefully she loosened the bandages around his abdomen and found the healing area looking better. Bear tried to lick at the itching stiches but she nudged his nose back and secured the bandages.

"Soon silly."

He let out a pathetic whine and she rubbed his ear. He closed his eyes and she kissed his head. Watching him put his head down, she climbed to her feet and leaned into the wall as her ribs complained with a stabbing pain. Taking a deep breath, she left the stall and walked outside. Cal had already taken the body back behind the barn to store and she walked over to the front porch of the house.

Pulling the door open, she stepped into the warm hallway and shut the door. Tommy came skipping into the hallway and hugged her. She bit back the groan as he bumped her aching ribs and ran her hand through his hair.

"Thank you Joe!"

She nodded and he quickly released her.

"Oops. Forgot."

Smirking, she ruffled his hair and said "I'm fine."

He smiled and she watched him disappear back into the kitchen. She could smell the food being prepped for dinner and it left her queasy. Fighting back another groan, she hung her jacket up in the closet and climbed the steps to her room. Turning the light on in her room, she shut the door and leaned into it. Forcing her legs to carry her into the private bathroom, she turned the light on and started the shower.

Sitting down on the toilet lid, she removed her boots and caught her breath. She carefully moved back to the vanity and removed her sweatshirt. Her bandages weren't stained but she knew how nasty her side looked. Carefully she removed the wrapping and threw it into the trash can. She unfastened her jeans and slid them off her long lean legs.

She loosened her hair and let it fall down to her mid back. Running her fingers through the soft hair, she finished undressing and climbed into the shower. The water was warm and instantly loosened the tense upper back muscles. Her side protested but she held herself under the water, pushing past the pain. When the pain subsided and she felt her body finally relaxed, she turned the shower off and dried herself off.

She wrapped her towel around her and climbed out of the shower. Climbing back into all but her sweatshirt, she wrapped the towel around her hair and began applying the medicated ointment she had been given by the local doctor to her ugly looking side. Carefully she wrapped her abdomen again and slid into her warm sweatshirt. She hung her towel up and ran her fingers through her hair. Working it back into a tail, she grabbed her boots and left the room, flipping the light off on the way out.

She left her boots by the end of her bed and looked around the room. Glancing at the sealed envelope by her bed, she crossed the room and sat down. Picking up the envelope, she opened it and pulled out the folded up letter. Setting the envelope aside, she unfolded the paper and read over the very familiar handwriting. Opening the drawer to the bedside table, she pulled out a blank piece of paper and a pen.

Carefully she replied to the letter and signed it at the bottom. Folding it, she slid it into an envelope and sealed it. The opened letter rested in the drawer and she closed it. Putting the sealed envelope on the table, she left her room and turned the light off. Quietly she walked downstairs and heard Tommy's muffled voice as she approached the kitchen.

She found the boy setting the table and leaned against the doorway. Calli was dishing up the food and she grabbed the empty glass at her place. Tommy opened the fridge for her and pulled out the pitcher of water. Smiling, she let him pour her drink and placed it by her plate.

"Thank you."

He smiled and said "You're welcome."

"How are you feeling, Joe?"

She turned to Calli and found the woman watching with her usual worrisome eyes. Taking one of the bowls from the counter, she put it on the table and carefully designed her answer.

"I'm fine. You don't need to be so worried."

Calli chuckled and said "I know you have a lot of responsibility back home and have to be tough, but not here."

She bit back a sigh and said "I appreciate it, but I really am fine."

Calli opened her mouth to disagree but Cal walked into the room and the conversation dropped. He took his seat at the table and Tommy helped put the last of the food on the table. Everyone sat down and Calli said a small prayer of thanks before they filled their plates and enjoyed the warm meal.