Billy closed his eyes and let out a whine. His tail swished silently on the porch and she rubbed his ear. He looked up at her and rested his head on her lap. She smirked and closed her eyes.

"It's nice tonight."

He whined again and she smirked. Looking down at him, she found him resting his eyes. Kissing his head, she looked up at the stars and smirked. The door opened and Chris stepped out on the porch. She looked up at him and he sat down near her on the steps.

"Spend the evenings alone out here?"

She nodded and said, "Only time to myself."

He looked at her and asked, "Where is your man? I haven't seen him since the day we met."

She looked at him and said, "We're not dating."

Chris chuckled and said, "Oh come on, Katie. You are crazy about this guy. You just won't admit it to yourself."

She looked back up the sky and said, "I don't have the time to get involved with anyone. My boys need me. I have the farm to run."

"You have Jared helping you. That should make things easier, not harder."

She shook her head and said, "He's never worked the farm before. This summer will be his first time."

Chris frowned and asked, "What about Timmy?"

She closed her eyes and said, "He doesn't have much to do with the farm."

"Why?"

"He almost died. I guess he realized he wanted to fulfill his dreams before he worked."

"And you're okay with it?"

She looked at him and said, "Of course. I almost lost him, Chris. I'm just glad to see him enjoying life."

Chris sighed and she looked down at Billy. Rubbing his ear, she took a deep breath and looked up at the stars once more. Chris got to his feet and walked to the door.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

She listened to him go inside and let out her breath. Looking up at the stars, she felt the loneliness kick in and shook it off. She use to be happy, sitting under the stars at night. Now, she felt cold every time she was alone.

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Putting the chart away, he cleaned off his day on the board and walked to the locker room. Glancing at the clock, he found he still had two hours left and he pulled off his medical jacket. Hanging it in his locker, he slid on his jean jacket and closed the door. The door opened and Trent stepped inside.

"Off for the night?"

"Yeah."

He handed him a note and said, "This came for you while you were with your last patient."

Frowning, he read the note and swallowed the groan. Crumbling up the note, he threw it into the trash and left the room.

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Unlocking the door, he stepped inside and found Megan sitting on the couch. She looked up at him and slid off his jacket.

"Give me a good reason why I shouldn't kill you."

She looked down at her hands and said, "I didn't mean for this to happen."

He pulled out a beer and opened it as he stared at her. He saw the dried tears on her face and rolled her eyes.

"I'm sorry if I ruined your plans for tonight."

Collapsing into his chair, he sighed, "It doesn't matter."

She looked up at him and said, "Don't stay just because of me. I will be okay."

He leaned forward and said, "I don't have a choice."

She looked back down at her hands and let out a sigh. Closing his eyes, he took a drink and leaned back in the chair. This was the last thing he needed. She got to her feet and walked into her room. He heard the door close and lock.

Letting out a deep breath, he looked at the time and got to his feet. Slipping his jacket back on, he picked up his keys and slipped out the door.

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"Like this?"

She looked at Jared and nodded. He tossed the last amount of straw into the stall and closed the door. Billy raised his head and she put the bucket back down. Jared ran up the stairs to see who it was and Billy followed after. Wiping her face free of sweat, she stretched her arms and picked up the bucket.

Hanging the bucket on the last free hanger, she let out a sigh and closed her eyes. Holding onto the top of the door, she rubbed her neck and tried to loosen the knot in the middle. Hearing the cattle, she opened her eyes and looked for Billy. Frowning, she walked to the pasture doors and gave a whistle. Billy came through the door and joined her.

Her horse trotted over to her and she rubbed his face as Billy dashed out into the pasture. Pulling herself up onto the horse's back, she wrapped her hands in his mane and he trotted out into the pasture. She let the ride relax her as she watched Billy round the cattle up. The beasts moved into the barn and she forced the horses in next. Riding her horse into the barn, she slipped off his back and patted his neck.

Closing the stall door behind him, she locked it and check the rest of the stalls. Watching the animals begin eating their dinner, she walked over to the pasture doors and pulled them shut. The heat in the barn was rising and she wiped the new sweat from her. Walking up the steps, she stepped over to a faucet and turned it on. The water was cool and she ran it over her neck as she tried to cool off.

Billy looked at her and she turned the water off. Rubbing her neck, she followed him out of the barn and closed the door behind her. He trotted over to the house and she slowly followed. Jared looked at her from the steps and she sat down next to him.

"It was Uncle Chris."

She smirked and asked, "Where is he?"

"Left. Said he'd be back for Christmas."

She kissed his forehead and said, "Go get cleaned up for dinner."

He nodded and walked into the house. Sitting on the porch, she leaned her head over and rubbed her neck. She heard the engine and looked up as the truck pulled into the drive. She watched him get out without a word and cross the drive. He pulled her up to her feet and captured her mouth without a word.

Her arms went around his neck and she closed her eyes. Feeling his kiss again calmed her aching body and she felt as if she could sleep right there.

"You look exhausted."

Looking at him, she nodded and said, "Long weeks."

He helped her up the steps and she sat on the swing. He leaned against the railing and she stretched her legs out as the swing slowly moved back and forth.

"You need a break."

She smirked and said, "I have dinner to finish still."

He held her on the swing and said, "Let the boys and me do it."

She closed her eyes and leaned back into the swing. He stepped into the house and she heard the boys start talking with him. Slowly the noise disappeared and she slipped into a light sleep.

"Mom, dinner!"

Opening her eyes at Timmy's voice, she got to her feet and walked into the house. Smelling the food on the table, she climbed the stairs and stepped into her room. Pulling off her sweaty clothes, she changed into some loose sumer clothes and went back downstairs. Walking into the kitchen, she found the boys sitting at the table and Nick putting the last of the food on the table.

"Looks good."

Timmy smiled and said, "I told Nick what you were making."

She smiled and sat down. Nick sat down at the other end and the boys exchanged looks before diving into their food.

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Watching them drift to sleep, she leaned against the door and waited. Seeing them asleep, she pulled the door closed and walked down the hall to her room. Stepping inside, she closed the door and found Nick standing at her window. He looked at her slowly and she sat on her bed, exhausted. Silently he sat next to her and started the much appreciated massage on her neck.

"What have you been doing to yourself?"

She smirked and said, "Running the farm."

He ran the massage down her shoulders and stopped as his arms went around her waist. She closed her eyes and rested in his arms.

"Thought you didn't want this."

She looked up at him and said, "I was ganged up on."

He smirked and she slowly brought his mouth to hers. Feeling the jolt in her blood, she wrapped her arms around his neck and he deepened the kiss. Slowly she was lowered onto her back and then found them under the sheet. He held her gaze, waiting for her decision, and she pulled him back down to her. His mouth was all she needed to drive away the tiring days and his touch soothed her sore body.

PGS