The moonlight slid through the curtains and onto the wooden floor. A breeze crept into the room and across the room to the bed. It brushed her arm and she took a soft breath as she opened her eyes. Seeing the moonlight, she rolled onto her back and looked the man sleeping by her. Sitting carefully, she checked the time and looked back down at him.

Brushing her fingers through his blonde hair, she kissed him gently and slid out of bed. Quickly she dressed and picked up her boots. She left the room and placed her boots by the door. Walking into the kitchen, she spotted the untouched plate and put the spoiled food into the trash. She cleaned the plate and put it away.

Drying her hands, she hopped onto the bar with a fresh beer and picked up the cordless. Dialing Mary's number, she took a drink and glanced around the room.

"Hello?"

"It's me."

"Well well. You home yet?"

Smirking, she said, "No."

"Oh you are horrible."

Hearing her friend's light teasing, she glanced around the kitchen and took another drink.

"How are the boys?"

"Sleeping. They're crashed in the living room."

"Thanks for watching them."

"Not a problem. I never get enough of them."

"I'll come home shortly."

"Don't worry about us. We are fine. Besides, I imagine that Nick needs you more than us."

She smirked and said, "He's sleeping."

"And you're on the phone?! You have been a single mother far too long."

Laughing softly, she took a deep breath and said, "Thank you."

Hanging up the phone, she put it down and took another drink. She put the phone on the charger and hopped off the bar. Walking out of the kitchen, she walked over to the couch and sat on the arm.

"Comfortable?"

Hearing him, she looked up and found him leaning against the door frame half dressed. She got to her feet and walked over to him. He took the bottle and took a drink from it. She took it back and held it out of reach.

"You have to eat."

He frowned and she walked back into the kitchen. Silently he followed and stopped her from getting the left overs back out. She met his gaze and he backed her into the bar. His mouth attacked hers and she set the beer aside before wrapping her arms around his neck. He lifted her up onto the bar and slid his hands up her back.

Slowly she pulled free and said, "Nick."

His eyes flashed and he picked up the phone. She watched him dial a number and frowned. He ordered a pizza and she rolled her eyes when he hung up.

"There. Happy?"

She took a drink and said, "Not my call."

He slid his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. The chills ran through her body and she put the beer out of range.

"I could get use to having you here in the late evening."

She caught his face and said, "I'm worried about you."

He kissed her and said, "I'm fine."

Keeping her tongue silent, she held his gaze and he ran his hand through her black hair.

"Two years ago you wanted nothing to do with me."

She smirked and said, "Family has a way of winning you over."

He smirked and asked, "Plan on wearing those clothes dirty when you go home?"

She shrugged and he pulled her off the bar. Feeling the floor beneath her feet, she caught his gaze and he pulled her into the bedroom. She sat on the bed and watched him look in his closet.

"Please tell me you're not searching for women's clothes in there."

"You wouldn't wear them."

She laughed and he tossed her a flannel. She looked up at him and received a pair of boxers and shorts.

"These.."

He looked at her and said, "Suits you."

She frowned and asked, "Why would I change into these?"

"You want clean clothes for your trip home?"

Her eyes narrowed and he moved in front of her. His mouth captured hers and she closed her eyes as he pushed her down into the bed. Her fingers ran through his hair and he trailed kisses down her neck. The doorbell rang and she took a deep breath as he disappeared from the room.

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Watching the cattle in the field, he hopped off the fence and walked into the barn. He picked up his gloves and began to remove the old straw from the stalls. Barking came from the pasture and he threw the pitchfork down. Running into the pasture, he saw Billy running toward a down animal. Quickly he followed and reach the animal.

Spotting his mother's horse lying on the ground, he patted the horse's neck and looked at Billy.

"Go get Mom. Hurry boy."

Billy took off and he turned back to the stallion. Looking down his side, Jared found no injuries but then he looked at the horse's back hooves. He had thrown a shoe and his leg was in a sick angle.

"Jared!"

Looking up, he saw Katie approaching and he moved back as she knelt next to the horse. The horse snorted and she calmed him as she inspected his leg. He jerked as she moved the broken limb and she sat back.

"I need you to get Dr. Collins."

"Broken leg?"

"Yes."

Jared got to his feet and ran off to the barn. Running her hand through her hair, she brushed the stallion's face and tried to calm him.

"Easy boy. The doc will fix you up. You know better than this."

He snorted and Billy appeared. The dog nudged her arm and she looked up at him.

"What is it?"

Billy began barking again and she looked down the pasture. One of the bulls stood looking at her and she quickly turned back to Billy.

"Stay."

He whined and she moved to the other side of the stallion. Jared yelled for her and she looked over her shoulder.

"Stay back!"

"The vet's on its way!"

"Go get Mary!"

Jared disappeared back into the barn and she worked her arms under the stallion's side. He struggled to get up and she pushed him up off the broken leg. Slowly he tried pulling himself up and stumbled. Ripping the lower half of her shirt off, she wrapped it around the broken leg and moved to the front of the stallion. He snorted and she pushed on his shoulder to get him moving.

Slowly he began to walk and she held onto him with Billy running up ahead. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the bull watching and turned her attention back to moving the stallion out of danger. Billy ran out of the barn and she sighed as she pushed the stallion past the barn doors. He collapsed onto his other side and she whistled for Billy. Hearing him bark, she ran back into the pasture and saw Mary and Jared approaching.

Mary climbed the fence and Katie shouted, "Jared, stay out of here!"

He ignored her and jumped the fence. Billy's barking continued as Mary moved into the barn. She followed Katie to the stallion and Jared stood watching for the vet. When he sat the truck pulling up, he ran outside.

"Mom, the vet's here."

"Jared, stay-Jared!"

She got to her feet and ran after him. He ran through the pasture to the fence and the bull closed in. Billy ran around barking and the vet got out of his truck. Katie reached Jared and pushed him out of the bull's path. Hitting the ground, she dodged the stomping hooves and rolled away.

Jared got to his feet and grabbed Billy's collar. The vet moved to the fence and Mary came out of the barn. She waved at the vet and he quickly moved into the barn. Hearing the barking outside, the stallion jerked about and Mary held him down as the vet reset the bone.

"Mom!"

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Getting back to her feet, Katie took a deep breath and found the bull's attention on Jared. She looked around and jumped onto the bull's back.

"Mom!"

Jared looked to the fence and found Timmy staring at the scene. The bull snorted and bucked. Holding onto his horns, she forced her body to stay on and began fighting him deeper into the pasture. Mary ran out of the barn with the vet and Timmy climbed into the pasture.

"She's going to get herself killed! Where's your gun, Jared?!"

He shook his head and said, "Mom hid them after Dad died."

The vet caught Mary's shoulder and they looked back into the pasture. Katie held the bull but his bucking loosened her leg grip. He threw his back legs up and her hands slipped. She fell onto the ground and he pounded his hooves down. Billy jerked out of Jared's grip and ran to the bull.

He ran off into the pasture and Billy disappeared into the cloud of dust. Timmy ran after Billy and spotted her. Dropping to the ground next to her, he shook her shoulders.

"Get up! Get up!"

"Timmy, stop it!"

He looked up and Mary pulled him off. The vet knelt down and Jared pulled Billy back.

"She's not dead. Go get the paramedics."

PGS