Dessie made her way back home in the setting sun.  Adam had wanted to take her, but he couldn’t leave David.  Dessie knew and understood, telling him the walk would do her good.  And it would.  She could think, and cry, and try to erase the painful stare up into her eyes that David had given her.  Before she reached her ma and pa’s door, she looked back towards Adam’s office more than once.  She wondered how David was doing, if he had woken up yet, and if he was awake, if he was in much pain.

     Ryan was readjusting a leather strap that went on a saddle and Christine was piecing a new quilt together when Dessie walked in and laid her books on the table.  She was visibly tired and a little shaken.  They stared at her for a m...

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