Chris Larabee paused to wipe the sweat from his brow and glanced up at the young man in the hay mow above him. Vin Tanner was stacking the bales of hay, his shirtless body glistening with perspiration as well.


It wasn't quite ten a.m and it felt as if they already put in a full days work. With an early start and working steadily they still hadn't been able to finish before the heat built, the record temperatures working against them.


Larabee eyed the dozen or so bales still on the utility trailer and sighed. Bending, he grasped the twine ties and heaved the bale in Tanner's direction.


The Texan grunted as he bent to lift the bale into place. "Ya know," he groused, "we shoulda drafted them other boys to pitch in."


"Yeah, and listen to Ezra bitch all week? I think I'd rather sweat my balls off doing it this way then listen to him whine. And I tell ya, it must be catchin' coz Buck is getting just as bad."


Vin laughed as he tamped the bale into place with the others already stacked. "Know what ya mean there, Pard. They do get a little mouthy."


"A little?" Chris made a disgusted face. "A helluva lot." Hearing the sound of an approaching vehicle, he ducked down to look out the open barn door, hoping the new arrival might be Josiah or JD. "Isn't that Lucy's truck?"


"Awww, hell!" Grabbing his shirt, the Texan ducked back in the shadows of the hay bales. "I ain't here!" he hissed.


Chris frowned. What was with those two these days? They had been getting along so well, but the last few weeks, they had been like strangers, going out of their way to avoid each other. In fact, Lucy had turned down several invites to Sunday afternoon cook outs, feigning work she had to get done.


Although the other women were disappointed, Chris could have sworn Vin's expression had been a mixture of disappointment and relief each time the young veterinarian passed.


Gravel flew in all directions as Lucy skid to a stop behind his truck and killed the engine. Swinging out, she walked purposefully toward the barn certain that's where she'd find the part time rancher, her expression serious.


"Hey, Lucy!" Chris swiped the dirt from his hands as he vaulted down from the trailer. "I forget I had an appointment?" he questioned, half joking. The way things were going lately, he'd be lucky to remember his own name.


"No." Her response was curt as she looked around the barn impatiently. "Is Tanner here?"


"Don't see him, do ya?" the blond man caged.


"C'mon, Chris, cut the shit. His truck's parked out front. Is he here or not?" Her biting question held a no nonsense tone.


Larabee hesitated. "Well, I---"


"Yeah, I'm here." Vin vaulted down from the hay mow, tugging his T-shirt into place, saving Larabee from lying to the young woman. His eyes were guarded as he stared down at the long haired vet. "What ya want?" he demanded brusquely.


Chris frowned. Something had definitely happened between the tracker and the vet and it exasperated him. The two of them were made for each other. They had gone through those hellish messes with Blair and Ella to finally get together and now he couldn't begin to imagine what had driven a wedge between them.


"Your help. You're a tracker, right?" she questioned bluntly, not wasting time on a civil greeting.


He nodded, chewing on his lower lip, but not speaking.


"You as good as they say?" she demanded to know. "I've heard Chris there say you could track smoke on a windy day."


"Maybe," Vin hedged, a frown creasing his forehead, wondering what she was getting at.


Lucy decided not to mince words. Time was of the essence and she didn't have a moment to waste. "There's someone lost. A tracker like you might be able to find them."


"Who?" Vin straightened, "Where?"


"No one you'd know. Over by Red Rock Mesa."


"Local law or Rangers should be able ta handle it."


"Normally I'd agree but this is an extra-ordinary situation." The vet stated, trying to keep her temper under control.


Larabee watched Tanner's internal struggle, surprised by his friend's hesitation. The man was never one to turn down someone in need, a fact that more often than not landed the sharpshooter in a pile of trouble.


He kept his expression neutral as Vin shot a look in Chris' direction, begging the man to give him any excuse to avoid the situation...an upcoming assignment...the hay...anything at all that couldn't be put off but finding no salvation from his best friend .. "Ya need me here?" he implored hopefully, trying to put words in Larabee's mouth.


"Hell, I can handle these last few bales and Buck and JD'll be out later if I can't. Ain't gotta an assignment at the moment so it shouldn't be a problem. Lucy knows somebody that needs your help, ya oughta go with her. See what ya can do." The older man didn't know what issues had arisen between the two young people, but he figured spending a little time together would either resolve the problem and make them stronger or destroy them for good.


"You gonna help or not?" Lucy questioned impatiently, crossing her arms over her chest.


Knowing Chris would rag him to death for not helping her, Tanner gave a short curt nod. The truth was, he'd looked to Larabee for an excuse because there was no way he could refuse her anything. Not only had she saved his life...twice...but even if he hadn't spoken the words aloud...he loved Lucy Garth.


"Reckon so."


"Then get your gear and let's go. Time's a'wastin'." The young vet started back towards her truck.


"Whoa! We'll take my truck," Vin called after her.


She spun, her eyes flashing, ready to do battle over his simple statement. "Why?" she demanded sharply, her fingers clenching into fist as if she were about to take him on.


"Cause my gear's already in it." He glanced down at his grubby, hay covered, sweat stained clothes. "Give me a minute ta change."


Lucy chewed her lip, frowning, and then nodded abruptly as the tracker hurried towards the old farm house. As he vanished inside, she moved her truck to the side, out of Chris' way and grabbed her day pack from behind the seat. It was quite plain to Chris she'd planned on going, with or without Tanner.


Larabee had watched the interplay between the two as a concerned friend and interested bystander, seeing that only a sense of urgency had caused the vet to seek out Tanner and wondering what had happened between the two to bring about Vin's reluctance to help someone in need, especially when it was Lucy asking for the help.


He finally approached Lucy as she pitched her pack in the back seat of Vin's truck. "Lucy, you all right?" he questioned gently, noting the dark circles under her eyes.


She started, then nodded, avoiding meeting his worried gaze. "I'm fine, Chris. Just hate wastin' time under these circumstances."


"Who's lost?" Chris inquired softly.


"A little girl. A terrified child lost and alone." She brought her troubled gaze up to meet his. "Is Tanner really as good as you say he is?"


The team leader nodded. "The best, Lucy. He'll find her."


"That a promise?" she questioned, a strange note in her voice.


"Bet this ranch on it," Chris utterly softly as Vin returned, pulling on a clean T-shirt.


"Back as soon as I can." Vin stated. His hair was still dripping water where he had grabbed a quick shower, and he slicked it out of his eyes as he reached for the door handle and climbed behind the wheel.


"Ya call if ya need us!" Larabee ordered, letting Lucy know they would be more than happy to help. She was a friend and they'd all do whatever they could for her.


With a tight smile at Chris, and a nod, Lucy vaulted into the passenger seat and Larabee watched as Vin made a loop and pulled out down his drive. Shaking his head, the older man turned back to the barn and returned to stacking the remaining hay, wondering why Lucy was so distressed and which one of them would come back alive.


*******


Vin was quiet as he navigated down the highway, headed for Red Rock. He knew whoever was lost was important to Lucy for her to come to him, but he wasn't about to ask. She would tell him when she was good and ready.


She was equally silent beside him, her gaze locked on the highway ahead of them. She couldn't believe herself. This was the second time, with no hope and no where else to go, she found herself turning to the quiet Texan. Just as before, when Blair had been stalking her, she had instinctively looked to this long haired blue eyed man to assist her.


Maybe Standish was right and there was some sort of age old bond between them. She reached up, fingering the golden locket around her neck, wondering if it really was a sign or just some strange coincidence in her life.


"Why?" she suddenly broke the stillness to question softly.


Vin started, puzzled by the one word. He jerked the truck to the side of the road and slid to a stop by the guardrail. Turning to face her, on the offensive, his eyes flashed blue fire, but she refused to meet his angry stare. "Look, Lucy, iffen ya wanna fuss and fight all the way, I ain't goin'."


She sighed wearily, "I'm not fighting with you, Vin. I just asked a simple question. Why?"


"Why what?" he demanded to know.


"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked quietly.


He knew what she was asking. Why he had opted to run, rather than stay. He chewed his lower lip, his temper cooling. "I don't know," he answered honestly.


"You could have called, Vin." There was a hurt tone in her soft voice, as she finally turned to face him. "Chris and the guys aren't the only ones who worry about you."


He scrubbed a hand through his damp hair, keeping his eyes on the side of the road, unwilling to admit he had called her. "Yeah, well, they pointed that out to me," he admitted.


After his return, once he was on the path to recovering from the mishap on his bike, Nettie Wells had raised hell with Chris, and the older man had unloaded on the Texan. The other members of his team had all made it clear how worried they'd been, and how disappointed that he'd chosen to flee rather than accept their help. Even Ezra who Vin felt would never forgive him for the betrayal had quickly accepted the Texan's apologies. There had been hurt and anger all the way around, but they had all managed to work through it.


All except him and Lucy.


"Didn't it matter to you there are folks who care about you?" 'Like me,' she added silently. "You just walked out on all of them."


"Seemed the right thing to do at the time. I didn't want to drag everybody inta the middle a my problems," he offered lamely, knowing she had a point.


"Friends don't care about being dragged in, Vin. That's what makes them friends."


"Yeah, well, I found that out," he admitted. Tanner fell silent and drove the truck back onto the road. The miles slipped by before he broke the stillness in the pickup again. "So ya wanna tell me what's going on? Who's lost?"


Lucy hesitated. She thought she knew this man as well as she knew anyone on Earth, but a part of her held back. "A little girl."


"How you connected to her?" Vin couldn't dismiss the feeling she was hiding something. Lucy was a compassionate woman more than willing to jump in and help someone in trouble, but she was too upset to have simply heard about the situation on the news.


Her gray eyes flared wider. There was no way he could have guessed that! "I-I- I know her mother," she offered quietly.


"Ya know the details?"


"Just what the sheriff said."


When she offered no more, he frowned, "Which was?" he pumped.


"She's six years old and has been missing since some time yesterday." She chewed her lip, realizing she didn't know that much but knew he would find out the rest of the details when they reached Red Rock. "Her mother's car was 'jacked, or so they think. She was killed, but the little girl got out of the car and ran."


"I take it this wasn't in town," he murmured.


"No, it was about forty miles out. Truth is, they aren't even sure the 'jacker didn't take her so there wouldn't be any witnesses. The sheriff and his men found a few tracks and they've put together some search parties, but he didn't sound very encouraging. I thought... I thought maybe you could find her."


"I'll try," he offered simply, knowing how important this was to her and not wanting to make a promise he might not be able to keep. "What's her name? The little girl's."


"Mattie."


He glanced over at the young woman and really looking at her for the first time since they'd left Chris' he saw the hollowed dark circles under her eyes, and the tight lines of worry around her mouth. Without thinking, he muttered, "Why didn't ya call me sooner?"


She turned and the look she gave him said more than her words ever could. If he didn't trust her enough to call her, how she could trust him? "I called you shortly after I talked to the sheriff this morning, but you weren't home... I was listed as who to call in case of an emergency."


The small town law man had made the call to the vet the previous evening. The search parties were straggling in empty handed, unable to continue because of the growing darkness and he had turned his attention once more to the crime that had necessitated the search. Giving her what little information he had, the man had promised to call again as soon as there was any word at all.


His grip tightened on the steering wheel. "'M sorry, Lucy......"


She said nothing, not knowing if he was sorry for the little girl or for his seeming unwillingness to help or his actions the last few weeks.


"Gonna be a long day. Why don'tcha try and catch a few winks? I'll call ya when we get there," he promised.


With a quiet nod she leaned her head back on the headrest and giving in to the stress and her exhaustion within minutes her breathing was slow and even in sleep, knowing she was safe and protected with this man watching over her.


*******


Vin's gaze moved from the road ahead to the young woman asleep in his passenger seat and a soft sigh escaped his lips. When had things gotten so screwed up between them? He was loathe to admit he knew the answer. It was when he had run out without a word. Not only had he hurt Chris and the other men he worked with, he had also hurt Nettie Wells deeply and had badly damaged his growing relationship with the young woman beside him.


Ezra had warned him he was making a mistake, but he had refused to listen, afraid he wouldn't be able to follow through with what he was certain needed to be done.


He sighed again, raking his hand through his hair. It had always been in his nature to fight, taking flight only when necessary; if only long enough to figure a way in which to turn a situation to his advantage. It had always functioned well for him in his bounty hunting days and if he didn't like the way a situation was going, he could always just pack up and move on.


Back in those days, the money was good, Vin was his own boss and he didn't have to care about what...or who...he was leaving behind if he decided to drop a case. Back then, it was usually nothing of value anyway.


Since Jamie's death, other than the mountain cabin, Vin had never really had anything permanent or substantial in his life, but now, since joining up with Chris and his team, he had that longed for stability and more. He had people who cared what happened to him and who were willing to stand beside him. He should have realized they would have backed him in that Jordan mess, but old habits died hard and he had resorted to the self sufficiency of flight..... not wanting to drag the people he cared about down with him and he definitely had not wanted to think about the things of value he was leaving behind.


It hadn't been until he was alone in that motel, in that god forsaken little town had he realized the terrible mistake he had made. He felt lost, and more alone than he had at any time in his previous life. After experiencing friendship and the warmth of acceptance, the world was suddenly a cold, lonely dark place. A cold dark place he did not to be.


He would never tell anyone, but he had called his friends..... just to hear their voices on their answering machines, hanging up without leaving any word.


He couldn't admit it, but he had called Lucy's, not once, but several times. Sitting there in that lonely hotel room, he had held onto the phone as if it were a lifeline as her soft voice spoke: "Hi! You've reached Doc Garth. I'm out on a call, but leave your number and I'll return it as soon as I can. If this is an emergency, I can be reached on my cell at 000-555-1432......beeepp....."(What's CO's Area code??)


Tanner had so desperately wanted to leave a message, wanted to explain to her, have her understand and forgive him. He'd finally hung up, grabbed his gear, and headed back home...... home to his friends and the ones he realized he truly loved.


He'd made his peace with the six men he worked with, the six men who were his family now. He had even made amends to Miz Nettie. The old woman had given Chris hell, six ways from Sunday and even laid into the young man she loved like a son, afterward assuring him there was nothing to forgive, that it was simply enough he was safely back home and the warrant dropped.


But he hadn't found the time..... hadn't made the time to talk with Lucy. He hadn't been able to find the words to even begin to explain to her why he had done what he had..... and so the misunderstanding had hung between them these past long weeks.


Vin could well understand her anger. He should have trusted her, should have trusted them all enough to know they would not abandon him as he had stupidly left them. Perhaps, in coming to him, asking for his help, Lucy was attempting to rekindle their friendship again. He vowed to himself he wouldn't let the open door slam shut between them again. They had shared too much, in this lifetime, and--and if he wanted to be honest with himself--possibly in the past, to let it all slip away. It was as if destiny wanted the two of them together and he could not undo what so obviously was meant to be.


He pulled his gaze from the road and glanced at the sleeping woman's face again, remembering the time when they had ridden to the high country, before Frank Blair had interrupted and they had had to run for their very lives. They had been happy, and he had felt a contentment with her he had never known before. He wanted that feeling back....He wanted Lucy back. Back beside him where she belonged, where she had always seemed to be.


The Texan snorted to himself. Hell, he was starting to get as mystical as Josiah. But there was just something--something he couldn't define, or put his finger on--which told him he knew this woman. Had known her for an eternity. Something deep inside him recognized her and he realized that somewhere else, someplace else, some other time, they had held each others' hearts and no amount of distance or of time would ever change that fact.


The sunlight streaming in the window flashed brightly on the object around her neck and he realized she was still wearing the old rose locket she had found at the homestead. A small smile tugged at his lips. Maybe, in some small way, the old piece of jewelry was how she was holding on to those happy memories they had shared, too. Perhaps there was hope for them after all.....


*******


Lucy opened her eyes and sleepily blinked. The truck had stopped and the driver's seat was empty. Rubbing at her eyes, she looked around.


They were parked in a road side rest. Several other vehicles and semi trucks were parked nearby and people were moving about, stretching their legs. She glanced at her watch. They had been on the road two hours and it was at least another hour's drive. Lucy frowned. It was almost one in the afternoon and even if traffic was light, they wouldn't arrive until mid afternoon. It wouldn't give many hours to search before night fall.


Motion caught her eye and she looked around to see Vin approaching from the direction of the vending machines, two cans of Pepsi in his hand. As her gray eyes moved over his body, despite herself, a quick shiver ran down her spine, remembering the feel of his strong arms holding her safe and his soft lips so gentle on hers. She shook herself. This was not the time to get all lusty.


They were simply together because she needed his tracking ability and nothing more. At least she was trying to convince herself of that fact. Lucy had gotten the distinct impression he was only here out of some sense of obligation. Grabbing the release, she shoved open the door and jumped out, pushing her hair back from her eyes as the Texan approached her.


"Woke up I see," he offered with a small smile. "Feelin' any better?"


She nodded, "Yeah. Just let me run in here for a sec and we can get back on the road."


Ducking around the man, she hurried to the rest room, castigating herself under her breath. She had gone to him for help, and she could at least be civil to him.


A few minutes later, she climbed back into the passenger seat.


Vin started the truck, nodding towards the console. "I grabbed a couple of Pepsis. Thought ya might be thirsty. Iffen yer hungry, there's a box of Little Debbies b'hind the seat. Figured we'd grab a bite in the next town, if that's all right with ya."


Lucy nodded as she popped the soda top. "Yeah, that's fine." She couldn't stop herself from glancing at her watch again. "It's gonna be late when we get there..." she trailed off.


"We'll hit a drive through, save time eatin' on the road, if ya want," he offered, realizing she wasn't in the mood and they really didn't have time for a sit down supper. He hadn't meant for her to think he was lollygaggin' knowing the sooner someone lost in the wilderness, especially a small child was found the better, but they would need to eat if only for the energy.


She nodded again. "Yeah. There's a fast food strip just off the highway about forty miles on up."


"Ya been this way a lot?" he questioned, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.


"Yeah, quite a few times." She fell silent, not elaborating and Vin, his gaze on the narrow road, didn't break the brittle stillness which once again settled over the truck's cab.


Having stopped for gas, a quick order of hamburgers and fries and been slowed by drivers gawking at a fender bender on the highway, it was just under over two hours later when they pulled up to the small building which housed the county sheriff's department. Lucy jumped out and cornered a deputy who was about to enter the building and Vin, watching from the truck, saw the man pointing as he answered her questions.


In short order she was back in the truck. "The sheriff is out at the site. It's about 35 miles out on Highway 478."


Vin nodded quietly and backed out of the parking place, following her directions to the center of town where they picked up the highway again.


Forty five minutes later, with a few hours of daylight still left, after one detour on a side road, they saw two cruisers, a tow truck and several civilian vehicles sitting off the side of the road. Vin pulled in behind the second police car and parked, killing the engine. Pocketing the keys, he followed Lucy who had already bailed out and was approaching the heavy set man in the sheriff's uniform.


He was talking with two deputies and gave a sign for them to wait as he turned to the young woman. "You folks lost?" he queried, looking over the two of them, thinking they were a couple of tourists.


"Sheriff Blaine?" The man nodded. "I'm Lucy Garth. We spoke earlier on the phone about the lost little girl."


Blaine held out his hand. "Why yes, ma'am. Just wasn't expecting you yet. And he's.....?" he nodded toward her companion.


"Tanner. He's the tracker I told you about." Vin's eyes arched slightly, surprised he had been a topic of her conversations. He couldn't help but notice she did not volunteer his first name or any relationship they might have. "Have you had any luck?" she asked hopefully, her expression falling when the sheriff shook his head. "Nothing. We found tracks by the river, but nothing else." He looked away, removing his Stetson and rubbing the back of his neck. "We're thinking she might have fallen in," he admitted. "Most of the search parties are workin' the area downstream." Lucy's reaction to that remark was not lost on Vin. Her face went white as she stubbornly shook her head. He silently cursed the sheriff for his lack of tact. The sharpshooter knew the man was doing his best, could see the exhaustion and worry lines displayed on his face as clearly as it was on Lucy's, but anyone with eyes could see how important this was to the young vet. Lucy had said the sheriff contacted her after finding her name in the victim's wallet. That alone should have told him how close the two women were.


He wanted to talk to the sheriff and was afraid how she would react to what the law man had to say.


He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder as he finally spoke up. "Lucy, why don't ya get our packs outta the truck, make sure we got everything we're gonna need. Do me a favor and grab that spare ball cap from behind the seat."


"There's extra bottles a water over there and might wanna grab a couple a sandwiches." The sheriff nodded toward where a canopy had been set up, shading a couple of tables and several coolers. "Sam, from the diner in town, brought out lunch for the search crews and a couple of the groceries donated the drinks. Everybody's pitchin' in as much as they can."


"I appreciate it." Lucy nodded and with a baleful glance at Tanner moved back toward the truck.


As soon as the vet was out of earshot, Vin turned back to the sheriff, flashing his badge and requesting as many details as the man could provide.


"Bill, over there," He motioned to where a thin, bearded man, his dirty hair slicked back off his long face, leaned wearily against the tow truck talking with one of the deputies, "found the car. Front passenger tire is flat. Thought it might have been abandoned. Miss Barrett was layin' in the front seat. Back door was hangin' open." The sheriff sighed, scrubbing a hand through his hair before replacing his hat. "Some gear in the trunk. Looks like they mighta been goin' campin'. Made Bill stay behind when his team came in for a rest. Thought maybe he might have remembered something... Boy's been searchin' like that was his own kid out there. "


"Mind if we take a look around?" Vin asked as Lucy rejoined them, passing him the pack and hat as she shouldered her own knapsack. "Might help me figure out what happened...give me a direction ta start."


The man shook his head. "Course not. Go right ahead. Ya might find something we missed." He pointed. "The car's over there, where we found Miss Barrett. The river's about half mile beyond."


With a nod, tugging the hat down over Lucy's hair to protect her from the sun, the brim shading her eyes, Vin gave her an encouraging smile and resting his hand on her shoulder steered her in the direction of her friend's car. Giving the sheriff a tight smile and wave, he followed after Lucy.


The sand clung to their hiking boots and the cholla pricked at their skin, even through their jeans, but nothing slowed Lucy as she hurried towards the car sitting in the middle of a large square of yellow crime scene tape.


A second deputy hurried forward as they ducked under the tape. Flashing his badge once more, Vin reached out and grabbed Lucy's arm, pulling her to a halt as she reached for the door handle. She spun around, giving him an angry glare.


"Ya might not want to look in there, ma'am," The deputy suggested before the tracker could speak.


Lucy's face paled as she realized that, while her friend's body had been removed, the inside of the car was untouched and there were red spots smeared and splattered on the windows. She stopped, her stomach heaving, as reality sank in that it was blood. Trish's blood. While it was true she was a vet and worked with animals and saw their blood everyday, the sight of human blood was something she still had a hard time handling.


Vin's hand on her shoulder gave her a modicum of solace as she straightened and moved closer to the window. Closing her eyes, she opened them for a quick look, then turned away.


"Vin....Vin?"


He moved closer to her.


"There should be a toy rabbit. It's Mattie's. She never goes anywhere without it. If-if it's there and n-not too....." she stumbled over the correct word, "m-messy, would you get it?"


Nodding silently, the tracker handed her his pack and spoke quietly with the deputy before moving closer to the car. Lucy watched as the lean Texan studied the ground for several minutes, moving effortlessly around the vehicle, stooping several times to get a closer look at whatever attracted his attention. Squatting on his heels, he studied the scene as intently as if he were putting together a complicated jigsaw puzzle.


Then seemingly satisfied with what he saw, he leaning into the still open back door of the vehicle, his sharp gaze quickly searching the inside, before emerging with the requested item.


It was a brown well worn stuffed rabbit with one eye, long ears and numerous patches which someone had lovingly placed to repair the worn spots. Miraculously, there was no blood stains on it, having been half tucked up under the seat, and he crossed to hand it to Lucy.


She clutched the old toy to her chest and gave him a shimmering eyed look of thanks.


"Be back in a sec." She nodded, watching as he moved off to have several words with the sheriff.


"Find anything?" The older men questioned, looking up from the map he was studying as search parties reported in over the radios.


"Wanted ya ta know. Don't look like she was 'jacked. There's tracks from the driver's door ta the front a the car than ta the back. Looks like she may a had a flat. There's signs of a scuffle near the trunk and several more by the driver's door. Looks like she mighta fought with whoever killed her and got back in the car tryin' ta get away."


"Noticed those marks," The exhausted sheriff sighed, rubbing at his eyes. "Trunk latch was popped. Forensic boys thought it mighta been a hitchhiker she picked up, but won't know anything for awhile... unless her daughter can tell us what happened."


Leaving the extra radios for other search teams, stating he had his cell phone, Vin accepted one of the sheriff's business cards and acknowledging the wish of luck, crossed back to where Lucy stood motionless the stuff toy pressed to her chest.


He gave her a tight smile and motioned, "Let's go find her."


*******


Once clear of the tracks made by the deputies and tow truck driver, Vin turned his sharp gaze to the sandy ground. Moving with purpose, Lucy quietly following, still clutching the toy rabbit, as they moved closer and closer to the river. Every little bit, Vin silently pointed to some indication of passage, distinguishing between the child and the adults who had searched for her.


He stopped at the edge of the small stream. The water was at a low level this time of the year, but still deep enough to cause problems for someone as small as a seven-year-old. He frowned, back tracking the trail he had been following. Moving along the bank, his gaze searched the other side. It was only fifteen feet or so across, but the water was swift enough in the middle to knock a grown man from his feet if he wasn't careful.


Lucy watched the young man, finally blurting out, "The sheriff said at first they thought she crossed the water and came out on the other side. Said there were tracks, but they petered out. Where did she go?"


Vin cast a quick look in her direction. "He's wrong. She never crossed."


"But--"


"She didn't cross, Lucy," he repeated firmly, kneeling down on one knee to brush his fingers over something in the sand. "They just got caught up followin' the wrong trail. There's tracks going off ..." he pointed at an angle to their approach, "that way."


Pushing to his feet, he dusted his hands on his jeans. He turned to look at the young woman. "Tell me about Mattie. Is she smart?"


Lucy nodded. "This past year, we --Trish and I -- took her camping out at the Mesa. Mattie was always wandering about, finding things, watching the birds and animals. She's exceptionally bright for a six year old."


"You know that for a fact?" he questioned.


"Vin, I kept her for two weeks in the spring and she went everywhere with me, asking all kinds of questions you just wouldn't think a child of that age would ask. And she remembered everything."


"You think she's smart enough to survive out there?" He nodded toward the sandy hills in the distance.


"Yes I do... for a bit..." Lucy nodded, her tone adamant. "Trish was a botanist and geologist. She's been taking Mattie hiking and camping in these parts since Mattie was old enough to walk.


"Then let's go bring her home." Vin gave her a quick lopsided grin.


Lucy started at the last word, but fell into step beside him. They were quiet as he studied the sand, pointing out tracks to her.


Then, he spoke softly, "How's it ya know her?"


Lucy chewed her lip for a moment. "Trish, her mother... the victim..." she shook her head, not liking the sound of the word, "was my old college roommate. She was my best friend. When I first divorced Frank... I hid out here for while. She welcomed me into her house and helped me get back on my feet. When Mattie was born, we just...sorta...shared her, too. Even after I moved back to my parents' old place and started my practice, I still came back every couple of weeks or so to spend the weekend with them." She suddenly paled, "What will happen to Mattie now?"


Vin shrugged, his eyes still searching the ground, not wanting to miss anything. "Guess the father'll take her."


She shook her head. "No, he won't. He's dead, and I know for a fact Trish didn't have any other family."


"Unless your friend made provisions, state'll take her. That ain't no way for a kid to grow up," he remarked bitterly, remembering his own childhood shuffled from foster home to foster home.


It was no way for anyone to grow up.


Lucy stared at him, so surprised by the resentfulness in his normally soft voice she forgot what she had meant to say. "You were orphaned," she whispered, as she realized the man had never spoken of his childhood to her before.


"Yep"


His one word response was clipped and cold and she knew it was not a subject to pursue. Amazed, Lucy hoped she'd never stop learning things about this man she somehow felt she'd always known.


Sensing her trepidation about the child's future, if they found the little girl alive, and hoping to give her something to concentrate on besides what they might discover, Vin added, "I reckon, iffen it was me, not havin' no blood family I'd make sure my kid was taken care of by someone she loved and someone I trusted... like my best friend."


The vet gave him a small smile, realizing he was right. While they had never really gotten around to discussing it, Lucy knew Trish had made her Mattie's guardian.


"Are you going to find her?" she queried hopefully.


"Do my best," he offered and she knew he wasn't going to get her hopes up.


Yet, she recalled Chris' words before they had left. He would 'bet his ranch' on Tanner's abilities. All she had to bet was a little girl's life.


*******


The sun was starting down and a cooling breeze was beginning to drift across the sand. Lucy knew, while the days were hot, the temperatures dropped rapidly at night and could easily reach below freezing. The child had already spent one night alone in the elements. She could only pray Mattie was okay.


She quietly followed Vin as the lanky tracker made his way through the bushes and sandy hills. Lucy didn't question him, as every several yards, Tanner used a small can of paint he taken from his pack, spraying a small orange dot on boulders or the trunks of struggling saplings. She knew he was leaving a trail she would be able to follow back to the sheriff if he were injured or they somehow became separated and that unspoken concern for her well being warmed her.


There was purpose and reason to his movement, although, looking at the ground herself, she could not see anything. As the hours wore on, her boots bogged down in the sand and her legs were getting heavy and tired. It was unbelievable to think a child could travel so far. The vet held her tongue wanting desperately to believe Tanner was right and they weren't wasting their time. Time Mattie may not have.


Lost in thought, her eyes searching for whatever it was Vin managed to see that no one else could, she suddenly bumped into something solid and realized Vin had stopped and was holding out a bottle of water he'd dug from out of his pack.


"Ya better drink this," he admonished, uncapping one for himself and downing it quickly.


Watching to make sure she drank hers, he shoved the empty plastic container back in his pack and moved off again.


The water wasn't cold, but it was wet and it refreshed her. Drinking half, and tucking the bottle in her pocket, she hurried after the long haired tracker. "How-- how far have we come?" she finally asked as she caught up with him.


"Five-six miles, maybe more."


She struggled to keep pace beside him as he continued walking. "Ya really think Mattie coulda walked this far?" She didn't want him to think she didn't trust his skills, but the sheriff and other search parties were looking in an entirely different direction. "She such a tiny thing."


He nodded. "Kid's got stamina." He pointed at the ground. "She's moving along."


Lucy blinking, brushing her hair from her eyes. "You can tell how fast she was walking?"


He nodded. "Yep."


"How?" she challenged, truly curious and needing something to distract her from the ache in her muscles.


He motioned towards the tracks, slightly dusted with grains of sand. "Depth, length of stride. Reckon she was awful scared, cause she's been movin' pretty fast ...only slowed down a few times."


"You can read all that, from those tracks?" she asked, amazement in her voice.


Stopping, he pulled his gaze from the ground and looked her full in the face. "It's what I do, Lucy. Just seems ta come natural. Been doin' it all my life."


There was no hubris in the words, just a simple statement of fact. Lucy was once again assailed with the man's artless demeanor and as she stared at him, that strange feeling of deja vu she had experienced on the ride to the high meadows those months before, swept over her. 'It's what I do....' Before joining Chris' team he had tracked people... a bounty hunter. A sudden vision of the man in buckskin, and a battered hat flashed in her mind.


She shook her head. The walk must be getting to her, she thought. Yet, the vision remained, a warm spot in her thoughts. Unable to stop herself, she reached up to touch the golden locket about her neck. Maybe... She mentally shook aside the strange feeling and followed quietly after the man.


*******


It was a short time later when Vin reached out and caught her arm. A small smile tugged at his lips and without speaking, he pointed to a rocky outcropping.


Frowning, Lucy shook her head, wondering what he was seeing. Then, as her eyes adjusted to the dying light, she saw the little figure slumped over in the shadows, curled into a ball among the boulders.


Rushing by the lanky Texan, her heart racing, weariness forgotten she broke into a run calling the little girl's name. "Mattie? Mattie?"


Dirty faced, her clothes torn, her hair tangled, the little girl sat up, tiny fists rubbing her eyes and looked around, her gaze falling first on Vin. With a terrified outcry she scrambled to her feet and began a frantic climb over the rocks as agile as a mountain goat.


"Mattie, it's me! Mattie!" The familiar voice finally gained the frightened child's attention. Lucy dropped to her knees several yards from the boulders as with a strangled sob Mattie jumped back to the ground and rushed into her open arms.


Cradling her to her chest, Lucy sat rocking back and forth, soothing the child's hair and murmuring to her. As she glanced up, she saw Vin standing near by, a small satisfied smile on his face. He caught her eye and gave her a slight nod when she mouthed, 'thank you.'


She turned her attention back to the child. Settling the little girl onto her lap, brushing the snarled hair out of Mattie's face, she wiped at the tears streaking the dirty cheeks. Withdrawing the container of water from her pocket, she gave the child a drink, holding onto the plastic container to keep the child from making herself sick by drinking too much too quickly.


Mattie took several gulps of the water and hiccupped, reaching for the bottle as Lucy pulled it away.


"I got lost, Aunt Lucy..." she sniffled.


"I know, baby." Lucy murmured, offering another drink of water, her worried gaze raking over the trembling child. One sleeve of the light flannel shirt Mattie wore over her tee-shirt exhibited a long tear, the knees of her jeans displaying fresh rips, but other than minor scratches, the little girl didn't seem to be seriously injured.


"That bad man hurt Momma, Aunt Lucy... He hurt her bad, didn't he?" Mattie wiped at the fat tears rolling down her grubby cheeks with the back her hand, which only served to further smudge her dirty face


"Yes, baby girl, I'm afraid he did." Lucy wanted to reassure the tiny child, but knew Mattie would see through the lie.


"I did like she said. Mama was screamin' and he kept hittin' her. Momma yelled for me ta run. I did like she said, Aunt Lucy... I kept runnin' and runnin and runnin..."


"You did good, Mattie." Lucy assured her. "You did exactly what your momma would have wanted."


"I was scared and forgot ta-ta m-mark a trail... or look for...for..." The tears spilled down her cheeks again. "I lost Rabby... I forgot him!" The child wailed. "I was so scared!"


"Hey," Vin hunkered down beside her, reaching into Lucy's back pack and withdrawing the battered old toy. "Would this handsome fella be him?"


A bright smile came to the child's face as she happily grabbed the toy and clutched it to her before wearily leaning back against Lucy.


The young woman tightened her hold on the child giving him another smile of gratitude.


Returning the smile, he pulled the cell phone from his pocket, frowning as 'No Service' appeared on the little LCD screen. He had hoped to not only notify the sheriff of Mattie's safety, letting the volunteers return to their homes, but also giving their location for some form of transportation. A helicopter airlift would have been wonderful.


He turned back to Lucy. "No luck. Guess that means we hike back."


Lucy sighed wearily, nodding toward the sky. "It'll be dark real soon." The Evening Star was already twinkling in the heavens.


"Should be able to make it back ta that grove a trees. Good place ta camp for the night." he motioned to the child. "She okay?"


Lucy gave the child snuggled against her another once over, seeing nothing but dirt, bruises and the few abrasions on her knees and arms. "I don't see anything seriously wrong. Dehydrated, and hungry I'm sure. Maybe a touch of exposure." She shook her head in amazement. "I can't believe she didn't freeze to death out here last night."


"I did like Momma always said..." Mattie spoke up. "When I got tired, I crawled up in them rocks and waited till somebody could find me. The rocks are warm cause of the sun and they blocked the wind. Mama always said..." The little girl's voice trailed off said and she snuggled closer to Lucy.


Neither adult had failed to notice the little girl hadn't asked why her mother hadn't come with them to find her or if she was waiting back at the car, not wanting confirmation of her worst fear.


Vin dug in a side pocket of his pack and withdrew two chocolate peanut butter bars, passing them to the vet. Lucy couldn't prevent the soft laughter that escaped. Tanner was an avid chocoholic!


Her heart lightened as he shrugged, the familiar lopsided grin coming easily to his handsome face.


Unwrapping them, she gave one to Mattie who happily tackled it, Rabby tucked securely under her arm, her eyes watching the sharpshooter warily. Breaking the other in half, she offered part to Vin who accepted and stood munching the treat as she did the same.


Licking the chocolate from her fingers, Mattie wiped her hand on her jeans and tugged on Lucy's arm, her wide eyed gaze still on Vin. When the vet bent her head closer, the little girl whispered loudly. "Who's he?"


"That's Vin. He found you."


"Oh." She continued to eye the tracker. "Vin. That's a funny name."


Tanner nodded. "So's Mattie."


"My momma named me that," she remarked fiercely.


"Mine, too."


She studied on that a moment, then held out her hand in a very adult like gesture. "I'm Mattie Barrett."


Hunkering down on his heels, Vin gently wrapped her small hand in his. "Vin Tanner, and it's my pleasure ta meet ya, Miss Mattie."


She looked him up and down, "Are you the Vin Lucy was always talking to Momma about?"


The young woman's mouth fell open, heat flaming her cheeks as she flustered, "Mattie!"


The child turned to innocently look up at her, "But you told momma you met a wonderful man and you were happy."


Lucy was turning sixteen shades of red. "Sweetie, perhaps we should be getting you out of here."


Pushing to her feet and dusting her hands on her jeans, she helped the child to her feet. "Which way?" She refused to look in Vin's direction.


Closing the pack, and slinging it over his shoulder, he nodded. "The way we came." He looked down at Mattie. "Do you want me to carry you?"


She looked up at Lucy and, seeing the trust the vet offered him, nodded. The tracker picked her up in his arms and set off the way they had just come, Lucy trailing behind the two, not up to meeting the tracker's sharp gaze just yet.


She castigated herself for having spoken to Trish in front of the child. It was well known little pitchers had big ears and while she had believed with all her heart Vin Tanner was the one man she could fall head over heels in love with, his actions over the past weeks proved his feelings were not as deep as hers.


It had broken her heart to realize he had left without a word. She had believed her feelings should have been enough to make him think twice about leaving. But then, she realized, she had never really honestly spoken to him about her feelings. Lucy had to admit she was as much to blame as he was.


After all, Trish had always pointed out to her no one could read minds, least of all the opposite sex. While she and Vin had spent a lot of time together, that's exactly what it had been. There had been no promises spoken, no vows, not even the infamous "L" word. Vin simply enjoyed her company, as did the other men at Chris' so it wasn't like they were an exclusive couple. She had not asked for that, and he hadn't offered. They were friends. And that arrangement had seemed to work for them.


But, she reasoned, maybe that vague understanding was why he hadn't bothered telling her he was leaving. Perhaps he had felt she was not worthy of his goodbye. Aw, hell, her inner voice quipped, he hadn't said goodbye to Chris or Nettie either and she knew what those two meant to him.


Lucy stumbled over a rock and caught herself, pulling her thoughts back to the here and now. Focusing, she saw the tracker several yards ahead, easily striding along as he carried Mattie in his arms. A bittersweet expression flickered across her face. The two people she valued most in this lifetime, and neither of them knew the truth.


*******


As Lucy trudged through the sand and low brush, she couldn't keep her gaze from resting on the slender tracker ahead of her. Vin carried Mattie easily in his arms and the child must have felt secure enough with him to sleep. It was a given the little girl was exhausted, but having witnessed her mother's murder it took a complete act of trust to relax in the stranger's arms.


"Vin?"


The tracker slowed and looked around at Lucy who moved up beside him. The moon was riding full overhead and her face was lit by its silvery glow. "Thank you. I didn't think we'd find her...alive."


He nodded, and moved forward. Wanting to get Mattie comfortable and checked by a doctor as soon as possible, they'd decided to finish the hike back to the makeshift search headquarters, rather than spending the night in the small grove of saplings.


"Vin?"


He slowed again to look around at her, an expression of patient puzzlement on his face.


"I mean it, really. Thank you ....for coming with me. I know --I know we've been at odds lately...." she trailed off, not wanting to widen the distance between them again.


He gave her a soft look. "It's my fault.... I shoulda trusted ya... all of ya," He gave an apologetic shrug, "but old habits die hard."


"I understand... now."


"Can't tell ya enough how sorry I am, Luce." Sorrow filled his blue eyes. "I never meant ta hurt ya.... Never wanted ta hurt anybody... Left ta protect everybody."


"Then...then, we're okay?" she stammered tentatively, her voice small.


"As okay as ya wanna be," he responded, smiling at her and she felt that old familiar warmth rush through her.


Old familiar..... she unconsciously reached up to grasp the rose locket about her neck. Something, somewhere in her being still believed the long haired blue eyed tracker had been a vital piece of her long dead past. Reincarnation -- past lives -- something -- had connected the two of them. Not just them, but their hearts. Without knowing how she knew, she was aware at one time Vin Tanner had been as much a part of her life as breathing.


What was it Ezra had once said to her about the men he worked with? "Josiah always says...Seven men -- one destiny"? Perhaps that one destiny pertained to her and Vin as well.


Deep in thought, she stubbed her toe on a rock and brought her attention back to the present.


Vin had stopped and was looking at her with a questioning expression. Motioning to a nearby outcropping, he carefully handed her the sleeping child. "Thought I heard something," he whispered softly.


"Animal?" Lucy's gaze darted frantically about; seeking the source of whatever had caught Tanner's attention, her mind listing all the predators that prowled the desert night.


"Don't know. Could be one a the search parties." He motioned towards the darkness. "Ya wait here and I'll be right back."


Removing the Sig from its holder at the small of his back, he pressed it into her hand and slipped silently into the darkness. He turned to go, then turned back to look at the young woman who stood holding the sleeping child in her arms, and was suddenly flooded with a deep sense of deja vu. A hauntingly familiar vision of having seen Lucy holding that child flooded his memory.


He shook it aside. He had never seen Mattie before. Or had he? Vin frowned, pushing aside the teasing memory and giving Lucy a reassuring nod, he quietly slipped away, in moments becoming no more than a shadow himself.


Hugging Mattie to her, Lucy watched Tanner blend into the desert night. Easing down in the sand, she settled the sleeping child more comfortably on her lap, laying the weapon at her side, feeling the smooth metal resting against her thigh.


She had seen the puzzled look on Tanner's face and she could almost picture the wheels turning in his mind. Was he assailed by the mystical memories as well or was he starting to put two and two together? Vin was not a man who quickly jumped to conclusions. If two and two added up to five, he'd continue to study the problem re-adding until the correct answer presented itself.


What would happen if...when...he found out the truth? How would he react to that knowledge? That truth? The truth she had jealousy guarded for years. Lucy would eventually share that truth with Tanner. It was a necessity if their friendship...their relationship were to continue to grow and flourish. It wouldn't be fair to keep something so important from him.


She vacillated. There was so much she wanted to tell Vin Tanner. So much she knew he already sensed, but hadn't put into place. Their far distant past together was only the tip of the iceberg..... She knew he was a man who lived by and trusted his instincts and she wondered what those instincts were telling him now.


Lucy looked around fearfully. The darkness was closing in as the moon rode behind a cloud, casting the entire area in a strange shadowy duskiness. A sudden tremor raced through her. What if he didn't come back? What if....? She mentally gave herself a shake. Vin Tanner might do a lot of things, but he would never leave her alone with Mattie. Not if he were alive! Hadn't he gone out of his way to find her before?


Her gray eyes flew open wide. Where had that ridiculous thought come from? Vin Tanner had never rescued Mattie before.... had he? That chilling smothering sense of deju vu washed over her again and she clutched the child closer to her as Mattie whimpered in her sleep.


How many years would the little girl's sleep be haunted with the re-occurring nightmare of her mother's death? Children were extremely resilient but...


Startled by the sound of a pebble striking rock as if purposely kicked to draw her attention, Lucy's head jerked up, relief momentarily washing over her as Vin's lean form emerged from the shadows.


The relief rapidly turned to fear, her eyes drawn from his regretful expression to the thin trickle of blood trailing from his temple.


"Vin?'


"'M sorry,"


"What for?"


"I reckon he's sorry he stuck his nose in where it don't belong." Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes drawn to the second figure that took shape, roughly shoving Vin forward, the barrel of his gun pointed at the sharpshooter's back.


The full moon emerged from behind the lone cloud, casting its light over the desert, as bright as a city street light.


The tow truck driver!


"Well, I see ya found her. Saved me the trouble," he gloated, his gaze on the child in Lucy's arms. "Guess the sheriff was right. Heard him tellin' his deputies how ya was some big hot shot tracker... Figured followin' ya was the fastest way ta findin' that brat."


Lucy's gaze jumped back to Vin, frowning. What was going on?


Vin seemed to read the unasked question. "Reckon he's the one that killed yer friend."


The man snickered. "Got it all figured out do ya?"


He had happened upon the woman and her broken down car out in the middle of no where. Never one to pass up an opportunity to make a few dollars, he had stopped. Then realizing the woman was the elusive Trish Barrett, he hadn't been able to resist hitting on her. For years, he'd watched the pretty woman, going about her business, her smile coming easily as she stopped to talk with neighbors or harmlessly flirted with male admirers...making everyone feel special... Everyone but him. The whore had the nerve to flaunt her illegitimate brat around town, but had always given him a small smile, backing away if he stepped too close as if he wasn't fit to breathe the same air.


Trish had repulsed him, dismissing his offer of aid. Blocking her access to the trunk he had made several lewd suggestions of how to spend their time alone, earning him a slap that left an imprint of her palm on his cheek and angered, he had attacked her.....


"Stupid bitch. Wouldn't stop screaming. Tried ta get back in the car, but I was quicker than her..." There was a strange tone of pride in his voice as if it were a grand achievement. "Couldn't get the door locked fast enough. Don't know where the hell she thought she was goin' with that tire flatter than a bug on a windshield."


Lucy slowly inched her hand toward the gun resting on the ground, hidden for the moment from the man's view as poking the gun in Tanner's back he moved closer.


"Just after a little fun... Nothin' wrong with that! She just kept screamin'... Wouldn't shut up...How was I to know that brat was in the back seat asleep? All that screaming woke her up and she took off... Disappeared by the time I finished with her momma. Had ta traipse all over hell with them damn search parties... Figured if she didn't drown, I'd just get rid a her... Stupid brat could identify me..."


The vet tightened her hold, making soft shushing noises as whimpering, Mattie began to stir in her arms. Struggling to sit up she fisted at her eyes, gazing around in confusion..


A scream of terror ripped from her young throat as her sleepy gaze settled on the man at Tanner's back. Lucy tried to calm her to no avail as fighting to escape, attempting to scramble from Lucy's lap, tears streaming down her face, arms and legs flailing in all directions, the child kicked the gun out of reach as she screamed again.


"Shut that brat up before I do!" the man snarled, giving Vin a hard shove in the direction of the two females as he reached out to grab Mattie's arm. "Can't stand all that noise!"


Using a round house kick, the long haired man spun, his booted foot aimed for the man's gun hand as Mattie screamed again, pulling from Lucy's grasp, frantically crawling among the rocks searching for a safe place to hide as she tried to avoid the man's grasp. Vin's kick hit the man's wrist, causing the gun to flip upwards, but not before it fired.


Lucy, having sensed Vin's intent, had thrown herself at the gun man in an attempt to protect Mattie and she felt the fierce blow to her shoulder, spinning her around before slamming her to the ground at the shooter's feet, forcing the air from her lungs.


Wanting to help Vin and protect the hysterical child who threw herself at Lucy, her small fists clutching the front of the vet's shirt as she begged her not to die, Lucy fought to retain consciousness.


Trying to grab Mattie and take aim at the tracker who rushed him in a blind rage, the man's second bullet went wide of its target. The man howled with fury and pain, losing his grip on the weapon as Tanner's fists repeatedly slammed into his jaw, snapping his head sideways. Off balance, he stumbled over the woman and child, his neck connecting with a sickening crunch as he tumbled into the outcropping of rock.


"Lucy!" Vin scrambled to the young woman who was drawing in great gasps of air, one arm encircling the terrified child who lay curled against the woman, her tears wetting the front of Lucy's shirt.


In the bright moonlight, Tanner could see the blood streaming down the young vet's arm.


Mattie screamed, trying to press tighter against the woman as Vin gently gathered her in his arms. "Hush, sweetie, it's alright.... It's alright... It's all over... I promise... No one's gonna hurt ya now...." He hugged the child to him, murmuring softly as he stroked her hair. "It's okay. Stop cryin' while I check Lucy, 'kay?" Her sobs grew less, the choke hold loosening as she released one arm from around his neck to scrub at her tears.


"L-Lu-Lucy? Lu-"


"She's gonna be okay." He reassured the little girl soothingly, his eyes raking over the young woman, who lay grasping her shoulder, taking in the steady flow of blood and her pale complexion. "I need ya ta be a good girl and calm down now so's we can look after Lucy's arm... Can ya do that for me?"


When she nodded, chewing her lip to stop her tears, Tanner smiled, giving her another quick hug before setting her on her feet and moving to hunker down beside the injured woman. He gently moved the hand which clutched her shoulder, pleased to see the blood beginning to slow. "Hey lady.... Done told ya before ya was one a us... Ya don't have go gettin' bullet holes in ya ta prove it."


"Why should you guys have all the fun?" Lucy attempted a wry grin.


"Looks like you're gonna find out first hand what a pain in the as----butt Nathan can be when one his friends turns into a patient."


She swallowed hard and gave him a tight smile of pain. "Wonderful... I can't wait. Ya really know how to show a girl a good time, Tanner," she ground out.


"I always aim ta please," he whispered. He smiled, keeping his voice calm as he turned to grab the packs only to find Mattie had already brought them closer and stood holding out the first aid kit. "Well, I ain't Nathan, but seems I got me a nurse just as purty as Rayne." He gave her a small wink, turning his attention back to Lucy as Mattie huddled on her good side, sliding her arm across the woman's waist.


Tanner eased aside the material of her shirt, examining the wound, pleased to see the bullet had missed her collarbone, cutting a deep bloody groove along the muscle. He considered having Mattie hold the flashlight he carried in the bottom of his knapsack, but he could see clearly in the bright moonlight and didn't want to further upset the child.


Sucking in her breath, her teeth clenched tightly, Lucy swallowed the sounds of pain as Vin efficiently cleaned and bandaged the wound,


"Does it hurt?" Mattie questioned, her big eyes on Vin's every move.


"Not much." Lucy lied, smoothing the hair out of the little girl's face with a shaky hand, seeing Vin's small smile. Hell, it hurt like blue blazes.


"That man....he-- he hurt Momma," Mattie whispered. "I woke up and snuck out runnin' just like Momma told me to." She bit her lip..."I w-wanted to help Momma b-b-but..."


"You did just the right thing." Vin praised her. Supporting Lucy's head, he held a bottle of water to her lips. "You obeyed your Momma and that's very important. Lucy said you were a smart little girl and she was right."


Her expression was thoughtful as she curled closer the woman she'd known her entire life... The woman who had now become her lifeline. "Why did he hurt my Momma? She didn't do nothin' wrong..."


Lucy exchanged looks with Vin. That was the eternal question, wasn't it? Her good arm encircled the child lovingly, praying the child didn't notice her grimace of pain. "Some people just like to be mean to other people, Mattie. There isn't any reason. They just do."


"The same way some people love other people and don't know why?" Mattie asked with a knowledge beyond her years. Evidently, Mattie had been paying more attention to Lucy and Trish's conversations than they thought.


"Yes, sweetie, like that."


Mattie nodded and fell silent, intently watching the tracker.


Vin gathered up the items and stuffed them back in his pack. "I'm gonna head ba-"


"No! I'm fine... I can walk!" Lucy struggled to sit up only to find Tanner gently holding her in place. "Vin! I don't-"


He nodded in understanding. She didn't want to wait alone with the child and the dead man until he could return with help.


"Rest up a bit. We'll head out in a few." Gaining his feet, Tanner pulled the cell phone from his pocket and moved several feet away, his voice low as he was finally able to reach the sheriff on the small device.


Both the woman and child watched intently as, flipping the device closed, he disappeared into the dark, returning a moment later with a long dead limb, approximately the diameter of his thumb. Shoving an end of the branch into the soil, he used several small rocks to brace the bottom before tying a bandana to the top.


Lucy suddenly realized he was marking the area, making it easy for the sheriff's men to find the truck driver's body.


Her brow wrinkled in consternation as he transferred the contents of her knap sack into his own before crossing to Mattie.


"Miss Mattie, ya think Rabby would like a piggy back ride?"


The little girl slowly nodded, watching warily as he carefully settled the battered stuffed animal in the emptied pack, then moved around to fasten it about the child's shoulders.


With a small smile of approval, Lucy stubbornly pushed to her feet "Let's get outta here," she murmured softly as she half staggered and Vin caught her good arm, supporting her.


Slinging his own pack over his shoulder, he balanced Mattie on his hip, and wrapped his other arm about Lucy's waist. A strange trio, they once again started in the direction of the truck.


*******


Settling the sleeping child on the backseat of the vehicle, he covered her with a blanket and opening the passenger door, quickly crossed to the sheriff's jeep.


Following the tracker's directions, the sheriff followed, by several other vehicles, had met up with Tanner's weary party before they'd traveled two miles from the site of injury and death.


Ordering one of the deputies to take the three back to Vin's truck, the sheriff continued on to retrieve the body, the headlights of the vehicles cutting through the blackness.


Tanner smiled when Lucy's head settled against his shoulder as Vin tenderly lifted her into his arms. With a small word of thanks to the deputy for all their help, telling the law man he'd let the sheriff know their location if they left the hospital before his arrival, Vin crossed to the truck and eased Lucy into the passenger seat, mentally berating himself for not having an ambulance waiting.


"Glad ya let us come a-along," Lucy whispered, her voice muffled against his neck. "We've all...been a-alone too long."


Easing her onto the seat, he made her as comfortable as possible. Not wanting to cause her more pain, he disconnected the shoulder strap of the seat belt, using only the lap belt to secure her.


The young woman truly amazed him and he couldn't help but admire her strong spirit and determination. Without a word of complaint, she had bravely stumbled along, leaning heavily on him as they slowly made their way back to the truck. They had shared a moment of laughter when Mattie had worriedly told Vin, that she and Rabby would walk so he could carry Lucy. He had heard her sigh of relief and exhaustion when the headlights of the sheriff's vehicles were spotted in the distance.


Tucking the flannel shirt about her, Vin placed a tender kiss lightly on Lucy's lips. She gave him a wan smile as, closing the door, he bound around the front of the truck and jumped into the driver's seat. Sand and gravel spun in all directions as he made a U-turn and headed back to town, silently repeating the deputy's directions to the hospital.


Lucy, stared out the window at the countless stars filling the dark sky, barely aware of the continuous blur of trees and guard railing as the truck sped down the highway, concentrating on fighting the pain that was beginning to wash over her as the second wave of shock wore off.


She could feel the worry radiating from the long haired man at the wheel. She wanted to reassure him she was fine, but she couldn't get the words to form on her lips. Struggling to keep her eyes open, she gave up the battle and closed them, knowing that Vin Tanner would not allow further harm come to her or Mattie.


*******


The speeding truck quickly gained a deputy sheriff's blue lighted escort, the vehicle passing them as Vin eased up on the pedal, an announcement over the sheriff's loud speaker telling Tanner to follow him. The flashing lights cutting through the night, the young deputy cleared a path through town to the tiny hospital, having called ahead to have the staff on standby.


A doctor and two nurses ran to the truck as it rocked to a stop under the covered portico, the deputy hurrying forward to help ease Lucy onto a gurney


"Sheriff's on his way in." The deputy, whose name tag read A. Thompson, informed Tanner as the sharpshooter lifted Mattie from the backseat, murmuring softly to sooth her sleepy whimpers. "Ordered me to be on the lookout and give ya an escort."


Vin absently thanked the young officer before hurrying inside. Knowing the vet would worry about Mattie, the tracker gave the admissions nurse all the information he could about their two newest patients, insisting on staying with the child until the attending pediatrician declared the little girl in remarkably good health, cleaning and putting salve on the cuts and starting an IV for the mild dehydration.


"Doc says she's gonna be fine."


Tanner pulled his gaze from Mattie, snuggled under the blanket, sleeping the sleep of exhaustion, to find the sheriff standing in the doorway.


"Figured ya could use this." Blaine shoved a cup of hot coffee into his hand and motioned the tired tracker back into the empty chair by the bed as Vin wearily ran a hand through his long hair.


'God how he hated hospitals.'


"Thanks... Was 'bout ta-"


"Told Angie to come let ya know as soon as they finished working on Miss Garth," the older man assured him.


"Thanks," Vin mumbled again, sinking into the chair.


"Reckoned it would be a good idea to get your statement while it was still fresh in your mind. Figured once you finally hit the sack it'll be a couple a days before ya crawl back out." The sheriff smiled, looking as if he himself could use forty eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.


The sheriff sighed heavily when Vin finished his quiet tale of the search and subsequent ambush by the tow truck driver, his voice dropping even lower as he repeated the man's words of how Trish had been killed. "Know that man's family. This'll just about kill them, but I had my suspicions. Heard rumors he'd hassled a couple a women on the road, but no body ever came forward to complain. Talked to him about it once, but he just denied it and without proof..." His words trailed off as he juggled his hat in his hand. "You'll be around if there's any more questions?"


Vin nodded silently.


"I'll need a statement from Miss Garth, soon as she's feelin' up to it." The sheriff's eyes turned to the sleeping child as Vin nodded again, sipping at the rapidly cooling coffee. "Ya know, it's strange how things work... If that child hadn't spent a lot a time out there with her Mom... If they hadn't had a flat tire... If I hadn't called Miss Garth...I almost started to wait until we had some news on the little girl... If I had... If Miss Garth hadn't known you.... If your trackin' skills weren't excellent.... We's lookin' in the wrong direction and we probably wouldn't have found her until it was too late. Whole lotta what ifs." He smiled at Vin, offering his hand. "Guess there really is such a thing as miracles."


Shaking the man's hand, Vin thanked him for all his help and as the man left, he tucked the blanket more snuggly around Mattie before settling back in the chair to wait.


*******


Smiling brightly, a young nurse stepped into the doorway. "The doctor will be down shortly, but he wanted me to tell you your wife is going to be just fine. They want to keep her for a day or so just to be on the safe side, but other than a small scar, she should be just fine."


Releasing a sigh of relief, Vin felt some of the tension drain from his body. "Name's Tanner... Lucy ain't my wife."


The young woman flushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry. I just assumed--I mean.. I'll be back with her room number shortly. I'm sure she'll want to know her daughter's alright." She glanced at the little girl. "She's the spittin' image of her mother, isn't she?"


"Lucy's-" Picturing the people from Children's Service swooping into the hospital to take charge of Mattie, if they knew the truth, the tracker bit back the information he'd been about to impart. Let them think what they would. "Would you stay with Mattie for a minute? Gotta make a call."


"Of course."


Nodding, Vin moved to the front door. Fishing in his pocket, he wandered outside and withdrew the small cell phone. Taking a deep breath of fresh air, letting relief wash over him in calming waves, he punched the speed dial, frowning as he waited for the message on Chris' machine to finish. "It's Vin. Found the kid, but Lucy's been hurt. Probably gonna be here a couple a days. Be in touch soon."


Pressing the off button, he pocketed the phone and, taking another deep breath, he hurried back inside, anxious to see the woman who'd come to mean so much to him.


*******


Fighting through the drug and exhaustion filled fog, feeling-- needing to discover what the pressure against her ribs might be, Lucy forced her heavy eyelids to lift. Bleary gray eyes glanced around, a small smile touching her lips when she realized it was Mattie curled against her side, beat up Rabby wrapped in her arms.


She swallowed hard, hating the medicinal taste in her mouth and the lethargic feel caused by the drugs being pumped into her veins, realizing whatever they'd given her had dulled the throbbing pain in her shoulder.


She shifted slightly, expanding her view beyond the scope of the hospital bed and saw Vin Tanner, slouched in a chair by the window, his blue eyed gaze focused somewhere beyond the glass panes.


Whether he heard some slight noise or sensed she was awake, he turned, a smile dancing across his handsome face and lighting up his eyes. "Hey..."


"Vin..." He hurried forward as, trying not to disturb Mattie, she fumbled for the remote. Carefully raising the head of the bed, he lifted a glass from the bedside table offering her the straw.


She drank greedily, eager to ease her dry throat and wash the foul medicinal taste from her mouth. "Thanks."


"How ya feelin'?" he questioned softly, quietly moving the chair back to sit at her bedside. "Is Mattie hurtin' ya?"


Earlier, caught in a nightmare, Mattie had awoken, calling for Lucy and her Momma shortly after the nurse had removed the IV. Unable to comfort the frightened child, his reassurances that Lucy was fine going unheard, Tanner had scooped the little girl into his arms, blanket and all, and ignoring the staff's protests, had carried her to the vet's room.


Once curled up beside the young woman, clutching her stuffed rabbit, Mattie had fallen back to sleep, a contented expression on her face.


Vin had watched them both sleep, his sharp somewhat puzzled gaze moving from Lucy to Mattie and back again. Now that things had slowed down, he could see what the flustered young nurse had seen. Things he had noticed in the wilderness, but shrugged aside. 


Mattie, with the same color hair and blue gray eyes, could easily pass for a child of Lucy's. Or even his.


That final thought had jarred him and he'd snickered to himself. He had no children -- well, that he knew of -- he amended, and had always believed, with the circumstances of his own upbringing, he would be lousy father. Or a great one....


His children would be protected and loved... and more than likely most definitely spoiled in ways he had never been.


Watching over this woman and child, that feeling of protectiveness had washed over him and...a sense of longing. A longing to experience that paternal bond Larabee must have known with his son Adam.


He'd made a face and shook that thought aside. It was never meant to be. Lucy was just a friend, and to think otherwise was a waste of time.


Yet, odd fragments of memory had stirred in his mind as he sat in the quiet room, watching the two sleep. A mysterious memory which seemed so real, yet couldn't be. He had only met Lucy just over a year earlier, and had seen Mattie for the first time the day before, yet he couldn't shake the odd sense of holding her, playing with her, carrying her on his shoulders and hearing her happy squeals of awe as fireworks exploded in the night sky.


He'd tried to push aside the sense of always having been a part of their lives that continuously teased at him, telling himself it was nothing more than a mere fantasy.. Just something he had always subconsciously longed for. Things knew he would never have. Like his long ago childhood wish for a home and family, someone to love him.


Vin couldn't help but give a start. That wish had come true, hadn't it? He had found Chris and the other men and they were his family and Four Corners was his home. Was it so wrong to think this unconscious desire, of a happy life with Lucy, was amiss as well?


Staring at the woman lying on the bed, he come to realize he truly cared for Lucy, more deeply than any of the women who had passed through his life. He hadn't exactly been celibate all his life and had known a few women whose company he had enjoyed, but not to the extent of Lucy.


Tanner had known from the beginning, Lucy Garth was 'special'. The quiet young woman, who fit perfectly in his arms, had offered her trust to him unconditionally. She had never tried to tie him down, nor had she ever tried to define or put boundaries on their relationship. She hadn't pressured or pushed him, seemingly satisfied to let him take the lead.


This woman with her strong spirit, who had stood bravely beside him, fighting with him and for him, who had lay in his arms, silently expressing her love, was 'meant' to be in his life just as she had always been. He couldn't and wouldn't begin to try and explain that fact...that feeling...suffice to say it was something he was as certain of as the sun rising in the mornings or... the fact that six worried friends would no doubtedly show up at the hospital shortly, needing to make certain he and Lucy were all right. He wasn't sure how he knew.... sufficed to say it was simply enough he knew.


He had accepted that Lucy seemed content with their relationship based simply on a friendship that put no demands or pressure on either of them and belatedly realized without meaning to, he may have taken her for granted, knowing she would be waiting when he had time for her, knowing she never asked more than he was willing to give.


He had never given thought to how much she cared or how much he really needed her until he'd sat in that lonely motel room in Evergreen, dialing the phone just to hear the sound of her voice on an answering machine. Only a fool wouldn't see how deeply he'd hurt her with his apparent lack of trust and still she'd been willing to beg....'come home, Vin'...


The plaintive plea in those three words spoken to a silent line had shattered his resolve.


He had returned to Four Corners, but that sense of home had continued to elude him without her. He had made amends with everyone he cared about... everyone but Lucy. He had avoided the young woman, not unwillingly, but simply unable to explain his actions... And admittedly, unwilling to see the hurt and disappointment in her gray eyes.


It was something he needed to tell her. Something she needed to know.


Lucy's sigh and soft words focused his attention back on her. "Like I've been shot and drugged to the gills. How's Mattie?" she gently stroked the child's hair back from the innocent face.


"Doc says she's fine. A little exposure, a few scrapes and bumps, but nothin' serious."


Worry was still plainly etched on the young woman's face. "What about what she saw? Does he think there will be any effects from that trauma?"


Vin shook his head. "He wasn't sure. Said she'd experience nightmares, and want to cling close for a while. I didn't think you'd mind that."


She gave him a patient look, "No, I probably won't." She hesitated, "I thought you said the state would take her?"


"State ain't gonna take a child from her Momma without a damn good reason," he shrugged.


His blue eyed gaze on the little girl at her side, Vin missed the young woman's startled expression and her pale face losing what little color it retained.


"Didn't see no reason to tell the nurses ya wasn't... Been thinkin' on it. Seeing as how close you and her momma was, I'm sure she made provisions for you to be Mattie's guardian. Reckon Travis wouldn't have a problem convincin' the state ta give ya custody until it was all finalized," he trailed off, then added, "iffen it was in Mattie's best interest and there ain't a doubt about that and it was really what ya wanted."


Lucy nodded, her expression thoughtful. "It's what I want! It's what I promised Trish when Mattie was born. If something happened to one of us, the other would raise Mattie. I aim to keep my promise, Vin."


"Mighty big responsibility, Lucy. Ain't some critter ya can mend and set free. Kids're, well, they're a full time job." He couldn't believe he was giving her parenting advice!


"I know that, Vin, but I also know I'd never forgive myself if I broke that promise." She eyed the lanky young man. "You were an orphan, weren't you?"


He looked away and she didn't think he was going to answer the too personal question, then he finally slowly nodded.


"Then I know you can't want Mattie shuffled off into the system, lost and alone while some fat ass children service's pencil pusher makes up his mind what to do with her."


"There's some good foster homes," he half heartedly murmured, his inner voice adding, 'But they are few and far between.'


Lucy seemed to read his thoughts. "But a lot of them aren't. Abuse of all kinds.... I can't allow it, Vin. I won't." She would do whatever it took, and her own inner voice added, 'Even if it meant revealing the truth.'


He knew she wouldn't be changing her mind. "Then, I suggest ya check your friend's papers and get in touch with Mary Travis' pa.... He might be able to pull some strings with the local law, make it easier fer ya. Aww, hell, why don't I jist have Chris talk to him fer ya? "


She gave him a smile of gratitude. "Thanks."


"Doubt you'll be thankin' me when she's fifteen, gettin' tattoos and runnin' with wild bikers," he chided with a teasing smile.


Lucy's expression became serious as she reached out and laid a hand on his arm. "Even then, Vin Tanner, even then."


Shaking his head, he escaped from her touch and pulling the cell phone from his pocket, he moved for the door. "Let me call, get the ball rollin'. I'll be back. Ya need anything?"


Lucy shook her head. "No, thanks." As her gaze shifted from the child at to her side to the lanky man in the door, she softly added, "I've got everything I need right here in this room."


"Who ya gonna call, cowboy?"


Lucy's eyes widened as Tanner backed into the room, when Chris and the other five men crowded through the doorway.


"Can't be the cavalry, we're already here." Buck grinned, slapping Vin on the shoulder.


The six men's inquiries into Lucy's health fell to quiet whispers at seeing the child sleeping beside her.


Standing near the window, a smile teased at Vin's lips....'as certain as he was that six worried friends would show up at the hospital...' He just hadn't expected it to be this quickly.


He watched as wonderment washed over Lucy's face as she realized these men thought enough of her to want to see for themselves she was going to be alright. Overwhelmed, she glanced at Vin, returning his reassuring smile, suddenly certain everything was going to be fine.


*******


Lucy and Mattie were released that afternoon. Knowing it would be several days before they would be ready to head home, she had logically pointed out the sense in staying at Trish's instead of paying for motel rooms. It was after all Mattie's home and for the next few days, she would need that little bit of security and it would give Lucy time to gather the child's things together for the move to Four Corners.


Vin had worried that Mattie might have an adverse reaction to returning to the house now that it was devoid of her mother, but reasoned they could always move to a motel later.


Shortly before lunch, the sheriff had stopped by to take Lucy's statement, assuring her how pleased he was she and Mattie would make a complete recovery and offering his condolences on the death of her friend. With a gentleness belying his authority, the sheriff had talked to Mattie about the events leading to the search for her, his own eyes welling with tears as she described the man 'hurtin' her Momma'.


Blaine had brought a smile to the little girl's face, as telling her how proud her mother would be of her, he had taken her hand and with Lucy's permission, had escorted Mattie to the gift shop, buying her a large stuffed bear 'to keep Rabby company' and a small bouquet of flowers for her to give Lucy.


Wide eyed, Mattie had scooted closer to Lucy when the six men had invaded their room again shortly after she awoke, each of them carrying a toy, a book, candy or balloons. Trusting the Texan who introduced each of the men as his and Lucy's friends, she had relaxed. The young vet couldn't prevent her own laughter as the tough, self assured, hand picked crew of special enforcement officers stumbled all over themselves in their attempts to divert the child's attention, hoping to wipe away the horror of the last two days and turning to marshmallows under her charm.


As Mattie giggled at the punch line to one of JD's jokes, Buck commented that Dunne had finally found an age range that truly appreciated his poor sense of humor. Then lifting the child onto his shoulders, they had marched from the room, taking Mattie to the cafeteria to give Lucy some privacy when the sheriff's visit had been quickly followed by Trish's lawyer.


The lawyer introduced himself and informed her that, to his surprise, he'd received a call from the clerk of the family court judge ordering him to immediately report to the judge's chambers. Only having heard of Trish's death the previous afternoon, the man had pulled the file and informed the court of his intention to notify the late Miss Barrett's heirs, including the choice of Mattie's guardian.


"Must have some powerful friends, Miss Garth." The attorney had laughed, wondering which of the men who'd escorted the little girl from the room, had the connections needed to bypass the labyrinth of legal hodgepodge. "Nothin' moves fast through family court, but Judge Davis had the papers issuing temporary custody ready and waiting. Clerk said he got a call a couple of hours ago from the federal courthouse in Denver. Someone lit a fire under his ass."


He'd explained he would start the will through probate as soon as possible and notify her when the final paperwork came through the system, but as she had already known, Trish had left Mattie in her care.


A short time after the lawyer departed, Vin wheeled the vet's wheelchair out to his truck, followed by Ezra pushing Mattie's. Loading all the presents into the back seat of the truck, the men had promised to see Mattie and Lucy later as Vin lifted the little girl in beside her gifts and Ezra helped Lucy into the front passenger seat.


Following Lucy's directions, Vin drove to the outskirts of town, pulling into the driveway of a quaint house with a large fenced in yard. He gave a worried glance at Mattie who'd been silent on the ride, seeing her take a deep breath, wiping at a tear with the back of her hand.


Bounding out of the truck, he helped Lucy climb down and then turned to assist Mattie, who jumped down on her own and ran ahead to the front door, Rabby tucked up under her arm. She stood impatiently bouncing from one foot to the other as Vin helped Lucy climb the half dozen steps.


"C'mon, Vin," she called out. "I wanna show you my room!"


"No bad side effects there," Lucy murmured under her breath. As the tracker opened the door, Mattie latched onto Tanner's hand and literally dragged him inside the house, leaving Lucy to fend for herself.


"C'mon," she repeated loudly, attempting to hurry him down the short hallway.


"Don'tcha think we should help Lucy?" Vin questioned. The young woman, arm resting in a sling, was still doped with pain killers and a tad unsteady on her feet.


Mattie stopped, bouncing up and down. "Oh, bother!"


The remark struck Vin funny and he began to laugh, the sound ringing through the quiet little house.


Lucy looked around the corner of the hallway, puzzlement in her eyes. "Hey, you two, what's so funny?"


"Nothing!" Vin and Mattie responded together and broke into gales of laughter again.


Leaning against the wall, watching the child drag Vin into her room, Lucy sighed. It was good to hear Mattie laugh after all she had been through. And it was a pleasure hearing Vin's laughter as well. He could be so serious and quiet at times, yet she knew well the fun loving kid and the playful devil that dwelled inside the lean frame and conspired with Ezra in a war of practical jokes against Buck and JD. She secretly admitted to herself she had missed his laughter.


Despite the circumstances, she was glad the two were getting along so well. Vin just had a way with children. She had noticed it countless times when he was around Billy Travis and his friends. If both Mattie and Vin were going to be a part of her life now, it would help if they liked each other. And it was all too obvious that wasn't going to be a problem.


From the way Mattie clung to Vin, Lucy could tell she worshiped the young man. And it was all too evident the young tracker adored the little girl. The child had not had a man's influence in her life, as Lucy knew Trish had not dated or been actively involved with anyone.


A smile danced across her face as Vin's laughter and Mattie's peals of giggles echoed in the house. Perhaps Trish just hadn't found her Vin Tanner yet. She absently reached for the golden locket about her neck. Or maybe she just hadn't found her Vin Tanner again...


*******


Listening to the soft murmuring of her companions' voices, Lucy moved quietly down the familiar hallway and peeked around the edge of the open door. She had to smile and pressed her hand to her mouth to contain her laughter as she took in the sight.


Vin Tanner, ex bounty hunter-turned law man who went after the worst scum of the earth, was sitting on the edge of Mattie's pink frilled canopy bed, his arms being piled high with the child's assortment of favorite toys. A flat stuffed cat was draped on his head like a coonskin cap and a big white stuffed polar bear was perched on his shoulder. A billowy red feather boa was haphazardly draped about his neck, the marabou feathers clinging to the whiskered scruff of his cheeks. And still Mattie was digging in her toy box, pulling out more items.


As the child happily replaced the stuffed cat hat on the tracker's wavy curls with a glittering tiara, and clipped matching dangling ear rings on the young man, trying not to give herself away by giggling aloud, Lucy escaped back up the hallway without being seen or heard. Her own laughter broke from her lips as she hurried into the kitchen and closed the door behind her. She couldn't help thinking she could have made a fortune if she'd only had a camera. Any of the tracker's teammates would have paid a year's wages for a picture of what she had just witnessed. Grinning, she realized they would never believe her even if she told them.


*******


The little house was quiet, the warm glow of a old lamp shedding it brightness over the living room. Trish hadn't had the most modern of furnishings, but the old house with its worn furniture was comfortable and had that lived in feel which always made a house a home.


Larabee's team had dropped by earlier, with pizza and soda, Nathan lecturing Lucy on following doctor's orders, displeased at finding her seated at the kitchen table reading through the papers Trish had kept in her fireproof lockbox.


Ezra and Josiah had diplomatically thanked Trish's concerned neighbors and friends who stopped by to check on Mattie, assuring them the little girl was safe and in reasonably good health, agreeing it was a terrible tragedy and taking numbers to call if they required assistance.


The men had waited on Lucy hand and foot as if she were a visiting queen and entertained Mattie, bidding them goodnight and slipping out the door when the exhausted child finally dozed off.


Clutching Rabby, Mattie was curled up asleep on the sofa under the colorful pastel afghan Lucy had crocheted before the child's birth. Vin was dozing in a nearby chair, and having dozed off and on since leaving the hospital, Lucy was sitting on the floor, going through an album of old photos she had found on one of the crowded shelves of the bookcase. Most were of Trish and Mattie when she was small, and if anyone had taken notice of such things, they would have seen that Lucy was in quite a few of the photographs as well.


Vin stirred, snuggling deeper into the chair, but not awakening, pulling Lucy's attention from the pictures to the long haired man. A soft sigh of contentment escaped her lips as she continued to stare at the young man. Somehow, it just felt right for him to be there.


It touched her heart that he cared enough to stay, wanting to watch over her and offering his help. While Vin and Mattie had played in her bedroom, Lucy had taken the opportunity to call the local funeral parlor about arrangements, only to discover Tanner had taken care of everything that morning.


He had shrugged off her thanks with an embarrassed blush, saying Ezra had helped and Chris had pointed out to the county coroner there was no need for an autopsy as the crime had been witnessed and the confessed perpetrator was dead.


He had held her, Lucy's tears wetting his shirt as she grieved for her friend before taking the outfit she'd picked out, Trish's favorite, to the funeral home before Mattie awoke from her nap.


Trish's service would be in the morning.... this morning, she amended to herself looking at the clock surprised to find it was nearly two a.m.


It again came to her how her life was intertwined with the young tracker's. How he seemed to understand and know the things she needed to do.... She momentarily wished he could have known Trish. They would have hit it off, he with his gentle shyness and Trish with her outgoing happy go lucky attitude. She always reminded Lucy of a female version of Buck, without the hopped up sex drive.


She sighed softly. Trish had been her friend, her best friend through thick and thin, and she knew the house and everything Trish owned had been left to her to put in trust for Mattie. She had known without seeing any papers that Trish had made her the child's legal guardian.... She didn't need some judge giving her the okay.... she had Trish's blessing, just as Trish would have had hers to do the same. When it came down to the wire, they would both do what was in the best interest for Mattie...


She closed the old photo album and leaned back, closing her eyes, one hand reaching out to reassure the child she was not alone. Weary, she fell asleep there on the floor, her back to the old sofa, with Vin several feet away. A faint smile touched her lips, knowing he, like some honorable knight on a great white horse, would protect them from whatever real or imagined evils which might come in the night.


*******


The morning was a blur as Lucy awkwardly readied an unusually silent Mattie for the service, which was probably a good thing as it did not really give her time to dwell on the loss of her friend.


Vin disappeared shortly after having his coffee, only to reappear before it was time to leave, dressed in a black sport jacket over his denim blue shirt and tie. She momentarily wondered where he had found it on such short notice as her eyes welled, knowing how the man hated to dress up, but appreciative of the fact he had done so for her sake.


Her appreciation and disbelief soared even higher as they approached the cemetery. There, parked with the few other vehicles of the towns folk who knew Trish were a very familiar black truck and gray Lexus SUV. Lucy hadn't expected Vin's team mates to attend the funeral, having not known her friend and having already done more than she would ever have asked. Overwhelmed by the show of their support and friendship, she blinked back the tears filling her eyes.


As she made her way through the small knot of people, Mattie's hand securely in hers, she saw all of Vin's friends, standing near the back, somber in black suits, but solid in their presence. She caught Vin's eye and smiled her thanks, realizing now where he had gotten the jacket. She should have known the expensive designer cut was from Ezra's closet.


The graveside service was short, and as it concluded, Vin reached down to pick up Mattie, balancing her on his hip as the town's people passed by offering their condolences. The child was too young to realize the full meaning, knowing only that her mother was never coming home again and, overwhelmed by all the grief stricken friends and strangers, clung close to Vin as Lucy spoke to each of them, offering her thanks.


The crowd finally cleared, leaving just the sheriff, and Vin's friends. The local lawman eyed the somber grouping which had surrounded Lucy, and squaring his shoulders, he made his way to face her. He nodded to the men, realizing he was glad to be the bearer of good news. He would sure hate to buck up against these seven!


"Miss Garth, I talked with Horace...er...Judge Davis earlier. He wanted me ta tell ya that the rest of the will has to go through regular probate but he's checked it over and Miss Barrett's wishes were real explicit about you having custody. Said ta tell ya he'll draw up the papers makin' it permanent so you'll be able to start adoption proceedings if ya want. He'll have the papers ready before ya head for home. Just have Ron give him a call." He stooped in front of the little girl now standing between Lucy and Vin. "Come see me first if ya decide ya wanna be a policeman, young lady. I can always use another deputy as brave as you." Politely tipping his hat, he nodded to the men surrounding her and walked off.


Lucy stared after him, a look of disbelief and shock on her face.


It was Mattie who broke the quiet, tugging at Lucy's hand to get her attention. "Does this mean I get to go home with you and Vin, Lucy?" When Lucy didn't respond, she turned to Vin, tugging fiercely on his jacket. "Does it, Vin? Since Momma won't... since Momma went ta be with Jesus," Lucy gave Josiah a grateful smile knowing the explanation had come from the older man, "I get to stay with you forever?"


Vin tousled her hair, giving her a smile. "Reckon it does, sweetheart. Ya get to stay with Lucy now."


"And you?" the child asked hopefully, bringing smiles to the tracker's friends' faces as the long haired man blushed a bright pink.


"Vin can visit us anytime, Mattie....." Lucy explained, taking the child's hand and steering her towards the green truck. "Gentlemen, will you be staying?" she questioned the six who followed.


Chris shook his head. "Sorry, Lucy, but we really got to be getting back..."


"I understand." She nodded, turning to the man beside her. "Vin, do you have to go back with them?"


"I-I--" Vin looked at Chris, silently begging for the extra time..


Chris struggled to hide his pleased look. Just days before the tracker had been begging him to keep him from going with the young woman, now he was begging to stay. "Stay. We got some things we need to take care of. Ain't nothin' we can't handle...Help Lucy get things squared up here and we'll see ya when ya get back. Bye, Mattie. Ya be a good girl and keep an eye on these two. They have a habit of getting into trouble when we aren't around to watch 'em."


*******


Sitting at the table, Lucy gave a tired sigh, wishing she could have found a tactful way to refuse the many offerings of casseroles, soups, pies, cakes and other prepared food items which had been dropped off by neighbors and friends. They would never be able to eat everything and she didn't know how she was going to be able to return the containers to their rightful owners.


It had been a long busy two days since Trish had been laid to rest.


Returning from the cemetery, insisting she not over do, telling her to take as much time as she needed, often making her stop and rest, Vin had kept a close eye on her as she spent the afternoon sorting and packing important items from Trish's shelves and desk, lost in memories as she came across familiar mementoes and keepsakes.


Vin had followed Mattie to her room and Lucy had listened as, not rushing or forcing the child, letting Mattie take the lead, he helped as she gathered up her favorite toys. Lucy could hear him telling the little girl about Four Corners, hoping to make the move easier on the sad little girl.


His relaxed monologue had prevented the little girl from withdrawing further into her shell as he had continued to tell her about her new home and their friends, promising to take her for a ride on the little mare he kept at Chris', telling her about Miss Nettie, Mary and Billy and answering her questions about the six men who had quickly fallen under her spell.


Sensing she didn't want to give the judge time to change his mind or become busy with other legal matters, Tanner had dropped Lucy at the attorney's office, and taken Mattie for ice cream.


She had emerged from the courthouse an hour later, clutching the papers giving her legal custody of Mattie as tightly as her new daughter held onto Rabby.


Lucy couldn't prevent the smile remembering how the last two days, as they decided what needed to go to Four Corners immediately and what could wait until later, Vin had continually stopped whatever he was doing to give the child, who followed him about like a lost puppy, the attention she required, never seeming to mind that she was constantly underfoot.


When the child had eventually fallen asleep on the sofa, this evening, Vin had quietly taken down her bed and stacked it with the other furniture to be loaded agreeing with Lucy that it would be easier on Mattie having familiar things around her. Ignoring the dull throb in her arm, Lucy had packed the child's clothes, Tanner stacking the boxes with the others. There was easily a truckload and she was thankful Vin had the foresight to rent a small trailer while she was with the judge. Certain it would be the first of many changes to come, she had decided Mattie could chose the room she wanted for her own when they reached Four Corners


"Don't need ta do this all at onc't, Lucy." The sharpshooter raked his worried gaze over the weary young woman. "In case it ain't occurred to ya, ya was shot a few days ago. That's why ya had the pleasure a meetin' all them nice doctors and nurses, why they give ya them pills ta take and why yer 'spose ta have that arm in a sling."


She smiled, recognizing the relaxed teasing tone. "Never realized how much a person can accumulate over the years."


"Yep but right now we only need ta take the things ya think are important and that are important ta Mattie. We can come back and finish up when you're more up to it."


'We' Lucy smiled in appreciation at the two letter word that told her so much.


"Ya spent a lot a time here, ain't ya?" It was more of a statement than a question. Vin had watched as she made sandwiches, moving about the kitchen with an easy familiarity, knowing where everything was without having to search for it.


She nodded as she slid a plate of ham and cheese sandwiches, with pickles on the side across the scarred old wooden table top. "Spent as much time here as I have in Four Corners."


"Ya musta been good friends." he remarked offhandedly as he took a bite of the sandwich. It sounded like an inane statement since Trish had left custody of Mattie to the vet, but he hoped Lucy would open up. She needed to talk...to release the sorrow she was desperately holding at bay. Other than the little she'd told him out on the trail and the few minutes she'd cried in his arms, Lucy hadn't allowed herself to mourn.


"The best," she admitted, setting two cold cans of Pepsi on the table and sinking into the other chair. "We saw each other through a lot," she added. "I'm gonna miss her." Her eyes welled and she shoved the plate away. Gaining her feet, she fled from the room.


Vin let her go, knowing he would find her curled in the middle of Trish's bed, just as they had found Mattie several times in the last few days. Tanner had hoped she'd be willing to talk but knew she needed time alone to mourn and grieve the loss of her friend. Other than the few minutes she'd cried when picking an outfit for her friend to be buried in, Lucy had been so caught up with Mattie, the legal matters and the move she hadn't really taken the time to come to grips with Trish's loss. She was in fact doing everything possible to avoid dealing with the knowledge she would no longer be able to pick up the phone and talk to Trish or hop in the car and spend a few days laughing, relaxing and catching up.


Popping the last bit of sandwich in his mouth, he pushed to his feet and quickly washed and dried the plate. Gathering the half drank can of soda, he returned to the living room and stood eyeing the stacked boxes there. Placing the can on the mantle, he used the tape gun to seal several of the boxes Lucy had added to the pile. He was closing the flaps on box the vet had left sitting next to the book case when something caught his eye..


He teased the item from amongst the others and turned it towards the lamp to see it in better light. His blue eyes widened as he flipped it over and saw the date scribbled on the back. Chewing his lower lip, he sat in contemplation for several minutes staring at the closed bedroom door behind which Lucy had escaped.


Frowning, certain he should put it back and mind his own business, Tanner tucked the single item in his pocket and closing the flaps, quickly sealed the box, stacking it with the others.


*******


Mattie was finally asleep in her new room and exhausted; Lucy sank onto the old swing letting the cool night breeze wash away her trepidation.


The young woman had been stunned to find Larabee and the others lounging on this very porch when Tanner stopped the truck outside her home, Vin having called with their approximate arrival time.


Nathan had ushered Lucy into a chair to 'supervise' and the men had set about unloading and putting together the room Mattie had chosen while the little girl happily helped Ezra prepare dinner for everyone.


She eyed the young man who stood on the front porch, ready to take his leave and felt a moment's loss at that thought. Vin had been with her constantly these past few days and she had come to rely on him for more than just help with Mattie.


Vin hesitated, his brow furrowing as he looked down at her, his expression studious in the pale glow of the porch light. "Ya gonna be okay?" he questioned softly, concern in his husky voice.


She nodded, offering a small smile. "I guess the last few days are catching up with me." She stared up at him intently, "I want to thank you, Vin, for all your help. I know I wasn't exactly civil when I first asked for your help and I'd like to apologize--"


He cut off her words. "Ain't no need for that. Was glad to do it." He realized to his surprise, he really was pleased she had asked for his help. Her request had forced them to face the issues that had separated them.


She shook her head with a nervous little laugh. "It seems I'm always running to you when I'm in trouble."


"Shame you didn't know me seven or eight years ago." he whispered, his gaze softening.


She started, and turned away least he see the shock in her face. "Yeah, where were you then?"


He looked down at the floor. "Probably in the academy...no doubt chasin' bounty after that." he admitted.


Lucy rose from the swing and moved into the shadows the porch light didn't illuminate, turning to study him intently. "Is there anything else you've chased in your life, Vin?"


Tanner shifted his weight from one foot to the other, still looking at the floor. After a moment, he nodded his head, and whispered one word, "You."


Her eyes flared wide and an incredulous expression came to her face. "What--what did you just say?"


He moved to the rail, grasping the wood with both hands and not meeting her eyes as he whispered, "You... I would have chased across time for you."


The remark stunned her, rocking her back on her heels. "You would?" she managed to whisper.


He brought his gaze up to finally meet hers, his blue eyes soft. "Yes." All the emotion in that one intense look rolled over her, startling her with the profoundness of what he was admitting. Her hand automatically went to the locket at her throat. 'I think you already have.'


Lucy crossed her arms over her chest, grasping her forearms to keep him from seeing her hands, no, her entire body was shaking. "Why?" The one barely audible word escaped her lips.


Vin smiled at her, that endearing, so hauntingly familiar lop sided smile which made her heart lurch. "I-I know... I sense the same things ya do, Lucy. I feel 'em...here..." he touched his chest, over his heart. "I know'd ya... somewhere, somehow... I don't know how I know.... just that I know..." Never good with words, he sighed and shrugged, hoping she understood. "You and Mattie...."


Wetness glistened in the corners of her eyes as tears welled, but did not fall. "You know, don't you?"


He ducked his head, chewing his lower lip, and brought his gaze back up to meet her tear bright eyes.


The Texan didn't say a word, but she saw the answer in the azure depths. Closing her eyes, not wanting to see his expression, she turned away.


"Did Frank know?" he questioned softly, stepping up beside her, his voice gentle.


She shook her head. "No." She dashed at the tears which slipped down her cheeks. "I divorced him before he could find out. B-b-but--" she stuttered, "I-I-I was afraid he would and I couldn't let that happen. I just couldn't!" she whispered vehemently.


Vin laid a gentle hand on her shoulder and she flinched at his touch, turning to face him, her expression hidden by the shadows. She had to tell him everything. If she didn't do it now, she never would be able to. Squaring her shoulders, swiping at her tears, Lucy refused to meet his concerned gaze unable to watch as what she had to say destroyed both of them, as she quietly, emotionlessly admitted, "Mattie's my child, Vin. Frank didn't really think a jury would convict him when he was arrested for beating that man to death. He didn't know they were looking into his other crimes. He figured a jury would understand how jealous he was about someone flirting with the wife he loved so much." The disgust in her voice was plain. "He decided the only thing that could possibly go wrong was if I chose to testify and told everyone what a monster he really was so he thought he should make sure I fully understood my place."


Lucy shuddered, the memory of that horrific night still so vivid she could feel each blow of his fist, hear every word, the disgust which had flowed through her veins as he demanded his rights as her husband. He hadn't bothered to disrobe or even drag her to the bedroom. According to Frank, the kitchen floor was good enough for the slut who shamelessly flirted with every thing in pants. "After the beating, he r-r- raped me.... " She shudder from the still ghastly memory. "I found out I was pregnant right after he took that plea bargain... I-I...couldn't bring myself to have an abortion..." She took a ragged breath. "He made my life a living hell and I couldn't bear the thought of that bastard doing the same thing to an innocent child... so I filed for divorce and ran like hell."


"Ya ran ta Trish." It was a simple statement. She had run to her best friend, a person she had always been able to count on, just as he would have ran to Chris.


Lucy gave a slight nod, taking a deep breath, drawing on every ounce of remaining courage to finish saying what he needed to hear. "It was her idea to swap identities. She'd just come back from a vacation in Paris and most of her friends knew she'd met a guy there... It wasn't anything serious but she hinted she was pregnant and then announced she had talked to him and was going back to France to see if they could work it out... She rented a small house in California and when I went into labor, she checked me into the hospital under her name and social security number. Told 'em we were on vacation and paid cash so there wasn't any issue with insurance companies.


"It was the perfect solution. The paperwork all said Trish was Mattie's mother. It protected her and I could see her anytime I wanted... .I'm just Aunt Lucy, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat if it meant keeping her safe."


Reaching in his jacket pocket, Vin quietly withdrew the item he had taken from the box in Trish's living room. Holding it out, he folded Lucy's fingers about it.


Puzzled, she moved closer to the light, staring in stupefaction at the photo of herself, seated on the sandy California beach, smiling happily as she watched the tide come in, her stomach swollen in pregnancy. The only evidence...the only proof she and Trish had of Mattie's true heritage.


Her world crashed down around her as she looked up at him in disbelief. She had hoped he was merely suspicious having seen how much Mattie resembled 'Aunt Lucy'. "You knew? Why-why didn't you say something?"


Vin gave her a sad smile, reaching out to wipe away the lone tear that escaped, sliding down her cheek. "I knew ya'd tell me... when ya was ready."


"You knew and you still....?" she trailed off in disbelief.


"Don't change nothin', Lucy." He laid his hands on her shoulders, giving her a tiny shake. "Mattie's a great kid and Trish sounds like a wonderful friend. You did what you had to do...That don't change a thing, exceptin' maybe makin' me love Mattie all the more 'cause she's a part of ya."


The tears began to flow in earnest as the young man talked and Lucy leaned forward against his chest sobbing as he enfolded her in his arms and murmured soothingly to her holding her close, whispering everything would be all right.


Lucy wasn't sure how long she cried, but finally totally exhausted, she sagged against the solidness of the man who held her, and not saying a word, he shifted his weight, bent to tuck his arm under her knees and lifted her into his arms.


She attempted to protest, saying she could walk, but he silenced her with a shake of his head, and carried her into the house, nudging the door shut behind them.


Making his way to her bedroom, he lowered her onto the bed and removed her boots before unfolding the quilt and tucking it gently about her shoulders. Placing a light kiss on her soft lips, he turned to leave.


"Vin? Don't go....."


Her whispered word halted him in the doorway and he turned back to look at her, the light from the hallway casting his face in shadow. But she saw his smile as he moved back towards her. Lucy's breath caught as he sank down on the edge of the bed and quickly removed his boots. Her heart skipped a beat as he stretched out beside her and gently pulled her against his lean frame, wrapping his arms around her in a protective embrace.


Holding her close, his breath warm on her cheek, stirring her hair with every exhaled breath, she relaxed and closed her eyes, finally at last feeling she had made her way home as she drifted off to sleep in the tracker's arms.


*******


Dawn was just beginning to color the eastern sky as Chris drove home having driven back to the office after leaving Lucy's the night before. Needing to satisfy himself that the woman who'd come to mean so much to all of them had everything under control, Larabee had taken the long way home, driving the back roads in order to pass her house on the way to his own.


Lucy's world had been turned upside down and he fully expected to find her seated on the porch swing having spent a sleepless night, mourning her friend and contemplating the future.


Larabee's face broke into a genuine rare smile as he slowed his big truck on the dirt road, his hazel eyed gaze sweeping over the house and drive. He nodded to himself, satisfied as he saw the familiar green truck parked in Lucy's drive. His observant eye noted the dew covered ground around the vehicle, the dry space beneath. He didn't need to be a tracker to read the signs the truck had been there all night.


His smile widened as he drove on towards home. Evidently, they had worked out their differences and it was about damn time. He was tired of seeing the sharpshooter moping around like a love sick calf.


Vin had truly found his way back home, and he knew that home now held Mattie and Lucy, just as it should be!


THE END