Dark clouds rolled in and Megan high tailed it back to the ranch. She stepped onto the porch as raindrops plopped onto the dry earth, turning packed dirt into instant mud puddles. Brett joined her on the porch. "Do we need to send out a search party?" he asked.
"No. They're with Gray Cloud."
"Oh." He cringed. "Glad I'm not in their shoes." He paused as if remembering the past and then laughed.
The blood drained from her face. "Why?" she asked, a sick feeling in her stomach.
"He'll talk their ears off and work them to the bones. They'll come back best friends." The smile he wore spoke louder than any story he could tell. His past problem definitely turned out for the better. She doubted this story would have a happy ending.
Megan motioned Brett aside. "I don't know the facts, but I think Jason's dad and Danny's mom are dating, maybe married. Danny mentioned never being Jason's brother and he resents Jason's dad for sending him here."
Brett exhaled and then nodded. "It makes sense. So they won't be best friends, but Gray Cloud will have them singing a different tune." His arm around her shoulder helped ease the fears, but now she harbored the idea that the boys would never forgive her. That would make for a long, awkward summer.
After supper, everyone headed to the Great Room for checkers, music, and reading. Mission-style furniture filled the room. Kids sat on the chairs and sofa while Megan took a seat on the piano bench near the fireplace. Hanging above the mantel was a western picture, Buffalos on the Open Plain, painted by Mr. MacCormack, Brett's grandfather. Many buffalo grazed in an open plain. Muted oranges, browns, and blues drew Megan in, almost as if she could feel the buffalo's breath on her hand and hear their grunts.
Rain fell in steady drops. Megan watched Christa who stared at a horse statue on the piano. Desperation and wanting filled the young girl's face, but would she take that step? Would tomorrow be the day Christa returned to riding? Megan wished for the power to see the future, but then giggled at knowing Gray Cloud's response. "That would take the joy out of today."
Faith and a few kids told another story like the other night, but Megan sat and listened. The front door swung open and all eyes fell upon the two soaked young men standing in the doorway.
"Hey, you two," Brett said. "Into the kitchen."