David took Jewel, Jacob and James into work that day. He told them where they weren't allowed to go, then he left them to go talk to his manager. The three of them wandered around the reservation, pointing out which horses in which pen they liked the best. James then amused Jewel and Jacob by pointing out which mare was pregnant and which one had a bad case of worms, which made he look pregnant.

"How can you tell?" Jewel asked. James was about to explain when a voice behind them answered.

"The pregnant ones bellies are farther towards their bottom, where as the worms are closer to the ribs. Plus several pregnant mares have udders since they are about to give birth." The three of them spun around to come face to face with Wes, Brooks father.

"Hi Wes!" Jewel piped. Wes smiled and gave her a small hug.

"Hey darlin." He said.

"Nice to see you again sir." Jacob said. Wes glared at Jacob for a minute, and Jacob thought Wes was mad about him and Brook, even though they had fixed their problems.

"It's Wes, son." He said. Jacob suddenly remembered how to breathe and nodded again.

"Is Brook here?" Jewel asked. Wes nodded.

"She's over with the burros." He said. Jacob thanked him and left his siblings in search of Brook. He found her with her back turned to him and petting the burros that were up against the fence. He grinned and slipped up behind her, slipping his arms around her waist. She let out a small scream before she turned around to face him, and gave him a playful glare.

"That's no fair!" She said. He rolled his eyes and placed his lips on her, savoring the moment.

"Who said anything about being fair?" he asked. she glared at him and took his hand as they walked over to where her father was talking to Jacob's brother and sister.

"We gotta a new shipment in this morning. Were rounded up by your place." Wes was telling James. Jewel looked awefully pale.

"Shipment of what?" Jacob asked.

"Mustangs." Brook told him. Jacob glanced over at Jewel who looked like she was about to tear up. They both knew he was talking about the herd at the creek they saw this morning.

"Is there a red roan yearling with them?" Jewel asked Wes. He shrugged.

"Maybe. I'm not in charge of keeping them in order. Their in the holding pen, pen number five." He said pointing to an area near the office. Jewel, still holding on tightly too Peaches, ran to the pen.

"What's wrong with her?" Brook asked.

"It's a long story. She found that herd this morning and showed me. We were sitting on the hill at six this morning watching them. the red roan was driven out of the herd by the stallion, and Jewel approached her while I wasn't looking." He said. Brook and James stared at him in horror, while Wes was walking back to the office.

"What?!?" James asked shrilly.

"Hey, it's not my fault. her stupid cat took off and she ran after him. I got to her right as she was approaching the mare." Jacob said. James and Brook glanced at each other, as if they were sharing some memory. "What?" He asked.

"I had a cousin a while back who found a colt on the range." Brook began. "the next day he came to work with my dad and the colt was in the holding pens. He slipped under the gate...and..." She took in a deep shuddering breath, and dropped her gaze.

"Pierce was in the hospital for several months." James finished her sentence. Jacob stared at the two of them in horror, then he glanced back to where he could see Jewel climbing the bars of the holding pen.

"Jewel!" He yelled. She was startled at the sound of his voice and fell forward....into the pen.

   The twins and Brook ran as fast as they could to the pen. Jewel was laying in the mud, clutching her ankle, that she had fallen on. Peaches dashed under the gate and Brook scooped him into her arms, holding him tight while Jacob jumped the fence and scooped up Jewel into his arms.

      He lifted her over the fence and lowered her into James' waiting arms. Jacob looked over his shoulder to see most of the mmares with their ears pinned back and the stallions nostrils flared, pawing at the ground. Jacob jumped the fence just as the stallion came barreling towards him. The stallion reared up and then dropped down when he realized he wouldn't be able to reach Jacob. Jewel let out a squeal at the sight of the furious mustang. She clutched tightly onto James' neck and buried her face in his shoulder. Jacob stared at the horse in horror too, realizing how close both him and his sister had been to being run over. Brook wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, but he was now focused on Jewel.

"What were you thinking?!?" He asked forcefully. She let out a sniff and he could see the tears in her eyes. He took her from his twins arms and hugged her fiercely.  "You could have been killed!" She looked up at him and into his eyes, realizing he was crying. She hugged him tighter and kissed him on his cheek.

"I'm sorry, Jake." She whispered.

"Never do that again. I can't loose anymore people I love." He sniffed. She nodded silently.

"What happened?!?" They heard as David and Wes approached. James was about to speak when Jewel stood slowly, favoring her right foot.

"It's my fault. I'm sorry, Daddy. I thought she would come to me." Jewel said in a small voice. David simply stared at her in horror.

"Jake saved me." She mumbled. David let out a shuddering sigh.

"I'm disappointed in you, Jewel. What would have happened if Jacob wasn't near?" David shook his head in distruaght. He turned to the twins. "Take her home." They nodded and Jacob carried Jewel to the truck with Brook at his side. James drove home and the entire time they were silent.

***

Awe! Poor Jewel! what do Y'all think? the picture on the side is of the BLM in Palomino Valley Nevada. It's actually only several miles from my house. Gotta love us Palomino folk! Love ya!

~Avis