When Jese walked into the scullery the next morning he seemed surprised to find her sitting alone.  Nova watched him, her hands clutching a mug of steaming coffee. Fuego curled up in a ball on her lap. 

"I woke up early, and couldn't get back to sleep," she told him.

After Brandon had been run over by her wagon, law enforcement had arrived.  Thankfully they'd had enough witnesses (peeping out of the Hotel's windows) to clear them all of any crime.  And they'd made a perilous journey back to the ranch at night.  It was reminiscent of another time when she'd first arrived in Little River in an airship at night.  Except this time her pilot wasn't a gangly limbed boy... She glanced at him now.  Jese needed a shave, he had dark patches under his eyes, but he still oozed charm.

Nova was surprised that she'd managed to fall asleep the previous night.  The butterflies he caused beat her stomach to bits.  She'd woken up in her bed in the small hours of the morning, alone.  He must have placed her there, fully clothed, and tucked her in.

Her face was pale.  "I just can't stop thinking about my Mama beating that man to death."

They sat silently side by side.

"It's the sound that I can't forget." She continued. "That crunching noise."  She struggled not to dry retch.

He sat quietly.

"I don't know if it's safe to have her in the house anymore."

"What other options are there?" He asked.

"None." She shrugged, "I guess we could move into a smaller house and leave her here, but then there would be no-one to keep an eye on her."

"I'll support whatever decision you make."

They sat in silence for a short while before he asked, "What are your plans for the day?"

"I want to search for gold.  Only I don't know where to begin."

"I can show you where it is if you like?"

A frown marred her brow. "Sorry?"

"I've been waiting to show you for a few days." Jese rummaged about in his pocket before placing a gold nugget on the table between them.

She reached for it in silence. "He was right? Where did you find it?"

"I'll take you there this morning."

She nodded eagerly.  "That sounds great.  But first I have to check on Mama, and see that she is doing better."

"I'll prepare some food."  

She left him busying himself in the kitchen, deftly organizing a picnic hamper.  Making her way up the stairs Nova found her mother's bedroom door ajar. 

Nova stood in the doorway, her gaze coming to rest on the sight of the artist. Helaku was surrounded by open pots of paint, while she covered the entire wall with a mural of a Native American Chief sitting astride his horse.  Behind him the landscape stretched out majestically to each side, depicting a stunning Wyoming sunset.

Nova felt breathless in shock. She'd forgotten how magical it was to watch her mother work. It had been so long since the poor woman had held a brush, let alone remembered that she loved it.

"Nova!" Helaku stopped what she was doing to bestow a smile on her. "Your complexion is glowing."

Shocked by her mother sane words she spluttered, "Mama? Are you well?"

"I've never felt better." With a smile, she set about her work.

Relishing in the familiarity of it all, Nova seated herself heavily on the foot of the bed and watched on.

Some time later a knock fell on the bedroom door. "Nova? Are you ready?"

"Who's that?" Her mother asked her.

"Mama," Nova raced to the door. "I've got someone I'd like you to meet." Excitement bubbled in her stomach, Jese was finally going to meet her mother! The quiet artist who - when she spoke - spoke carefully and from the heart.  "Come in," she told him. "You need to see this."

Swinging the door open wide she stood aside, letting Jese through.

"Jose Caulder?" Her mother placed her paint brushes down in shock. "What an honor!" She moved forward to scoop him into a motherly hug.

Nova's heart sank. Her heart hurt to think of her mother retreating back to her delirium. Nova turned with a sad smile to her husband. Only to find an undefinable expression on his face.  

"It's been so long," her mother stepped back from the embrace. "And Magda and little Pedro? Are they here too?"