This story takes place early on in the season - after the pilot but before The Rescue or A Ring for Hannah. As always, I enjoy your reviews. I attempted to throw some new brothers into the mix, and hope that you enjoy this one. - Willful Red

Fallen

The three horses crested the hill and descended into a small valley. Hannah had never been this far out on the Circle Bar Seven property and trailed behind her young brothers-in-law. Evan led the way - although it probably pained him to slow down for Hannah and Ford. Guthrie had wanted to come too, but only the older grades had the day off from school. He had looked pathetic as he trudged to the bus knowing they'd all go out without him.

"I don't think it's fair." He pouted at the breakfast table looking pointedly at his sister-in-law who had a weakness for his big eyes.

"I know, Guth . . ." She said clearly feeling guilty.

"Knock it off, Guthrie." Adam said. "Honey, he knows what he's doing." He said to his wife. "Don't fall for it, girl."

"Adam!" Guthrie said frustrated.

"You think she should sit at home because you're in school? She's never been to the upper meadow. You think that's fair?" Crane asked.

"Well, no." Guthrie admitted. "I guess you shouldn't hafta wait around for me."

Hannah reached out and ran her hand through Guthrie's hair. "You can take me out riding another time, Guth. I bet there's lots of places only you know."

Crane glanced over at his brother in time to catch the shine of tears that glistened in Adam's eyes as he watched his bride fuss lovingly over their baby brother. Adam was dead gone on Hannah and Crane could easily see why. He swallowed down his own tears thinking of how grateful he was for his brother's wife and the sweet maternal influence she brought to all his brothers.

Clearing his throat he said, "Bus." Guthrie rose and reluctantly gathered his backpack. They watched him go and Hannah followed him out to the door. She stood on the wide front porch. Impulsively, she hugged her twelve year old brother-in-law to her.

"Have a good day, anyway." She said kissing the top his head. She released him but he stood frozen blinking at her stunned.

"I. . . I . . . I will. Thanks Hannah." He turned and walked to the bottom of the steps, he hesitated before running off and said, "Look for an old hollow log that's covered in moss. If you find it there's a real pretty field of wildflowers about a quarter of a mile to the left of it. It's where I get the flowers I bring home to you. You'd like it."

He turned and was gone before she could respond. She heard a step and felt Adam's arm around her shoulders.

"You are . . ." He began but she cut him off.

"I am lucky." She said turning her face up to his for a kiss.

"No. I'm the lucky one." He smiled and kissed her deeply. He would've spent the rest of the morning with her in his arms, but his brother's voice brought him back to reality.

"You can kiss your wife later, Adam. We got work to do." Brian called from inside.

He sighed and hugged her against his chest, shaking his head at his cantankerous brother.

"You know, she won you a pedigree bull and single-handedly saved your family ranch, you might want to cut her some slack, Brian." He called out as Hannah laughed softly and stepping away gave his shoulder a gentle push.

"Everyone in this family won that bull. Don't exaggerate." She said going back into the house with Adam close behind her. He stopped in the livingroom and studied some paperwork with Brian, as she went back into the kitchen.

"Let's get going!" Evan said impatiently.

"Dishes first." Hannah said looking at the mess left behind by the family. "And don't you have chores?"

"Come on!" Ford said to his brother. "It won't take us long, Hannah." They ran out and to the barn together while she turned to the sink.

Crane rose from where he still sat at the table nursing a cup of coffee, bringing the rest of the dishes to the sink.

"Want a hand?" He asked.

"Nah, you got plenty to do already. Thanks, though." She smiled at him.

"Thanks for breakfast." He smiled at her and reaching out he squeezed her shoulder. "You have fun today."

"Trying to steal my girl?" Adam asked stepping into the kitchen with Brian a half step behind.

"No sir." Crane said smiling at Hannah. "Your girl throws a mean punch."

"That's for damn sure." Brian agreed as Hannah blushed.

"You fellas have a good day." She said.

"We'll be in the south pasture by this afternoon." Adam told her. "If you need anything." He stepped closer and bending his tall frame down to her, kissed her. "Don't do anything crazy."

"What? You mean like impulsively get married?" She grinned at him. "You be careful out there. And a word of advice, Brian. Never come from behind a cow, she's liable to kick ya!" She laughed gently fingering the light scar where she'd been kicked just a few weeks earlier.

"I'll try and keep it in mind." He shook his head at her. "Advice from greenhorns! See you tonight." He stepped out onto the back steps.

"Well, that's an improvement." She grinned at her husband.

"He likes you, honey. He just doesn't like that he likes you." Adam kissed her. "You be careful out there. I'll see you tonight."

"Be careful yourself." She said watching him stride across the yard, adjusting his white hat. He was, without a doubt, the best looking man she'd ever seen. She sighed and turned to finish up the morning dishes.

By the time the boys were finished with their chores, Hannah had packed them a lunch, put together a crock pot roast, and cleaned up all the dishes. She was sitting at the table waiting when Ford and Evan finally returned.

"You boys take forever!" She exaggerated.

"We should pack a lunch." Evan said.

"Already got it." She indicated the bag sitting beside her. "I also packed a first aid kit, juice and some extra food in case we decide to ride over to visit your brothers.

"I suppose we should go then." Evan said grinning.

"Not yet." Ford said.

"Why not?" Hannah asked.

"You forgot something." He told her poking Evan in the ribs. Evan followed Ford's line of sight and laughed.

"Yeah. You sure did." He agreed.

"What?" She asked looking up at the two of them.

"You are gonna need some shoes." Ford said, and Hannah looked down to see she was still wearing her slippers. She laughed too.

"Give me a minute fellas." She said and still laughing headed upstairs to get her boots.

"Women. They always make you wait." Evan said with a grin.

***7***

It was a beautiful sunny day, and perfect for riding. There was a light breeze, and a coolness in the air, but it wasn't a biting cold yet. Hannah was ever-amazed at the expanse of beautiful gold and green hills that were a part of her everyday life now. She had hated city-living, and longed to be back in the country where she'd spent her earliest years.

"There's a stream just a ways up here." Evan said doubling back to her. "We can give the horses a rest."

"That sounds good." She said.

***7***

She had been overjoyed when Ford and Evan suggested they use their day off to show her the upper pasture, old cabin, and the far edges of McFadden land. She knew many of their friends were using today to get together and hang out, and she'd been surprised that both Ford and Evan had opted to spend the day with her.

"You've never seen the upper pasture." Evan had said. "It's really pretty. Ford and I could take you up and show it to you. I bet you won't find a prettier spot anywhere."

"But, don't you want to go into town with your friends?" She had asked trying to find a way out for them.

"Nah, that's okay. Adam will give us extra chores anyway, so by the time we finish them, we'd just have to catch up to everyone else. Besides, if we take you out, Adam might not give us as much work." Evan had grinned at her.

"Oh, I see." She said nodding her head.

"Yeah, we are kind of just using you to get out of chores." Ford said softly with a wry smile. "We hope you don't mind too much."

"Well, I'll take what I can get." She said winking at him.

Ford always cracked her up. Of all of Adam's younger brothers, she'd had the hardest time trying to figure him out. He was so quiet, and watchful. He studied her with his wide blue eyes and it made her a little bit nervous. He was shy, but she had also discovered that he was hilariously funny. He wouldn't say more than a sentence for days at a time, and then he'd say something clever like that. She had a feeling that if he ever broke out of his shell, he'd be twice as much trouble as Daniel or even Brian.

She had gone to find Adam, as soon as the boys had left her, to tell him about their invitation.

"They want to take me out riding to the upper pasture." She said as he stood brushing out Chief, his horse. They stood together in the barn in the late afternoon light.

"Yeah?" He asked, pausing to look at her. He saw her smile, and eyes bright with happy tears. "I told you they'd come around. Who wouldn't love you?"

"Well, Brian for starters." She said. "And there was that boy in seventh grade who said my chest was too flat."

"How the hell did he know whether your chest was flat or not?" He asked his voice filled with anger. She laughed.

"I think from the way my sweater fit me, honey." She smiled up into his face which was pinched tight with jealous anger, but he relented.

"What was his name? Is he in Denver?" He looked down at her with one eyebrow raised.

"I have no idea." She said laughing. "Calm down, there Mr. McFadden. I don't think you have to worry about some no name kid from when I was eleven."

"I don't like the idea of anyone pawing at my girl, let alone insulting her." He said grumpily.

"He didn't paw me. What was that girlfriend of yours named again? Liz? Oh, and there was that other girl - Shannon? Hmm?"

"Well," He said clearing his throat. "I think it is sweet they asked you. Guthrie will be mad though."

She sighed thinking of just how disappointed Guthrie would be.

"He can take me out another time." She sighed. "I was all happy, but now I feel guilty. He'll be crushed."

"He's sweet on you." Adam leaned on Chief and smiled at his wife. "I'm sweet on you too."

"I heard rumors." She said laughing. She moved closer to him and setting the brush aside, he wrapped his arms around her kissing her. Through some kind of holy miracle not one of his brothers stepped into the barn, and so he was free to kiss his wife and make sure he proved all rumors of his affection true.