Just...

Having Rosetta come to him, Mick doesn't pull away. There had been so much lately... so much stress... so much pain... this news just put it all over the top and he just couldn't handle it alone.

Resting his head against her, he didn't care about the time that passes or how many tears were shed. He hurt for Cindy. He hurt for Wes. He hurt for himself and the rest of the family. He hurt for Kaylee.

Eventually the small couch in the office is where Mick and Rosetta end up, pulling comfort from each other through hugs, tears and prayers together. But as the time does move on, the inevitable comes, and others must be told.

The information hits most hard. Some remain hopeful. Others don't believe there is hope. The women call on Cindy if she needs them or to take Kaylee off her hands for a while. The men grieve in silence as the work of the day continues. The ranch must function. The work must go on. But it's hard when a vital limb of the family's body has been lost.


Turning quickly from the stove, Ariel gives Trey a crooked grin. He looked terrible. Not that it was surprising. "Yeah." She nods to the hallway. "Down the hall on the right is the bathroom. There's aspirin in the cabinet above the sink."

Her grin becomes a gentle, understanding smile. "And if you want to use the shower, there's a clean towel hanging up there too. After that, I'll have some coffee made."


Axel remains seated on the floor in front of his couch. He'd finally worked half a day yesterday but had called in again today. He hadn't seen Jess in three days and kept putting off their dates. She'd asked if he needed anything - he'd said no. Carson had called - he'd put him off. No... there was nothing anybody could do.

Sighing, Axel's eyes flit back to the droning television. What was he supposed to do now? What if he really was wrong? He didn't think so. He'd been so sure. But the proof had dispersed before his eyes. Now what?

His eyes glance to his phone. He really did want to see Jess. She was probably worried about him and maybe even hurt that he'd been pushing her away. He hadn't wanted that. It was just...

He sighs again.

It was just hard.