As the early morning rays of sunlight came through her window. Steven stood in the doorway of Caly's room watching her sleep restlessly. It had been another long night for them. Her nightmares still were so strong. He was thankful for Buck’s help. Caly seemed better when he was around.

He knew the last six weeks had been hard on her. Her physical wounds were healing fast, but emotionally she was still a mess but healing slowly. She still wouldn't go anywhere without someone. She was still afraid to be left alone. The free spirit that she was is gone for now, but he hoped it would return soon.

He knew the worry of the last six weeks would be over today. As he turned to go to the barn to help Michael with the chores, he prayed that Caly wasn't pregnant by that creep.

He and Michael had picked up all her chores in order to let her sleep whenever she could. Today would be the first time she would be going into town. He hoped that she wouldn’t fight him on this, but in his heart he knew she would. Maybe Meg being at the clinic would help her.

As he headed out to the barn he saw Michael come in from checking the herd. Steven nodded to him and headed to the barn and met Michael inside.

As Michael unsaddled Bear he said, "I got the cows milk and the eggs collected."

Steven nodded saying, "Good. I am sorry son. You shouldn't have all these extra chores."

"Its okay, pa. Helping Caly out is the least I can do. Considering she won’t let me near her too much," Michael answered.

"I know son. I have not spent as much time with you as I should. How about once Caly's back to herself we go off hunting for a few days?"

"You mean it Pa? I would love that. I hope Caly becomes herself again soon. I miss her smile and laughter."

"Me too. Hopefully the wedding and the Easter celebration will help her. Just remember that it will take her awhile to get over this. She will never be completely the same as she was before, but she'll smile and laugh again." Michael nodded as he rubbed Bear down.

As they were mucking out the stalls they heard a noise. Turning around they saw Caly sitting on a haybail with her knees pulled up to her chest and her old hat pulled over her face. All though this wasn’t the first time, so it didn't surprise him that she was here. Caly was never far from him or Michael.

Steven noticed that she had started to put her hair back in a braid a few days ago. He hoped that this was a sign of her healing emotionally. Standing his rake up against the wall of the stall, Steven walked over to where she sat and sat down beside her. Putting his arm around her saying, "Baby it will be okay."

"You sure pa? I feel so dirty." Caly said as she leaned against him for the first time wanting him to comfort her.

"I'm sure baby. What happened to you wasn't your fault. There’s no reason for you to feel dirty. Why don't you go inside and rest till we go to town." She stood as a shiver went down her spine. She nodded and headed back to the house thinking, I don't want to go into town today.

Steven stood and watched her go back to the house then returned to his work saying, "She had another nightmare last night, but at least she’s talking now. And starting to look like herself again."

Michael nodded saying, "Pa what did she mean when she said she felt dirty?"

"Son she was just talking. She blames herself for what happened to her. You think you can handle things here while I take her into town?"

"Sure pa. I can do that."

"Serena wants to spend some girl time with her. I think it might help Caly a lot."

"I sure hope it does pa. You want me to saddle Starbright and King for you?"

"No hitch up the buckboard for me, please son." Steven said as he stood watching the house.

"Sure pa." Michael went to hitch it up.

Walking back into the house, Steven found Caly resting on the couch. Taking a deep breath he knew Caly wasn't going to like what he had to tell her, but he knew it had to be done. Walking over to her he said, "Baby we should be heading into town now. Michael is hitching up the buckboard for us."

"Pa, do I have to. I can't face anyone yet. They 'll all know what happened to me." Caly said as she sat up.

Kneeling in front of her, Steven replied, "Baby listen to me. They don’t know what he did to you. They only know that he beat you. But you can hardly tell that happened now."

Looking down she knew he was right and said, "Pa, please don't make me go."

"Baby you have to go. Serena wants to make sure you’re not caring his child. I'll be with you, and I bet Meg is there today. I bet if you ask her, she'll stay with you while Serena examines you."

Looking up to her father she knew that he was right again. That she couldn't hide out for the rest of her life. She nodded and stood grabbing her hat.

Taking a deep breath she followed her father outside to the buckboard. Climbing up and sitting down she reached up to touch her mother’s pin, and knowing that her mother was watching over her gave her comfort.

As they drove into town, Caly kept her head down and her face covered. Arriving at the clinic Meg greeted them. Looking at Caly, Meg said, "Your looking much better. There's hardly a mark left on your face." Looking up to Steven she saw the concerned look for his daughter on his face. Turning back to Caly she continued. "Would you like me to stay with you. While Serena looks at you?"

Caly simply nodded feeling very uncomfortable in town. Meg and Steven both noticed it. Then taking Caly by the hand and smiling she said, "I'll stay with you. I bet before the day is out you'll be riding that beautiful horse of yours," as she lead her into the examination room.

Steven passed back and forth. Daniel sat watching him. Finally saying, "Steven sit down please. Serena's good and Caly trusts her."

Sitting down Steven said, "I want Caly to be happy again, but yet the thought of a grandchild would be nice."

Nodding Daniel understood the way Steven felt.

Meanwhile in the exam room, while Caly was getting dressed Serena said, "I have good news that I hope will bring back that lovely smile of yours."

Looking up Caly quietly said, "How's that?"

"Well, your healing well. Most of the cuts and bruises are gone, and most of all your not expecting."

Caly gave her a confused look saying, "What?"

Serena smiled and replied, "You’re not pregnant, Caly."

Finally, Caly could see a ray of hope in her life now. Serena noticed a little bit of the old Caly returning. Serena hoped that Buck could help her return to the girl she was before all this happened.

Meg hugged her saying, "That’s great, Caly. Let’s go tell your father the good news."

Giving Meg a week smile, Caly nodded. As the two girls entered the other room, both men stood up. Still a little frightened Caly stood back.

Steven looked at her and then turned to Serena and said, "Well is she?"

Serena shock her head saying, "No, she’s not."

Steven smiled and hugged his daughter saying, "That’s great baby."

Caly nodded then whispered, "Can we go home now pa?"

Stepping back and looking at her, Steven said, "Sure baby. I don't want to push you." Wrapping his arm around her, Steven led her out to the buckboard and helped her up onto the seat. Turning to Serena, Daniel, and Meg, he said, "Thank you all so much. I don't know what I would have done if I would have lost her. You all were such a big help."

Climbing into the seat next to Caly, Steven said, "We'll see you at the Easter celebration."

Meg stepped closer to the rig and said, "I'll be out to see you about getting your dress." In a low voice she continued, "You’ll knock Buck right out of his shoes at the wedding."

Caly looked at her and gave her a small smile. Meg smiled in return and then took a step back to let them leave.

Steven drove them back to the ranch. Along the way he said, "See it wasn't that hard was it baby?"

Caly nodded and said, "It was easier then I thought. I am glad I won’t have to look at a child and see him."

Steven nodded as they came into the yard and saw Buck’s horse in the corral. Buck and Michael saw them pull up. They walked over, and Buck helped Caly down. Looking at her he could tell something was different about her. He looked at Steven. Steven nodded then left to help Michael with the horse and buckboard.

Looking back at Caly, Buck said, "Will you walk with me and tell me what Serena said?"

Caly looked at him and nodded knowing she couldn't keep anything from him and replied, "Okay."

Buck put his arm around her and led her towards the pasture to where her favorite tree was. Sitting next to her, he asked, "What did Serena say?"

Looking at him she knew that he wouldn't tell anyone her secret. "Well, I'm not pregnant." She said looking down.

Buck hugged her saying, "That’s great." Looking down he continued. "I was hoping you would like to go to the picnic and the party with me?"

She looked up at him not sure she heard him right. Buck saw her face and said, "I would love for you to go to them with me. I feel we have gottin' closer this past month in a half."

"I think we have gotten closer, too. It can only make our friendship stronger. I would love to go the picnic and the party with you." Hugging him and placing a quick kiss on his cheek she continued, "Thank you for being there for me through all this. How can I repay your friendship?"

Hugging her back he replied, "The best way for you to repay me is to become yourself again. What I would love to see is your smile and hear you laugh again."

"I'll try." Caly said giving him a weak smile.

Buck smiled back saying, "That’s a start."