Karol put the last of her things in the van. She looked back at the house and sighed.Why did she wait this long to leave it, could have saved her so much trouble.Deep down she knew, she was scared thats what she was. Scared to move out on her own without her father and brothers. But this last time was the last straw. It all started when she found her father going through her things taking what little money she dared to keep in the house and pulled her bank card out of her purse.When she tried to get it back he just shoved her aside and stalked out. Later she found out that a friend at the bank gave him her account number and it didn't take long to figure out what her password was. He withdrew over half of her money giving some to her brothers and taking the rest to the local bar.

So the other day she went out and bought a van. Now she hoped she could get away without her dad finding out or she would never be able to leave.

"Where do you think your going?"

Karol turned around slowly and sighed,"Oh Toby its you."She closed the door to the van and went back in the house.

"You didn't answer me. Where are you going?"

"What does it look like?" She went from room to room looking for anything she may have missed.

"Looks like you are walking away from dad."

"And they say your not smart."

Toby grabbed her arm and spun her around," Theres no time for jokes Karol. You know what will happen to dad if you leave?"

She jerked her arm back,"Yeah he will have to sober up. I'm tired of having to support him or for that matter you and Max."

"You don't support us."

"Oh wake up Toby. Where do you think dad got that money for you and Max's trip?"

"He said he won it in a poker game."

She threw her hands in the air,"Oh Toby my poor dear brother. How is he going to win that much in a poker game he has no friends who are willing to play poker with him and if you were here half the time you would know that."

"Listen I go on these trips for business."

"What sort of business is that?"

"Um well you wouldn't understand if I told you."

"Oh you mean I won't know about.."She picked up a stack of papers."Summer,Buffy, Candy and Barbie saying what a wonderful trip you all went on. Is that the sort of business I wouldn't understand?" Toby just stood there trying to come up with an answer.Karol took her chance and hurried by him out the door. By the time he snapped out of it, Karol was in the van and backing out.He went to the door and watched her leave. Max came up beside him.

"Told you she would leave."

"Yeah, yeah heres your money." Toby handed Max some money.

Max grinned and took it,"Double or nothing shes back in a week."

Toby rubbed his chin and smiled,"Deal." They shook hands.

Karol had been on the road for days. She knew her brothers thought she would be back home in a week, and she was going to prove them wrong. Before she left town she called a friend, hoping she could help her find a job a long way from home.Her friend told her about a small town that needed a vet. So now she was on her way.

She pulled out her map. She should be in Four Corners in another few days.That is, if she didn't get lost again.She put the map up and got back on the road.

It was about sundown when Karol parked her van her front of a place called the Standish Travern. She got out and went inside.Looking around she went to the bar.

A big man came over,"What can I get you?"

"A beer and cheeze burger."

"Coming right up."

Karol turned and looked around. Seated on one side of the room where five men and four ladies.She watched as two others played pool. She turned around when the man came back with her food. She smiled her thanks and started to eat.

Josiah glanced over at the woman who came in. He saw her watching the room then her eyes rested on him and JD playing pool.She then turned around and started to eat.

"Hey Josiah you going play?"JD asked waving his hand in front of Josiah's face.

Josiah turned his attention back to the table.

Karol looked through her wallet for money, her heart started to race as she went through all her pockets. She pulled out three dollars. That wasn't going to be enough to pay for her food.It would be at least till tomorrow before she could find somewhere she could withdrawl some money.

She looked back at the pool table and smiled, she got up and walked over.

"Hey Buck you want to play again?"

"Sure Kid later." Buck said never taking his eyes off Drew.

JD rolled his eyes.

"I'll play." Karol smiled.

JD nodded."Grab a stick."

Karol went over and picked up a stick while JD set up the table. Josiah leaned against the wall and watched.

"Ladies first."JD motioned to the table.

"Thank you." Karol looked at the table then leaned over, she hit the ball making a good break. She then stood up from her second shot,"I was sure I was going to get that one."

"Better luck next time."JD grinned as he went over to take his shots.

At the end of the game Karol shook JD's hand."Your pretty good."

"You too that was a good break."

"Name is Karol Mason."

"JD Dunne and this here is Josiah Sanchez."

They shook hands.

"We can play agian if you want."

Karol nodded,"Alright, how about we play for money this time?"

"I don't know."

"We can just bet a dollar a ball?"

JD stood there and thought for a minute then nodded,"Alright."

Karol smiled,"Alright you can have the first break."

They set up the table again. JD went over to make the break but didn't make any balls go in."

"Thats too bad."Karol walked past JD and patted his shoulder."Better luck next time."She proceded to sink all the balls.

Ezra excused himself from the table and walked over to JD, Josiah, and Karol. "Mr Sanchez, Mr Dunne, aren't you going to introduce us to your friend. Ezra Standish."He smiled at Karol as he shook her hand.

"Karol Mason. Pleased to meet you."

"I couldn't help but noticed your game.You are a very talented player.Where did you learn?"

"My brothers taught me." Karol looked at Ezra closely and could have sworn she saw a twinkle in his eyes that he knew what she was up too.She waited seeing if he would say anything.He didn't. JD handed over the money then looked behind Karol to see a woman walk in. He said his good nights and went over to meet her.

"Since you will be staying around for awhile, why don't we go meet some people."

Karol nodded,"I would like that."

He lead her."Everyone I would like you to meet Karol Mason. You know Ezra, this is his sister Drew, then Buck Wilmington, Vin Tanner, Chris Larabee, Nathan Jackson and beside Ezra, Trina MacKinnon."

"Pleased to meet you all."She sat down in the chair Josiah pulled out for her.She smiled her thanks.

"What brings you town."Trina asked.

"I'm going to open a Vet's office. A friend of mine told me about the building over on 20 Main Street."

Josiah nodded,"I heard someone bought the place just wasn't sure what they were going to do with it."

"I never thought I would get here. Got turned around more times then I care to remember."

"Where did you come from."

"North Carolina."

"That's a long way off."

"I thought it was about time I had a change."

As the night went on the others left leaving only Josiah and Karol at the table.

"Oh wow I didn't realize how it was it was."

"I should be getting home have to get up in a couple of hours."

"I'm sorry to have kept you up so late."

Josiah smiled."Don't worry about it. I enjoyed it."

Karol blushed. Josiah lead her outside and to her van."Did you find a place to stay?"

She looked at the van then turned back and noded."Yes I do."

"Good. You have a good night and will see you around."

"See you around." She got in her van and rode out of the parking lot.

Josiah watched her go then got in his car and headed home.

Karol drove up to the building.She droved her van between the buildings. She shut off her engine and climbed in back. She moved aside some boxes and laid down on the small mattress. This is only until she can get up some money, she used it all to get the supplies she would need until her things from her old place came in.

.