Sunshine Dixon looked back and forth between her two sisters. Kennedy was the psychologist and pseudo family matriarch now that their parents had retired and moved away from Mission City. Spring was along for the ride today, but Sunshine wouldn't know why. The three women were congregated in Kennedy's office at the Healing Horses Ranch where she ran her clinic.

"What is this all about?" Sunshine was looking bewildered. "I mean, Hawk picks me up from work and brings me here, it's a little odd, you know. Not that I don't always appreciate visiting my sisters. Does this have something to do with the wedding? I mean I know it's only a few days from now, but I thought everything was arranged. Or do you want us to hold it somewhere else? I can call Hawk's mother-"

"Hush, Sunshine," Spring said. "That's not why we brought you here."

As Sunshine settled, she turned to Spring. "It's Colton, isn't it?"

Spring wasn't surprised her sister had figured it out. Sunshine was a sensitive. She could feel the emotions of other people, even across great distances. She wasn't a psychic, but she was damn close.

"What's happened? He's not hurt," she said. "But he's hurting."

Coming to sit next to her sister on the couch, Spring took Sunshine's hand. "He's been arrested."

Sunshine's eyes widened. "But he didn't do it. Whatever they're saying he did, he didn't do it."

"Sunshine, you need to hear what Spring has to say," Kennedy said gently.

Still, Sunshine was looking bewildered.

"He's been accused of raping a woman," Spring said, wincing inwardly when Sunshine squeezed her hand. Her sister was much stronger than she looked.

"Well, they've sure made a mistake there," Sunshine said. "They're going to look really stupid when they have to let him go."

So simple, Spring thought. Sunshine had such faith in her ex-husband. "It's not that simple, Sun." Spring sighed. "There's evidence. Semen and bruises."

Sunshine's expression didn't change. "Well, then there's an explanation. Colton is incapable of violence."

"Sun," Spring began.

"Everyone is capable of violence, Sun," Kennedy said. "You never thought Logan could be violent, but you were wrong about that."

Logan was Sunshine's first ex-husband. In a fit of rage he had hit her. It had been a one-time thing as he had walked away from the marriage. On the rebound, Sunshine had married Colton, something which had always mystified Spring. Colton was as dark as Sun was light. How she had thought she could change the man, Spring would never understand. She supposed she could ask her sister, but she had always respected her privacy.

Sunshine was cringing. "Okay, but Logan had been in Afghanistan and that had changed him. He's not a violent person by nature either." She shook her head. "Colton fights for victims, he doesn't create them. This is wrong. We have to do something."

"I already have," Spring assured her. "I arranged for Chantale Byrne to represent him."

This time, it was Kennedy who drew in a sharp breath. "Is that really wise?"

"I didn't have a lot of lead time on this," Spring said. "I received a tape this morning from the victim recounting the rape. I went to Colton to confront him and he was, well, drunk."

"Drunk," Sunshine echoed. "But Colton doesn't drink."

Spring drew in a breath. "Look, Sunshine, you've been divorced for more than five years. Maybe he's changed."

Sunshine shook her head. "Not fundamentally. He will always be non-violent."

"He's a cop," Spring argued. "Violence is an inherent part of the job."

"Which is why he works special victims," Sunshine argued. "He fights for the victims. Speaks for those who can't do it themselves."

This was getting them nowhere.

"Anyway, he was drunk. He refused to consider getting a lawyer so I sort of took matters into my own hands."

"But Chantale?" Kennedy frowned. "Not Nick or Rielle?"

Spring shook her head. "Both of them are busy right now with other cases. Look, I'm well aware of the history between the two of them. I also know he doesn't have a lot of fans around here..."

Kennedy waved her off. "I've forgiven him, if that's what you're worried about. My censure will be removed from my record in another month and I've got more clients than I did before he reported me. I learned my lesson." Absently, she twisted her wedding ring, something she often did, but was oblivious to. Spring thought it was sweet. Then her hand slipped to her belly.

Now, that was interesting. Either Kennedy had indigestion, or...

"You're pregnant?"

Both Kennedy and Sunshine looked up. Both were wild-eyed.

"No, no, no," Spring said. "You're both pregnant? Sunshine, you're not even married yet. And you, Kennedy? You've been married, what, ten minutes?"

"Six weeks," Kennedy said. "I'm not that far along and I wanted to wait." She turned to Sunshine. "But you didn't say anything."

"About you or about me?"

Spring rolled her eyes. "Okay, so Sunshine knew you were pregnant but the rest of us are in the dark?"

This time, it was Kennedy who rolled her eyes. "She was the one who told me I was pregnant."

She shouldn't be surprised, Spring told herself, but she still was. She turned to Sunshine. "So what's she having?"

"A boy."

"Hey," Kennedy protested. "We wanted to keep that under wraps."

Sunshine shrugged sheepishly. "You should have told me that."

"And what are you having," Spring asked Sunshine.

Sun's lips compressed into a thin line, but she flushed.

"Oh, no," Kennedy said, "you can't spill the beans about me and clam up about yourself."

Sighing, Sunshine pressed a hand to her belly. "Twin girls."

Spring couldn't help herself, she started to laugh. "Oh, my God. Can you imagine? Another Summer and Autumn?" Summer and Autumn were the youngest girls in the family of eight sisters – and they were twins. "Tell me you're not going to pick some new-age names."

"You mean not something like Sunshine, Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Rainbow," Sunshine asked, tongue firmly planted in cheek.

"Or Torah, Zephyra and Kennedy," Kennedy said. "Try something like, I don't know, Claire and Samantha."

"Well, we were thinking Melody and Harmony."

Fortunately, Spring knew Sunshine was kidding. At least she hoped her sister was kidding.

"Or Rosemary and Sage."

Kennedy groaned.

"Azalea and Rose?"

Spring giggled.

Sunshine sighed. "Well, we have eight months to decide." She sobered, as if suddenly remembering herself. "So what are we going to do about Colton?"

"Well, I'm going to track the woman down," Spring said. "I don't have her name, but I can find it out easily enough."

"What do you know," Kennedy asked.

Spring shrugged. "She claims Colton raped her. She was pretty graphic and detailed. She knew things about him...private things. I also received the results of the DNA test as well as the doctor's report. Jocelyne wasn't the doctor on call that night, I checked." Jocelyne was Chantale's sister and that would have been a potential conflict of interest.

"Did it say who the doctor was?"

"Owen MacCauley."

Kennedy frowned. "He's above reproach. Chantale would have a difficult time finding a mistake in his work."

"But Colton's innocent," Sunshine persisted. "This is all just a huge misunderstanding."

Spring squeezed her sister's hand. "You might have to accept he did this. Maybe he was drunk or something. Maybe there's an explanation, but the cold hard facts say that he's guilty."

"I can't believe it," Sunshine said quietly. "I know I'm sounding like a broken record, but I'm sure of this." She steadied herself. "I need to see him."

"That's the last thing you need," Spring said quickly. "I'm telling you in person because it's going to be the lead story in tomorrow's paper and you were bound to find out. I just thought it would be best coming from me."

"Does Hawk know?"

Spring shook her head. "No, I thought you might want to tell him."

"Actually, we're having a family meeting in about five minutes," Kennedy said. "Summer can't make it because she's in class, but everyone else is coming. Torah and Christian are bringing the pizza."

"We're having a party?" Sunshine looked stricken. "Colton's in jail and we're having a celebration? I know he doesn't have many fans around here, but this seems just a bit macabre."

"It's not a party," Kennedy rushed to assure her. "It's just that he's had an impact on almost all of us, not the least of it because he's our former brother-in-law. I think everyone needs to know and I didn't think the Dixon sister phone tree was the right way to disseminate the information. Morgan and Benji are in town with friends watching a movie, so we don't need to worry about them overhearing something." Morgan and Benji were Kennedy's step-children.

"They're doing so well," Sunshine said, dredging up a smile. "You've done such a great job with them."

"They did the work," Kennedy said. "I was just there to facilitate the healing." She rose. "Now, let's go get some pizza and get this over with."

The dining room table sat twelve, which was good because there were seven sisters, three husbands and two fiancés.

"Glad Summer couldn't make it," Torah murmured to Spring. "Now, do you know why we're here?"

"Eat your pizza," Spring replied.

"And after dinner?"

"Rainbow's chocolate cheesecake."

"That wasn't what I meant," Torah said testily. Then she calmed when Christian put a hand on her thigh. He always had the ability to calm her, for which Spring was grateful. Of all the sisters, Torah was the most likely to lose her temper tonight.

Or do a dance of celebration.

Once the cheesecake had been served, Kennedy nodded to Spring.

"So you're probably wondering why you're here," she said.

"I thought it was to plan for Sunshine's wedding," Autumn replied. She glanced from Sunshine to Spring to Kennedy. "Or not."

"I'll just say it, okay. Colton Pritchard was arrested this afternoon."

Spring could have heard the proverbial pin drop.

Hawk, Sunshine's fiancé, cleared his throat. "What was the charge?"

"Sexual assault and unlawful confinement," Spring said, then waited with baited breath.

All eyes went to Sunshine and Hawk turned to her. "Did he ever raise a finger to you? I'll kill him-"

"He didn't," Sunshine was quick to assure him. "I told you the marriage ended as well as could be expected given that we were heading for a divorce, but he was never violent to me. He never even raised his voice." She paused. "As I said to Spring, he's not guilty."

"How can you be sure," Rafe asked. He was Zephyra's husband. "Your marriage ended years ago."

"I just know," Sunshine said, her chin tilting upward in defiance. "He's not capable."

"Okay," Hawk said, "I believe you." He turned to Kennedy. "Why are we here?"

"Because there's going to be talk," Kennedy replied. "Just like you, there will be questions asked about Sunshine and her marriage to Colton. Mission City is a small town and people have long memories." She inclined her head to her husband. "You're new here, but-"

He simply nodded. "I'm learning." He paused. "Look, I'm no fan of Colton because of what he did to you. What he threatened to do to us."

Instantly, Torah's ears perked up. "What did he threaten?"

Kennedy blushed. She actually blushed. "Colton might have found out about Ted and I before the rest of you did. He came to tell us that Morgan and Benji had been found after they'd run away and he accused me of making the same mistake as I had with Keith Cochrane. Of sleeping with a client," she said, just in case anyone forgot. They hadn't, of course.

"But I told him she was no longer our therapist," Ted said. "He didn't look convinced, but he never said anything."

"He accused me of having poor judgment when I was dating Jeremy," Rainbow said.

"He wasn't wrong," Jeremy said. "I had a history."

"Which was none of his business," Rainbow protested.

"But he also handled my situation with delicacy," Jeremy said. "I don't know if I could have talked about what happened to me when I was a kid if not for Colton."

Spring thought back to Jeremy's revelation he had been sexually molested by a woman when he had been just a young man. Barely thirteen, if her memory was correct.

"He tried to throw Christian's past in my face," Torah said sharply.

"Or he was trying to protect you," Christian argued. "Try to see it from his perspective."

"I don't know how you can defend him," Torah shot out. "He did it in public. In front of Spring, no less."

"None of my business," Spring was quick to say. "Wasn't then, still isn't now."

Colton had accused Christian of being a rapist. There was an irony here, she thought.

"But he took me up to Rafe's cabin when I thought Zephyra was in trouble," Sunshine said.

"Or he was just sticking his nose in someone else's business," Rafe argued. "You weren't there when he made disparaging remarks about both you and Zephyra."

"His ex-wife and his ex-sister-in-law," Zephyra pointed out. "I think he showed admirable restraint. Especially when Sunshine's other ex-husband showed up."

Spring's mouth dropped open. "How did I not know about this? I didn't know half the things you've talked about. I mean, is there anyone at this table who hasn't interacted with him in the last year?"

Autumn's hand slowly rose. "Oh, I'm not saying I haven't interacted with him – quite the opposite, but I'm torn. Because I get what Jeremy says about Colton being compassionate to victims. When I was raped, he was there for me and I don't think I could have gone through reliving the nightmare if he hadn't be so understanding.

"But I also know he arrested Professor Byrne when I told him Declan was innocent. For those months that Declan was under suspicion, no one was looking for my rapist. I lived in terror until..." She took a deep breath. "Until the monster was caught." Only after the man had killed another woman was the statement left unsaid.

Kennedy, who was closest to Autumn both in proximity and emotionality, pulled her little sister into a hug. "He was good to you, Baby Girl. His actions aren't always the best, but his motives have always been pure. For whatever reason, he cares about the women in this family."

"He has an odd way of showing it," Torah said. "But you have a point," she added grudgingly.

Rafe turned to Spring. "You didn't just call us here for this, did you?"

Spring shook her head. "I know the evidence is pretty conclusive, but Sunshine is convinced he's innocent. This is going to cause a rift in this town, I promise you that. There will be some who will support him no matter what and there are those who will condemn him just because he's a cop. I think we need to put up a united front."

Rafe didn't look pleased. "That might be okay for someone like me who works from home with people far away and is still on the periphery of the community, but it's not going to work for Kennedy or Zephyra or Rainbow. They all have patients who rely on them. Hell, for Kennedy and Rainbow, they help victims of violence. How's it going to look if they're seen supporting a suspected rapist?"

"I don't have an easy answer for that," Spring said.

"Unless we stay neutral," Christian said. "We just don't take a side."

"I wish things were that easy," Kennedy said, "but Spring's right, this is going to be divisive. Everyone has raised valid arguments."

All eyes were on her.

She cleared her throat. "Under normal circumstances, I would say we support the victim."

Everyone was waiting.

"But Sunshine...well, let's be blunt, she's almost never wrong."

Rafe raised his hand. "I know everyone at this table believes in Sunshine. To varying degrees," he added quickly. "But for all twelve of us to put our reputations on the line...I think maybe you're asking too much, Kennedy." He sighed. "I can't abide by violence of any kind. I might have served in the military, but I did it as a peace keeper. And to hurt a woman? God, it makes me sick to my stomach. What if you're wrong," he asked Sunshine, "what if he's guilty?"

Everyone turned to Sunshine. This time, there was no tilt in her chin, so sign of defiance. "I'm not wrong," she whispered brokenly.

"So then we have two choices," Rafe said. "We either put it to a vote with the majority rules or we leave here divided ourselves."

Sunshine rose, nearly knocking her chair over. "I can't do this," she said. "You know where I stand. I'm going out to the car."

She would have tripped if Hawk hadn't been there to catch her. He pulled her close. "Rafe, buddy, you know I'll always have your back, but she's going to be my wife. I believe her. I believe in her." He turned to Kennedy. "Now you know where both of us stand. Call me when you've reached a decision." With that, he guided Sunshine out of the ranch house.

"Damn," Rafe muttered. "This is not what I want."

"None of us wants this," Zephyra was quick to reassure him. "And as much as I love Sunshine, I just can't take the risk that she's wrong. How will we feel if we support Colton and it turns out we're wrong?"

"Or we don't support him and the allegations are proven false," Autumn said. "There are still some people who look at Declan with suspicion and he was completely exonerated. I mean, they convicted someone else and people still whisper about him." She sighed. "I'm sorry, but I'm with Sunshine on this one. Something is really wrong because I know, in my heart, Colton isn't capable of this."

"Well, this is not going to be a big surprise," Torah said, "but I'm with Rafe and Zephyra. It's too great a risk."

"And I support Torah," Christian said quietly. "I don't think he's a bad guy and I of all people should know about being falsely accused, but I can't do it. I can't stand by and hope he'll get off."

Rainbow's hand slowly slid up. "I was closer to Sunshine than anyone else during her marriage to Colton. Yes, he's a dark man, but he doesn't have a black soul. He's spent six years in special victims. Don't you think someone would have made an accusation before now? I mean, why now?"

Jeremy put his arm around her.

"But there's always a first time, Rainbow," Torah argued. "Or there might be more victims out there who have been too scared to speak out before now. As you've said, he's a powerful force in this community and he can be polarizing."

Rainbow looked to Kennedy. "You're my boss. Whatever you say, I'll support you."

"Rainbow," Kennedy began.

"No, I'm sure," Rainbow said. "This is your clinic and your professional reputation on the line. I know I'm important, but my job is to facilitate the work of the counsellors and to tend to the animals." She stood. "And speaking of animals, Tiffany needs to be spelled off. I'm going to go play with the puppies."

Tiffany, the ranch's comfort dog, had given birth just six weeks previous. She had a litter of five puppies all of whom were excitable and curious. They were just at the stage where they were ready to explore and Tiffany was chomping at the bit to have some freedom.

Rainbow was pushing her chair in when Jeremy stood as well. "Colton might be an asshole, but I'm not convinced either way. So I'm with Rainbow." He turned to Kennedy. "I'll respect your decision." With that, the couple were gone.

Ted raised his hand. "I don't think this is fair to Kennedy, to put all this pressure on her."

"Kennedy has broad shoulders," Spring said.

"Says the woman who hasn't taken a side," Torah said testily.

Spring was surprised. "I was the one who found him a lawyer."

"And the one who wrote the article for the paper," Zephyra shot back.

"Which could be seen as a conflict of interest," Rafe pointed out. "After all, he is your ex-brother-in-law."

Now, everyone's attention was riveted on Spring and suddenly she realized just how broad Kennedy's shoulders really were. She took a breath. "Do I think he raped someone? No. Do I think something really bad happened? Yes."

"Fence sitter," Christian murmured. "Well done."

Kennedy cleared her throat. "I'm behind supporting Colton. Psychology isn't perfect, but he's never shown any tendency towards violence. Quite the opposite, in fact."

"And that decides it for me," Ted said.

A tense silence descended on the group. "So that's five to support him, four against it, two abstentions, and one fence-sitter," Christian summarized.

"Well, Rainbow said she would stand behind Kennedy," Autumn began. "So that would mean-"

"I can't do it," Rafe said, cutting her off. "I can't support a man who might be guilty of brutalizing a woman."

"I was just..." Autumn trailed off as a lone tear escaped. She stood jerkily. "I..." She pressed her fingers to her lips and ran from the room.

"I'm sorry," Rafe said. "I didn't mean to hurt her. I should go-"

Kennedy shook her head. "When I called this meeting, I'll admit I was thinking about Sunshine and Colton, not how this would affect Autumn."

"It's been a year," Spring said quietly. "She'll never get over it completely, but she deserved to be part of the discussion. How would she feel if we had excluded her because she was raped? Her feelings should carry a lot of weight."

"I need to apologize to her," Rafe said again.

Kennedy waved him off. "She's gone out to see the puppies. They're therapeutic for her. Plus, Rainbow's there. She and Tiffany know how to handle Autumn." She sighed. "Rainbow might try to maintain she's just the hired help, but it's not true. This place would fall apart without her."

"We all know that, Kennedy," Zephyra said. "But I think we're at an impasse." She stood, rubbing the small of her back. Her huge stomach was now visible since she was no longer at the table. Rafe rose and replaced her hands with his so he could rub her belly. "I need to get home." She turned to Rafe. "Please take me home."

He pressed a kiss to her temple and lay his hand over hers over their unborn child. He closed his eyes briefly then opened them again, pain all over his face. "Please don't let this come between us all, okay? Our baby is going to be born in less than a month and she needs her seven aunts, five uncles and two cousins in her life. I know a man's reputation lies in the balance, but we're a family." He cleared his throat. "I didn't know what that meant until I met all of you. I love all of you and that's something I would never have imagined myself saying."

Slowly, Kennedy rose, holding out her arms to the man who towered over her. She pulled him into a tight embrace. "We'll always be a family," she assured him. "Nothing that happened tonight will change that."

Spring saw Zephyra's tears and leapt up to embrace her sister, heedless of the belly in between them. Or at least she was until she got a kick to her ribs. She pulled back, looking at Zephyra in amazement. "How does that not hurt?"

Zephyra only smiled. "You get used to it."

"So will Sunshine and Kennedy," Spring said without thinking.

"Shit, Spring, tell me you did not just do that," Kennedy said and Spring knew she was in trouble. Kennedy never swore. Ever.

Torah was the first to react. "Oh, my God, is everyone pregnant?"

"We were planning to wait to tell people," Ted said, reaching for Kennedy. "Uh, surprise? Good surprise, I hope."

Zephyra's tears started anew. "So my baby is going to have lots of cousins?"

Kennedy nodded, pressing her hand to her still-flat stomach. "Baby boy."

Torah turned to Spring. "And what is Sunshine having? Don't you dare give me that look," she said crossly. "You spilled the beans, now you have to finish it."

"Twin girls," Spring said quietly. "I think they're going to name them Melody and Harmony."

As she had hoped, that elicited both laughs and groans.

"I'll go tell Rainbow, Jeremy and Autumn," Kennedy said. She held out her hand to Ted which he grasped, then he pulled her hand to his lips and placed a kiss on her knuckles. It was such an intimate gesture, Spring reflected. Especially for such a private person as Kennedy who rarely showed any emotion. Maybe impending motherhood was going to change her. With that, the couple were gone.

Wordlessly, Rafe and Zephyra followed.

"I'll clean up," Christian offered.

"I'll help," Spring said, amazed at how quickly the room had cleared.

"Just hang for a minute, will you?" Torah gave Christian a smile. "Can you put the cheesecake in the fridge?"

"And head out to the barn?" There was a hopeful tone in his voice.

Torah laughed. "We have three beautiful dogs at home and all you want to do is hang with the puppies? Well, you know Queenie's going to be furious if you come home smelling like puppy. Don't be surprised if she tries to kick you out of bed."

"I'll take my chances," Christian said as he headed into the kitchen. Torah didn't even have a chance to speak before he was back. "Leftover pizza's already been stowed in the fridge and there were twelve slices of cheesecake for twelve people..."

"Good thing Summer couldn't make it," Torah said, a smile on her face. "Go see the puppies."

Christian didn't need to be told twice.

"God, he can be such a kid sometimes," Torah complained.

"Hey, he's my age," Spring shot back.

"And more than ten years my junior, but we've been over that ground before." She got a dreamy look in her eyes. "But I love him more than anything in the world. I can't wait until Christmas."

"Your wedding," Spring said.

"My wedding," Torah confirmed. "December twenty-fourth in this very house." She hesitated. "But Hawk and Sunshine are getting married next week. Did you really have to go there tonight? Couldn't you have waited a week?"

Spring hesitated.

Torah's radar immediately came up. "What are you not saying?"

"Something doesn't feel right," Spring said, then she cringed. "But you're going to ask for specifics and I'm not going to be able to give you any. It's just that I remember what Autumn was like after she was raped. She was all over the place, placid one moment, emotional the next, introspective and then angry."

"All of which is understandable," Torah said. "It tore me up to watch her. It ate away at all of us."

"Right," Spring said. "But there was something in this woman's story...it sounded, I don't know, rehearsed."

"Like a recitation," Torah clarified.

Spring snapped her fingers. "Yes, exactly like that."

"And how many times do you imagine she's had to tell the story? Over and over again – doctors, cops, prosecutors. Isn't it reasonable to believe she's shut off emotionally? I mean Autumn would sometimes be like an automaton with her emotions. She was breathing, but she wasn't really living. We were all walking on eggshells around her." Torah looked out towards the sliding glass door. "I think we forgot that tonight."

Spring shook her head. "No, Kennedy was right, Autumn deserved to be included in the discussions. She had an opinion and she had the right to be heard. Rafe wasn't frustrated at her and she wasn't reacting to him. They just happened to collide at that moment, but he's sorry and she'll work it out."

Torah sighed. "I sure hope you know what you're doing." She reached out to pull Spring into a hug. "He doesn't deserve your loyalty."

Spring pulled back, surprised. "Your fiancé accused me of being a fence sitter."

Torah's laugh was rueful. "I think he's the only one you had snowed. For whatever reason, you're backing Colton. I hope you're not wrong about this. There's a lot riding on this."

"I need to find the truth," Spring said. "Once I know that, then I'll start to mend whatever fences need mending."

"And what if you never find the truth," Torah asked. "This might wind up being one of those 'he said, she said' things where no one can ever figure out what happened." With a final wave, she left.

But someone did know, Spring said to herself. Colton and the women knew what had happened. If it killed her, she was going to get to the truth.

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