"Don't move!" Jason called as he slipped from his saddle.

Dixie tensed, looking around for any sign of danger. "Is somethin' wrong?"

Jason laughed as he grabbed Dixie around the waist and lifted her off the horse. "No, nothin' is wrong, darlin'. I just wanted to help you get down is all."

Annalyn rolled her eyes, accepting Leroy's hand as she dismounted. "Jason, she can get down without you pickin' her up like a baby."

Dixie giggled, aiming a playful swipe at Jason's shoulder. "She's right, I can."

Leroy grinned, tipping his hat with a finger. "There's nothin' wrong with a lady doin' things herself, but a real man won't let her."

Jason bent down and kissed the top of Dixie's head. "And you're lookin' at a real man."

"Oh, please," Annalyn huffed, shaking her head.

Leroy looked over at the door of Doctor Ross's house. "I wonder if Pa's better."

Annalyn gave a small shrug. "I hope so. I reckon they would've come and got us if he'd taken a turn for the worse."

"There's only one way to find out," Jason said as he grabbed Dixie's hand on the way to the door. He looked over his shoulder at her, a small question alight in his eyes. "You don't mind goin' in with me, do you?"

Dixie beamed a winning smile. "Not at all."

The foursome didn't even have to knock. The door opened as soon as they stepped up to it.

"Welcome!" Dr. Ross greeted cheerfully, waving them inside. "Come in, come in! We have good news!"

"Good news?" Jason, Leroy, and Annalyn repeated as they shared a look filled with hope.

"Yes, good news," Dr. Ross affirmed. "Matthew woke up a few times during the night and was able to eat some broth."

"Thank you, Lord!" Dixie smiled. "We've been prayin' pretty hard."

Dr. Ross returned the smile, his light brown eyes sparkling. "The Good Lord has done a miracle. Come, follow me. I think Matthew is asleep again, but I'm sure Emily would love to see y'all."

They followed the doctor down a little hallway to a cheery room on the right.

Dr. Ross opened the door with a wink. "Here we are!"

As soon as they entered the room, Annalyn ran to her mother who had stood from her position at Matthew's bedside.

Leroy grabbed Emily after Annalyn did. "The doc told us he was doin' better."

A thankful smile wrinkled Emily's tired face. "He is. It's a miracle. We thought for a while we'd lose him."

Jason let go of Dixie's hand just long enough to hug his mother. "But we didn't. God is good."

"There's no doubt about that," Dr. Ross agreed. "Even though Matthew seems to be improving, y'all must know that he still may not make it."

Matthew stirred, mumbling in his sleep. The right side of his head was covered in bloody bandages and bruises, and his face was a pale, unhealthy color. He looked so small laying in the big, fluffy bed.

"If he's still breathin' there's hope," Dixie reminded softly. She stepped into Emily's open arms. "Pa sends his prayers and love."

"What a lovely surprise." Emily hugged Dixie tight. "It's been a while since I've seen you, young'un. Please, give Charles my thanks."

"Yes ma'am I sure will." Dixie smiled. "If there's anythin' we can do, just let us know."

A tiny smile formed on Matthew's face from down in the bed. "Mama, who's that young lady talkin'? She sounds mighty familiar."

The shock was evident on the doctor's face. Matthew had been hardly able to croak out a word, much less speak a clear sentence.

Emily's eyes were widened in wonder as she gazed down at her husband. Earlier, he could hardly remember anything. "It's Dixie Harden."

"Dixie Harden," Matthew repeated, slowly scrunching up his face in thought.

Dixie moved closer as Matthew opened his eyes. She bent over him with a smile. "Remember me, Mr. Archer?"

Matthew peered at Dixie through squinted eyes. After a few moments he smiled as wide as his bruised face and bandages would allow. "Yes I remember you! You're the pretty young lady who Jason is gonna marry!"

Dixie smiled, an embarrassed and slightly confused look on her face.

Dr. Ross caught her attention from the other side of Matthew's bed. Don't confuse him, he mouthed.

Dixie laughed, gently grabbing Matthew's hand. "Jason is a mess."

"I am a mess," Jason agreed as he stepped up beside Dixie, putting an arm around her waist. "A handsome mess. Ain't that right, Pa?"

Matthew gave a low chuckle, which sounded more like the creaking of a rusty gate. His eyes, once so dull, were now bright with amusement. "That's right, son. Just like me."

"Y'all sure are a mess," Annalyn agreed as she came up to see her father with Leroy close behind. She grabbed Matthew's hand. "But me and Leroy wouldn't trade y'all for nothin'."

Leroy laughed with a shake of his head. "Sure wouldn't."

Matthew's whole demeanor changed as he saw his children. His eyes glimmered with unshed tears. "I love y'all so much. Take care of your little brothers for me."

"Why of course we will Pa," Jason's voice began to falter. "But you'll have to do us the honor of givin' 'em a whippin' when they need it."

Matthew closed his eyes. "That I will, son," he said groggily. Just like that, he was out like a light, sleeping peacefully.

Dr. Ross looked down at Matthew, his eyes full of gratitude. He knew Matthew's betterment was nothing short of a miracle. "O give thanks unto the Lord. . ."

"For He is good. . ." Emily added as tears welled up in her eyes.

The Archer siblings and Dixie shared grateful looks as they finished the first verse of Psalm 136, "For His mercy endureth forever."

***

Jason rubbed his face with his hands as he walked alongside Leroy to where the ranch hands were getting ready for the day in the bunk house. He was not looking forward to this at all, but it had to be done.

"Lord, help us," Leroy prayed under his breath.

Jason nodded. "Amen."

"Well howdy y'all. Got a new job for us to do today, Boss?" Terry asked as they walked in, holding a tin cup of coffee while shooting a crooked cowpoke smile at Jason.

"Nope," Jason said, looking all four of the boys in the eye. Someone was missing.

"Where's Slick?" Leroy asked, beating Jason to the question.

"Beats me. We ain't seen hide nor hair of him." Hyde shrugged. "Maybe he's bad sick or somethin'."

Jason nodded. Even though Hyde was in charge when him and Leroy were gone, didn't mean the man would know where all the men were. He had a pretty good idea that Slick was gone for a total different reason than the ranch hands were thinking. "Has anyone seen him lately?"

When everyone shook their heads, Jason asked, "What about yesterday?"

"Well," Hyde drawled after a gulp of coffee. "He was right here yesterday mornin'. We all split up for duties as usual. He was up in the stable takin' care of y'all's ridin' horses. I never saw him after that 'cause I was in the back fields fixin' the fence."

As soon as Hyde finished, John spoke up.

"I was with him for a lil' bit yesterday. Mr. Archer came and asked us to saddle up Stormy so he could ride her after dinner. Well, Slick said he'd take care of it and for me to finish up soapin' a saddle so I stayed. Slick brought me Stormy and she stayed with me while I finished up the saddle," John paused, scratching his head.

"And?" Jason questioned, eager to hear the rest.

John gave a small grin. "Mr. Archer came all happy and excited, and I boosted him up in the saddle. After that, he took off and I got back to work."

"Thank you," Jason said before turning to Leroy, signalling for him to step out with a jerk of his head.

Once back outside, Jason stepped closer to Leroy, lowering his voice to barely above a whisper. "Are you thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?"

Leroy gave a slow nod, his dark eyes glimmering like inky jewels. "Slick did it."