Dixie rolled over, gazing out the window while Annalyn snored softly beside her. Judging by the sky, it was past midnight, but no matter how hard she tried she just couldn't go to sleep. Praying for Jason kept her up.

Easing out of bed carefully so she wouldn't wake Annalyn, Dixie grabbed the plain dress draped on her dresser and slipped it on over her night clothes.

"Of course I love you," Annalyn mumbled in her sleep, burying her face in the covers. "Didn't you know that, Leroy?"

Dixie placed a hand on her chest, trying to still her racing heart. Annalyn nearly scared her silly. She smiled, her initial fear gone as she looked over at Annalyn's sleeping form. She knew what it was like to have those dreams all too well.

Tiptoeing out of her room, Dixie softly made her way to the back porch praying the whole way she didn't wake anyone. A warm wind blew when she walked out the kitchen door, and she closed her eyes as it caressed her face. When she opened them, the beautiful night sky sparkled with more stars than she could count and a small cloud hovered by what was otherwise a perfect, milky white moon.

A soft neigh drew her gaze to the barn where an all-too-familiar horse was tethered. Her pulse skittered when she saw the faint glow of a lantern shining through the slightly open barn door. Jason had made it back, and at the moment, that was all that mattered.

In her silent rush to the barn, she forgot to pull on some boots and padded through the grass on silent feet. She slipped by Raven quickly and, willing him to stay quiet, she slid through the opening of the barn door.

The soft, weak glow of the lantern silhouetted Jason's form where he sat on a few crates, shoulders shaking as he looked up at the starry sky.

Dixie was taken aback. She could tell Jason was very distraught even though his back was to her and knew something bad must've happened to bring him to tears. She felt like she was intruding and wanted to back out, but her heart wouldn't let her. He needed her and there was no way she could turn her back on him.

Taking slow, steady steps, Dixie made her way to Jason's side and sat down beside him. She looked up at the sky through the open back doors just as he was doing.

If Jason was surprised Dixie came up or ashamed that she was seeing him cry, he didn't show it. He just sat there silently weeping and uttering words of prayer between sobs.

Hearing Jason cry so brokenly nearly shattered Dixie's heart. She patted his knee comfortingly, praying that God would help him and touch whatever was going on.

Without warning, Jason wrapped his arms around Dixie, burying his wet face at the crook of her neck. He vent his grief, unashamed of the tears.

Dixie laid her face in his hair and stroked his sweat-slick back, the shirt sticking to him like a second skin. He was so strong yet so vulnerable. Whole, but broken. There was a lot she wanted to say, but she knew her presence was more than enough. She loved him so much, and it broke her heart to see him in such pain. As much as she wanted to know what happened, Jason's comfort was more important. He could tell her when he was ready.

After a while, Jason's tears abated and he sat up, wiping away any trace of teardrops. He gave her a small grin belied by the torment in his eyes.

Dixie smiled at him, the force of her love and concern sparkling in her eyes. "I love you, Cowboy."

"I love you more, my Angel," Jason stated, his voice husky and full of emotion. His eyes flickered to her lips, then her eyes, and back again before he leaned in.

Dixie felt his warm breath on her cheeks. Her mind, once chock-full of questions, was now teeming with anticipation as her lashes fluttered shut and his lips met hers.

The kiss, so brief and sweet, held so much passion it stole Dixie's breath away.

On the crates they sat, forehead to forehead, drawing strength from each other. In that moment, nothing else in the world mattered. There in the semi-darkness their breath mingled, hearts beating as one. Not a more touching scene could be painted, and the beauty of it eliminated the ugliness of reality if only for a moment.

"Thank you," Jason murmured into her hair. "You have no clue how much I needed. . .you."

"And you have no clue how much I needed you." Dixie gave a shy smile as Jason moved back just enough to see her face. "I couldn't sleep knowin' you had left with a bad feelin' and I had one too."

It was Jason's turn to smile, and he didn't disappoint. It was the brightest, most handsome smile she'd ever seen on his face. "How did you know I was here?"

"I didn't," she conceded, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I went to the back porch and saw Raven. Then I noticed what looked like a light comin' from the door, which was still open just a little. I came down after that and found you."

"I'm glad you did. I was kinda in a mess." Jason gave a slightly sheepish grin. "The reason bein', I went home and found out Pa was missin' and had been since dinner. Me and the boys went searchin' for him, and I found blood on a rock. Then I found a small trail of blood and followed it. That's when I found Pa with his foot stuck in the saddle, which looked like it had dumped him over. There was so much blood. I was sure he was a goner, but when I looked closer he was still breathin'. I fired my gun and got the boys over there. We found that his foot was stuck in the stirrup 'cause of glue, and the front girth strap had been partially cut so it broke when the horse galloped. Someone set it up, 'cause it wasn't no accident. Well, we got him up and to the doctor, who said he had real bad head trauma and gave him only a day at least."

Dixie grabbed Jason's hand. "That's terrible. But why are you here? Shouldn't you be with your pa?"

"The doc sent me off, sayin' stayin' there would just drive me nuts. He let Ma stay, and would get us if his condition worsens. The twins are at a friend's. I couldn't investigate since it was so late. This. . .this was the only place I knew to go."

Dixie squeezed his hand. "You can count on us to be there and help you find out who done this. I know it's late, but couldn't you've went home and talked to the ranch hands?"

Jason looked up at the sky, shaking his head slowly. ''Nope, sure couldn't. Pa made it a rule that the hands can go home at night. They won't be back till the mornin'."

"I see." Dixie gave his hand one last squeeze. She stood, bending down to plant a kiss on Jason's cheek. "I better get goin'. Pa and Tavin wouldn't be too happy if they woke up to find me here with you. Alone."

Jason laughed, a playful sparkle in his eyes. "You can always stay here with me and forget about them."

Dixie paused on her way out, jamming a hand on her hip and raising an eyebrow. The teasing smile on her face met her eyes. "Beaux don't get husband privileges. End of story."

Jason laughed so hard he grabbed his stomach. Oh, how he loved that woman! Getting off the crate, he flopped down into the hay with a huge smile on his face. Thank you, Jesus, for sendin' Dixie. You knew just who I needed, when I needed her. Bless her, and give me strength to face tommorow 'cause I'm sure gonna need it. Heal Pa Lord, if it be Your will. Amen.