"How bad is she hurt?"

"I don't know. Jason and I tried to move her but we can't get her back home."

Megan pulled the young girl into her arms. Within a few minutes, Bridget's breathing slowed and the tears stopped. "Do you know the way to the ranch?" Megan asked, pulling away.

"I don't know, why?"

"I need Brett or Charlie."

"Charlie took everyone fishing. Only Jason and I went with Faith."

Megan exhaled as she tapped her forehead in thought. "Get Brett and I'll go to Faith. Jason and I will head to the ranch with her." Bridget shook her head and refused to move. "You can do it," Megan said, squeezing the girl's shoulders. "Believe in yourself."

They headed in opposite directions. "How much more has to happen around here?" Seeing Jason and Faith ahead eased her anxiety. Something had to cut through the somber mood staring her direction. "Hey, you two. Mind if I join your picnic?"

Jason rushed her like a crazed horse. "Megan, I am glad to see you," he said. "I tried. We tried, but Faith can only go so far."

"It's okay, Jason," she said patting him on the back. "You did great." Megan moved towards Faith. "How are you? Ready to head back to the ranch?"

"It's a sprain, but talk about embarrassing." Faith stared at the ground. "I bet you never did anything as stupid as tripping in a hole," she mumbled. "The kids will never trust me now."

"Excuse me?" Megan said, sitting cross-legged beside Faith and laughing. "The kids now know you're human. Is that bad?"

With a shrug came a concerned look. "Where's Bridget?" Faith asked.

"En route to the ranch."

"Oh." Faith's mouth twisted with worry.

"It's okay. She'll make it."

Faith's head dropped. "I admire your admiration, fierce determination, and faith in these kids."

Unable to comprehend the spoken words, Megan remained silent.

"They look up to you," Faith said, unable to look at Megan.

"No, they look up to you. You're great with them. You are a great teacher." Megan took a deep breath. "I'm jealous of how the kids have taken to you."

Tears filled Faith's big brown eyes. "I was jealous of you. Sorry about taking time away from you and the kids. I wanted them to like me. This ranch will be my home, and I needed to show everyone I fit in."




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