Audra Anne picked at her dinner late that night. Jarrod kept looking in her direction. When she was so mad at him that she wouldn't talk to him that was a time usually for fatherly concern.

They had their disagreements now and then, but they had been getting along a lot better lately. It surprised Jarrod how his daughter could remain stubbornly silent when she was mad at him.

It was like her father didn't even exist when she was angry. Jarrod would try to talk to her, but she wouldn't even meet his eyes.

Audra Anne poked at a potato with her fork. "Audra Anne, I think that potato is dead. You can eat it now," Jarrod said, not resisting the opportunity to tease his daughter just a little.

All conversation stopped around the table. Everyone looked at Audra Anne. By the look on her face she was madder to be the center of attention. It was common knowledge that she hated people to make her the center of attention.

"Would everyone please go back to their dinner? How I eat is nobody's business!" Audra Anne said, her voice as angry as her eyes.

"It's my business, young lady. Now would you please eat your dinner and not play with it?" Jarrod said, his voice stern.

Audra Anne looked up at her father. He looked upset at her behavior right now. 'Why do you even care? You humiliated me in front of everyone in Stockton!" Audra Anne said, the tears building up in her voice.

"I'm sorry, Audra Anne. You knew what would happen when I questioned you," Jarrod said, taking his daughter's small hand in his large hand.

Audra Anne jerked her hand out of his. "Don't talk to me! I'm going to my room!" Audra Anne said, throwing her napkin down.

Audra Anne ran out of the room, Jarrod hot on her heels. Jarrod grabbed her by the shoulders and led her to the study.

"Sit down," Jarrod ordered, his voice grave.

Audra Anne obeyed instantly. "Now, I would like to know why you are behaving like this," Jarrod said, keeping his voice calm.

After a few minutes of silence and Audra Anne looking at her hands folded over her knee, Jarrod lost his patience. "I asked you a question, young lady. I expect an answer. Since you were five I have taught you to answer your father when he asks you a question," Jarrod said, his voice hard.

Audra Anne looked up at him, her greenish-gray eyes flashing. "A lot of good answering you today did me!" Audra Anne said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"You're angry with me for questioning you?" Jarrod asked, finally feeling like he was finally getting the answer that he wanted.

'Yes Sir. I knew that you would ask me questions about the case, but it sounded like you doubted my honesty. I've never lied to you," Audra Anne said, the tears flowing freely down her face.

Jarrod's heart clenched at her words. She was right. She had never lied to him. While Jarrod didn't like her being too cheeky, they could always tell each other the truth.

Jarrod pulled out his handkerchief and wiped her cheeks gently. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. "I know you haven't. Like you said I have always taught you to tell the truth. But Sweetheart, you didn't actually see Korbie Kyles kill the Colonel. You just saw him running away. Your uncle and yourself could be wrong," Jarrod said, smoothing back her long black hair.

"I'm not, Father. I saw him. You just don't want to believe me," Audra Anne said. She ran out of the study and upstairs to her room, passing her uncles and cousins in the hallway.

Jarrod never felt so awful. The worst thing in the world right now was the fact that Audra Anne thought her father thought she was a liar. He didn't know how long Audra Anne would be hurt over what Jarrod had done today.

The next day dawned cool and clear. Audra Anne still avoided any conversation with her father and Jarrod knew better than to talk to her when she was this angry with him. A rift had come between father and daughter again.

The second day of the trial was like the first. The only difference was that Audra Anne didn't go to her father's office to take a nap. If the truth be told she would rather have slept on the ground than the couch in Jarrod's office.

The courtroom waited in anticipation as Jarrod called his first witness. "The defense recalls Heath Barkley to the stand," Jarrod said, looking at his brother briefly as he said it.

Heath stood and walked to the stand. He looked at Jarrod as he came toward him. Heath understood the agony Jarrod had gone through with questioning both him and Audra Anne the day before. The worst part was that Audra Anne refused to even look at her father due to that questioning.

Heath was grateful that he had never gotten into a fight with Lee. Heath and Lee were very close to each other, while Jarrod and Audra Anne's relationship as father and daughter was rocky. One wrong word and Jarrod and Audra Anne would get into a fight. Heath hated to think what the arguments were like before he came.

"Now, Mr. Barkley, I don't need to remind you that you are under oath like yesterday," Jarrod said, looking into his brother's blue eyes.

"I understand," Heath said, his voice calm and collected.

"Now, you said that after you and Audra Anne saw Colonel Ashby lying in the street a man took off running. You also said that when you grabbed him by the shoulders that it was Korbie Kyles. Is there anything that made it possible to recognize Korbie Kyles?" Jarrod asked, his voice sounding particularly lawyerish.

"The lights from the street," Heath said. If he was nervous his voice didn't show it.

"I checked the street lamps. They were not working," Jarrod said.

"Then I saw him in the shadows," Heath said, the tension coming out in his voice.

"Without street lamps working you saw him in complete darkness?" Jarrod asked, his voice as sharp as nails.

"Yes," Heath said, his voice calm again.

"Mr. Barkley, my client said that he saw a Chinese dockworker kill the Colonel," Jarrod said, his voice also dropping from his angry tone.

"And I say you are dead wrong!" Heath objected, his voice the loudest anyone had heard it in a long time.

Jarrod felt flustered. Both his daughter and Heath were not going to change their statements. Audra Anne was like him when stubborn. Also the fact that he had taught her to never lie was painfully obvious in this case. Even if she made an honest mistake she was not going to admit it. Heath was the same way as well.

"Now I'm going to ask you again, Mr. Barkley, in the night with no street lamps working are you sure that you saw Korbie Kyles kill Colonel Ashby?" Jarrod looked into his brother's eyes. The pain Jarrod felt inside was in his eyes Jarrod was sure of it.

Heath hesitated slightly. "Maybe I'm not so sure after all," Heath said quietly.

Jarrod nodded his head. "Thank you. That will be all, Mr. Barkley," Jarrod said, dismissing Heath.

"Mr. Green, any questions for the witness?" The judge said, looking at the prosecuting attorney.

"None, your honor," Green said, standing to his feet.

"You may go back to your seat, Mr. Barkley," the judge said, dismissing Heath as well.

Heath walked back to his seat. Jarrod put some papers in his briefcase. "Looks like I cain't lose," Korbie whispered to Jarrod, a smug look on his face.

The way things were looking maybe Korbie was right. Audra Anne watched her uncle step down from the stand a dejected look on his face. Audra Anne turned her eyes to her father. The look of pain was the same one he had worn when he questioned her.

Jarrod looked into his daughter's greenish-gray eyes. She was still upset and angry that he had questioned Heath, but something akin to understanding was in her eyes.

"Your honor, the prosecution calls Henry Bingham to the stand," Mr. Green called his next witness.

Besides Elmer, Henry had driven the train that night. Audra Anne didn't have the foggiest idea as to what importance he could have to this case. Apparently neither did anyone else.

"Mr. Bingham, you are a train conductor. right?" Mr. Green asked, after the witness had been sworn in.

"Yes Sir. I was away from Stockton then I heard that Heath, Lucy, Lee, and Audra Anne Barkley were testifying in the trial that killed colonel Ashby," Mr. Bingham answered truthfully.

"Where were you at 11:30 that night?" Mr. Green asked.

"I had just delivered a gold shipment for the Barkleys. It was the only delivery that night," Mr. Bingham said.

"Now you saw something in that alley, right?" Mr. Green asked, causing Jarrod to figure maybe Heath and Audra Anne were right.

"I saw two men fighting. I recognized one of 'em. By the fancy suit it was Colonel Ashby," Bingham said.

"How did you recognize them?" Mr. Green asked, as if this was an important piece of information.

"I saw them by the light of the locomotive," Henry said, as if the answer was obvious.

"Can't you get him to shut up?" Audra Anne heard Korbie Kyles ask Jarrod in a whisper.

"The other man did you recognize him?" Mr. Green asked, looking out at the court.

"At the time I didn't know his name. He dressed like a ranch hand. I didn't know his name until the trial," Henry said, regretfully.

"Why did you wait until now to tell what you knew?" Mr. Green demanded.

"Well, when Heath Barkley and Counselor Barkley's little girl were the key witnesses, I thought it was all cut and dried. I figured there was no need to come out and say anything," Henry said, apologetically.

"Is that man here in the courtroom?" Mr. Green asked, moving aside so Mr. Bingham could see everyone.

Audra Anne heard in the quiet Korbie Kyles's threats. It sounded like he said he would kill Mr. Bingham. Audra Anne held her breath for a long moment.

"It was him. Korbie Kyles," Mr. Bingham pointed at Korbie. Then the courtroom exploded. Most of the anger came from Korbie. Over everything Audra Anne heard his voice shouting.

"There was no way he can prove that! I thought there was no way that Barkley and those brats could tell either!" Korbie said, incriminating himself.

The trial was over. Korbie Kyles was guilty. Jarrod looked back at his daughter. She appeared to look relieved that it had ended. Maybe now she wouldn’t be angry with her father for making an honest mistake. Jarrod could only hope that Audra Anne wasn't angry.

At ten o'clock that night the rest of the family sat in the parlor waiting for Jarrod. Heath and Victoria were playing cards. Audra was sewing some lace onto a petticoat. Nick was standing by the fireplace. And Lucy, Lee, and Audra Anne were busy playing with their dolls.

Audra Anne had just brushed her doll's flaxen blonde hair when she heard the door open. Audra Anne looked up to see her father enter the room and set his hat on the hall table.

Jarrod looked around at the family. Everyone seemed busy with what they were doing. Jarrod didn't know if everyone was still mad at him or not.

Jarrod poured himself a glass of scotch and after a few moments gave a toast. "I'd like to propose a toast to big brother and Father for making the biggest mistake of my life," Jarrod said, breaking the silence.

"A mistake? Do you know what mistake he's talkin' about, Audra?" Heath asked his little sister.

"No. I don't know about any mistake. Do you know what he's talking about, Mother?" Audra asked, looking over at Victoria.

"No, I don't know what he's talking about. Maybe Nick and the girls know what mistake Jarrod is talking about," Victoria said, looking up at Jarrod an amused glint in her eyes.

"No, I don't know about any mistake," Nick said, turning from the fireplace.

"Neither do we," Lucy said, speaking for the three cousins.

The look of surprise on Jarrod's face was laughable. "Why don't we go in to dinner?" Victoria asked, standing up.

"What? You haven't had dinner yet? It's ten o'clock," Jarrod said, looking at his pocket watch.

"The family does not eat without all of its members present," Audra informed her brother, hugging him.

Audra Anne set her doll on the couch. Audra Anne ran to her father and hugged him tight.

Jarrod stooped down so he could look into her eyes. "Audra Anne, forgive me for doubting you," Jarrod said, tears in his eyes.

'I forgive you, Father. And if it's all the same to anybody, I'd rather not hear about it ever again," Audra Anne said, looking around at everybody.

"Audra Anne is right. We won't mention the trial ever again," Victoria said, her voice firm.

Jarrod hugged his daughter again. Jarrod felt light, knowing that his daughter forgave him and was getting along with him again.

"Let's go in to dinner," Victoria led the way to the dining room. Dinner that night was happy and joyous. All the strain of the past few weeks forgotten.

Christmas was mild that year in Stockton. This was really one of the first Christmases that Jarrod didn't have to go out of town. Audra Anne had always given her father a gift a few days before he left. This year she gave him a blue silk handkerchief. It was exquisitely machine-made and she managed to stitch her father's initials in some nice red silk thread.

Audra Anne was with her cousins, grandmother, and aunt as her uncles lugged in a large tree they had cut down. Heath was happy because this was the first year he was going to spend Christmas with the Barkleys. Lee was practically jumping up in down. She had never decorated a tree before like her cousins had.

"Well what do you think of the tree?" Nick asked in his usually loud voice.

"I think you need to throw it into the fireplace, Nick," Jarrod's voice entered the room. Everyone turned to look at Jarrod. He was grinning and his dazzling blue eyes had a teasing glint in them.

A sullen young girl, no older than fifteen stood behind Jarrod. She had dirty red hair, green eyes and a smudged face. Her clothes were that of a boy's. She wore denim pants and a denim jacket over a checked red shirt.

"This is my mother. My sister, Audra. My daughter, Audra Anne. My two nieces, Lucy and Leah. And these two gentlemen with the piece of firewood are my brothers, Nick and Heath. Everyone this is Maybelle Williams," Jarrod introduced.

Everyone looked in shock at each other. Maybelle Williams was the girlfriend of Billy Joe Gaines. Billy Joe was a notorious outlaw and murderer. Having Billy Joe Gaines's girlfriend in the house was not a good idea.

Nick was the first to recover from the shock. His eyes glittered hard at the young outlaw's girlfriend. "Well, well, well. The Maybelle Williams," Nick said, his voice dripping with scorn and sarcasm.

"No, the famous Maybelle Williams, Mr. Barkley," Maybelle said, her voice rebellious.

"What is your boyfriend, Billy Joe Gaines, doing this holiday season, Miss Williams?" Nick asked, not willing to drop his rude tone.

"Billy Joe has places to go and people to see," Maybelle said, not falling for Nick's snide remarks.

"I bet he has," Nick said shortly.

"You must be tired. Audra will take you to your room," Victoria said, bringing an end to the conversation.

Audra led Maybelle out of the room. Audra Anne went to her father's side. "Father, was it necessary to bring her here? She's rude and ill mannered," Audra Anne said.

"Audra Anne's right, Jarrod. You should have told us about this decision," Victoria chided her firstborn son.

"I just couldn't bear the idea of her being in that cold jail cell when I have a warm house and family to go home to for Christmas. She has no family," Jarrod said, wrapping his arm around his daughter's shoulders.

"Jarrod, she's Billy Joe Gaines's girlfriend. What if he comes back for her? I WANT HER OUT!" Nick shouted, not caring if Maybelle heard his voice.

"Nick, I am quite capable of hearing you without you shouting," Jarrod said, his voice chilled.

"Father, maybe Uncle Nick is right. You saw what happened when you brought her in. She apparently likes the fact that her boyfriend kills people for the fun of it," Audra Anne said, looking up at her father.

Heath looked confused. How did Audra Anne know about Billy Joe Gaines? Heath then looked at Lucy. She apparently didn't look surprised either. Did every child in Stockton know about Billy Joe Gaines?

"You weren't here last Christmas, Heath. Last year Billy Joe Gaines robbed the Stockton bank last year. When it seemed the clerk didn't move fast enough Billy Joe gunned him down. That was his Christmas gift to Stockton," Nick said bitterly.

"Jarrod, maybe you should take her back," Victoria said, her eyes somber.

"An' I agree with whatever Nick says," Heath said, siding with Nick.

Jarrod sat down, his expression reflective. Audra Anne sat down on the footstool by Jarrod's feet. "You know, I went to her jail cell to talk about her case, but didn't say anything. I started to get angry and the more she didn't say anything the angrier I got. I just felt that she shouldn't have to spend Christmas in that jail cell. And I believe you wouldn't want that either, Nick," Jarrod said, looking up at his brother.

A sheepish grin crossed Nick's face as his brother reprimanded him. "I just hope we don't regret this and that we have a merry Christmas," Nick said.

At those words the three cousins scampered out of the room to do their chores and get washed up for dinner. Audra Anne thought of Nick's words. She hoped like her uncle did that they wouldn't regret it either.

The next morning was bright and clear as Audra Anne woke up. The sunshine streamed through her window, making bright patches of golden light on the wooden floor. Audra Anne got out of bed and dressed into her ranch clothes.

School may have been out for two weeks, but her chores weren't. Uncle Nick was fond of saying that the Barkley ranch was a working ranch and everyone did his or her share of work.

Audra Anne stepped out of the room and saw Maybelle come out of hers. "Good morning, Maybelle. I hope you slept well," Audra Anne said politely.

"I suppose. Where's the dining room?" Maybelle asked, her voice still upset.

"Come on. I'll show you," Audra Anne said, taking Maybelle's hand and pulling her along.

"Is your pa always stern with you?" Maybelle asked out of the blue.

"No, not always. He really is a good father to me," Audra Anne admitted.

"What happened to your ma?" Maybelle asked out of curiosity.

"She died when I was born," Audra Anne said, her voice low.

"I'm sorry. My ma and pa died when I was a baby too," Maybelle said, understanding the tone of voice Audra Anne had.

"Oh. Well, I hope you enjoy your stay with us," Audra Anne said, opening the door to the dining room. Jarrod was the only one at the table.

He was drinking his coffee and swallowing a last bite of scrambled eggs. "Morning, Father," Audra Anne said, kissing Jarrod's cheek before sliding into her place.

"Good morning to you too, Honey. Good morning, Maybelle," Jarrod said to Maybelle.

"Well, aren't you going to take me back?" Maybelle asked, confused by Jarrod's greeting.

"You said last night that you'd never do it again. Did you mean it?" Jarrod asked, wiping his mouth with his napkin.

Audra Anne looked puzzled at the conversation. "I tried running away last night and your father found out about it," Maybelle said, looking at Audra Anne.

"Oh. That's why you asked me if Father is always stern," Audra Anne said, taking a miniscule bite of her eggs.

"Well, if you really meant it, we'll just forget about it. Sit down and I'll have Silas prepare you the best eggs this side of the Mississippi," Jarrod said, standing up.

Jarrod kissed Audra Anne's forehead and left the room. Silas came in with the percolator filled with coffee.

"Man says that you make the 'best eggs this side of the Mississippi,' " Maybelle said to the Negro servant.

"Well, if that's what the man says," Silas said, pouring coffee into her cup.

"Can I trust him?" Maybelle asked, meaning Jarrod keeping her from prison.

"If you can't trust him, can't trust nobody," Silas said confidentially.

Maybelle sat back down to her breakfast. Audra Anne finished her breakfast and stood up. "Well, I have my chores to do," Audra Anne said.

"Bye," Maybelle said.

The outdoors was cold and brushed against Audra Anne's face like water. This Christmas would be perfect if they only had snow.

Audra Anne ran back to the house, her breathing choppy. Aunt Audra had been hurt! One of the ranch hands had said it was the new horse that Uncle Heath had been trying to break. That horse was difficult to manage. Audra Anne despaired of ever seeing that horse gentle.

She pushed the door open. Her two cousins sat on the wide staircase, the picture of despair. "How's Aunt Audra?" Audra Anne asked, breathing hard.

"Don't know. Grandma and the doctor are with her," Lee said, looking at her boots.

Uncle Nick came into the room, his face showing his anger clearly. Maybelle came in from the other side of the room.

"What's for dinner?" Maybelle asked to the shock of everyone.

"Before we talk about dinner maybe you'd like to tell us what happened out there? Heath told both of you to stay away from that horse. My own daughter has more sense than you!" Nick growled, his expression that of a hibernating bear.

"Then Audra should have listened," Maybelle said, making Nick angrier.

That was definitely not the brightest thing anyone could say to Uncle Nick. Audra Anne knew from experience that Nick would start shouting at any time now. Jarrod entering the house saved Maybelle from Nick’s anger.

"I just heard. How's Audra?" Jarrod asked, looking at his brother, daughter, and two nieces.

"She'll probably be fine, Father," Audra Anne said, trying to sound optimistic.

"How did this happen?" Jarrod asked sternly, turning to Maybelle.

"Your brother is trying to determine that. I say ask your sister," Maybelle said, acting as if she didn't care.

"Go get your things together. You're going back to town," Jarrod said, using a voice he often used on Audra Anne.

"I'll save you the trouble, Counselor. I never unpacked!" Maybelle said hatefully.

She went running up the stairs. Audra Anne stepped up to her father's side. Jarrod wrapped his arm around her thin shoulders and hugged her.

"Nick, what happened?" Jarrod asked, looking up from Audra Anne to Nick.

"Audra got hurt and that girl could of cared less!" Nick exploded.

"Nick, stop it! Your tone of voice is frightening the children," Jarrod reprimanded.

Maybelle came down the stairs, carrying her carpetbag in her hands.

"Go outside. I'll be there in a few minutes," Jarrod said, his voice turning to that of a stern father again.

Maybelle turned to look at Nick. "I am sorry," Maybelle said, her voice sounding contrite for the first time ever.

"Go outside!" Jarrod ordered.

Maybelle left the room. Audra Anne looked up at her father. "May I go with you to town, Father?" Audra Anne asked.

"I don't see why not," Jarrod said. Audra Anne followed her father outside. Maybelle just stood there, a glum expression on her face.

"Wait there. I have to saddle the horses," Jarrod said, indicating the unhitched buggy.

"May I have some water?" Maybelle asked politely.

"The pump's over there," Jarrod said, indicating the pump with his hand.

Maybelle tried, without success, to pump the water. "Allow me," Jarrod said, grabbing the pump handle and pumping the water into the trough.

Maybelle grabbed the dipper and filled it with water. She took a drink. "Would you like some? It's real tasty. Real cold," Maybelle said, hoping Jarrod got the insult.

The look on Jarrod's face implied that he did. Audra Anne snorted, knowing what Maybelle had tried to say.

"Do you have any idea how I'm going to defend you?" Jarrod asked, trying to ignore the comment.

"I figure I'll find out soon enough. Lawyer, are you going to take me back to jail or not?" Maybelle asked impatiently.

"You have an itch for jail, don't you?" Jarrod asked, starting to lose his temper.

"It's no use talking to me!" Maybelle shouted. It was the first logical thing that she said since Jarrod had brought her here.

"You know something, you are right, little lady, it doesn't do any good to talk to you! What you really need is to be turned over my knee and paddled until you can't-" Jarrod said, in absolute anger.

"Just you try it!" Maybelle snapped angrily.

"Don't tempt me!" Jarrod said, just as angrily.

The next few minutes were a source of amusement to Audra Anne. Maybelle had grabbed the dipper in her hands and held it like a weapon. Jarrod picked her up like he would have Audra Anne and dumped her unceremoniously into the horse trough.

Audra Anne broke into giggles as she looked at the girl. Maybelle's hair hung in wet strands down her face and she looked scornful and embarrassed. She was sputtering threats and crying at the same time. Jarrod was nodding his head as the threats came out.

Jarrod grabbed the girl by the shoulders and pulled her out. "I can't take you to town like this," Jarrod said, as calmly as if he were discussing the weather.

"Why not?" Maybelle asked, still scornful.

"Well, you might catch pneumonia," Jarrod said sharply.

"And die? That would save us all a lot of trouble," Maybelle said, her voice still upset.

"And cheat me out of winning this case? Don't you dare!" Jarrod said.

Jarrod's voice turned more gentle in the next few seconds. "Now go inside and get cleaned up for supper," Jarrod said to Maybelle and Audra Anne.

Maybelle's expression changed at the thought of dinner. "I hope we have some more of that ham tonight," Maybelle said, going toward the house.

Audra Anne and Jarrod looked at each other in surprise and disbelief. After punishing Maybelle, she was still thinking of food! Audra Anne started to laugh.

"Audra Anne, would you like to be the next in the horse trough?" Jarrod asked sternly.

"No Sir. Excuse me. I'm going to get cleaned up for supper," Audra Anne said, trying to control the uncontrollable gales of laughter. She rushed into the house, giggling. Maybelle sure was making Christmas a lot of fun this year!

A considerable change had come over Maybelle by the time the family decorated the Christmas tree that night. Audra Anne could see the girl had a crush on her father, but didn't know how she felt about it.

It was true that her father was a very handsome man, but Audra Anne didn't know if he should love anyone as much as he had loved her mother. Also Maybelle had said how much she loved Billy Joe. Audra Anne hung a glass ornament on the tree when someone knocked on the door.

Silas answered the door to reveal Meg Travis and her mother Helen. Audra Anne rolled her eyes slightly. Meg Travis had been in love with her father since Audra Anne could remember. Jarrod looked over at his daughter in time to catch the eye rolling.

"Be polite!" Jarrod whispered sharply in her ear.

"Father, I don't like her. She thinks she's going to marry you," Audra Anne said, a deep frown crossing her face.

"You shouldn't say you don't like people. Just mind your manners and be polite to them. They are guests in our home," Jarrod said, low enough where Meg and Helen couldn't hear him.

"Yes Sir," Audra Anne said grudgingly. She turned back to the tree to straighten some of the tinsel.

'Hello Jarrod," Meg said, in that sugary voice that made Audra Anne want to scream at times.

"Hello Meg, Mrs. Travis. This is our houseguest spending Christmas with us, Maybelle Williams. Maybelle, this is Helen Travis and her daughter Meg," Jarrod introduced the three.

"Hello," Maybelle said, her voice low.

"Hello," Meg said tightly. Apparently Meg didn't like Maybelle. Was it because she could see that Maybelle had a crush on Jarrod?

"You already know my daughter, Audra Anne, of course," Jarrod said, getting Audra Anne to actually talk to Meg and her mother.

"How do you do Mrs. Travis, Miss Travis?" Audra Anne asked, fighting the urge to roll her eyes.

"Hello, Audra Anne. Are you enjoying your Christmas vacation, dear?" Mrs. Travis asked. Mrs. Travis rather enjoyed Jarrod's little girl. She was an exact copy of her mother, except for the black hair, which belonged to Jarrod.

"I guess. Father, I'm going to go help Grandma take out the cookies in the kitchen. Maybelle, would you like to come?" Audra Anne asked, relieved to be away from Meg Travis.

"Okay," Maybelle laid down an ornament on the table and followed Audra Anne to the kitchen. Mrs. Travis followed them. Audra Anne found herself thinking of Meg Travis. At least Jarrod didn't love her as much as he loved her mother. Audra Anne thought of the picture taken on her parents wedding day. Her mother was ten times prettier than Meg Travis was.

....Continued