Nearly a week had passed sense I had let the Jhonson's take Peyton home.  A week of people riding my ass, and a week of them all piling everything on me for just handing her over after one meeting.  But why shouldn't I have?  Ms. Jhonson was obviously a loving mother, and a lovely woman at that.  She cradled the girl like the world just didn't matter.  Only that moment did.

And that is what had made my mind up.

She's not mine, but she is my family.  She's my babe.  Her words echoed through my head over and over no matter how many times I tried to whip it out.  That woman had an affect on me that no one ever did just by looking up at me from her stetson. No wonder Jimmy still had her picture in his wallet. She was stunning.

I walked around my temporary bed picking up my cuff links that were resting on the stand and fastened them down at the wrists.  It was always part of the job description to look your best in my line of work, and I tried the best I could.  I was the best. Always would be.  And no matter how much they drilled me on my mistake I didn't take it back.  I would just make sure to take care of everything while Peyton was in her care.  There was no need to take her back just because not everything was said and done.

But it felt odd in a way.  How such a little girl could have turned my world in just a few short weeks.  I wasn't even sure what I was to expect when coming into the office.  But to take a infant home..that was a new one.  I had struggled, no lie, but in the end, when she was finally sleeping in between the crock of my shoulder and chest at night, her little fingers holding onto my shirt...I felt like I couldn't have done it any other way.  Peyton gave me comfort when I wasn't aware that I even need it.

I missed her.

The little bubbles of spit.  

I laughed lightly to myself and ran my hands through my hair drawing it back and away from my face.  The reflection in the mirror showed a man that was put together. Sophisticated and educated.  It was the look I had worked so hard to achieve.  But now, after having spent time with the little one, one on one...ah I was an idiot. She was the daughter of my defendant. No point in getting attached.

Grabbing my briefcase I headed out the door and slid my card out to lock the door.

I knew I would regret it, but my mind had been made up.  I was going to pay them a little visit and see how the little one was doing.  It was my job to make sure she went to a good home anyway.  So why did my gut tell me I was headed there for a different reason?

~

Pulling up the gravel road that lead out to there home I was amazed at what a drive it was to get out here. A good hour after leaving the station with her address I was finally there and looking at everything with aw.  Had I ever been this close to a cow?  I couldn't remember such an encounter when they were standing so close to the fence that I could just reach out my passenger side window and touch them.

She really lived here?  She looked like a country girl.  But I hadn't figured she was really a cowgirl with the history I knew from Jimmy.

I wondered who ran it as I pulled up and parked, realizing that this was a ranch and not just a home out in the middle of no where.  This was going to be interesting.  And I couldn't stop myself from wanting to know.  It was huge, the house sitting in front of me a good size.  The white paint was pealing slightly to where you could see the wood. But you could tell there was love in this place.  Little out lined hands marked the cement I passed over and I figured they were her sons.

"May I help you?"  Turning to the house I was shocked to be caught scouting out the house.  I should have been ashamed, but I really wasn't.  I was a curious creature.  And Harper Jhonson had caught my attention. 

An older woman was sitting on a porch swing I hadn't noticed, pealing potatoes and placing them in a big pot next to her.  Her sun hat covered her in shade, but I could see that she had the same features as Harper.  Strawberry curls and deep hazel eyes.

"Yes ma'am. I'm sorry for looking, just curious."  I made my way up the steps and asked to sit.  She nodded with a smile.  I could tell I had been forgiven easily.

"So. What brings you out here in the bonnies?"

"Bonnies?"  She flicked her wrist and a peal went flying into the bag she had in front of her.  She gestured to my suit. 

"You look like a city boy.  What brought you all the way out here to the Jhonson's ranch? Anything we can do for you?"  I cleared my throat and sat straight.

"Yes ma'am.  My name is Caleb T-"  She started laughing abruptly and I was taken back. Clearing my throat I knelt over slightly. "Ma'am? Is something funny?"

"Oh it just makes sense now."

"I see."  I really had no idea what she was talking about.  It wasn't every day I was around such happy people.  She waved it off and started to peal away again.

"Pardon me, but my grandson thinks your a dragon because of your name.  He said you were so serious that he could see the smoke coming out of your nose. Worked wonders though, for my Harper used it to her benefit and told him the dragon will come and take him if he didn't behave."  She smiled and tide the bag done over the peeled flesh of potatos. "She had said that you were a looker but I didn't believe her till now."  My eyebrows shot up at this comment and she chuckled again.  "Just don't tell her I told you that."

"Well ma'am, the purpose of my visit is to check in on Peyton.  Would you happen to know where she is?"  She nodded and pointed toward a barn across the field all while lifting a brow and looking me over.

"You will need to walk the distance, a car won't fit.  And I suggest you leave that nice looking jacket here with me."

She winked and I did as I was told.  I layed it over her arm and she looked at it with amazement.

"I bet I'm holding something worth more then a months pay around here."  This time I was the one chuckling.  It was very hard to hold back as I handed her my chain links and anything else I thought would be better not to take on a dirt walk.  I should have just come in my birthday suit.  Butt ass naked.  Everything I was wearing was expensive.

Oh well. That was my own fault.  I could always get new pants.  If I had known they lived on nothing but dirt I would have made sure though that my Calvens were left back at the hotel.  Aww, the joys of being out in the country. 

Heading down the way she had directed me I saw a flash of a little boy running out of the barn and back in.  The squeal that I had known so well.  Even from a distance as this she filled the place with life.  

But why was she in the barn?  Isn't that dangerous for a child of her age?

I guess I was going to find out.

After all. This was not just a social call. This visit was to make sure she was safe and in a good home.