Toby announced, “then find myself a girl.” After two weeks of hard work, they had finished breaking and branding the horses. Everyone had come to town to celebrate. At Tess’s insistence she had been left to visit with Mrs. Ogden. The little girl could hardly wait to show off her kitten, Fluffy. Will had taken Noah off to see what mischief they could find. And with a little time to herself, Ellen planned to sell the two hats she had brought while Matt and Orin bought supplies for the ranch. “Don’t go near Mabel Jackson’s daughter,” Ellen warned Toby. “I can’t help it if Tammy can’t stay away from me.” “It would be better if you avoided her,” Matt said. “Her mother can make it hard for us to adopt Orin and the kids.” “That’s not fair,” Toby protested. “I know it’s not, but it’s not fair for Orin and the kids to be taken away. Once they’re safe, I won’t say anything about the girls you want to see.” “Okay,” Toby said, “but if she comes after me, I’m not gonna hide.”
