CHAPTER 14

NEXT MORNING

Jayne carefully gets out of bed and walks out of the room to find his Ma dressed in her Sunday best.

"You sure about not gonna church with us?" Grace inquires

"Not a good idea Ma. Ain't sure who might recognize River. Besides with her lack of sleep... she's bound to say things she ain't s'posed to say."

"Your sisters will want to meet her."

"I know. She needs some sleep first."

"So do you." Grace remarks

"I'm used to it." Jayne shrugs

"Alright. Be back after church."

Jayne returns to the bedroom where he finds River rubbing her eyes. "Go back to sleep." He removes his pants rejoining her in bed.

River tucks her head onto the crook of his neck, "Tired of the dreams zhang-fu." She whispers. "Want them to go away."

"I know."

"Scared"

"Of what?"

River whimpers, "Going back to the dark."

"Know I ain't gonna let that happen." Jayne rubs her back kissing her head, "Ain't gonna let anyone take my wife."

River smiles 'Like that.'

Jayne listens as she drifts off to sleep in his arms. 'No one takes you from me.' He gently rubs her middle, 'Or you little girl.'

COUPLE HOURS LATER

River sits on the fence watching as Jayne exercises a colt. 'There's your Daddy. He's a little gruff but he's a good man. He loves me even though I'm a little crazy. He's going to adore his little girl.' She frowns turning her head to see a wagon with a woman with light brown hair.

Jayne turns to check on River only to see a wagon and a woman step down. He takes a deep breath walking towards the fence to see River looking at him worried. "Stay out of my head." He warns absently.

"Not in." River looks at him her hand going to his cheek, "Be nice Jayne."

"Any idea what she wants?" He asks watching the woman warily.

"To make things right with you. For you to understand and forgive her."

Jayne stares at River, "You know?"

"Don't be mad... listen." She kisses him gently then climbs off the fence as the woman joins them. She appr