CHAPTER 15

2 DAYS LATER

Grace watches as her son leans back in a chair whittling a piece of wood while River paces muttering to herself. "How often does this happen?"

"It depends." Jayne shrugs glancing at River. "Less now that she's pregnant and off the drugs."

"No needles." River says quickly.

"Long as you ain't tryin to kill anyone no needles."

"Simon gave too much. They made my head fuzzy. I didn't like it. They made ms sleep too much." She shakes her head. "Couldn't think but thought too much. Why? How can you think too much yet not at all?" River muses aloud. "Don't understand."

"River, why don't you count somethin." Jayne suggests knowing it calms her down.

River shrugs, "Did. Counted everything more than once. Out of things to count."

"She's been cooped up all day Jayne." Grace points out as she continues to knit.

Jayne sighs knowing his Ma is right. "Alright. I have to brush down the horses and check on the colts." He returns the chair to its four legs. "River why don't put your boots on"

"But I can't feel with them."

"Well you ain't goin out without them."

River looks at Jayne thoughtfully then nods "OK." She grabs her boots pulling them on while Jayne pulls his coat on then helps River into her coat.

Grace watches the two walk out of the cabin into the pouring rain. She shakes her head, 'She definitely brings out his patient side... that will help with the child.'

River laughs as she steps out into the rain. "It's raining."

"That it is." Jayne tugs on her hand. "Come on River girl. Don't want you gettin sick."

River allows him to pull her along as she looks up at the sky enjoying the rain. "Like the rain." She laughs as they enter the barn.

"Alright. Do you want to help me brush the horses? Or do you want to give them some oats?"

"Both"

HOUR LATER

Jayne climbs up to the loft where he finds River sitting on a blanket looking out at the rain, "Still pouring."

"I like the rain. Miss it."

Jayne sits beside her. "Rai