SAM

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They spent the next four days going and coming from ranch to ranch. Cecile ran around like a whirlwind fixing the house. Bryan had received news from his parents saying they would be there in two weeks, that sent Cecile into a flurry of action taking things down from both attics. Sam had few chances to go out to the fields with Bryan and Lou who had hit if off since the beginning. Bryan moved into the house and before they knew another week had gone by. Cecile worried about Sam, she was having some mood swings and spent many afternoons locked in her room pleading a headache. Cecile thought maybe it had to do with the fact that they hadn't caught Henry yet and her impending decision regarding Bryan.

Cecile went to Bryan's house the next day to invite him to dinner. As she approached the house she saw two wagons sitting out front she imagined it had to be Bryan's parents. Reaching the house she saw a distinguished woman walking around the house ordering where to place different pieces of furniture she had obviously brought down. She turned and saw Cecile standing at the door. "May I help you?" she asked, walking toward Cecile.

Cecile smiled and placed her hands out, "I'm Cecile the previous owner of the house." She saw the woman checking her appearance from head to toe in a very discreet fashion, but Cecile was doing the same taking in the auburn hair, the blue eyes, like her son's and the slim figure.

"Please excuse the mess." The older woman said as she motioned around her.

"I am Sandra, Bryan's mother."

"Pleased to meet you. He's been expecting your arrival for a few days. May I help you?" Cecile asked as she walked in to see what had been placed. Bryan's mother followed her and in a couple of minutes they were talking about things concerning the house and the ranch in general. Cecile found her to be a very gentle, woman with an intelligence that surprised her. Sandra knew more about ranching than Cecile would have cared to imagine. A couple of hours later and some rooms down, Cecile extended her invitation to dinner. She excused herself on having to go back to make arrangements, and left feeling happy to have someone she could talk to tonight.

Cecile ran to the library and threw the doors open. George turned around and saw her face white as a sheet of paper her lips where colorless. He walked to her afraid she was about to faint.

"What is it Cecile?" He asked her as she rammed into his chest crying. "Do you know where Sam is?" She asked between sobs.

George pulled her away from him. "Isn't she in her room?" His heart sank as Cecile shook her head.

George sat her on the sofa and yelled for Ann, he poured some brandy and made Cecile drink it. He waited until some of her color returned, and ran to Harry's room where he found the old man asleep. George ran to the front of the house and called for his men. Two hours later George came in, his face a mask of anguish and pain. Cecile broke down crying as she saw him. Bryan arrived at that moment with his parents and felt his heart drop to his feet when he saw all the lights of the porch and the men who worked standing around. Bryan ran into the house calling for George. Cecile ran to him tears streaming down her eyes and babbled something about Sam missing. Bryan tried to understand what she was talking about when George walked up to them, taking Cecile in his arms, told Bryan over her head. "It's Sam, no one has seen her since noon."

The younger man flinched and then a mask of coldness shadowed his face. "Is there any particular place she goes to when she feels uptight?"

"Yes by the river, but Dan and I went down there walked up and down the river and didn't find any traces."

"Where's Harry?" Bryan asked moving toward the rooms.

"He's sleeping Bryan." George said following the younger man.