Her aquamarine eyes squeezed shut for a moment as she tried to remember who she was and the events that had transpired leading up to her arrival at the Ponderosa.
Forcing herself to sit up, she breathed in explanation, "My... name... is... Diane DeAngelo. I was... visiting a friend of my fathers."
As fragmented memories came back to her in a series of rapidly flashing images, she found a sharp throbbing sensation rising inside her head. She couldn't complete her story the pain was becoming too overwhelming. Diane's fingers entwined in her disheveled curls and she let out a distraught groan.
"My.... my head. It.... it.... hurts," she sobbed.
Ben gingerly pushed away her fingers to inspect her head for bumps and or bruises. Moving some of her dark brunette curls Diane let out a gasp. He had unintentionally found a sore spot in his probing.
"Sorry," Ben breathed in apology.
His hand swept over the spot, this time he was sure to be extra gentle with her head. Sure enough he found a ghastly bruise. Joe winced, catching a glimpse of the injury for himself.
"Joe, let's get her in the house," the silver haired father suggested.
"Sure thing, Pa," came Joe's obedient and gentle reply.
(possibly to be continued)
