"You must eat something," Maria coaxed. "They will be back soon."

Amanda swirled her fork into her mashed potatoes. "They've been gone for a long time."

"Probably only been an hour," Maria smiled, patting Amanda's back.

"Oh, I just wish that Noah would've let me help them with the horses. I'm worried about Stormy...what if they can't find him? He's still so young."

Maria made herself comfortable in a chair across the table from Amanda. Wiping her hands on a frilly red apron tied around her waist, she sighed. "I'm sure the little-one's momma is right beside him. Don't worry so much, honey. I think you are just being nervous about other things."

"Like what?"

"Talking to Noah."

"Why would I be feeling nervous about talking to Noah?"

"I am sorry, I overheard something this morning," she folded her heavily ringed hands beneath her chin.

"What did you hear, Maria?"

"A talk between Mr. Barrington and Noah."

Amanda's eyes grew round with curiosity. "Brandon talked with Noah? My stars! What did they say to each other?"

"Well," Maria wrung her hands anxiously. "I know I should not have been so nosey...."

"Too late! You have to tell me now. Or I'll go crazy wondering what they talked about before Brandon left."