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."We'll need to leave very soon, before the mountain passes are snowed in."Kate stepped away and drew a deep breath, feeling suddenly stronger."When?""Before the end of the week.""Yes," Kate answered, thinking that they had no choice.An instant later she smiled, a thin resolute smile,realizing that for the first time in her life she did have a choice, and her choice was Jessie."When can you be ready to leave, Kate?" Jessie asked quietly."Soon," Kate said purposefully."There are only a few things that I need to gather without my parents'notice.The day after tomorrow?"Jessie nodded, already planning what she needed to buy on her way out of town.She'd settle at thebank and talk to Jed.She could trust him."We'll leave in two days then."Kate flung herself into Jessie's arms."0h Jessie, my love, I'm so sorry."Jessie held her to her breast."Don't be sorry, Kate.Your love is all that matters to me."* * *Hannah watched Jessie ride out of the yard.She turned as Kate came quietly into the kitchen."I need to go home, Hannah," Kate said softly."I'm sorry.""No need to be sorry," Hannah said, packing some hot biscuits into a basket along with a jar of jam."Take these.You'll be hungry sooner or later."Kate smiled fondly."You've been very kind.I don't know how my mother or I would have managedwithout all your help.Thank you."Page 83 Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlHannah looked at her steadily, noting the tear stains still damp on her cheeks and the hint of misery in hereyes.It wasn't any of her affair, but it was plain to see that the child was suffering.Seemed to her thatJessie Forbes had looked the same when she had come to the back door just after sun-up asking if shemight wait for Kate.Didn't take much sense to see that something serious had happened, and she had afeeling she knew what it was.If it was Martin and Martha coming between those two, she didn't see anyhope for it.She sighed and handed Kate her cloak."Sometimes those that loves us cause more hurt with the lovingthan they do with anger.You have to be forgiving, if you can."Kate kissed Hannah lightly on the cheek and nodded, knowing that she had already forgiven her parents.She wished she could have had their understanding, but there was no time left to wait.She was notleaving to spite them, merely to save herself.As she hurried home in the cold morning sun, she turned hermind to the future, and, finally, hope returned to her heart.CHAPTER TWENTY FIVEKATE'S HEAD ACHED terribly and the house seemed intolerably warm as she hurried about gatheringup the few clothes and personal treasures that she could not leave behind.Her father was at thenewspaper office and her mother was out running errands.It was the first chance that she had to pack.She had written a letter to her parents explaining what she had done, praying with each painful sentencethat they would understand and someday believe that she was happy.She put the envelope on herbedside table, intending to leave it in the kitchen the next day for them to find.She wanted to geteverything ready so that she could leave as soon as the house was empty in the morning.Tomorrow wasMartha's day to visit her new friends at the ladies' weekly luncheon gathering.Tomorrow, she thought,tomorrow I will go to Jessie and we will make a new life.It had only been twenty-four hours since they had parted, but she already missed Jessie terribly.Now,when things were so very hard, she needed her near.Jessie was always so calm, so steady.So strong.When she thought of Jessie leaving the ranch, Kate's heart ached.She had only to envision Jessiestanding on the wide front porch looking contentedly out over her land, or astride one of her greathorses, grinning and confidant and so totally at peace, to know what a great sacrifice Jessie was making.Kate hated for Jessie to give up such a part of herself, but she could not imagine any other way.Theycould not stay, and Kate could not give her up.They must go, because to lose Jessie would surely killher.She opened her travel trunk, the one she had packed with such optimism less than a year before.Shepassed a trembling hand over her forehead, wiping with a handkerchief at the icy sweat that had brokenout there.She felt suddenly cold
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