“Hold it back,” I said. “Panting like a dog can help.”Helen took rapid shallow breaths through parted lips. Then she closed her eyes and grima...ed. “They’re coming stronger and faster -- must be the soap.”“It’s stimulating peristalsis in your colon.”“It sure is.”“Keep holding it,” I coached. “The longer the better.”“I know ... I’m trying ... Another...” She took more shallow breaths and then grimaced. “They’re coming one after another. At least the nozzle is giving me something to clamp down. Although I knew he was there, I tried not to let him see me look at him, or even glance at him. He was with some of his friends, and I tried to concentrate on the singing and dancing with the girls. But every so often I would see him looking across at me, and I guess he noticed me doing the same thing because he came across and asked me if he could have a chat with me. It was embarrassing because all the girls started laughing and giggling. But they all encouraged me to go with him, especially. The costs of running it are very high. We have five ranch hands to pay, and we hire companies to come in and do the ‘combining’. We do pretty well, but we’ve got a bit of debt to pay off ... things like equipment, seeds, and building material. We’re maintaining all of the outbuildings and fences. We’ve got four trucks, horse trailers, cattle trailers, flatbeds, eight snowmobiles, and six ATVs,” Donny said.“Oh,” Pepper said.“About the time we get something paid off, it needs to be replaced. Mom. Marcel frowned. “When?” he asked, helping Pig undo the ropes binding Jodie into place.Damon shrugged. “Not sure,” he replied. “Could be ten minutes ago, or ten seconds. All I know is, he’s gone.”On the steel trolley, a mobile phone beeped as a text message came through. The three men looked over at Jodie, before Damon picked it up so she could read the screen, her body trembling; hands unable to grip the device properly.##CALL ME##Breathe. Just breathe.She dialled.One Mississippi... Two.