At least not until all the dust has settled and you know, not think, but know you're ready willing and able to be a single father."Believe me, that's ...ot something I'd wish on anyone, and I'll be fine if you don't think you can. The only thing that would disappoint me is if you make a decision like that out of some sort of misguided obligation or emotionalism. Promise me you won't do that, please Chris, promise."I didn't, couldn't, say a thing. I'd already made up my mind that I'd do whatever I. "Did you see how mad he was?!" That was pretty cool," Ethan agreed with a bit of laughter at theexcitement that was pouring from Jane."I mean, if you aren't good enough for a recording contract, I don'thave any hope!" Jane continued.I laughed. At the end of the last school year I had told Jane and theother girls that I had been turned down by a record company. It was allpart of hiding Sarah and to mask the reason why I had become Megan. Yetthis was the first time she had actually heard me. You’re well on the way to becoming the man you were always meant to be.”I was still smiling when I came out of the bathroom, and found both Anna and JJ asleep. Beth sat rocking in a chair near the bed watching over them. I gave Anna and JJ a light kiss and told Beth to join everyone else for supper as I was going to stay in the room. After Beth left, I lay down on the bed next to Anna, and snuggled both her and JJ in my arm before falling into a light sleep.I awoke in the wee hours of the. I asked Arthur, "How much stock did you lose by the colonel's actions."Arthur replied, "Four horses, two mules, a milk cow, an' 11 chickens from the house area. I had nearly 200 head of beef that I 'spect Pike stole, too."I said to the tough, "Remember those numbers. That's what we expect to collect for when we see the colonel in two days."The tough finished gathering up the bodies and body parts and tying them to their horses. I commanded, "Now, get out! NO! Leave the guns where they are."I.