When her mother nodded she dove into the presents grabbing the closest and tearing it open.She oohed and aahed over each new gift, while the pile of u...wrapped ones grew smaller and an ever growing field of toys gradually overtook the room.She shrieked and jumped up and down when she opened the iPod touch, pulling off the $50 iTunes gift certificate. She'd been pretty quiet up until then but she climbed over to her mother and gave her a big hug."He knew, Momma, he knew!" she shrieked in joy,. "Did you just say something to me?" Jus' when I asked if ya was okay." No, not that, I ... um ... never mind."Ned grasped the hand that had touched his cheek and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Ya sure yer okay?" I don't know. I thought I heard something."Ned looked up, and his body tensed. "Oh, crap, was it the front door? Shit, I didn't think Mom woulda--" No, stop. I didn't hear the door, that wasn't it."Ned listened for himself and let out a windy sigh. "Jeez, don't do that to me."Cassie sat up,. ”“I’ll come out one day and show you the property. After you see how the previous owner has laid out the land with irrigation canals, with the water coming from the Yuma Siphon, you’ll want to do the same with your new land also ... If, when you see the land, you decide you want it, I’ll sell it to you per acre, for what you paid for the Sisemore spread and we’ll draw up a rent contract. That way it will be yours and you’ll pay for it as rent each year and no one will know but you and me.”“Tell. ‘Don’t,’ I managed, and my father stopped, looking at me. ‘What did you say?’ My father was advancing toward me. Danny was standing again and he was wiping at his bloody nose. ‘Leave him alone,’ I repeated. I knew it even before I said it, that this was it. I rocked back from the blow, feeling the sting on my cheek and a sharp pain in my jaw. ‘You little slut,’ he said, hitting me again. I was ready this time, shielding my face, and he hit the side of my head. My ear was ringing. I peeked out.