A/N: I was writing this for a friend who has since left FFN. But I got a review the other day so I decided to continue it. Hope you all like it. Snowy River belongs to Disney, FOX and AB Patterson.

Chapter 2

Just after midnight, the storm that Whip has predicted broke over the ranch. Jagged lightening and booming thunder raged over the mountains. Wind whipped the trees into a frenzy of leaves and branches. Inside the house, Ellen tossed and turned restlessly in her bed. Even in slumber, her body sensed the storm and reacted with fear. Her head rolled back and forth across her pillow, her dark curls falling over her face. She whimpered softly as the storm continued to rage. Lightening continued to flash as the gale continued. Thunder exploded overhead, shaking the house and rattling the windows. The strain became too much the young girl to bear as her nightmare overcame her and she cried out in terror.

"Easy Millie." Ellen crooned softly. The gentle mare shifted uneasily and the girl turned her back towards home. Suddenly the storm erupted over them and Ellen yelped as her mount went crazy under her. The normally calm horse skittered sideways as the rain poured down. Ellen worked to reassure her with both touch and her voice. For a few moments the animal stilled but as more thunder sounded Millie spooked and broke into a headlong rush. Suddenly the mare lost her footing and tumbled sideways down the hill. Ellen screamed as she was thrown from the saddle but her right foot tangled in the stirrup as they hit the ground and she was trapped under the body of her horse. She gasped at the pain shooting up her leg. She struggled to free herself but was soon panting from exhaustion. As the storm worsened, her fear overcame her and she surrendered to the darkness.

Jessica sleepily forced her eyes open. She listened for a moment then threw back the covers, pulling on her robe as she heard her daughter's crying. She slipped out into the living room to see Ellen curled up in a ball on the end of the couch. "It's ok, sweetie. You're safe in here." she said gently, putting her arm around the child. The little girl melted against her mother as she wept.

"I just keep seeing Millie falling over on me. The thunder and the lightening, it scares me so much."

"I know baby. I know." Jessica rocked her daughter back and forth, laying her cheek on the child's head.

"Mama?" Ellen suddenly spoke in the silence.

"Yes honey?"

"Is Donavan right?"

Jessica looked down at her daughter. "What do you mean? Right about what?"

"About me being an embarrassment."

Her mother snorted. "Not in the least. You are not an embarrassment. You are a beautiful young lady and you deserve to live your life to the fullest. Don't ever let some boy tell you differently."

Ellen sighed. "Mama? Will you tell me about you and Daddy?"

Jessica smiled in the semi-darkness. "Where do you want me to start?"

"Tell me about the time he found you on the cliff."

Her mother smiled again as the familiar story rolled off her tongue.


Just before dawn, Jim woke and stretched. He blinked quickly as he realized that Jessica's side of the bed was empty. With a sinking feeling he hurriedly dressed and walked into the living room. He shook his head at the side of his wife asleep on the couch and Ellen curled contentedly in her arms. He bent and kissed the top of his wife's head. "Morning, Jessie." He whispered softly.

"Morning." She murmured back, her eyes opening sleepily.

"What time did she get up?"

"Not too long after midnight. The storm woke her up." Jessica shifted the sleeping child so that she could rise without waking her daughter.

"Are you going to keep her home?"

"Yes and I'm making Rosie go to school anyway. She doesn't get a free pass just because her sister isn't feeling well."

"Do you want me to tell her that or are you going to do it?" Jim asked with a smirk.
"I will. You and the boys need to be headed up the mountain before too much longer." Jessica moved into the kitchen and began to start breakfast. "Go wake the boys and I'll let Ellen sleep as long as she can."

Jim took several quick steps and caught his wife around the waist, spinning her to face him. "I'll wake the boys in a few minutes. Right now I want to properly say good morning to my wife." He captured her mouth with his before she could answer. She closed her eyes as the kiss deepened, making soft moans in the back of her throat. Childish giggles suddenly interrupted their private moment. Jessica opened her eyes to see their two youngest peeking over the edge of the couch. Ellen had her hand over her mouth to hide the offending laughter.

"You're making funny noises Mama." The little girl pronounced.

"Oh I am? Wait till you're older and a boy kisses you. You might do the same thing." Her mother said with a wink.

"No, thank you. I'm never letting a boy kiss me." Ellen replied with a horrified look.

"You let Daddy kiss you. He's a boy." Her mother pointed out with a twinkle in her eyes for her husband.

"He's not a boy! He's Daddy."

Jim snorted in an attempt to hide his own laughter at this. He quickly turned the sound into a cough as Jessica swatted at him. He hurriedly excused himself, heading upstairs to wake his older children as his wife returned to starting breakfast.