Olivia made it home, but couldn't remember how. She'd tripped and fell a few times, her hands were burning and her knee hurt. She was thankful her father wasn't home. The shame of what had happened by the river hit her with full force. 

She remembered cruel words he cast at her. Did she deserve them? She asked herself many times. Maybe it was her fault, if she tried a little harder to resist, if she didn't return his kisses. There were a lot of if's eating at her.

The cottage felt icy even though it wasn't cold outside. She shivered. Olivia quickly washed up trying to erase from her body and from her mind what had happened. Not wanting to think about it, she got busy and put a pot of stew on the stove along with a loaf of cornbread in oven. They would have enough for tomorrow too.

Her dad came home and it was the first time that Olivia saw that the roundup was affecting him. He was caked in mud and by the time he washed up, he was too tired to eat. Making an excuse he retired to his bedroom. She got worried about him; he wasn't himself lately.

Austin wasn't too proud of himself. What happened should never have happened the way it did. He never meant to hurt her that way. No matter how rich, his parents, they'd raised him to be respectful to others. He was angry at himself, but had taken it out on Olivia. 

It was unforgivable how he'd treated her, and he'll have to make it up to her somehow. Marriage would be the right thing to do, but that was out of the question. He was expected, when he gets married, to marry someone of his rank. 

He drew the reins gently and his horse responded immediately. Maybe he'd buy Olivia and her father a house with some fancy stuff. Maybe even install her as his newest paramour. That is, at least until he got tired of her. Then he'd pay her handsomely so she and Albert would be comfortable for the rest of their lives.

He knew everyone had their price. Someone of their station in life would welcome the sum he had in mind. Most men never made that much in their entire life.

She was beautiful and would be able to find someone to marry her. The thought of her with someone else didn't sit well with him. The sky outside was changing and grey clouds were rolling in from the mountains which matched his mood perfectly.

With that decision made in his mind, he felt a little better. They would never know why Albert lost his position at the Big J ranch. It was another thing which he was responsible for and wasn't very proud of. 

He'd make sure they'd never find out.

He smiled at the thought of seeing Olivia in a silk dress. Olivia between silk sheets. Austin could remember how sweet she tasted. He never knew it could be so sweet to kiss a woman. He turned and rode back to the ranch.

Only Clay could tell something was different about him. He looked at Austin with a worried expression, but Austin shrugged his worried look away, and strode towards the white mansion.

As soon Austin walked in the house he could tell his mother had some agenda.

"Austin you are finally home, we were just saying it would be nice to visit the Timken's. I need to do shopping for necessities and you can catch up with Victoria," his mom told him. He couldn't say no to his mom. Austin packed a few things and got ready to set out with his family for a week in the town of Elms. He could use his time there to visit Laura minimizing the time spent in Victoria's company, despite his mother's wishes. 

***

Olivia avoided going out by the river, so she stayed around the cottage those days. The only place where she went was to visit Mrs. Helms. She was one stubborn old lady and refused to move in with her daughter or son. She claimed that she wouldn't like living in Elms. 

While she was shopping at the general store Olivia learned from the young maid employed at Big J ranch, that the family had left for Elms. She felt better knowing they were not in town. This way she knew she couldn't run into Austin. 

Olivia stepped out of the store more freely. She spotted Tommy coming towards her with his hat in his hands, scrunching it hard. His fingers went white from holding it so tight. 

"Olivia, would you do me the honour of accompanying me to the church picnic this Sunday?" he asked nervously, still squashing his hat. 

Olivia liked him, and didn't have the heart to say no to him, so she agreed. Knowing the Jade family wouldn't be in town she wouldn't have to worry about Austin. 

On Friday, while she waited for her dad to come home, to her surprise the surrey driven by one of the cowboy's from Ewans' ranch stopped in the front of their cottage. One of the older cowboys that worked with her father stepped on their porch. 

"Olivia, your father has been in an accident. He's been looked after by a doctor, but you should come with me. I won't lie to you, it doesn't look good," he said and his voice was full of regret. 

Olivia went white; her dad was all she had. 

The drive to the Ewans' ranch was the longest in her life. It seemed longer to her than the whole trip from the south all the way up here. 

When they arrived the doctor was coming out of the bunkhouse, his solemn expression told Olivia what she feared the most. Her father was gone. She was left alone in the world. The place around her started to spin, and the dull pain hit her. She swayed, blackness consumed her and she hit the ground. 

When she came around, she was told that one of the escaped bulls had run into her father and his injuries were too great to save him. 

Ewans' offered to pay all the expenses of the funeral and pay her his wage. She didn't know how she made it through the funeral. Some of the residences of Kenth made it to the local cemetery together with a few cowboys her father worked with. The little town of Kenth came to give last respect to her father. It was a small assembly of people, but Olivia was unaware of anything but her grief.

After the funeral, she stood in the middle of their cottage, it was so empty. What will she do now? 

A knock at the door announced the arrival of Mrs. Helms. Olivia's world was shattered; she turned her swollen eyes towards the dear old woman. 

"Olivia, I'm so sorry. I want to let you know you can stay here as long as you want. I like having you around." The old woman embraced her with her shaky hands. Olivia wailed harder, they were soul wrenching sobs. 

It was a small comfort knowing she still had a roof over her head. But she knew she couldn't count on staying here forever and would have to find some kind of a position for herself. In a town the size of Kenth that was just about impossible.

Tommy arrived a little later with a basket of food that his mom had prepared for Olivia. He was nervous and started to speak,

"I'm sorry, Olivia, about your pa. You've known for some time now that I'm very fond of you. I was wondering...if you would marry me?" he braved it out. Olivia was taken aback by his question, but knew she had nothing to give him, nothing to offer. She was spoiled goods. How could she admit that to him?

"Thank you, Tommy, for your proposal... I will always treasure your friendship, but I can't stay here. I need to learn to take care of myself." Olivia tried to let Tommy's offer down as gently as she could. She didn't love him and knew he loved her only as a friend. It wouldn't be fair to him if she'd said yes.

"I wish you the best Olivia." He looked disappointed, but soon left leaving her alone. 

With another look around the space that she'd just begun to call home she began to pack. She kept her father's bible, his tobacco box and his winter coat. Everything else she gave away. There wasn't much to begin with. 

It was hard saying goodbye to Mrs. Helms; the kind woman gave Olivia her daughter's address and a letter for her. 

Two days later she was seated in a coach leaving for Elms. The first night there she found room in a boarding house. The next morning she searched for the address of Sara Rowland, Mrs. Helms' daughter.

Sara stood at the door and read her mother's letter. She finished reading and with sympathy in her eyes said, "Come on in my dear, the cook will give you something warm. Then we will see what we can do for you. I think I know the perfect position for you." 

Sara was as good hearted as her mother. A few days later, Olivia got a position as a maid in the old judge's household on the Main Street of Elms. The pay wasn't high, but it came with a shared room. 

Two days later the Jades returned home and found out about the accident involving their former hired hand. Austin Immediately got on his horse and rode to Kenth. 

The little cottage stood quiet and abandoned, it looked sad. The traces of its former occupants were still visible. On the floor of the tiny kitchen, he found a hairpin, he quickly picked it up and stashed it in his pocket. 

Olivia was gone. He'd learnt in town that she left on a coach to Elms. All of a sudden the little town felt emptier than ever before.

***

The judge and his wife were high up in society. They'd give dinner parties often, and one of those was happening in a few days time. The event puts the household in a rush to scrub and polish. Olivia was very busy with the rest of the household staff.

On the night of the party, Olivia recognized her immediately: it was the girl that visited the Jade's family. She came in with her parents. Olivia learned from the other elderly maid that the man was the mayor of Elms with his wife and daughter, Victoria.

Victoria recognized Olivia as well; she gave her a menacing look. First chance she got to get away from parents she found Olivia alone. "Well, well, what do we have here? A rag girl working. I'll have to make for sure you are busy tonight.", she remarked cruelly. Then she turned around and, with her head held high, walked to the huge dining room where long tables with fancy china were set for the guests.

Olivia watched her leave and then with a worry went to the kitchen to help with the preparations. Victoria was never a good news. The kitchen was hot and stuffy with everyone busy with their chores and Olivia was given a big bowl of potatoes to peel.

"When you are finished with these there are carrots that need peeling as well." The cook was short tempered under the pressure of making such a large number of dishes.

All the guests were seated at the dinner table and serving staff brought the dishes out one by one. Olivia placed the heavy meat tray in her hands on the table and rushed to get another one. Every time she walked by Victoria's seat, there was a sound of cutlery hitting the floor.

Victoria timed when Olivia was around, she would purposely drop a spoon or fork. Each time that happened Olivia without a word would pick it up and replace it with a clean one. Victoria gave fake apologies for the benefit of others at the table, but her eyes were telling a different story. When dinner was over and the Timkens left Olivia breathed a sigh of relief. 

Week after she started to get nauseated, her breasts, got swollen and bigger, and with fear she suspected a reason for that. She had lived long enough on the ranch to know the symptoms. As much as she wanted to deny it, she knew she was pregnant. 

Coming forward to her employers was hard, but she had to do it. Pregnancy wasn't something she could conceal for too long. Olivia to her relief was told she would be able to stay until the baby is born.

The old judge also hosted a yearly harvest ball; it was a big event where anybody who was somebody in Elms attended. There were preparations again and the household was in turmoil. By the time when she retired for the night Olivia was bone tired. 

The first guests started arriving so Olivia and a young maid named Emma watched them, hidden behind a bench that was covered with a huge plant. 

They had few moments before they start serving guests.

The young girls arrived in beautiful, colourful dresses, their hair done, wearing fashionable little bonnets. Emma was commenting on dresses, but in Olivia's line of vision came a person she thought of lately and often. Emma's words faded in the background.

Olivia spotted him right away, his tall figure unmistakable towering above most of the people in the room. He walked in with Victoria on his arm. Knowledge of the possibility running into him tonight had all blood drained out of her face.

He didn't see her for more than half of the evening; Olivia somehow managed to avoid him. Then, almost like he'd sensed she was there he turned and looked at her. 

His cold stare didn't give any indication he knew her. She was very well aware of that he would never acknowledge a serving maid. 

He wasn't alone, all of the Jade family members arrived except Damian, who was away on a business trip. The kitchen girls were all talking about the Jade brothers and it was hard to avoid hearing about them. Every time she entered the huge ballroom, she noticed how the young couples had fun. 

She watched them dance and laugh, they were happy and carefree. The girls wore fashionable dresses and young guys were dressed in nice suits. One of the couples swirling on the dance floor were Austin and Victoria. It wasn't easy to watch them dance so she turned around and went back to the kitchen