with his right hand on his rifle, he swore it on the bible

When we find her, we’ll make sure she never has to hide who she ever is ever again, honey. Hurts me to hear what that girl had to go through. We’re gonna find her, I swear.

An' Marley too. Keep that head high, honey. She's out there, just give her time. She'll come back to you.

You make an awful good point there. I wish I could stop her hurtin’, then maybe she wouldn’t lash out so damn much. I need her to understand… I loved her Mama. But I needed to leave, I needed to let myself open up to the possibility of well… meetin’ someone like you. And I’m real glad I did. I don’t pretend to have everything figured out, I’m just trying to do my best. By you, by Marls…

I know that, darlin'. If she can't accept this version of you... It's a tough pill to swallow. Trust me, I'd know, but... Heck, look at Bea now. Hidin' from who you are only causes more hurt. An' you're doin' great by me, honey. Don't you worry about that.

Her Mama wasn't the one who left, that was me. Amicable as it was, an' all... I love 'em both. And it feels like neither of 'em know. Neither of 'em seem to get how much I love 'em.

I know that, honey. I just... I fought for a lotta kids, lotta teens durin' my time as a care worker, Harlow. I saw my fair share of parents stand back an' let their kid use the other parent as a punchin' bag, even when they coulda stepped in. If Laurel ain't got no bad blood with you, then how come Rosie ain't mad at her mama for still lovin' you, huh? I'm not sayin' she should be. I'm just sayin', you can't keep blamin' yourself for how Rosie feels. She's not leadin' with logic, only hurt, honey. An' as for Marley... Heck, that sweet girl's a closed book half of the time. She's afraid of somethin'. Of lettin' you in, maybe? I don't know. I love her to pieces, but you can't figure everythin' out for everyone sweetie.

Laurel... she knows Rosie can be a handful. That she can be hateful. And it's sad, 'cause it ain't the way we raised her. She can't make Rosie forgive me, can't even make her love me. She just can't. I wanna be her Dad, an'... I wanna look after Marley too.

She can't make her forgive me, you're right, but... She can step in an' fight your corner, honey. Rosie can't keep holding you to a different standard to her mama. It ain't right. An' I think both your girls know you love 'em deep down. I know they do. You've been a good father to both of 'em, whether they wanna admit that's what you are or not.

I know you do, baby. I just... Rosie never wants anythin' to do with me until I'm givin' somebody else that attention. She scared off the men I dated, was mean to Doll, now she's takin' it out on Marley. And it ain't fair. I just don't know how to make Marley see I still have all this love for her, and I ain't trying to be her Dad or nothin', but...

Honey, what about Laurel? If you don't mind me askin', of course. I know you're still close, an' I guess I always thought Rosie had a good relationship with her mama. What's she got to say about all this? I don't know much about Rosie, but I know she can't punish you or anyone else forever. An' you don't have to punish yourself neither for wantin' a good relationship with your baby girl. You've got space in your heart for both her and Marley.

Sort of... we don't have to talk about it. Honest.

Hey, we don't have to talk about anythin' you don't wanna. But I love Marley too, don't you forget that. The two of us mopin' won't bring back Bea and Marls, but it might help to talk.

Aw, shucks. Don't go makin' me blush now. You know just how much I like you. An' it's a lot.

Keep kissin' me like that an' I might start to believe ya.

But... you're the best. I don't know how anyone could meet ya and not love you. You're real lovable. And Marley, well. I hurt her feelings, I think. I hurt her. So I think I'm gonna be feelin' bad about that one for a little while yet.

Is that so? You know someone that loves me that you're not tellin' me about? I'm teasin'. But, hey. I'm sure Marley knows you love her. She's like a second kid to you. I don't know exactly what went down there, but I'm sure you can make things up to her.

You said it all, baby. You created a safe home for her. It's nothin' to do with you. Whatever's got her spooked... she'll come back when she needs you. Because you created a space for her to come runnin' to her brother when she needs help. You looked after her. You did everythin' and more.

She barely knows me, honey. Maybe she didn't like what she saw. I don't know. And Marley, hm? What about her? You gonna stop beatin' yourself up too, since you're actin' real wise now.

Thank you, thank you. You're a goddamn dream.

You wouldn't mind, talkin' to Wardo, I mean? I don't wanna... add to your troubles. I just really wanna get her back.

'Course I wouldn't mind, darlin'. You're not addin' to nothin'. A problem shared is a problem halved, honey. I love Marley an' I wanna mek sure she's okay just as much as you, sweetheart.

I just wish it was a boat we didn't have to be in. I just don't know where she coulda... I dunno, shit. I tried. How'd you get hold of one of the most famous men in the world? I can't even get close.

You don't think she's reached out to him do ya? Maybe she just needs some space, I don't... How about Ivy? I could talk to Wardo, I'm sure. Maybe try the instagram?

Well, long as you wanna keep me around, you ain't gonna be alone for the forseeable, darlin'. You ain't lost, I promise. And well, I tried. But she ain't picking up. Went round all her usual haunts, no Marley. Diego's on tour and... shit, I dunno what to do.

Aw, jeez. I'm sorry, darlin'. I really am. We're in this together though, right? You an' me, same boat. You try reachin' out to Diego at all? I think he'd be fierce worried, sweetie.

Guess you must be rubbin' off on me, hm? Well, if it helps, it's nice not bein' alone. I ain't so used to not having Marls and her little shadow around. I miss her somethin' fierce. Also, I told you, maybe you ought to stop trimmin' that beard of yours, hm?

It's strange, ain't it? I spent dang near my whole life alone. I finally got used to havin' people around an' here I am. Lost. I'm sorry about Marley, sweetheart. Have you tried callin' her at all? The beard's not goin' anywhere, don't you worry.

I keep tellin' you, me casa, su casa. Or however it goes. You're welcome here whenever. And well, it sure is nice comin' home to someone again. Well. I can only imagine how you're feelin' right now.

Your Spanish is really pickin' up, huh? Well, I sure am happy to be greeted by you at the end of a long day, honey. Though I'm startin' to worry I'm taking up all your precious alone time, hm? I'll bet ya never had to worry about Marley stealin' your beard trimmer.

Well, hi there, baby. Ain't you a sight for sore eyes? I didn't expect you to be home.

Hey, you. Sorry, darlin'. I hope you don't mind me lettin' myself in, I just... Gosh, I'm having a real hard time sitting around in that apartment of mine right now. Santiago's out an' it's just... Real quiet right about now. Heck, I'm sure you get it.

He turned away from Maverick, just in time to conceal the growing smile on his face at the other man's compliment. Honest, he didn't think he'd ever be able to receive a kind word from Maverick without blushing. With his head ducked, he slipped into the shaded confines of the stable, saddling up Joker with the kind of speed and ease that only came with repetition. Joker wasn't his horse, but Harlow knew him well enough. Anyhow, he was pretty sure he could saddle up a horse blindfolded. It was in his nature, like his Mama's sweet demeanour or his Dad's gentle hands.

If Maverick had been of sounder mind, he might have found it in him to be charmed by the soft utterance of baby that had fallen from Harlow’s lips. Heck, he would have had a whole lot to say about the heroic way the other man had demounted his horse and raced to the rescue, stumbling to Mav’s side with all the urgency of the protagonist in a romance movie. He was distantly aware of both of those truths, but the pain searing through him right now was taking precedence. He simply whimpered, head thudding against the floor of the stable as he tried to will the pain away. Maverick was ill-equipped for broken bones, having long since seen the end to such injuries after he’d moved out of Texas.