Margaret Reynolds shifted the bundle of blankets in her arms. The protesting cry of a baby hit her ears as the bundle settled. The crying stopped as she gently cooed to her newborn son.

Well, one little crisis solved she thought as her son Malcolm finally went to sleep, but I’ve got bigger ones to think about. She tenderly put him in his crib next to her bed and tucked him under the blankets to keep out the cold.

'I’ve got to make some decisions. I didn’t think I’d be in this position a few weeks ago. I had a lovin' husband, a ranch on its way to being prosperous after a lot of hard work and a baby getting ready to be born.

I’m truly alone now. You’re lyin' there buried under the trees and I shot and killed a man I don't have any regrets about that but I miss you horribly.

We have a son. I wish you could see him Tom. He has a full head of hair and I already love to run my hand through it like I did yours. His hair's dark right now but I know that it will end up brown.

I named him Malcolm for my Pa like we talked about. Wish Pa could see him too. First Pa dying, then you.I'm having a hard time, losing both of you so close together but I gotta hang on for little Malcolm.

His eyes are blue, just like yours. I’m so glad about that. I can see you every time I look at his face, even if it’s scrunched up in a cry. And he cries a lot. Been around baby animals and other peoples babies all my life but havin' one of my own is quite a shock. You wouldn't believe the work it takes.

I was thinkin' about sellin' the ranch and moving back to town. Maybe startin' up Pa's store again but I just couldn't do it. This ranch is all I have left of you and all I have for Malcolm. I'm goin' to try to make a go of it. Don't know if it'll work but I'm going to make the effort. I promise you that he'll grow up strong and to love this ranch.

I haven’t had a wave from your folks since they sent the one tellin' me that they weren’t comin' to your funeral. I sorta expected it the way they treated us when we got married, but little Mal is their grandson. Don't know if they'll ever want to see him but I doubt it.”

Her son's whimpering broke Meg's reverie. She went,picked him up and walked him around a bit.

“Hi, there little Malcolm. You've got a lot to learn. A ranch is hard work and we have lots of things to do tomorrow. Runnin' a ranch is hard work.“