I know how they react when they're frightened. I know how to settle them. Her voice was calm but firm. I can help. I need to.
Ryland studied her for a moment. She was right. Finally, he nodded. All right. But the children stay here.
No. Reco shouted, jumping to his feet. We want to help, too. We're part of this family. He glanced towards the window.
And we're part of this town now. The other four immediately stood beside him, shoulder-to-shoulder. Please, Papa Ryland, Kea said, "Let us help. We're strong." Ryland looked at them carefully.
They were small. "Too small," he thought at first. But what he saw in their faces was not fear. It was determination, courage, heart. For the first time, he did not see five helpless children from the desert.
He saw five little fighters. "All right," he said at last. "But nobody wanders off alone. You stay close enough to see each other at all times." "Understood?"
"Understood?" All five answered together. They wrapped blankets around their shoulders like makeshift raincoats and stepped out into the storm. The rain slapped against their faces. The wind nearly knocked them off their feet.
Still, they kept moving. By the time they reached the center of town, everything had gone wild. Animals ran everywhere. Neighbors shouted over the thunder. Velma Rusk was chasing soaked chickens through the mud.
Bram Sutter was struggling to control a terrified cow. Creed Talbot, drenched from head to boots, was racing after his runaway horse. "Spread out!" Yara called above the wind. "Children, take the smaller animals.
Ryland and I will handle the bigger ones." The five siblings nodded and moved quickly, making sure none of them disappeared from sight. Kea spotted three chickens hiding beneath a wagon. She dropped to her knees and crawled through the mud, speaking softly to them in Apache. Her voice stayed low and gentle.
Little by little, the birds stopped flapping and fighting. One at a time, Kea gathered them into her arms. Then she carried them back to Velma Rusk. Reco found Doc Calder's dog huddled beside a fence, soaked through and shaking. He scooped the frightened animal into his arms and ran through the rain toward the doctor's house, returning it safe and sound.