"How hard is it to become a lawyer?" Kaya asked as we gathered around the dinner table.

The roast on the platter at the end of table was an impressive whole prime rib, with the bone in. Kai's husband Hania carved for us, and I asked for the end piece.

Crusted in salt, pepper, and garlic flakes, and a hint of dill, which I really didn't expect, my taste buds did a jig as I bit into it. Mato and his two boys, Kosumi and Atsa made their way around the table carrying huge serving bowls of vegetables and potatoes. His wife Ama, was the more boisterous of Chayton's sisters, and the shorter one as well.

I quickly realized I needed to make a family tree. Each of Chayton's siblings had a set of twins and two other children. The fleeting thought of children hit me, and my heart stuttered. How would we bring little ones into our life with the dangers we faced from our work? Was it even fair?

"Being a lawyer, Aunt Alyana?" Kaya prompted again. She chuckled and I smiled. I was acquiring Aunty status at an astounding rate.

"I'm going cross-eyed trying to figure out who is who."

Her mother laughed at my dismay, then said, "You'll figure it out soon enough. For now," she continued after she waved at the children, "all of you start by saying your name. It will help."

Kaya sighed and tried again. "Lawyer?"

I thought about it for a moment before I answered, "As to being a lawyer? First learn to listen well. Then make sure you learn how to read with comprehension. Ninety-five percent of our work involves reading case and torte history. After that, writing skills are a close second. Believe or not, court skills are the last thing you need to worry about," I explained.

"I want family law," Kaya said with conviction. "Too many of our people don't understand how the American legal system interacts with our way of living."

"She doesn't talk about anything else anymore unless it's horses," her younger sister complained. "By the way, my name is Tallulah."

Kaya stuck out her tongue at her, and I my laughter escaped my control

Conversation was lively as we enjoyed the meal. I found out it was the usual Sunday evening menu, but also served for any special occasion. The beef was raised on their ranch as free range animals. Aponi and I got into a deep conversation about organic food status for meat and compared the differences of Utah state laws with Arizona's.

We went out through a half open folding set of sliding glass doors. We settled on chairs, logs, and boulders arranged in a loose circle around a massive firepit. Hania lit the bonfire, and Ama's two littlest one's found marshmallows and a slender stainless steel rods to use for roasting them.

The men brought drums and for the rest of the evening we sang, and Kai danced to their throbbing beat. It drew us together as a family, and when the first sliver of a crescent moon rose, Aponi brought me a small bag held closed with a leather thong.

The matriarch of the Bear clan spoke. "We welcome you with a small gift. It is easy to see how much my son loves you, and I know you have been through much together already. You will make a fine home for him wherever you choose to live."

With her words I understood she would support our less traditional choices and for a moment I wished for the simplicity of Ama and Kai's life. But it wasn't for me. My need to find the missing was far too strong.

Opening the bag, I poured a necklace out. Multiple strands fell into my hand. Three different types of beads all identical in diameter caught the light from the flickering flames. Tiny orbs of aged silver, almost black formed one. Turquoise for the next and the lovely grey, white, and golden mottling of Navajo pearls made up the last one. The latch was under a small turquoise medallion trimmed in a silver lattice lace.

"They're gorgeous." My throat closed up with threatening tears, and Chayton picked it up and fastened it around my neck. "Thank you." I turned it so the fastener dropped into the middle of my vee shaped neckline. Then I brushed a couple of teardrops off my face.

"Thank you, again. I will make a home for our family. And you will be welcome there. I extend an invitation to visit my sister. We're all who are left of the Antelope Clan. Come down, all of you if you wish, we'll find places for you to stay."

"Not necessary. We have motorhomes. We use them for round up and when the cows are calving in the spring. If you have a place where we can park them, we'll be happy to stay in them," Ama said.

I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. Ignoring it, I said, "Can we call an end to the day? It's been a long one, and we'll be up early. Chayton wants to take our horses and show me more of your ranch."

"Let Kaya be your guide, brother. There's a couple of changes since you were here last," Kai said.

"Can we go too?" Identical twin boys spoke in unison.

"Of course, you can." I said. "But only if you can be ready to go right after breakfast. "Your grandmother said she'll have it ready at 6:30."

"We'll be there. I'm Kosumi, and he's Atsa. We'll meet you at the dam." I knew I would be lucky to tell the two of them apart.

Kaya nodded, "Okay. Don't forget to bring your cell phones."

They nodded.

"Let's go, Dad," Atsa said.

Our impromptu mini pow wow broke up, and I walked over to Aponi.

"I hope you don't mind me breaking up the party."

"Not a problem. Spur of the moment plans like this are what make life interesting."

Chayton came up beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Dam?"

"We installed a small hydro electric station where the creek goes into the canyon. Kaya and the boys will show you, and Mato runs and maintains it. Only one turbine, but it supplies our needs admirably."

Her son shook his head. "I'm sorry its been so long."

Aponi stood on her tip toes and pulled his head down so she could kiss both his cheeks. "You needed to heal and grow before you came home again. The time is right now, son. But go, take your wife-to-be, and get some sleep. You have the master bedroom."

"Thanks Mom." He tugged me by my hand, drawing me back inside and down a hallway I hadn't noticed.

I stopped him and said, "I need to check my phone."

"Wait a second, our room is right here." Chayton opened the door on the right, and I slipped through it thumbing in as I walked.

"It's Meixing. She knows two of the Meadow victims."