“And she went back to her people and the soldiers killed all of them, even the women and children.  But not him.  He wasn’t there.  He didn’t know about it.  Then he found out about it.”

“That’s so horrible it can’t even be true.”

“Ask him,” Ada said.

“No I’m not going to ask him.  I don’t talk to anybody about anything.”

“See?” Ada said.  “You’re just like me.”

9

9

Miller Dawson and Ellis Gray proved their worth by getting the strung out caravan past the wolves and far enough through the bleached-out day to reach a camping place with the two essentials, grass for the animals and water from a spring-fed creek.  The women bent to the task of washing what they could and refilling their jugs and canvas bags.  Charlotte hoped Ada would think to dip her brothers’ coal black feet in the current, possibly with the addition of soap.  But with all those mouths to feed, dirty feet were probably not high on the list of concerns.

Charlotte worked her way through the evening chores, which from now on would include brushing down the team horses and the mare regardless of who saw her.  The smell of smoke rose from newly lit cooking fires surrounding the camp.  She made her own fire and got out the pot of beans.  The man approaching with his saddle would be Ellis Gray, who showed up when he wanted to and never when she considered that he should.

He threw the saddle and bedroll down on the ground.  “Mind if I join you?”

“How can I mind?” she said.  “You’re supposed to be protecting me.”

Something occurred that she hadn’t anticipated.  Ellis Gray laughed.

“I can do that without being here, you know.”

“Really?  That makes me feel so much safer.”

“Have you received a threat from any corner?  If not, then I’m doing my job.”

“No threats,” she said, and smiled.  Then she hesitated.  “But have you come up against anyone out searching for a fugitive?”  She realized that fear had been weighing on her.  He realized it too.

“I regret I told you that.”

“You had to.  It’s the truth.”

“But I’m not sure at all of the possibility, so let’s not think about it.”

“You can not think about it,” she said.  “Have you eaten?”

She had no idea where he went and what he did all day.

“No, but I’ll fix my own.”

“No you won’t,” she said.  “I made enough, it’s what I do.  No meeting tonight?”

“Can’t be a meeting every night or some of them would end up killing each other.”  He sat back against the wagon wheel with his legs stretched out.

“I met the hothead,” she said.

“You did?”

She handed him a plate.  “He’s Fiona’s husband, isn’t he?  I feel for her but I also feel for you.”

“Takes all kinds.”