He was smiling when she looked up. “I wouldn’t mind at all. I’d be much obliged.”

She took his hand as she moved up one step to his height and leaned over and kissed his cheek once more. His face was hairy from the beard forming.

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“You are welcome, Trapper. You’re a good man.”

He smiled. “No one’s ever said that to me.”

“Maybe no one took the time to know you.” He’d never mentioned any family or friends. Maybe he was a man who wanted to live alone. Yet her light kiss seemed to mean a great deal to him.

When she moved inside, she thought how nice it was to know a man well enough to kiss him on the cheek.

Rain started before dawn the next morning. Trapper tied Midnight to the back and took the reins. He told Emery and the girls to stay inside. By noon the ruts that had replaced the road looked like tiny rivers, and the wagon rocked several times, almost tipping them over.

Emery covered her hair and leaned out when Trapper called.

“There is a bend up ahead.” He pointed, as if she could see it. “It’s got a rock formation behind a stand of trees. In a flash of lightning I saw a few wagons camped there. I think we need to pull over and wait this storm out.”

She nodded, hating how he was exposed to the cold and the rain.

“Tell the girls to hold tight, and make sure all is tied down. Once we’re off the trail, it’s going to get rocky.”

Emery pulled back in and began getting ready. She crisscrossed rope between the bows holding up the cover. Then the girls could hold onto the ropes. Anything tumbling would hopefully be caught in the web.

Trapper must have pulled off the trail and into open land. The wagon leaned first one way, then another, but they all held tightly. The girls were wrapped in their blankets to cushion them against any bumps.

“One!” Trapper yelled over the storm.

The oldest girl jumped up and climbed out to the bench.

Trapper handed her the reins. “I need to guide the lead horses. Hold tight to the reins and don’t let them bolt.” The last thing he yelled before jumping down was, “If the wagon falls over, jump and roll in the mud.”

Emery couldn’t just wait for the accident to happen. She had to help. In as calm a voice as she could muster, she said, “Now, girls, bundle up and hold on. I’m stepping out to help Trapper.”

Their eyes watched her as she stripped off her jacket and skirt. Next came her petticoats and shoes. Without hesitation, she climbed out of the back of the wagon and headed toward the team of horses.