He’d also bought Number One a pair of leather gloves for when she drove the team and Emery a sensible pair of boots. Ladylike, but practical.

He wanted to make sure Number Five now had a new bonnet; she’d lost hers on the second day out. Number Four had a leather bag to keep her rocks in.

Two would have her own fishing pole and Three would have a book to read because she’d told them she loved books.

“You’re a pushover.” Emery laughed, brushing his arm.

“I’ve never had anyone to buy anything for. It was fun.”

When Trapper reached to shake the old man awake, Emery stopped him with a touch. She glanced around and saw there was no one around, then stood on her toes and kissed him on the mouth.

Trapper’s blue eyes darkened when she pulled back.

“Why’d you do that?”

“I didn’t want to wait all day to kiss you.” She stared in his eyes. They both knew there was no time for more. No place they could be alone. But she saw what she’d hoped to see in his face. He felt the same way she did.

“One day, Emery.”

“One day, Trapper.”

The unspoken promise passed between them.

The old man lifted his head and looked at them as if he’d never seen them before. Trapper moved a respectable distance away from her.

“Where are the kids?” He looked around.

“They are changing. I told Two she could wear pants if she wanted to.”

About that time she heard the tap of boots moving their way. As they moved out from behind the bolts of material, Emery smiled as five little princesses dressed in Levi’s and flannel shirts stood before her. Each had on boots almost to their knees and wide hats like Trapper wore. Their shirts were dusty red and sagebrush green and their smiles were pure sunshine.

Except for a few braids hanging down, she could have sworn she was looking at boys. Number One swung a rain slicker over her shoulder and Two, Three, and Four did the same. Five tried but her jacket flew behind her.

Trapper cleared his throat. “Whose idea was this?”

Emery looked at the girls “It was Eliza, I mean Three, and mine. If someone is looking for a wagon filled with little girls, they won’t find them.”

“I needed a vest too,” Number One commented.

Four giggled and added, “She’s starting to bud.”

Trapper looked like he had no idea what they were talking about.

Number One moved forward as she changed the subject. “I saw a corral full of horses when we came in. If we can buy a few, Two, Three, and I can take turns riding beside the wagon. We’d have a wider view of the surroundings.”