All looked at Trapper. If he didn’t like the idea, they’d all be heading back to change clothes.

“It is a brilliant idea,” he said, smiling, “but I don’t know if I can afford all this.”

One ended his worries. “We’ve got enough to pay for the clothes and the horses.”

“They’ll cost you ten dollars a head,” the drunk behind the counter finally joined in.

One turned directly to him. “That’s outrageous, but I’ll pay your price providing I pick the horses.”

The drunk raised an eyebrow but finally nodded. “You do that, little girl.”

As they headed out, Emery heard Trapper ask One how come they had so much money in those tiny purses.

She said simply, “The colonel doesn’t want his daughters to ever go without what they need.”

Trapper looked over at Four and Five, carrying two cornhusk dolls each. “I see some of the needs are questionable.”

“No, sir.” One smiled. “They needed them.”

Trapper scratched his head. “You know, One, someday you are going to run the world.”

“No, sir. I’m going to run the Rolling C Ranch.”

Trapper looked at Emery and whispered, “I have no doubt she will.”

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Trapper walked out of the trading post fully aware that the girls were imitating every move he made. They took long steps. Stuck their thumbs in their waistbands. Lifted their hats forward to shade their eyes.

He leaned close to Emery. “I have my army.” He grinned. “They may be small, but I wouldn’t trade them for gunslingers.”

When they got to the wagon, each one insisted on swinging their now-free legs into the wagon. Five tried twice and almost made it the second time before she fell back into Trapper’s waiting arms.

He tossed her inside, then touched two fingers to his hat in a salute. Number Five smiled and did the same. “Thanks, Tapper.”

When Number Three climbed in, her short, auburn hair was now free of the ugly wool cap. “I started something, didn’t I?”

“Yeah,” he answered.

“What do you think the colonel will say about this? Your father’s bound to notice.”

“I doubt it. He doesn’t spend much time with us. Now and then he looks like he’s counting us, as if to make sure we’re all there or maybe he forgets how many daughters he has.”

“He remembers the number and each of you. He’s probably just making sure you’re all there.” Trapper had no doubt he’d counted to five a thousand times already.

He moved the wagon near the corral, and everyone seemed to have an opinion about which horses they should buy. Most looked worthless. Five wanted only white ones and Four wanted all the ones that looked like they were wearing socks.