Beneath the cover of the wagon, the girls played games and sang on the journey, but when they camped they wanted to help. Everyone gathered firewood, fearing that Trapper might get cold outside. Number One liked to help him with the horses and Two always helped Emery with the meal.
Chubby Four and tiny Five took on the job of washing the dishes and packing everything away. Five wanted to help fish, but after she fell in the stream twice, Emery appointed her the official lookout.
Every morning Trapper looked like he was silently counting as he helped each one into the wagon. Four was always the last one in, with her pocket full of rocks.
When he lifted her in, Four would always pat his cheek and say, “Thanks, Tapper.”
Trapper would secure the back of the wagon, then walk around and help Emery up. She thought of telling him she could climb into a wagon without any assistance, but she liked the gentle way he lifted her. She loved it when his smile reached his blue eyes.
As the days passed, he rode Midnight, circling the wagon and riding ahead from time to time. He’d always come back to her side of the wagon and check on the “little ladies.”
When the wind changed at the start of the second week, the nights grew colder. She worried about Trapper sleeping outside on the ground, but he insisted the cold didn’t bother him.
Emery liked to stay out by the fire long after the girls were asleep. Trapper talked about the weather and the plans for the next day. Thanks to him hunting and fishing, they had plenty of supplies. A wagon they’d past a few days back had told them of a trading post two days ahead. Emery agreed they’d stop there.
“I’d better turn in.” She stood still, wrapped in her blanket.
As he always did, he walked her to the back of the wagon. When his hands went around her waist to lift her up, he whispered, “You know, that first night when I helped you up in the wagon, you kissed me.”
“I remember.” She could feel her cheeks warming. She’d been so grateful he’d agreed to take her.
“I was wondering if you’d thought about doing that again. It was a great way to end the day.”
She looked down, surprised he’d asked. “I thought it was a nice ending to the day also,” she answered. “If you have no objection, I’d like to do it again.”
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.”