Every man who lasted in this territory discovered quickly enough how to find his place in the rhythm of the land and animals. Those who didn’t learn but managed to stay alive headed back East, back to civilization.
A place Riley would be happy never to see again.
He turned and continued his trek to the lodge he sharedwith three others. Dragoon and Jeremiah had both trotted off to meet the wagons, and a glance ahead showed Ol’ Henry still sat by the fire, stirring the pot of stew hanging from the tripod. A lifetime in this wilderness had taught him better than to jump up just because a few supplies rolled into camp. The man had seen more rendezvous than any other fellow Riley knew. He’d trapped all the way down into the Mexican territories and even up north into British-owned lands. Ol’ Henry never ran short of tales that could shock even the most experienced trapper.
As Riley approached their campfire, the man nodded a greeting. “What bit of excitement did the wagons bring this time?” His leathery skin was dark from years in the sun, but it also had an almost-bluish tint. Like he’d sat in a haze of gunpowder too long.
Riley eased down to sit in his usual spot. “Women. Four of them, definitely from back East. Sisters, I think.”
Even Ol’ Henry’s eyes grew wide. “You tellin’ a tale?”
Riley bit back a chuckle. Though Henry knew how to keep a straight face, he also possessed a flair for the dramatic that brought his storytelling to life.
He shook his head. “It’s true. Don’t know why they’re here, but I can’t think this is a safe place for them.”
Ol’ Henry looked toward the pass the wagons had come through, but his eyes seemed to see much farther. A low whistle slipped through his lips. “Don’t doubt it. They must not know what they’ve bit into, coming into this rendezvous with so many men soon to be full o’ the drink those wagons brought.” Then the man shifted his focus to Riley, his gaze sharpening in a way that pierced. “Reckon they need someone who knows how to look out for them.”
Riley raised his brows. “Maybe.” Perhaps Ol’ Henry hadn’t meanthimexactly, but the words matched the niggle that had pulsed through him the moment he first laid eyes on the ladies.
The last thing he needed was to take on the task of watching over a group of Easterners. And women were the very worst sort.
Two
These accommodations should do well for you.” Mr. Provost pulled aside the door flap of an Indian teepee, of all things, and waited as though he expected them to enter first.
Juniper couldn’t bring herself to step forward. Apparently, neither could her sisters, for they stood in a cluster, taking in the sight. Perhaps it wasn’t an Indian teepee, for hundreds of similar tents dotted the valley, and she’d seen bushy-bearded white men moving in and out of the dwellings. But they matched the way Papa had described the Indians’ homes when he’d come to this place two decades ago.
She’d never imagined the smell would be so ... robust. A combination of animals and sweat. It reminded her a little of being in the barn back when they still lived on the horse ranch, without the rich scent of hay.
Faith stepped forward first, always the daring one, though she was the youngest. Her action seemed to propel Rosemary, whose protectiveness had grown even stronger on this journey. Their oldest sister shot Mr. Provost a look just shy of a glare as she stepped past him through the doorway.
Juniper nudged Lorelei. Though she couldn’t deny curiosity about what the place looked like inside, she wouldn’t leave her sister out here alone. Though only three years separated the two of them, Lorelei was only eighteen, still so young and innocent. Finally, Lor stepped forward, and after taking in one last breath of outside air, Juniper followed her sisters through the opening.
Inside wasn’t as bad as she’d anticipated. Light from the doorway and the hole at the top where the poles met gave the place an airy feel. The animal skins that formed the walls had been stretched so tightly that a bit of sunshine filtered through them. They likely wouldn’t even smell the odor soon.
A throat cleared behind them, and they all turned to Mr. Provost. “I have to get back to the wagons and help set things up. You ladies are welcome to eat around our campfire again tonight if you’d like.” He cleared his throat again, this time a hint of nervousness in the gesture. “You need to ... er ... I mean ... our agreement was for the journey out. You’ll need to get your own food and supplies after tonight. The boys who cleared out of this lodge said you’re welcome to stay in it as long as you’re at the rendezvous.”
For the second time in a mere five minutes, Juniper could only stare as her mind sorted through the implications of his words. Had their agreement truly only been for the time spent traveling? She looked over at Rosemary, who was eyeing Provost with a hard, calculating look. Juniper and Rosemary had met together with the clerk at the supply company to coordinate the details, but she couldn’t remember any part of the conversation that covered food while they were here at the rendezvous. Perhaps that had been the lapse—failure to raise the topic.
From the hard line of Rosemary’s jaw, she would quickly set the matter to rights. “Fitzpatrick made no mention that we would be stranded without food when we reached this valley. We gave you more than sufficient coin, and now you expect even more to feed us while we’re here?” She folded her arms across her chest in a stance that had made more than one man back down.
He did drop his gaze, and his boot scuffed the flattened grass. “I’m afraid not, ma’am. We’re here to trade for furs, not coin. Unless you have beaver or wolf pelts to exchange, I’m not able to give you anything. I wish I could, but it’s out of my hands. I’ve strict guidelines I’m required to adhere to.”
Juniper’s jaw dropped. “Nothing? We’ll have no food at all? You’d stand by and watch us starve?”
He finally lifted his focus to her. “You won’t starve, Miss Juniper. The men around here won’t let you.” His gaze flicked between her and Rosemary. “There might be some of them who would trade meat they hunted for coin. For that matter, I suspect you’d be welcome at every stewpot around. No need for payment.”
Rosemary straightened, her shoulders growing even more rigid. “We’ll pay our own way.”
That was a condition they’d all agreed to before coming west. They couldn’t allow any man to think they were in his debt.
Mr. Provost backed into the doorway. “All right, then. It was sure a pleasure having you ladies ride with us.” His nervousness slipped into a look so grandfatherly it was impossible to be too upset with him. He wasn’t the one who’d made the unfair agreement, after all. Only the man required to enforce it.
Faith spoke up before Juniper had a chance. “Thank you, sir. We do truly appreciate your kindness and protection.”
But after he disappeared through the opening, another glance around the empty lodge placed reality in clear focus.
Lorelei managed to put to voice the words swirling in Juniper’s mind. “What now?”
