Dinah's middle tightened at all the girl might have been exposed to. She'd heard Virginia City was even larger and more decadent than Helena, which she and Naomi had ridden through on their way here. Surely the children's mother hadn't allowed them to fraternize with all the unsavory characters they'd seen on that single ride through town.
"I've heard Missoula Mills is a much quieter town than Virginia City. That there hasn’t been gold discovered there. At least, that's what we were told in Fort Benton." She watched the girl to gauge her reaction.
Lillian shrugged. "I don't know why he won't let us go."
"Quieter than Virginia City isn't very high praise." A deep voice sounded from the open doorway behind them.
Dinah turned to greet the newcomer—Jericho, of course. He might have been standing there listening a while, but she had nothing to hide. "Hello, Mr. Coulter. Your timing is perfect." She offered her most winning smile. "Are you still planning a trip to town tomorrow?"
He eyed her. "I am. But I'm going alone."
"I have business there and hoped to follow you so I don't miss the direction. But I can ride there later if you'd rather go by yourself."
He frowned, annoyance clear in his expression. "I said to make a list of what you need and I'll bring it back."
She shook her head. "I also need to see the town. That requires my physical presence." She gave a shrug and turned back to her chair. "I'll go a different day."
"Miss Wyatt." It sounded like he was speaking through gritted teeth. "Missoula Mills is not a safe place for you to venture alone. Nor is it a respectable town for two women to abide. You'd be wasting your time coming with me. Besides, what about my brother? Is he recovered enough he won't need you for two or three days?"
She glanced up at him. "Why three days?" According to the man they'd asked in Helena, they should be a half day's ride or less from the Missoula valley.
"It's a full day's ride to get there. That's leaving here at first light and reaching town after dark. If you're lucky enough to purchase all you need that night, you can sometimes make it back by midnight the second day. The animals have to pull uphill most of the way, so the trip back takes longer."
The knot in her middle tightened. She'd not accounted for that. Could Jonah do without her for two full days? As long as Lillian followed her instructions to the letter, and one of the men agreed to stay near the house to oversee things.
And Naomi. Would she stay in bed without Dinah here? The two of them needed a serious conversation about the dangers to the babe. Surely then Naomi would take more care.
But perhaps Dinah should wait to go to Missoula Mills. Another week or two would see Jonah faring better and his pain greatly lessened so he might not need laudanum anymore.
Yet she and Naomi might not have another week or two.
She had to be prepared for Jericho to send them away in five more days, and that meant finding a place they could go.
She met his gaze. "I need to see Missoula Mills. If you don't want me to accompany you tomorrow, I'll go on my own when you return."
His scowl made her want to look away, but she stood her ground. At last he grumbled, "I'm leaving at first light."
He turned and stomped back out of the house, leaving her a little uncertain about whether he'd conceded or not.
* * *
Maybe Jericho should have allowed her to ride her own horse.
He eyed Dinah on the bench beside him. When she'd stepped into the barn carrying full saddle packs and looking for her mount, he'd thought it silly to make the horse ride all that way when she could just as well sit in the wagon.
But he'd not accounted for what it would be like having her beside him for two solid days. At least twenty-four hours, so close it would be rude not to converse at least occasionally. If she'd been mounted and trailing behind, small talk would have been a challenge. He'd get to enjoy the ride in silence.
Not that she talked overmuch. Most of the morning she'd stared out at the landscape they passed, occasionally remarking on the beauty of the sunrise or the abundance of chipmunks.
It was just having her so near.
He couldn't clear his mind with her pretty face smiling at him every time he glanced her way.
He kept his gaze locked in front of them. Probably a good idea since they were traversing down one of the steeper slopes on the Mullan road.
When they reached the bottom, Dinah spoke up. "Mr. Coulter, may I ask you something?"
He sighed inwardly but kept his eyes trained straight ahead. "What?"
