Jericho squinted in the dim light of the barn, trying to pull himself from sleep's hold. Sampson nudged him with the toe of his boot.
Singing. Sunday. How could it be Sunday already?
He and Dinah had only come back from the Salish village late yesterday. He'd been thankful for a day of rest today. But he'd also made the mistake of telling his brothers he planned to start Mum's hymn tradition again.
He pushed Sam's foot away and scrubbed a hand over his face, then combed hay from his beard.
"You need a shave." Sampson still stood there, watching him. "A haircut too."
Jericho eyed him. "Speak for yourself."
"Actually, I did get a cut." Sampson stroked a hand through his much-shorter hair. "The beard's trimmed too."
Jericho forced himself up to sitting. He did need to clean up.
"Naomi gave us all cuts."
Jericho choked on his breath, coughing as he struggled to clear his airways. As soon as he could breathe again, he opened his eyes wide enough to really see his little brother. "She gave you all haircuts?"
An unmarried woman with no chaperone. Lillian and Sean didn't count. Why had he thought it all right to leave them all here? That hadn't occurred to him with everything happening at the village.
He pushed up to his feet, stretching out his back as he stood. His neck ached. His whole body ached, actually. They couldn't continue sleeping in the barn forever. Winter would creep in soon.
What was he going to do with Dinah and Naomi? They needed to go back home to Virginia, but by the time they got to Fort Benton, the Missouri would likely be frozen over. They wouldn't be able to get back to the States until spring.
He’d planned to take them back days ago. They might have had a chance to catch the last boat down the Missouri before the river froze. But after the delay in Two Stones’s village, they’d never make it in time. The sisters would have to wait out the winter in Fort Benton.
That meant Naomi would give birth there. Would it be a suitable environment to bring a babe into? Would the men respect Dinah? His gut tightened.
He’d not cared before, not much. But now that he knew her better…
But they couldn't stay on the ranch all winter. Could they?
No. Two unmarried women around all his brothers for that long? That would only spell trouble.
They had to leave. And he'd have to find a safe place for them until spring.
An idea slipped in. One he might never have thought of before the smallpox epidemic. Perhaps Two Stones's parents would allow the sisters to stay with them through the winter. It would certainly be a safe place to live.
Would it be suitable for the baby? He could make sure they had all the supplies they needed. White Bear’s hut was one of the nicer in the village, but it might not be as warm as a cabin during the hard winters in this area. Could he build them a cabin? Surely something could be done.
As he dragged himself from the barn, the chill in the air seeped into his bones. He scrubbed his arms to warm himself. It was time to pull out his heavy coat to sleep in.
When he stepped into the cabin, the smell of food made his belly churn. Maybe he'd eaten too much last night. After all those days grabbing what he could find in Two Stones's lodge, he'd been famished, and he'd eaten more than he should have of the shepherd's pie Naomi and Lillian served. Dinah had been none too happy to find her sister up and cooking, but hopefully it hadn't hurt her or the babe for those few days.
He headed to Jonah's room first and collapsed into the chair to visit with his brother.
With one hand, Jonah spooned oats from the bowl resting on his chest. His other held a slice of fried ham. Neither item looked particularly appetizing. In fact, the ham smelled downright sour. Jericho had checked it when he loaded the meat in Missoula Mills. Had they let it get too warm on the journey back?
"You look weary." Jonah studied him as he chewed.
Jericho raised his brows instead of shrugging. His body ached too much to put forth the energy. "Worn out keeping up with Dinah."
Jonah's eyes smiled. "She's a force."
He scanned the length of his brother. "Heard you're lookin' to break out of here."
"Wanna help me?" Jonah looked like he might be ready to try it.
