you.'
'Miss. Stuart!' Dolly drew herself up and looked terribly dignified--and
menacing. It would take a hearty soul to go to battle against Miss.
Simmons.
'I have met danger all my life. I have lived in places that would make
the ordinary woman's skin crawl. I have fought Apache, Comanche,
Shoshone, Cheyenne and Sioux. I think that I will hold my own wherever I
may go.' She was quiet for a minute.
'And besides,' she added softly.
'I've really nothing left here. I'd like to come with you.. I'm a wicked
good cook, and I can organize any type of household in a matter of
hours.'
Tess smiled.
'Dolly, you're welcome,' she assured her. She finished dressing quickly
and stuffed the last of her belongings in a portmanteau. She and Dolly
gave the room a last look, then they departed together.
She almost didn't recognize Jamie when they came to the wagon.
Instead of a uniform he wore a blue denim work shirt and pants and his
knee-high boots. His sandy hair fell over his eyes as he cinched the
girth on his huge horse, then cast her a quick stare.
'It's about time.'
'It's barely dawn.'
He didn't reply, but nodded Dolly's way. He must have known that the
older woman had determined on coming, because he didn't say a word about
her appearance. 'Get up--I want to get started. Jon and I will take
turns driving with you--there's no reason for you to completely destroy
your hands again. And for God's sake, keep your gloves on.'
'I can manage' -- He caught her arm as she was about to crawl up.
'And don't tell me that anymore. I know you can manage. It's ]nst that
you can manage better if you listen to me. Got it?' She saluted,
gritting her teeth.
'Got it, Lieutenant.'
She climbed up and took the reins and Dolly got up beside her. The mules
were harnessed, Jon was mounted and two packhorses were tethered to the
rear of the wagon. All was ready for their departure.
Colonel Worthingham walked up as they were about to leave.
'Goodbye, Miss. Stuart, good luck.'
'Thank you, sir.'
'Lieutenant, Red Feather, take care. Remember, we're here if you need
us.'
'Thank you, sir!' Jamie wasn't in uniform, but he saluted smartly. The
colonel stepped back.
'Jamie! Jamie, take care!' Eliza ran dramatically from the shadow of the
command post. She raced to Jamie's horse and clutched his hands where
they lay casually over the reins.
'Eliza, thank you, I'll be just fine,' he said harshly. 'Eliza, come
back, dadin'. Lieutenant Slater has ridden out again and again. You know
he always makes it back.' The colonel set his hands on his daughter's
shoulders, drawing her back. Eliza didn't even glance at Tess, but Tess
