“We ate.”
“When?”
“Morning.”
It was nearly four.
Emily nodded.
“I brought biscuits.”
Samuel looked toward the wagon.
Clara tightened her grip on his hand.
“We don't need charity.”
The words startled everyone.
Emily did not allow herself to show it.
“They aren't charity.”
“What are they?”
“Biscuits.”
Daniel coughed to hide a laugh.
Clara stared at Emily suspiciously.
Then Samuel whispered:
“I want one.”
Clara closed her eyes.
Emily opened the basket.
She offered him one.
Then held the basket toward Clara.
The girl hesitated.
Took one.
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome.”
No victory.
No instant bond.
Just a biscuit.
The ride home was quiet.
Samuel eventually fell asleep leaning against Clara.
Clara stayed awake.
Emily saw her watching everything.
The mountains.
Daniel.
The horses.
Emily.
The road.
As if memorizing possible escape routes.
At the ranch, Samuel woke when the wagon stopped.
He looked at the cabin.
“This is where we live?”
Daniel answered carefully.
“If you want to.”
Clara’s eyes sharpened.
“What happens if we don't?”
Daniel looked at her.
“We figure something else out.”
The girl seemed almost offended.
“You'd let us leave?”
“If you were miserable here and there was somewhere safe you wanted to be, I wouldn't lock you inside.”
Clara stared.
Emily saw the smallest crack in her suspicion.
Samuel climbed down.
He immediately spotted the barn.
“Do you have horses?”
“Six.”
“Can I ride?”
“No.”
Samuel’s face fell.
Daniel continued.
“Not until I teach you.”
The boy brightened.
“Tomorrow?”
“Maybe.”
“Tomorrow.”
Daniel smiled.
“We'll discuss.”
Inside, Clara walked from room to room without commenting.
When Emily showed them the bedroom, Samuel dropped onto the green quilt.
Clara remained standing.
“Do we share?”
“For now.”
Emily said.
“If either of you wants something different later, tell us.”
Clara touched the repaired curtain.
“You made this?”
“I fixed it.”
“Why?”
Emily almost said because I wanted you to like it.
Instead:
“It had a hole.”
Clara nodded as if that answer made more sense.
At supper, Samuel ate two helpings of beef stew.
Clara barely touched hers.
Daniel did not pressure.
Emily did not either.
Finally Samuel asked: