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"I have something to say," Grandpap slowly puffed at his tobacco as though he had all the time in the world. "You still owe me."

The old man was speaking of when he had given Josiah a warning shot, back when the Blackfoot and the Crows had fought, and Josiah knew it. "Name yer price, and be gone," grumbled Josiah.

Grandpap was thoughtfully silent, as though trying to pick from the great number of choices this situation presented. "You will take Emma to wife again, this time, the white man's way," Grandpap said finally.

Josiah nearly laughed. "Why should I? She's already mine!"

"You have better peace with the white man than the Blackfoot, so you will follow the white man's ways," Grandpap calmly continued to smoke his pipe. "Maybe, you will not be hung."


At the sound of Cora's voice, Emma ushered Mary back into the cabin. It was terribly cold outside, and the two girls quickly went to the fire to toast themselves. Emma glanced at Josiah. He looked as though his patience was being sorely tested.

Grandpap exhaled a draft of tobacco before speaking to Emma. "When you are among the white man, Josiah will take you to wife again. This time, he will follow the white man's ways, and you will have a wedding."

Surprised, Emma looked to Josiah.

"Have it yer way, Old Man," Josiah said wearily. "I'll keep my word and try, but there won't be a willing parson to be found, unless she's already with child."

Cora looked worried again, but Grandpap didn't flinch. He tapped his pipe against his knee, and tucked its stem beneath his belt. "I have done all I can," Grandpap said to his daughter. "The rest is up to your God and your son."

Tired, Josiah reclined on the robes, rolling onto his stomach to avoid putting pressure on the scars on his back. Emma knew he must be in a lot of pain, for he said no more and shut his eyes.

Grandpap's weathered face stared at his grandson. The old man shook his head. "If you do not change, one day, it will mean your death. Come, daughter. We are leaving."

Mary remained absolutely silent as Cora hugged her and said one last prayer before parting. Then, the two Blackfoot left to join their tribe as it moved to follow the buffalo.

Teary-eyed, Mary returned to her buffalo robe by the fireplace. She blinked at Emma, and then pulled the blankets over her head to cry.

"Would you like a hug?" Emma offered the small lump of blankets.

"I ain't feeling too frisky right now," declined Josiah. "Maybe later."

"I was speaking to Mary."

Grunting, Josiah fell asleep.

Quietly going to Mary's bed, Emma sat down beside the crying child concealed beneath the blankets. An Indian doll lay nearby, and Emma tucked it beneath the blankets where Mary could find it.

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