After a breakfast of buttered grits, toast, cooked apples, and thick-cut bacon, Mona followed everyone to the horses.
Althea assigned everyone a mount.
“I’m not a very good rider,” Mona confessed, staring at a huge quarter horse sporting a thick winter coat. “This horse must be seventeen or eighteen hands high. He’s gigantic.”
“That’s why you have a western saddle. It will be easier for you. If you think you’re going to fall off, just hold onto the horn.” When Mona didn’t look convinced, Althea said, “Mona, don’t worry. I’ll be in the lead. Your horse will follow anywhere my horse goes. Chester will bring up the rear with the pack mules. We’ll travel in a straight line and take it nice and easy.”
“What’s his name?”
“Her name is Shaggy.”
Mona looked underneath the horse. “I see what you mean.”
“She’s a very calm horse. A nice temperament. The two of you will get along fine.” Althea paused for a moment, trying to decide how she was going to approach the next subject. “Mona, I have to talk to you about Chloe. She needs to stay here. I’ve already talked to Mary, and she’s agreed to watch her while we’re gone.”
“I don’t understand. She’s a good dog.”
“We’re going to be traveling ten to fifteen miles a day over rough topography. Do you really think Chloe can keep up? She’ll keep us from making good time. It’s not kind to her. I mean—look at these mountains. Does she have experience climbing these hills?”
Mona looked at Freddy waiting by one of the horses. “Is your dog going?”
“Yes, he goes everywhere with me. Freddy is used to the terrain and can endure the travel and weather.”
Mona thought for a moment. She needed to do what was best for Chloe though she wanted the dog with her. “You’re right. I wasn’t thinking. I don’t want to put Chloe in danger. Everyone in the Bluegrass refers to this terrain as ‘hills’ but they are serious mountains.”
Althea patted Mona’s shoulder. “She’ll be waiting for you with our people in London. It’s for the best.”
“I’ll tie her up,” Mona said, upset that she was leaving Chloe behind.
“Mary already has Chloe locked up in a bedroom until we leave. It’s better this way.”
Mona had not anticipated how challenging the Appalachian Mountains would be, and she didn’t feel good about leaving Chloe behind, although she knew the poodle would be well taken care of. Althea was right. Leaving Chloe was for the best. Mona didn’t know what was the matter with her. She had hurt Farley and made a careless judgment call concerning Chloe. Mona needed to get back on her game. She led Shaggy over to the mounting steps, but Farley, a natural horseman, helped Mona into her saddle and then quickly mounted his horse. He had barely spoken to her during breakfast, and she didn’t encourage his conversation.
All the horses lined up in a single file, waiting for Althea to give the word to push forward.
Rupert looked at the guns everyone else was toting. Mona wore a pistol. Both Althea and Farley had a rifle. He was sure Chester was packing something from the bulge in his jacket. “What’s with all the guns? This is not 1600 you know. No Shawnee braves are hiding behind a rock formation ready to attack.”
Althea frowned. “Yeah, but there are bears and panthers.”
“Bears are hibernating and panthers are not known to attack humans.”
“Better safe than sorry. Get on your horse, Rupert,” Althea said.
“I don’t like guns. Don’t see the need for them,” Rupert muttered, pulling himself up on his horse.
Althea said, “No nurse has ever been accosted but mischief does happen from time to time from the two-legged varmints. That is to others—not to the FNS nurses. I mean people disappear all the time in the mountains—never to be seen again. Get my drift.” She grinned impishly at Rupert.
He replied, “Yeah, I get it.”
Mary stood on her porch. “Althea, did you pack the liniment for their thighs? Everyone will be awfully sore after today.”
Althea waved. “I have it and beeswax salve, too. Don’t worry, Mary. I’ll take good care of them.” She gave her horse the command to move forward, and the little caravan started on their adventure. Freddy ran ahead, barking.
“Y’all are to be at the Pine Mountain Settlement in two weeks or we’ll come looking,” Mary yelled.
Rupert turned in his saddle. “We’ll be on time, Miss Mary. We’ll notify you as soon as we get there.”
They followed the paved road several miles and then crossed over a creek leading to a barely discernible footpath. Though the trees were bereft of leaves, the forest was quiet with only an occasional call of a bird or the chatter of a squirrel. Once in a while Mona caught the swift movement of a deer out of the corner of her eye, but she didn’t have much time for admiring nature. The terrain was rough which made riding difficult. Mona wished she was a better equestrienne but she managed to keep her seat although she grabbed the saddle horn constantly to steady herself. Within a couple of hours, her thighs were burning and her back was aching, so when Althea stopped to give the horses a rest by a stream, Mona was beyond grateful.
Farley helped Mona off Shaggy. “Sore?”
“Quite. I’ve ridden donkeys and camels for long periods of time and never suffered like this. It was in the desert and the land was flat. This constant up and down these hills is wearing me out, and we’ve just begun.”
“You’ll get used to it.” Farley led the horses over to the stream.
Mona followed. “Robert, about last night.”
“There’s nothing to discuss, Mona. You have every right to want a husband you can trust. I understand.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Didn’t you? I wish you would tell me if you’re not interested. It’s cruel to lead me on like this.”
“I’m not leading you on. I just want to make sure. You say you understand and then you make useless accusations.”
“You can dish it out, but you can’t take it. For your information, I’m not a drunk. Yes, I do have a drinking problem. However, I’ve been stone cold sober for months now. I fought in a terrible war and have used alcohol and other drugs to ease my suffering when the black dog is upon me. I do not deny what I’ve done nor am I ashamed of it, but I have always acted with honor and am respected for both my deeds and judgment. I fulfill my duties to the utmost of my abilities. No one has ever accused me of being a cheat or unfair or imprudent. If that’s not enough for you, Madeline Mona Moon, then so be it, but you are never to insult me again. I won’t have it. Now, if you will excuse me, I’d like to have one of those sandwiches Althea is handing out.” Farley handed Mona the horses’ reins and stormed off.
Mona led the horses deeper into the stream wondering if she was one of the stupidest women on the planet. Most women would give their eye teeth even to be noticed by Robert Farley. Why was she pushing him away? Was she really that afraid of love?
Mona had never gotten over the fear that Robert Farley could break her if she let him in. Yes, she was afraid she would love Robert Farley too much and it would destroy her.