Mona woke to the sounds of Althea slamming the front door. Startled, she raised up from her pallet near the potbelly stove.
Dressed and sipping on coffee, Farley jumped up from his chair. “What’s wrong, Althea?”
“Some lowdown, thieving numbskull has stolen the mules!”
Rupert threw a cup across the room in anger. “I told you. I told you not to trust these people.”
“Could it have been the Fugates?” Chester asked.
“I can’t believe Rose Fugate would have any part in stealing. She’s not that kind of person,” Mona said, coming to Rose’s defense.
“What about the horses?” Farley asked.
“They’re fine,” Althea spat out. “Horse thievery is considered very serious in these parts still. Out here, not having horse transportation can mean loss of life.”
Chester asked, “Why just the mules and not the horses, too, Althea?”
Althea answered, “Mules are more valuable because they are steadier on their hooves than horses. Horses are considered fragile in comparison.”
“Let’s you and I saddle the horses and see if we can find them,” Farley suggested to Althea.
“I think that’s a good idea. Those mules are the property of the Frontier Nursing Service. I need to get them back,” Althea answered.
Mona got up and pushed back her hair. “Give me a moment.”
Farley held up his hand. “You’re not going.” When Mona protested, Farley said, “I’m sorry, Mona, but you not a good enough rider. Althea and I can cover more ground without you.”
Realizing the truth of Farley’s words, Mona said, “At least, let me fix you a hot breakfast and food to take with you while you saddle your horse.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Farley said. “Althea?”
“Yes, you three carry on with your exploring. Farley and I will track the mules. With luck we’ll be back early.”
Chester offered, “I bet it was Popcorn Pearse who took them.”
“If it was, we’ll hunt him down,” Farley said, following Althea out the door.
Mona didn’t even bother with her morning ablutions. While Rupert made breakfast, Mona filled Farley’s and Althea’s canteens with purified water. Then she made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for their lunch including a bottle of Ale-8-One, two oranges, an apple, two chocolate candy bars, two boiled eggs, and a slice of the country ham. “Thank goodness we brought the supplies into the house before we went to sleep.”
“This whole trip was supposed to be a secret,” Rupert mumbled. “Now we’ve got the locals stealing from us. They know where we’re camped. I think we should move our location.”
“The mules could have wandered off on their own. Let’s wait until this evening before we make another assessment,” Mona cautioned.
“Yeah, let’s wait,” Chester added. “I don’t want to sleep outside on the ground anymore. At least, this place has a bed and a roof.”
Mona turned and rolled her eyes. If anyone had to have the bed, it should have been Althea but Chester and Rupert had confiscated the only bedroom before anyone else had a chance. She returned to the task of packing lunches for Farley and Althea and tucking them into their saddlebags. Once done, she managed a comb through her hair and washed her face from a washbasin, looking up to find Rupert staring at her.
“You really are striking to look at,” he said.
“Thank you,” Mona said, brusquely. Men had always commented on her looks which she found annoying and unwelcoming. She never returned the compliments but men never seemed to notice. “What’s the game plan today?”
“We should start searching for certain landmarks or signage,” Rupert replied.
“Like what?” Chester asked.
“Landmarks, free standing rocks, and trees with carvings of initials, names, and dates. I will give each of you a list of initials and dates to look for which we will notate in the workbook that I will give to each one of the group.”
“What if we find a cave?”
Rupert answered, “Each person will receive a bag full of brightly colored ribbons to mark a pathway from the cave back to base camp. It is important that no one enter a cave alone. I think that should be a group effort with the proper equipment. I also have the newest technology—Mona bought us two metal detectors which we will use at promising sights.”
“We’re not working as a group?” Mona asked.
“Since Althea has to leave, that leaves one less person to explore. If she and Farley can’t recover the mules, then Farley will have to continue looking for them after she leaves, which again means one less person. I think it expedient that the three of us work separately today. We can cover more ground this way. I don’t intend to come back for lunch, so can you pack three more lunches, Mona?” Rupert asked.
“You two are big boys. You can pack your own lunch.” Mona grabbed the canteen, saddlebags, and her coat leaving the shack in search of Farley.
Althea and Farley rode out from the barn and came toward Mona.
“Aren’t you going to eat breakfast?” Mona asked.
“Naw, if we move fast, we might find the mules,” Althea said.
Mona handed them each a saddlebag and canteen. “I packed a big lunch for each of you. You won’t go hungry.”
“Thanks,” Farley said.
“We’ll be back soon,” Althea said. “Come, Freddy.” She nodded goodbye and rode off.
Farley lingered. “What will you do while we’re gone?”
“Rupert wants to start searching as soon as breakfast is over.”
“Got your compass?”
“What cartographer would be without one?”
“Don’t get lost.”
“I won’t. You be careful, Robert.”
“That goes for you, too.”
Suddenly, Mona reached up and grasped Farley’s hand. “I mean it, Robert. Be careful.”
Farley leaned over and kissed Mona’s hand. “Miss me,” he said, before letting go of Mona and galloping after Althea.
Mona watched Farley until he was out of sight. Sighing, she returned to the house that was little more than a shack feeling sluggish and out of sorts. She had a heavy feeling she couldn’t shake, but she was here and had better make the most of it. After all, hadn’t she bragged to Dexter Deatherage how she yearned for adventure?
Mona realized that she should be careful for what she wished.