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The last day, several of the settlers hurried back to Independence to lay in some final, needed supplies, fulfilling some last, desperate need to touch known civilization before they set off into the unknown. Some would go for last minute indulgences, returning late at night, awed by the lights before them over that last rise. It wasn’t light from a town that lay before them on that broad plain before the river, it was the many campfires of those still up and about even past midnight. Most, especially the farmers with stock, had gone to bed as soon as the sun went down. They knew they’d have to take care of their cattle, horses, and livestock before joining the wagon train.
Erin and Molly were part of the group who had gone to bed as soon as they were able. They sent the children to bed after an early supper. Everything they didn’t need for the morning was already packed in the wagon from long practice. Even the dogs could sense their excitement and knew something was coming. Erin had taken the sheep to fresh graze for half the day, using King to herd their small flock and using this time to think about the coming journey. Tommy and Theresa accompanied her, learning to control the dog and watch the flock themselves. They were happy little companions, full of questions and running about. They were as bad as the sheep themselves, almost as flighty, but Erin didn’t mind. They kept her from dwelling on the worries of the coming weeks and months.
Returning the sheep to their fold, she then checked on her horses and oxen in the community corral and the cattle she had in their makeshift corral. The animals all seemed ready. Even the pigs, who had made a home under the edge of the wagon, were sleeping and wallowing in the mud that was created from the rains that had begun.
Rising the next day, Erin and Molly quickly took down their tent. While stowing it in the wagon, they woke the children. Molly stoked their campfire and began her morning chores. A sleepy Tabitha and Theodore quickly joined her to get dressed, brush their hair, and brush their teeth before hurrying out to help Erin with the chores. After they finished the milking, taking the pails to the campsite to pour milk through the straining cloths and then into the chug-a-lug and the pitcher Molly used to portion out for their breakfast, they both hurried after Erin, who had gone to collect first, their oxen, and next, the horses.
Erin smiled as the nearly fearless Tabitha took the ropes of the second set of oxen and pulled them along after her. These huge behemoths could trample the girl, but she showed no fear, merely helping the family by bringing the animals in. Erin hooked her own yoke of oxen up first, checking and then rechecking the traces, chains, and reins. She then took the second yoke from Tabitha, smiling her thanks to the young girl, who ran off to get some of their horses. Theo stood there yawning as he waited impatiently with the first set of horses. They’d stepped along delicately after the boy, having learned his ways and knowing he gave them treats occasionally. They towered over the eight-year-old and looked about curiously as others began to hitch up their teams. By the time Molly had breakfast ready, the children had all been washed, their hair brushed or combed, and everyone had a chance to use the bushes. The horses were hitched to the oxen and waiting patiently.
“That smells good,” Erin mentioned as she smiled at Molly and gave her a peck on the cheek.
Molly could tell Erin was in good spirits and eager to be on their way. They were both afraid, excited, and worried, and yet, looking forward to whatever was before them. “Should I get the horses?” she murmured, giving Erin a peck back as she handed her the plate of food.
“The children will get the horses as soon as they are done with their breakfast. I’ll have to gather the cattle and sheep, and we’ll have to work out where they go in the wagon train. I can’t see Wallace allowing us to keep them behind our wagon as we did on our way out here,” she answered, already eating her food and talking around it.
The children rushed, shoveling in their food. They were eager to get started and get their chores done.
“Slow down. You’ll choke or get stomachaches, and I can’t have anyone ill on this trip,” Molly warned, having eaten while she cooked their breakfast. She was putting away the things she had used in a box that could easily be placed in the wagon. She poured out some food for the dogs and signaled them over. The cats came to investigate, and she put down the last of the milk from the pitcher, each child having had a full cup. She glanced at the other fires near their own and saw a child looking longingly at the milk she was pouring for their cats. She looked away quickly, feeling guilty.
“Keep your coats handy. It’s a cold wind, and it may rain,” Erin warned the children. Already, there were some going barefoot, but she noticed they had snotty noses and watery eyes and were just tempting the fates to give them colds.
Tabitha came up with the stallion and Erin saddled him, intending to ride him today. When Theo brought up the mare, she told him, “Put a blanket on his back, and you and Tabitha can ride her today. Maybe someone will trade for an extra saddle, so you be on the lookout for one.” Tabitha looked thrilled to be riding the mare. She and Theo argued about who would be in front, but Erin settled it when she said, “I want you two to help with the sheep. Queenie will be with you, and I’ll be taking King.”
“What about the puppies?” Theresa worried since they had gotten rid of the other puppies, some of the piglets, and the calves.
Erin smiled indulgently. “I want you and Tommy to keep them in the wagon with Timmy and out of mischief. You’ll help your ma if you keep Timmy amused. Those kittens can’t do the whole job, you know?” She knew that frequently the mattresses were a mess, the beds unmade because of the animals and children in the wagon, but she and Molly accepted it was part and parcel of having so many animals and children.
“I want those beds made before we go,” Molly warned.
Soon enough, the wagons around them were ready to go and pulling out to get into the long line. The noise around them was tremendous: people talking (a few shouting), animals braying, neighing, mooing, and barking, or in the case of Erin’s sheep, baaing.
Erin saw Theresa and Tommy shimmy up into the wagon, chasing the cats who seemed to know it was time to go, their almost feral bodies slipping into their wagon and hiding during the day. They’d come out to hunt when they stopped at night. It also allowed them to escape the demands of their kittens that were growing stronger every day. The cats that had come with them had one litter between them, but the kittens didn’t know who their father was, so they had adopted all of them, much to the disgruntlement of one of the larger toms traveling with them. She enjoyed the different personalities of their animals. She saw Queenie and King watching her, waiting for her signal. She saw as Molly checked one more time around the campsite to make sure they weren’t leaving anything behind before climbing up in front, settling an excited Timmy down, and taking the reins and her whip, moving the horses and oxen out beyond the wagon nearest them that wasn’t ready. This was the signal Erin had been waiting for.
She signaled Queenie to go with Tabitha and Theodore on the mare. They were excited, and she’d cautioned them about scattering the sheep. The dog would do all the work if they let her; she was probably smarter than both children. Queenie looked back once more to be sure, but Erin had signaled to King, who was heading towards the cattle.
Theo slipped off the mare to take down the rope and sticks they used to make the sheep’s fold. The sheep, already agitated by all the commotion around them, weren’t aware it was down right away. He had time to put the sticks up behind Tabitha, coil the rope, and with a hand up from his sister, climb up to balance on the mare’s back. “Let’s get them out of here,” he whispered loudly. They had discovered some people didn’t like the sheep, finding them smelly and stupid.
“Let’s go, Queenie,” Tabitha called, and the Tervuren began to walk around the sheep, bunching them and getting them moving. The girl waited until they passed her and the horse, not rushing them, just walking behind them. She was smarter than people gave her credit for and was thrilled that Erin trusted her enough to do this duty. “Careful there,” she warned Theo as the poles dug into her back.
“We should put these with the wagon,” he complained, trying to see around her and look where she was sending the sheep. He thought he should be in front on the mare, not her.
“Maybe we’ll think to do that first tomorrow,” she answered. She saw some people stopping to stare at the kids and dog herding the sheep. She swung them a little out, so none of the wagons were in their path but kept them at a pace equal to the wagons that were falling into line. She looked around and saw Erin hazing the cattle along with King. He raised his arm to wave at her, smiling encouragingly. She turned back to the front, pleased at his regard.
She had a hard time figuring Erin out. Why would anyone take on a family of five children? She’d often wondered at their motives. They certainly weren’t rich, although from what she had seen they had planned well for this trip. She’d not gone through the wagon thoroughly but saw they had a lot of dried food and that spoke of good planning; it packed well and could be used for various things. She had expected the children would be used as labor, but Erin didn’t make them do anything other than their chores. He willingly taught them, even Tommy and Theresa, who were too little for some. He didn’t get angry when they messed up but patiently taught them the right way even if it had to be repeated. He didn’t like being disobeyed and had threatened Theo’s backside once or twice. They hadn’t seen if he would follow through on that, but they had obeyed. He didn’t have a temper that they could see, but after what happened in St. Charles, all the children were impressed. Jeb had enhanced that impression with his tall tales, but even Tabitha could tell they weren’t all true.
Erin got the cattle going, pleased when she saw Tabitha and Theo had the sheep off to the side where people were trying to make a road, lining up the wagons as they got sorted.
“You should put the cattle with the others,” someone rode up and commented, slowing to speak with Erin.
“Yeah, I thought of that,” she admitted. “I like to keep my own though,” she indicated her small herd of both dairy and beef cattle. “Billy might give someone else a bit of a problem.” She indicated her bull, his horns high above the other cattle of her herd. He did look impressive, and just then, he bellowed to show he was alive. She smiled. Knowing him, he was probably just clearing his throat.
“Nothing a whip won’t take care of,” the stranger advised.
“I raised that bull since he was a toddler,” she confided. “Never needed a whip on him, and he’s as gentle as a kitten.”
The stranger, eyeing the huge horn span added, “They cut those things off nowadays, I hear.”
Erin was aghast. Those horns were one of the most impressive things about Billy. He was a sweet bull and that was a rare thing. She’d never cut them off. She was glad when the stranger rode off after giving his two cents of advice.
There were scattered settlements and ranch houses along the trail west of Independence and Leavenworth. Some residents came out to watch the long line of wagons as it took another batch of people west...always west. It took a special man or woman to make this journey, and some shook their heads at the foolishness or bravery they saw in these settlers.
Slowly, the morning saw the wagon train taking shape. Pat Wallace had a reputation as a fine wagon master. He was one of the few who organized such things himself. He’d been over the train a couple of times already, knew the route, and didn’t take any guff from those who had paid him to lead them through the wilderness.
“Get your horses in line there,” he called to one wagon. “Slow down a bit there, mister. We’ll all get there in due time,” he cajoled another. He commanded with the ease of one born to it. He knew what he was about and was ready to handle anything that came his way.
Approaching Erin as they neared the river crossing, he asked, “Your children prepared to swim those sheep across?” The tone of his voice told Erin he didn’t like the animals. The cattle seemed to appeal to him more.
“No, but I’ve signaled them to wait up for me, so we can do this together.”
“You should put your cattle with the others at the end of the train,” he advised, eyeing this man and still feeling something was off with him. He’d seen his wife earlier. She had an excellent grasp of the reins on their combined horse and oxen set-up. He’d nearly laughed at the pig and her long-legged piglets bobbing along behind the wagon.
“I probably should,” Erin agreed, not wanting an argument with the wagon master.
Pat rode off, not sure if he should order the farmer to put his stock in with the rest yet or not. They’d have to eventually, when the road narrowed, but here, on the plains, it was fine that they were off to the side of the train for now.
“Bring them, King,” Erin said, leaving the herd to give the stallion his head for a moment. To avoid scattering the herd, she rode around them and up to the children. “How are you doing?” she asked, smiling at the two of them. She frowned at the poles balanced between them, an ungainly arrangement.
“The river’s ahead,” Tabitha pointed, glancing at her pa and then back at Queenie, who had the flock well in hand.
“I know. That’s why I rode up. Wait to cross until I come, okay?”
She nodded, and with a smile at Theo, Erin rode on ahead to find their wagon. She spotted the pigs before she recognized the white of her canopied wagon. They’d already begun to look just like the many wagons in the train.
“Hey, there,” she rode up beside the wagon and smiled at her wife. “Everything okay?”
“Everything’s good,” Molly returned the smile. “People are figuring out which end of the horse they’re driving.”
They both laughed at her sally.
“Just watch the wagon before you, and see where it goes before sending them across,” Erin advised. She’d heard tales of the Missouri and how hard it could be to cross. They’d had their first spring rains and today was already overcast. It might be raining upstream, and she worried about the crossing.
Molly nodded. There’d been many crossings since Ohio, and Erin always seemed to worry. Everything that could be tied down on the wagon was. Even the chug-a-lug had been inspected and was watertight, so the milk wouldn’t be ruined by muddy water getting in it. The wagon would float if it got that deep. Still, she had heard about shifting sands, unseen shelves, which a wagon could drive off, and other water hazards. “You okay with the sheep and cattle?”
“I’ve got Tabitha and Theo on the mare herding the sheep. I’ll have them offload the fold poles and rope before you cross. I told them to wait for me.”
Molly nodded to show she understood and flicked a look of concern at her wife. She saw her glancing back along the line and knew she had to get back to their flock and herd. The dogs and children couldn’t keep track of the animals alone, and who knew when someone might take it into their heads to help the apparently unminded animals.
“Pa, can I ride with you?” Timmy asked, holding out his arms.
“Not now, son. Maybe after the nooning,” she promised. Seeing Theresa and Tommy looking out beyond the canopy, she said, “I’ll have Theo pass you the poles and rope to the fold. You two secure ‘em, okay?” They both nodded, each holding a kitten as she rode back down the line.
“You get up there with those poles and rope. You can’t cross the river with the sheep and all that on the back of that mare,” she told them. “I’ll watch them while you do it.” Tabitha nodded as she kicked the mare into a faster pace, so she could get behind her ma’s wagon. The children managed to hand off the poles one at a time and then the rope. The pigs kept trying to tangle in the mare’s feet, earning one a kick, and he squealed loudly in protest. Finally, they were free of the fold set-up and hurried back to their charges. Erin nodded and said, “Remember to wait for me before crossing,” before she rode back to King and her small herd. She nodded to the people along the way, sure she would get to know the many names eventually.
Erin pulled up alongside the river with their sheep and cattle intermixed. Both dogs panted happily, pleased with themselves as they watched their person. They knew they were doing their jobs and were proud of it. The cattle and sheep knew each other and milled around as Erin contemplated the crossing. She watched as Molly let the wagon ahead of her go halfway across before attempting her own crossing, following the exact same path of the one before, at least as close as she could. Erin saw the pigs hesitate only a moment before plunging into the cold, dirty waters.
“You know this river?” a voice asked Erin as she watched her wagon reach the halfway point.
“Nope. I was wondering where to cross the animals,” she commented, not looking at the speaker.
“I’d suggest you follow the wagons,” the voice continued.
Erin was watching the pigs. They were good swimmers and the current was carrying them a little. Wanting to rush down and help wouldn’t do anyone any good. She glanced at the wagon and saw that Molly had it well in hand. She breathed a sigh of relief when it began to pull up on the far side, and then, she saw the pigs land and hurry to catch up. She smiled. Pigs were a lot smarter than people gave them credit for. She wondered if the boar she found had impregnated the sow again and if they’d have more piglets during this trip. It probably wasn’t the wisest of ideas, but she’d had an opportunity and took it.
“You going to cross now or later?” the voice asked, and Erin finally tore her eyes away from her wagon. She saw that Tabitha was looking at her curiously as the stranger talked to her. “I think I’ll wait for the last of the wagons and follow the rest of the herd,” her chin took in the dust cloud behind the long wagon train, some from the wagons, the rest from cattle, extra horses, and probably mules. No one else had sheep except for Erin.
“Need help?”
Erin smiled at the strange man and shook her head. “I’ve got a lot of help right here,” she indicated the children, but she really meant her Tervurens. They were panting in the sunlight, enjoying the temporary rest from their duties. The sheep and cattle had begun to crop last year’s hay, the new growth not long enough to entice them through the longer hay.
“Suit yourself,” the stranger said as he rode off.
“Who was that, Pa?” Theo asked, looking at the horse the stranger was riding.
“I have no idea, son. I’ve not become acquainted with everyone yet.”
They waited a long time for the last of the wagons to make it across. Some hesitated, some rushed, two even tried to go across two abreast and Wallace’s appointed lieutenants shouted at them to stay in line. Finally, Erin saw that the cattle were coming up with the last of the wagons and she eased out ahead of them, signaling to King and Queenie and jerking her head to Tabitha. They brought the cattle and sheep to the edge of the water and the dogs encouraged them to go in. She made to start to the far right of the river where the farthest wagons had gone across because she knew the current was strong and would carry some of the animals farther downstream. She’d kept the sheep to the right of the cattle, hoping they would bounce into the sturdier animals if they lost their footing or the current carried them too far. Billy expressed his displeasure at getting into the river, but King had him well in hand, nipping at his heels. A few of the cows and cattle answered Billy’s call with their own, the sheep sounding off just to be heard.
“Ready for this?” Erin asked. It was their first river crossing on the horse by themselves, and she waited for Tabitha’s nod before she encouraged the stallion to go forward. She kept him back a tiny fraction, so Tabitha was on her right and upstream as they went across together. The water began to rise as they stepped out, first to the horse’s ankles, then to their knees, finally to the stirrups of Erin’s saddle. It was only necessary for the horses to swim for a few steps in the middle due to rainwater and spring melt farther upstream. The massive flooding that the Missouri was capable of had passed, and they were all grateful for it.
Erin heard the larger herd behind her as they entered the water and ignored the probably annoyed people who were managing it. She was concerned about her own livestock, and while she’d help others, she wasn’t going to have her own arbitrarily handled by strangers. She took care of her stock and it showed. As she watched them make it to the far side, she breathed a sigh of relief. One more river down and many more to go. Not all would be as easy as this crossing.
Erin and the children caught up to Molly at the nooning where the wagons practiced circling around, not only for protection but also for the convenience. The cattle, including Erin’s, were herded inside this large circle. Erin got down from the stallion and helped the children off the mare. She knew they had to be a little sore from the length of time they’d been on the horse without the cushioning of the saddle.
“You okay?” she asked them, concerned. She received emphatic nods.
Erin walked with them, the dogs following as they walked past the large fire that someone had built next to their own wagon.
“Pa, Pa. Can we ride the mare next?” Tommy asked, running up with Theresa.
“No, no. This is far too big a task for you two,” she answered as she smiled at Molly and loosened the girth on the stallion’s saddle. It was a little big for the young horse but fit the mare perfectly. Pulling the saddle off, so the horse could breathe and get some cool air on his heated sides, she tied him to the wagon as Tabitha tied off the mare.
“Hungry?” Molly asked as she handed her a plate of cold meat and biscuits.
“Starving,” she admitted as she saw Molly feed the other two children. Timmy was his usual messy self, and Tommy and Theresa were nearly done with what they had eaten. Something had been added to their plate, something red, and she guessed correctly it was dried raspberries.
“How’s the driving going?” she asked, concerned if it was too much. With so many people around, it was a lot different than driving in their own time.
“Some people can’t drive,” Molly admitted, low, so she wouldn’t offend anyone.
Erin nearly laughed aloud but continued to eat her lunch. She saw Molly pour some water into two tin plates and put them down for the dogs. One of the friendly barn cats jumped out of the wagon to greet the returning Tervurens, rubbing up against the dogs, their tails straight in the air. As Erin finished her meal, a neighboring dog spotted the cat and attempted to chase it. King saw it coming and roared in defense of their space. Erin quickly took two long-legged paces and put herself between King and the neighbor’s dog. The cat effortlessly hopped back up in the wagon, clawing the last foot or so as it scrambled inside. It looked down disdainfully on the strange dog.
“Keep your dog in hand,” a voice ordered, and Erin looked up in surprise as the neighbor who owned the dog tried to lay the blame on them.
“If I didn’t keep my dog in hand, your dog would be dead now,” she promised, saying it in a calm voice.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” The man reached for his dog, pulling it back.
“My dog would kill yours. I suggest you keep it away from my animals and there will be no problem. Maybe put it on a rope.”
The man glared his resentment for a moment but another voice was heard, “Earl, you bring that no-account mutt back here and do as he says. He weren’t doin’ nuttin’ but defendin’ his cat. That dog of yern’ was up to no good, no how.”
Erin nodded her thanks to the woman before pushing King and Queenie back a little farther. “Down,” she ordered them when they were back by the wagon. She saw Molly had paused where she was pouring water into the poultry’s dishes, the ducks whistling slightly and the chickens clucking. She heard the occasional honk and knew their nasty gander was still alive and kicking on the other side of the wagon waiting for his water. “We’ll have to be constantly vigilant for that,” she murmured as she put down her plate and looked for the bucket Molly was using to finish up watering the poultry. Molly nodded as she turned to the children, gathering their plates to wash and put them away.
All too soon, the wagons began to pull away from the circle and straighten out into a long line again. Erin separated her sheep first and sent Tabitha and Theo on the mare to keep the flock in order. This time, Tommy was behind Erin on the stallion. Queenie and King were smiling. They’d been watered, rested, and were raring to go.
It took longer to separate the cattle from the larger herd and she gave up and offered to help herd it with her dogs. Her offer was gratefully accepted. Many had noticed the efficient dogs and were admiring how Erin handled herself. Her help was needed for the combined herd. Erin rode around to tell Tabitha to keep the sheep just ahead of the herd before she let the herd pass her and rode the drag for a while with King. She pulled a bandana out and tied it around her mouth and nose. They switched off, so no one was in the dust behind the herd for too long. She saw that two of Wallace’s men, both well-armed, were guarding the rear of the column.
That night as they circled the wagons, those who had chosen to go on this wagon train began to get acquainted. There was considerable interest in the young couple with five children and so much livestock. Explaining that they had had a farm in Ohio that sold, Molly made friends. She knew anything and everything she told them would be repeated during the day as gossip, but still, it was nice getting acquainted with the folks that were traveling with them. Erin had helped Molly erect both tents, so the children wouldn’t be in the wagon anymore. The cats wouldn’t mind, and they’d creep down if they wanted to sleep with the children badly enough or stay in the wagon keeping each other warm except when they went off hunting. Molly made sure they had food, so they wouldn’t go far. She’d seen how some people set their dogs on cats and would have caged their cats if she could. Still, they were canny animals and she was just pleased that they still had some of them from the farm in Ohio with them.
The children played with the puppies. They were popular with other children, who were drawn to the young dogs. When it was discovered they had kittens too, they were brought out carefully and allowed to be held, keeping them well away from the neighbor’s dog that apparently wanted to chase them.
“You know you are causing trouble with me and my young’uns,” one man joked with Erin when she returned from her ablutions, being careful to take one of the dogs and go well beyond where anyone else had gone. She was relying on the animal’s ears and instincts to guard her and her special needs.
“And why is that?” she asked, cautiously. She worried she’d offended someone.
“Now they want a puppy and a kitten,” he joked. “How much you get for those pups?”
“Two bits,” she admitted, realizing it sounded outrageous.
The man nodded as though the price made sense and it really did out here. Dogs were a precious commodity on the trail, and anyone could see that King and Queenie were both prime stock. They were well-trained, and their pups would be in great demand. She didn’t tell the man she had sold four pups to one rancher alone; she didn’t want to brag. “Are you going to be selling any of the kittens?” he asked.
“They’re younger than the pups and not ready to go yet, but yes, if the price is right I probably will.” She wasn’t in the business of keeping pets. The cats had a use. “They will all probably be great mousers.”
The man nodded again musingly. “How do you keep the cats from straying? I mean, I’d have caged them like you did them ducks and geese,” he gestured towards the cages spread out before their wagon. Not many people had brought poultry either. A few enjoyed the benefits of the eggs in their morning breakfast. Erin realized she was accustomed to it.
“They took over the wagon long before we packed it for the trip. I was going to pick and choose which came with us, but these chose us, and I couldn’t have chosen better. Not all the ones back at the farm could come of course, but these are good ones,” she admitted. “The kittens were just an added bonus.”
“I’d like one of those for my Marjorie. She’s taken a shine to that blue one.”
“Blue one?” she asked, trying to remember if one of the kittens were blue.
“It’s a grey one, but she’s callin’ it blue,” he chuckled, and Erin joined in.
“I think you’d better talk to my wife about those,” she admitted to having no idea if any were promised or not. She’d mention it to Molly before they went to sleep that night.
“Will they be as much as the pups?”
“Probably.” She really hadn’t thought about it, but really, a good mouser was going to be hard to come by.
The man nodded again, then held out his hand. “I’m Ray Spencer,” he said by way of introduction. “I know you’re Erin Herriot. Your wife and mine have met,” he explained, smiling again.
Erin returned the smile as they started chatting a bit, getting to know one another. Others saw them talking and joined them, the conversation taking several turns.
“This ain’t no prairie schooner. It’s a genuine Conestoga wagon. A prairie schooner is smaller, and it’s based on the Conestoga.” Erin, having made sure of this before she even set out, felt she was sharing the information, not being a know-it-all. She knew the Conestoga was known to be able to haul five tons of goods and the prairie schooner not nearly as much. With her oxen and horses, they probably could pull the Earth if they could find a place to hitch them to. They were doing fine with their wagon. She could see they weren’t in any way tired from their first day on the trail. Others weren’t faring as well as their horses, oxen, and mules, which had adjusted and become trail hardened.
They’d only made twelve miles, but exhausted after the first short day, people began to turn in.
Erin took a turn with the guard before she turned in, using both Queenie and King. Molly woke up enough to enfold her in her arms, snuggling close. The nights were still cold, and she used her body to warm Erin’s. Erin took the opportunity to caress her wife, causing her to moan slightly. She also told her what she had learned about their neighbors, mentioning the cat that Marjorie was interested in, and Molly shared what she had learned that day. They quickly made love, Molly’s cries muffled by Erin’s mouth, capturing the cries as she thrust inside her wife with her fingers. Returning the favor, Molly squeezed where Erin’s breasts were trapped by her wrappings, knowing how much she enjoyed the love play with them. Her own crisis caused her to buck against Molly, rubbing hard and fast and furious as she came. Sighing lustfully in complete repletion, she quickly adjusted her long johns in case she had to get up suddenly in the night. They were both able to sleep through the night without a child or animal interrupting their slumber for a change. It was probably the fresh, clean air and the exhaustion from their first day back on the trail.