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full-grown. Don’t ya wanna get hitched?”
    “One day, but I’m in this country now and I’d like to explore it first.”
    “How’s yer sister feel ‘bout that?”
    Newton mounted his horse. “What can she say about it? She has a husband. He needs to be her main concern, not me.”
    “She’d miss ya if ya left,” Ryder said, mounting up as well.
    “Probably, but it’s not like I’m never coming back to Clear Creek.” He gazed at the prairie around them. “This country is beautiful and wide-open. I feel free here.”
    “You and a lotta other folks. It’s part of the attraction. When Seth and I first came here, we knew we’d finally found a home. And ya gotta admit, folks in Clear Creek are right friendly.”
    “If a little, shall I say, eccentric?”
    Ryder laughed and kicked his horse Banjo into a trot. “If that’s a fancy way of sayin’ they’re a little loco, then yeah. But I love ‘em all the same. Even Mrs. Dunnigan.”
    “Ah yes, Irene Dunnigan – a fine example. If Napoleon had had her on his side, he’d have won the war!”
    They laughed, nudged their horses into a gallop, and soon ended up racing across the prairie. Both were excellent riders, so it came down to who had the better horse. In this case it was Ryder. If he’d had Othello with him, it wouldn’t have been close.
    Ryder laughed as they neared their meeting place by a small stream. “Ya gave me a good run!”
    “I try, but you’ve the better mount. Banjo is a fine animal. When I get some money I’d like to buy a horse from you one day.”
    “One of Othello’s? Sure. But you might wanna talk to the Cookes about that, too – Harrison’s got some beautiful mares, and Othello sure takes to ‘em. A colt or filly from that combo would suit ya mighty fine.”
    “I agree, and will keep that in mind when the time comes. First, however, I need to make my way.”
    “So ya can do all that exploring ya fancy?”
    “So I can afford to, yes.”
    “Ya know yer welcome to come help me anytime ya want. I can’t pay ya much, but somethin’s better than nothin’.”
    “Thank you, but I was toying with the idea of venturing to Oregon City. I could work there for a time, then start my explorations.”
    Ryder watched the horses nibble the grass at the edge of the stream. “I think there’s plenty to explore right here.”
    “You’ve already shown me quite a bit of the surrounding countryside. What else is there?”
    “Oh, there’s a few spots Seth and I ain’t shown ya yet. For instance, there’s some Injuns nearby.”
    “Indians?” Newton said, intrigued. “Really? Are they friendly?”
    “They are toward Seth and me. I could introduce ya. So long as yer with us ya’d be safe.”
    Newton urged his horse into the stream to let him drink. “I’d like that. When could I meet them?”
    “Let me visit ‘em first – as long as they say it’s all right, then we’ll go together.”
    “Wonderful. How close are they?”
    Ryder rode Banjo into the stream next to Newton’s horse. “Half day’s ride from here, maybe a little longer. Far enough that we’d need to spend the night.”
    Newton smiled. “Sounds like the sort of adventure I could use. Until tomorrow, then.”
    “Until tomorrow,” Ryder said.
    They parted ways, Ryder heading back to his place and Newton back to Clear Creek. They’d been meeting at the stream regularly over the last few weeks, and Newton had learned a lot. When Seth was able, he joined them in their little hunting expeditions, catching mostly birds, rabbits and squirrels. Hunting a deer would be exciting indeed for Newton. The thought made him smile all the way back to town.
     
    * * *
     
    Cutty set down his teacup. “Look, Imogene – there he is.” They’d been sipping tea in the hotel’s dining parlor for the last two hours. Some man was standing in the lobby speaking with Seth. Cutty and Imogene couldn’t see who from their vantage point, but who else could it be?
    Sure enough, it