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funds, so I can pay my way. Please?” Hope filled her aunt’s voice.
    Perhaps Flora would be a help as she had been on the visit to town. Libby reached out to her. “Hurry, you can ride my horse, Buttercup. She’s as gentle as a rocking chair.”
    Together they rushed to the barn. Libby saddled Southern Star and then the little mare she’d owned since she was a child. She planned to ride through the early morning to reach Leavenworth by afternoon. Tomorrow, they’d be on the stage west.
    She hoped Flora could handle the horse. They were in for a long trip. Libby led Buttercup to her aunt. “Think you can get on by yourself?”
    Eyes wide, her aunt stepped away from the mare. “Oh, my, n-no. To tell you the truth, the beasts scare me.”
    Libby stroked Buttercup’s tawny neck. “She’s not a beast. All you have to do is sit on her and let her do the work.”
    Although her chin quivered, Flora gave a determined nod.
    Libby helped her climb on the mare. The woman sat with her legs stiff and hands tightly gripping the saddle. After forcing the reins between Flora’s clenched fingers, Libby patted the mare’s neck. “I’ll lead. Give Buttercup gentle kicks and she’ll go. You’ll do fine.”
    Flora took several deep breaths. “I am only ten years older than you. Don’t worry, I will keep up.”
    Sitting atop Southern Star, Libby gave a quiet laugh. “By the way, we’re going to Leavenworth and then on to Auraria near Denver. I plan to secure employment as a teacher. With your sewing abilities, I am sure you can find work. Do you still want to go?”
    With a timid smile, Flora tapped Buttercup to come beside Libby. “Oh, yes.”
    After putting a finger to her lips, Libby pointed to the small house where George stayed. She didn’t want him to waken. In silence, they rode down the drive and onto the road leading to Leavenworth. The dewy air quieted the surroundings, magnifying the doubts running through her mind. Uncertainty about to overcome her, she jumped when Flora cleared her throat.
    “Oh my. This is exciting. Your middle name is Auraria. Odd that you would go to a town miles away in the wilderness with the same name.”
    Libby stroked her horse’s silky black neck. “Providence, don’t you think? Such a quaint idea of our family to give babies the middle name of the town in which they were born. Father’s middle name is Auraria, too. What is yours? I’ve never heard it mentioned?”
    Flora ducked her head. “My middle name is Peachtree. Mother and father were on a picnic, and I decided to come a little early, under a peach tree.”
    “Flora Peachtree Longstreet. I like it.”
    With a hand to her lips, Flora giggled. “Promise not to tell a soul?”
    “Yes.” Libby wondered what had Aunt Flora in such a joyful fit.
    “My cousin in Virginia was born in Twin Buttes. Bless her heart. Emily Twin Buttes and the worse thing is that she has the figure to match.”
    Libby laughed with Flora, hoping their giggles didn’t awaken the countryside. Maybe it was Providence that Flora had come along, too. After an hour of riding, their chatter subsided and silence settled over them. The night air was cool but not uncomfortable. While Flora hadn’t exactly relaxed, she did keep up.
    Every mile Libby rode away from home chipped at her confidence. She valiantly worked to quiet the nagging thoughts telling her to go back when clouds conspired against her and blotted out the moon’s light. Fear joined her lagging assurance as the trees took on ominous shapes and their limbs clawed at her. An owl glided overhead.
    Southern Star reared and pranced.
    Libby fought to gain control. Tears slid down her cheeks. “Whoa.” The word came out a weak croak.
    The spirited horse seized the bit in its teeth and charged down the road.
    Libby clung to her and made feeble attempts to pull the mare to a stop. An image of Mother shaking her head in disapproval flashed before Libby’s mind. Anger flared and consumed her fears.