"I'd like that real good," Addy declared with a grin. There weren't many ladies she could talk to like this, and who accepted her for who she was, nor had any ever asked that she coach them, so she was eager to do this.

“Then we’ll get started whenever you can. I can come to town as well as you coming out here.” Alice offered. “I know some, but like I said, I can always learn more.

"I can show ya what I know...reckon you can drive a team, but I gat a six-up hitch, if ya'd like ta give that a try, an' I know a couple'a th'' local tribes, if ya'd like ta get ta know some Indians...never does hurt ta have good friends."

“Now that would be good. I’ve not met very many, and never on a friendship basis, not that it was hostile, I simply had met them in passing. They are just people after all. And you are right, having good friends is really a blessing, no matter who they are.” Meeting Indians had not been something she had thought about, but when it was mentioned it sounded perfect.

“A six up? I’ve driven four, but never at any speed, so to speak. I mean to say that they walked, or trotted at best. But yes, yes, I’d like that.” She smiled. “Maybe get a job with you once I’m good enough.” Of course that was not really something she would do. But learning to drive a six up, or even a four, would be helpful, because one never knew.

She chuckled then, and added, "There's one camp that's kinda beholdin' ta me an' Speed...we bagged a bear an' gave them th' meat, 'bout fourteen hundred pounds, see 'em through th' Winter, likely."

“We could certainly do that.” Alice agreed, “Fourteen hundred pounds? That was one big bear! When did all of this happen? I’ve come face too face with smaller predators, never a bear. You must have been really lucky in that confrontation.”

She smiled and added, you were out to purposely hunt a bear, on by accident? I’m thinking that running into a bear by accident would really set you back on your heels.” She had no doubt that Addy would stand and fight whatever the odds, although, a bear? That one would raise the hair an the back of anyone’s neck. “This Mister Guyer tends to get around, it seems.”

"Well, he ain't one ta sit idle," Addy declared. "Few months back he went out with me on a delivery, that big ol' bear attacked my team, no mind we was with 'em...kilt one'a my horses." She shrugged. "Found out later that bear been killin' cattle, terroizin' locals, red an' white alike, so th' town got up a posse an' hunted him down. Ain't no trouble no more!"

“That would have been a nightmare, attacked by a full grown bear. Sad about the horse, though.” Alice chimed in. One of the things Amos had taught her was that animals are wild, unpredictable, and generally don’t like human beings, so be wary and take no chances.

Grinning, she shrugged. "Bears ain't generally too bad, 'specially th' brown an' black ones, but ya gotta watch that ya don't get inadvertently betwixt a mama an' her cubs. Gotta watch fer moose, too, if they're havin' a bad day, they'll charge 'bout anything, an' th' bulls are bigger than a horse."

“Seen Elk a time or two in our travels, and they are huge! Those horns of theirs, I wouldn’t want to tangle with one, that’s for sure. Pa always said to be wary of the wild animals, because they are wild and act that way. Seems there’s a whole lot out here to be wary of, men included.”

"Gonna take gettin' used ta, havin' a home an' family here," she muttered, "didn't never think I'd not be on my own an' able ta move on if I wanted." She grinned. "Kinda like that thought, though!"

Alice smiled and even chuckled a bit. “Addy, you’ll do just fine. The difference between the then and the now is you’re in a different place to live and you have a man in your life. These things make a huge difference, and that boy? Well, you may have your own children, but your Weedy will always be special. He’s the reason you are where you are. Your man is just the frosting on the cake.”

“And you’re right about anything under the stars and over a campfire. Had Elk once, but venison? A lot of venison. Even had cat. Pa got a cougar that was killin’ stock. Mountain men had said it was the best, and they weren’t far from wrong! That was some good eating!”

"Never did have cougar," Addy commented, "an' I don't think Buster'd like me eatin' his cousin!" She laughed, then shrugged. "Wouldn't'a thought'a Jay as frostin' on a cake, but that just might be a good way'a puttin' it!"

“A good man, that is frosting on the cake.” Alice said, “My wedded experience wasn’t like that, but to me it sounds just like this Jay fellow is frosting on the cake!”

She laughed again, wondering what Jay would think of that! "He's real special, I'm certain'a that. Not many men'd think'a th' likes'a me as marryin', then ta take on Weedy, too." A silly grin crossed her features. "Good changes, an' I reckon it's time I settled an' did more than just drivin' wagons...not that I expect ta be much inta motherin'...honestly can't imagine havin' my own little ones...never did think I would, an' never felt I'd miss that."

Something she and Jay had never discussed.

“Never had children. Wanted them, I surely did, but for whatever reason, we never had none. Was it him, or was it me? That there is the mystery of it. But now that he’s gone, I’m glad to be without child the way it’s been since he passed. To be honest,” her head dropped, then came back up, “Arthur Fletcher turned out to be a drunken, gamblin’ fool of an excuse for a man. He wanted no children, just his time in town playing cards and drinking.”

Alice had never confided that to anyone, not even her father, who knew anyway. Somehow, with Addy it seemed a good time to let it out. Oh, everywhere they had lived everyone knew, especially the money lenders and card sharps. It was good to be shut of him, no longer on the run, Pa had seen to that.