"Yes, another hour, fine by me. The sooner we get there the better, and the more I get to see of the country along the way, that is just fine by me." Angie said with a wide grin. "And I'll have you know, Miss Addy, I ain't no tea-totgallin' woman, not by a long shot!" Then she laughed from the belly.

"I figure I can out drink most men I've run across, might be different out here, but I'm game." She boasted. "This is just so far beyond what I imagined before I left. It is just breath taking! I'm so glad I said yes! And no cookin',m oh now your talkin' Missy!

"

"Now that sounds somewhat daunting for a shy reserved girl from Chicago." She batted her eyes, then laughed. "Two can play that game Addy, but I'm not so much in the market for a beau, as I am for some good friends." Angie knew what she was about and what she wanted. A gentleman's attention might be welcomed, once she was settled in and working. That and the hospital trumped romance for the time being.

At Addy's request, she grinned and offered, "Sure thing, if you have a hatchet I'll chop some kindling too, and get the fire going." Then stepped out a short way to start gathering the firewood, as it was everywhere. Careful of snakes, even with snow on the ground.

"You know," She said loud enough for Addy to hear, "Men can be so easily managed it's almost unbelievable, then again, out here where we're scarce, I suppose that we have our choice, more than I would back in the city. Of course, I was working all the time so dating was all but out of the question. There was just no time for it. So this might be refreshing.

"Oh how refreshing, crude men. I would have never guessed, however, I do know a trick or two for that sort. And believe me, I've had to deal with that type from secondary school through med school, and on the job. Seem's Medicine is supposed to be a men's club. But I had news for them. Angie Laurant, Doctor Lauirant, was here, and things were going to change!" She said, "Except they didn't, not very much. Another reason I jumped at this chance to come west."

She dropped an armload of wood and looked up at what Addy said. "Dang! Must be serious to want an oath like that, under pain of whatever all of that was. Sounded dreadful, Addy. But you have my word of honor, honest and truly. You're my only friend out here, I can't afford to lose you!" And she meant that, other than Doctor Josiah Boone she didn't know a soul outside of Chicago.

"That's good to hear, and Weedy? A boy? Would he be yours? I have a warm spot for children, hopefully there are quite a few. They present numerous calamities that are almost a joy to treat, and a number that are not." She said.

With both of them working together, it wasn't long before coffee was brewing and the ladies were enjoying a supper of bread, cheese and apples.  It was simple fare, but hearty, and easy to prepare.

"So, then," Addy said as she leaned against one of the wagon's wheels, taking in the warmth from the fire, "I know it's been eatin' at yer craw, so...well, I was married once."  Maybe still was?  "Ol' Dirty Dan Wilson...big ol' lunk!"  She chuckled.  "We got a little...in our cups one night, an'...well, come mornin', sobered up, we come to our senses an' went our ways.  I think about him, now an' yonder, wonder what he's up to.  Good man...just not my man!"

"Yes, that I understand. There was one, Wallace Pendergrass. Oh, he made my heart flutter in secondary school, but he went off to fight in that God-awful war the country was fighting. The sad thing is, that Wallace was killed, as were so many. But we had plans, letters back and forth where we spoke of a future that was not to be. I too think of him often, and what might have been made of those plans." Angie confessed. "It's hard to care for someone that is taken before a body can even really get started. But as Pa always said, life goes on, we must move forward." She paused.

"Was Weedy the result of that night? I know that's intrusive of me. But this young man you mentioned, he just sounds to me like a fine young man the way your eyes lit up, but then, aren't they all?"

Angie listened as Addy explained about Weedy and how he came to be 'family' to her. It was touching, yes, but the story of laudanum, drink, and women who found them, was all too familiar to the Chicago physician who saw the results on a daily basis at the hospital where she worked. The tragedy of it was a daily occurrence.

It seems I read something about that disaster, it destroyed the whole town, if I'm correct." She said, "Well then it was good that Weedy had someone to turn to after that, but then too, it sounds a great deal like he'd wormed his way into your heart, which is far from a bad thing! One day I plan to have children, but it will take the right man. Perhaps I will find him in Kalispell."

They were quiet for a moment, as they enjoyed the fire and the night sounds that surrounded them and filled the night air with their music. There was something about the openness of Montana, even with all the trees, she could still see the night sky and and the ocean of twinkling stars. "This is magnificent!" She said, marveling at it all.