"You hold that gun with both hands or you'll hurt yourself when it recoils".

"But pa ... do I have to?" I grumbled as pa showed me again what I was doing wrong. "Why do I have to learn this? I am not going hunting!"

"Now listen here young lady, your mama and I aren't always going to be around so you'll have to learn to take care of yourself. C'mon now ... take aim".

I gripped the gun as tightly as I could, aimed and fired. The bottle shattered with a loud blast as I moved my aim to the next stump. We had come to the clearing at dawn and the sun was starting to blaze. Pa wiped his forehead with the handkerchief that mama had initialized for him.

"How about we call it a day. Let's go see what your mama made us for breakfast". He took the gun from me as we walked towards the house. I picked a few wildflowers along the dusty path leading to the back door.

"Look Ma! I got you wildflowers!" I burst in and hugged her from behind.

"Let go of me, Caroline! The eggs will burn". I let go and stood still as she got the vitals on to plates. She had the table set and ready for us. She kissed my forehead then looked for my head. Pa placed his stetson on the table and smiled at us.

"Now you go wash up and get to your food before it gets cold. Today is laundry day and you've got scrubbing to do" she said placing the flowers in a vase on the table. As I went out, I saw them kiss and the warmth of the sun felt like a little patch of happiness.

It took about three attempts to get water to flow from the hand pump. As I washed my hands there was a gentle nudge at my back.

"Stop that! I don't have any apples or Jam!"

The second nudge was stronger.

"No muffins neither!"

The third shove was so hard that I slipped and landed under the rushing water.

"Moose! You crazy horse!" I ran behind my only friend, "Get back here you!"

We ran around in circles until I fell on the grass breathless. I lay there a while. Moose tired of sniffing me went over to eat some of the flowers from ma's garden. A rumbling interrupted my doze. I sprang up and brushed myself off as a wagon came to a stop outside our gate.

"Good Mornin' Mr. Coleman".

"Good Mornin', little miss. You've got grass in your hair."

Mr. Coleman was pa's friend and took care of our property. Pa said he was in his fifties but I never believed it. He looked a hundred and he also had this strange way of looking at you like he was reading your thoughts. He wiped his feet and knocked at the door even though it was open.

"Why Wilbur! What are you doing here this early?" pa said shaking his hand. I quietly followed them into the house and sat in the corner.

"Moring' sir. Moring' mam. Mr. Land, I thought we'd make a round of the farm as we had discussed. See how the folk are doing" Mr. Wilbur nodded at Pa.

"Why don't you stop for breakfast, Mr. Coleman," ma asked, "There are plenty of eggs and some fresh bread."

"Oh no. Thank you, Ma'am. We best be going".

Pa grabbed his stetson and they stepped out. I stuffed a piece of bread running behind them.

"I'll be back in a minute, ma! Just checking on CM."

I rushed out before she could reply. The bushes near the gate were thick but made a good hiding spot. I quietly snuck behind them trying not to snag my dress. Pa rode up on Mara, his Quarter mare, Mr. Coleman was already seated in the wagon.

"Alright Wilbur, what's really going on?"

"There's been an incident at Straw's place."

I didn't hear anything else when a bellow of dust attacked my face. I covered my nose and peaked out but there was no one there except the empty road.