Neither Frank nor Gregory slept well that night. Frank was unusually grumpy in the morning as he prepared to leave Gregory for eight days. Soon after the sun peeked over the eastern horizon, Jeremiah Nordhuff appeared from his homestead to the south. Gregory helped Frank ready Dove and Daisy, and then Frank climbed up into his own wagon. Just as he was about to leave, Sally whimpered from her spot on the ground.
“Aw, look, Greg, she doesn’t want me to go,” Frank said.
“Or she’s in heat, you goof,” Gregory answered with a smile. “Take care of yourself, Frankie.”
Both Frank and Jeremiah Nordhuff blushed.
“I hope the dreams don’t return,” Frank said.
“They won’t last long if they do,” Gregory said.
Frank nodded to Nordhuff, and the two of them were off, leaving Gregory behind.
Gregory
