Annie's POV:
The caravan moved eastward, its wheels grinding through the sand and soil, sending up a cloud of dust that hung in the air like a mist.
Jasper would ride back to the wagon to check on me almost every hour.
"Annie, would you like some water?" Jasper rode his horse over and handed me a water skin over the wagon rail. "Are you cold? It's windy out on the plains. If the ride is too bumpy, I'll have someone prepare a horse for you."
I softened my voice. "Jasper, I'm fine."
"You've never traveled with a caravan before," he said with great consideration. "There's no shame in not being able to handle it."
I took the water skin and gave him a grateful smile.
They thought I was a delicate woman.
But before Jon went missing, I had crossed this forest day and night on my own two f
