Ben had to agree with Willie’s wise assessment. It did make better sense to spend the night at Badger Springs. Willie covered the dying embers of the fire with sand and went into the shelter to settle down for the night. He tossed a blanket out to Ben. Ben untied his hiking boots and slipped them off. Then, wrapping the blanket around his body and using his jacket for a pillow, he stretched out, only half-under the juniper bough roof. Looking up at the stars, he began to imagine being married to Fran. The resulting images felt very comfortable. If only he could be sure they’d feel the same way to her.
* * * *
Early the next morning, Ben helped Willie gather his herbs and break camp. They hiked out to the truck and started back to Chultova. Willie seemed in a fine humor, joking and singin
