Joseph POV The days following our handfasting were busy. Emily worked with Mum to ensure the garden would produce the vegetables we would need to harvest before winter. It was important to us to produce as much as we could ourselves, so that we didn’t rely on the mercantile at Fort Pierre. By the middle of May, they had planted most of the vegetables we would need to sustain us through the winter. Each evening, Emily would share with me the things they were planting. She explained that while she knew about gardening, it was different here due to the weather. Here in the Dakota Territory, our winters last well into April and we have to wait for the last frost before we start planting. Her eyes would light up anytime she talked about all she was learning from my Mum and it made my heart glad. The two of them get on so well. They had planted lettuce, cabbage, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and even some melons. Mum explained that they would plant potatoes and onions closer

TRIGGER WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS DISCUSSION OF MISCARRIAGE. IF THIS IS A SENSITIVE TOPIC FOR YOU, YOU MAY WISH TO SKIP OVER THAT PORTION OF THE STORY. I WILL PLACE *** WHERE IT BEGINS AND ENDS   Emily POV   It was getting late and Johnny walked through the house to my bedroom. I watched as he entered, no doubt, looking for any escape routes we may have. I heard him close the window and then he walked back out to the main living area.   “What do you do to lock up the house for the night? I don’t want your man to come in and get the drop on me while we are sleeping,” he jeered at me.   “We bolt the front door and then close the window panes. That’s all,” hoping he wouldn’t notice the large beam that we used to bolt the sliding doors on the side of the house.   He nodded, “then get it done. I need to get some sleep before he gets back. I’m gonna be sleeping outside your door,

Christmas 1866   Emily POV   There were days that I just couldn’t breathe. And other days, I was able to almost forget what I had done. But every day, I rose from our bed, put a smile on my face and did everything I could, to get through the day. I was alone in my guilt, but I wasn’t alone in my grief. I knew the others were grieving our loss, but I didn’t know how to help them, when I couldn’t even help myself.   The first few days, it seemed like everyone was being extra gentle with me. As if, they didn’t know how to act or what to say. I asked Clara about it, and she told me that they were giving me space so I could rest. My body would need to heal before I could begin to allow my heart and soul to join the healing process.   I was grateful and within a few days, my body felt as though it was back to normal. I was glad to see the jail wagon pull away, taking Johnny with it. His presence had kept m

July 1867Emily POVI had known for a couple of weeks that I was pregnant, but I hadn’t said anything to Joseph. He had told me before that he paid attention to my woman’s cycle. I kept waiting for him to mention it but he never did. So, I decided to tease him the morning that he and Thomas were headed to St. Louis. I also wanted to give him another reason to hurry home.Clara hugged me to her side as we watched them ride away. “Another bairn?” she whispered, her voice beginning to crack.I leaned my head on her shoulder as Joseph and Thomas faded into the forest. “Yes. Another baby.” I caressed my still flat tummy in wonder and joy.“Praise the Lord!” she exclaimed.Brody had come up behind us and pulled us both into a hug. I giggled as he said, “Aye! Thank the Lord, another grand-bairn for us to love.”We walked back into the house to clean up the breakfast dishes. As we re

August 20, 1867   Emily POV   About a week after Clay left for St. Louis, the courier brought another telegram: Agreed. Delayed slightly. Should arrive 12 August 1867. Jamie   Finally, Jamie was on his way. The telegram confirmed that Joseph’s estimate was correct. It would take about three weeks for them to arrive from Dodge City, Kansas. It was a long distance, made even longer when herding stubborn cattle. We had begun to worry because we had not received any word. Joseph and I had considered sending a telegram to Paris and Dodge asking if anyone had seen him.   As the weeks passed and my tummy grew, I found that loved being pregnant. Sure, being tired more easily was no picnic and I could do without the swollen ankles, but I loved the sensation of feeling my baby move in my womb. The baby was active, constantly on the move and now that I was over two thirds of the way to