,,SWEETBRI>

            ,,BR5DA ,,WILBEE

   ,PUBLI%$ 0,GUIDEPO/S1 ,C>MEL1 ,,NY
   ,COPY"R ^C 0,H>VE/ ,H\SE ,PUBLI%]S
            ,EUG5E1 ,OREGON
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
  ,TRANSCRIP;N ( ,,ISBN #J-HIJHA-CCF-A

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
    ,NANCY ,S*LOSS] & ,%>ON ,CILLEY
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #D ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;VI & #A-IJ


          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
 ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK @& ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
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                                    ;III




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          ,,SPECIAL ,,SYMBOLS         ;V
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              ,,SWEETBRI>             #A

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    --,BR5DA ,WILBEE








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EMPTY WALL ON H] WAY \ & %E SMIL$1
GLANC+ QKLY UP ! /AIRS 6,DAVID'S ROOM4
,B %E MISS$ ! HOLE ": ! NAIL _H BE52 %E
_H ONLY ! MORN+ 6SP5D ) ,PAMELIA4
  ,\TSIDE1 ! COOL;S (! AIR CAU<T 96H]
LUNGS &A %>P CRY CAME 6H] LIPS4 ,! _W 0
S B1UTI;L1 S /4 ,! GRE5;S (! NEW L1VES
UNCURL+ F B>E BR[N TWIGS BROKE ! S(T;S (
! SKY &A GRT L"OLI;S SEEM$ 6R1* \1 T\*+
H] HESITANTLY4 ,!N X HU7$ H] TI<TLY1 &
TE>S SPRANG UP4 ,L\ISA TURN$ F ! H\SE &
RAN D[N ! DIRT ROAD 96T[N1 SIDE/EPP+ !
FROZ5 MUD PU4LES ) LL HOPS & L1PS4   #AG
,ONCE %E LOOK$ BACK 6SEE T NO "O FOLL[$
OR WAT*$ \ A W9D[4 ,NO "O 0 6SEE T %E
DIDN'T H ! MIRROR ) H]4
  8,L\ISA60
  ,%E LOOK$ UP & SAW H] DE>E/ FR RUNN+
T[>D H]4 ,! 4T.E 2T !M CLOS$1 & !N !Y 7
TGR1 HU7+ EA* O!R1 BO? ( !M WEEP+4
  8,N[ J LOOK AT U10 ,PAMELIA SCOLD$ Z
%E DA2$ AT H] EYES4 8,A C\PLE ( OLD
S*OOLM>MS CRY+ 9 ! /REET40 ,%E TRI$ TO
SMILE4 8,GD;S1 ,I ?"\ WE PROMIS$ \RVS NO
SC5ES :5 X CAME "T4 ,WE DID SAY T1
DIDN'T WE1 ,L\ISA80
  ,L\ISA NO4$ & WIP$ H] [N EYES4 ,!Y SD
NO?+ FUR!R Z !Y WALK$ 96,*]RY ,GROVE1
PASS+ 0,PA ,D5NY'S WAGONS )\T -;T4
,BIRDS *ATT]$1 HOPP+ AB UNCONC]N$ & HUR-
RY+ 6GA!R _! WORMS4 ,L\ISA & ,PAMELIA
WALK$ QUIETLY AL;G ! PICKET$ F;ES ( ,MA9
,/REET UNTIL AT LA/ ! ,DUNLAP'S PLACE
CAME 96VIEW4 ,! TANGL$ GR[? (! SWEETBRI>
BU%ES1 WRAPP$ OV] & >.D ! >*$ GATEWAY1
LET BITS (! GA!R+ BLUE PEEP "?1 LL TW9-
KLES ( COLOR "? ! GRE54
  8,D Y SUPPOSE ! SWEETBRI> HAS      #AH
ANY BLOSSOMS YET80 ,L\ISA ASK$1 SCANN+ !
GR[? ) H] EYES4 ,!Y 7 L>GE EYES1 S(T1 A
G5TLE BR[N AG/ H] FAIR SK94 ,! COLD 0
BR++ ! ROSE FLU% ( H] *EEKS 6A P1K1 &!
COLOR 9 H] FACE BR"\ M COLOR 6H] EYES4
  8,OH1 NO1 N YET10 ,PAMELIA SD4 8,NEXT
MON? ''' MAYBE40
  8,X'S NO MATT]10 ,L\ISA SI<$4 8,6EAT
BR1KFA/ ) Y ? MORN+ W 2 J Z GD40 ,!Y
/EPP$ 96,MR4 ,DUNLAP'S G>D5 & %E LOOK$
AB1 LETT+ H] EYES ABSORB ! SPR+ B1UTY1 !
MEMORIES ( HAPPY "TS PLAY+ "H Z A *4 ,A
TA#1 SET UP 9 ! CORN] (! G>D51 /OOD
WAIT+ = !M1 LAID ) ,MRS4 ,DUNLAP'S SIL-
V]4 ,A FEW E>LY SN[DROPS BLOOM$ NE>BY4
8,OH1 ,PAM ''' X'S B1UTI;L10 ,L\ISA
BR1!D \4 8,:AT A LOVELY LA/ MORN+60
  ,A DOOR SLAMM$ &! R.D$ FIGURE ( ,MRS4
,DUNLAP CAME D[N ! V]&A /EPS4 ,9 H] H&
%E HELD A PLATE ( /1M+ HOT C9NAMON
ROLLS4
  8,GD MORN+1 ,LIZA DE>60 SMIL$ ,PAMEL-
IA'S "M4 8,:AT A F9E MORN+ = Y TWO60 ,%E
SET ! ROLLS D[N & P\R$ A /R1M ( C(FEE
96! *9A T1CUPS4 8,SIT D[N N[1        #AI
GIRLS10 %E FUSS$4 8,"!'S FRE% BUTT] "!1
,L\ISA MY DE>4 ,FRE% F ,DAISY \ BACK4 ,&
! CR1M CAME (F ! TOP ? MORN+40 ,%E /OOD
ASIDE1 PUT H] H&S ": H] HIPS 7 SUPPOS$
6H BE51 & B1M$ BROADLY4 8,X'S A F9E ,PA
Y GOT "!1 ,L\ISA MY DE>1 LETT+ Y H !
MORN+ ) ,PAMELIA40 ,%E WIP$ H] APRON OV]
H] FACE & C\<$1 BL9K+ QKLY4 8,N[ EAT
UP10 %E *ID$4 8,"!'S PL5TY M IF & :5
Y'RE R1DY40 ,%E HURRI$ AWAY1 & ,L\ISA
LI/5$ =! BANG (! DOOR4
  ,! MORN+ PASS$ QKLY4 ,L\ISA & ,PAMELIA
%>$ DR1MS1 HOPES1 3FID$ SECRETS4 ,!Y
SPOKE ( "EY?+1 ( NO?+4 ,ALL ! :ILE ! SUN
CLIMB$ ! SKY UNTIL X R1*$ XS HI<E/ PO9T4
,L\ISA LOOK$ UP AT X1 H] H& %IELD+ H]
EYES F XS 9T5S;Y4 ,SIL;E DESC5D$1 & _!
EYES MET4
  8,I SUPPOSE Y'LL 2 HAV+ 6G10 ,PAMELIA
V5TUR$4 8,YR H\SE "\ 6BE EMPTY 0N[4 ,YR
,PA'LL 2 WANT+ 6PULL \40
  ,L\ISA NO4$1 AFRAID 6SP1K4 8,ANNA'S
FOLKS & "S (! ,D5NY RELATIVES 7 GO+ TO
DIVVY UP ! FURNITURE10 %E :ISP]$1 3SCI\S
ONLY T ^WS CAME F H] M\?4            #BJ
  8,I "K '''40
  8,I GOT MY MIRROR HI45 LA/ NI<T4 ,MA
?9KS ,I BR"\ X 6Y ? MORN+40
  ,AG SIL;E DESC5D$1 3SUM+ ! UNSPOK5
^WS4 ,A RAPP+ ON ! W9D[ MADE !M BO? LOOK
UP1 & ,L\ISA WAV$ 6! LL GIRL :O /OOD 2H
! GLASS4 ,! *'S BRAIDS HUNG L;G OV] H]
%\LD]S1 B H] BANGS1 USU,Y S N1T &
/RAI<T1 7 %OV$ UP H] =EH1D 9 A TANGL$
ME%+4
  8,DULLY'S / BURN+ UP )! :OOP+ C\<1
ISN'T %E80 ,L\ISA SD4 ,PAMELIA NO4$4
,DULLY 0 ,PAMELIA'S LL SI/]1 ! PLAYMATE
( ,L\ISA'S NIECES4 ,?REE1 FIVE1 & SIX1
,NORA1 ,DULLY1 & ,KATE 7 A ?REE"S1 A
TRIO ( LAU<T] & B"R SMILES1 & ?REE PAIRS
( LEGS T KICK$ \ TOO M* ON ! FRONT PEW
AT ! ,ME?ODI/ *UR*4
  8,YR SI/] TELL ! GIRLS YET T !Y C'T
SAY GD-BYE 6,DULLY80 ,PAM ASK$4
  8,KATE & ,NORA DON'T EV5 "K WE'RE L1V+
TD4 ,MA ?"\ X BE/ & ,M>Y ,ANN AGRE$40
  ,PAMELIA %OOK H] H1D SL[LY4 8,X'LL 2
H>D ON !M4 ,!Y'RE 9SEP>A#4 ,& ,DULLY'S S
MIS]A# ) ? :OOP+ C\<4 ,:5 %E F9DS    #BA
\--0 ,PAMELIA'S VOICE DROPP$ & SL[$ Z !Y
WAT*$ ,MRS4 ,DUNLAP REMOVE ! * F ! W9D[4
8,:5 %E F9DS \ T ,KATE & ,NORA H G"O1 &
T %E DIDN'T GET 6SAY GD-BYE ''' ,I DON'T
"K ''' ,%E CRIES S1 EV5 N[1 WANT+ !M 6-E
PLAY40
  ,L\ISA R1*$ = ,PAMELIA'S H& & _! F+]S
TI<T5$4 8,X HAS 6BE ? WAY4 ,WE C'T RISK
! *N -+ D[N )! :OOP+ C\<4 ,WE'VE GOT !
BABIES 6?9K (40
  8,I "K '''40
  8,-E1 LET'S /ROLL "? ! G>D510 SD ,L\I-
SA SU45LY4 8,!N ,I'LL G ON40 ,>M 9 >M !Y
WALK$ "? ! C>E;LLY CULTIVAT$ FL[] B$S4
,TULIPS NOS$ GRE5 SPIKES UP \ (! COLD1
H>D E>? & DA6ODIL /EMS CR[D$ ! F;E4 ,L\-
ISA R1*$ \ 6! SWEETBRI> & RU2$ A T9Y BUD
2T H] F+]S4 8,IF ONLY "! 0 J "O 9
BLOOM10 %E :ISP]$4 ,%E WANT$ 6SEE ! P9K
ROSE1 ! FIVE PETALS1 ! ?R1D$ VE9S ( D>K]
P9K4 ,TE>S GAVE WAY4 8,I J WANT$ "O1
,PAMELIA10 %E CRI$4 8,J "O4 ,I NE$ "S?+
6TAKE ) ME1 6HOLD ONTO40
  ,!Y BO? CRI$ !N & HELD 6EA* O!R1
OV]COME )! SORR[ & PA9 ( X ALL4      #BB
8,I C'T SAY GD-BYE10 ,PAMELIA CRI$4
8,X'S L 2+ TORN AS"U60 ,A ROB9 HOPP$
CLOSE & COCK$ 8 H1D4 ,HE HOPP$ AWAY UN-
NOTIC$4
  8,! SE$S60 ,L\ISA %RIEK$4 ,%E PULL$
AWAY4 8,PAMELIA1 ! SWEETBRI> SE$S WE
GA!R$ LA/ YE>6 ,Y H !M 9 YR BUR1U6 ,G
GET ME HALF6 ,Z SOON Z ,I GET MY [N HOME
9 ! ,PROMIS$ ,L& ,I'LL PLANT !M & S5D ^W
6Y1 & Y C PLANT YRS6 ,X'LL 2 A TRY/ 2T
U60
  ,PAM DA%$ (F & ,L\ISA PLUCK$ A CLOS$
ROSE4 ,9 A MO;T ,PAMELIA 0 BACK1 ! SE$S
TUCK$ AWAY 9 A L95 CLO?4 ,%E 0 SMIL+1 &!
SMILE1 AL;G )! TE>-LU/] ( H] BLUE EYES1
MADE H] RADIANT4 8,X'S A PROMISE60 %E
CRI$ BR1?.SLY4 ,%E PU%$ ! SE$S 96,L\I-
SA'S H&4 8,BLOSSOMS COV] ?ORNS6 ,J RE-
MEMB] T1 ,L\ISA6 ,LOOK =! B1UTY1 ! SPR+4
,ALW60
  ,L\ISA ?REW H] >MS >.D H] FR4 8,X'S A
LOVELY ?"\ ''' /RAI<T F ,GOD1 ,I ?9K60
  8,WE .W MEET AG1 ,LIZA10 ,PAM :ISP]$4
8,ON ! O!R SIDE40
  ,L\ISA NO4$1 !N IMPULSIVELY        #BC
PRESS$ ! SMALL ROSEBUD 6,PAMELIA4
  8,Y WRITE :5 Y & ,DAVID M>RY80 ,PAM
ASK$4
  8,HE DOESN'T--0
  8,%H4 ,LOOK =! SPR+4 ,REMEMB] T4 ,X
ALW -ES40
  ,L\ISA NO4$1 TE>S /R1M+ D[N H] FACE
N[4 8,I W40 ,%E BIT H] LIP & NO4$ AG1
HU7$ H] FR =! LA/ "T1 !N TURN$ & RAN4 ,!
SE$S 7 FI/$ TI<T 9 H] H&1 & :5 %E _H
PASS$ "? ! GATE %E /OPP$ & OP5$ \ !
CLO?4 ,! SE$S1 ! PROMISE ( SPR+1 ( LIFE1
LAY 9 A SMALL H1P1 S T9Y & 9SIGNIFICANT3
QUIETLY %E MADE H] DECI.N--%E WD PLACE !
SE$S 2T ! PAGES ( H] ,BI# UNTIL %E R1*$
! ,PROMIS$ ,L& (! ,WE/4
  ,!N %E WALK$ SL[LY T[>D ! WAGONS4







                                     #BD
























                   #B                #BE

  8,! SEP>,N F DE>LY LOV$ FRS1 LEFT F>
2H1 WR"\ ^U ! M9D (! PIONE] WOMAN 6MAKE
H] SAD 6MELAN*OLY4 '''0
    --,EMILY ,9EZ ,D5NY 9 .,BLAZ+ .!
    .,WAY

  ,L\ISA WALK$ QKLY1 N LOOK+ BACK4 ,AT
"TS %E BROKE 96A RUN4 8,LOOK = SPR+10
,PAMELIA _H SD4 ,H1D D[N1 %E WAT*$ H]
FEET MOVE AL;G ! ROAD Z %E FL$ ! HOLL[;S
T *AS$1 R1DY 6SWALL[ H] UP 9 ! VACUUM4
8,LOOK = SPR+1 LOOK = SPR+10 %E *ANT$ 9
"T4
  ,:5 %E CAME 6! PLACE ": ! WAGONS 7
SUPPOS$ 6BE1 !Y 7 G"O4 ,=A MO;T %E /OOD
/UNN$1 UNCOMPREH5D+1 & !N %E REMEMB]$4
,PA _H SD !Y WD 2 UP AT ! H\SE1 CLOSE 6!
B>N4 ,%E TURN$ F ! SPOT & H1D$ UPHILL1
REMEMB]+ / M ?+S3 ! *N 9 H] CLASS AT !
"O-ROOM S*OOLH\SE1 ! SEW+ CIRCLE1 H]
VOICE LESSON1 & OLD ,MRS4 ,WESSEL1 :O
LIK$ 69S9UATE T BO? %E & ,PAMELIA WD ALW
2 SP9/]S4 8,/OP CRY+60 %E -M&$ H]F "?
CL5*$ TEE?4 ,DAVID .DID C>E--HE _H   #BF
TO4 ,%E REMEMB]$ ! WAY HE _H LOOK$ AT H]
LA/ NI<T4 ,8 EYES1 A W>M L1!R-BR[N1 _H
LOOK$ 96H]S1 & !Y _H SE5 H]4
  8,HI1 "!60
  ,L\ISA'S H1D J]K$ UP AT ! S.D4 ,JAMES
,D5NY WAV$ & DREW CLOSE4 8,J -+ 6MEET
Y60 HE CALL$1 RUNN+ ! LA/ (! 4T.E4
8,PA'S R1DY 6H1D ON \60
  ,AT #BG ,JAMES /OOD A P[];L MAN1 8
MUSCLES KE5LY DEVELOP$ F H>D "W ON !
F>M4 ,! ,NORDIC BLOOD T CROPP$ UP N[ &
!N 9 ! ,D5NY L9E _H -E 6,JAMES1 = 8 SK9
0 ALM A RUSSET COLOR4 ,8 HAIR & BE>D &
MU/A*E 7 R$ TOO1 B M ! COLOR ( BURNT
FIELDS 9 AUTUMN4 ,"EY?+ AB HM 0 R$--"EY-
?+ B 8 EYES4 8,L BABY ROB9 E7S10 ,L\ISA
ALW ?"\4 ,A H&"S MAN1 FULL ( /R5G? &
W>M?1 TEMP] & VITAL;Y1 HE 0 ,L\ISA'S FA-
VORITE--NEXT 6,DAVID1 T IS1 & ,DO29S1 H]
[N BLOOD BRO!R4
  ,L\ISA R1*$ = H] HAIR 6PU% X F H]
FACE4 ,%E FELT H] F+]S TREM# AG/ H] TEM-
PLE4
  8,L\ISA8 ,Y ALL "R80
  8,OH1 ,JAMES '''0                  #BG
  ,9 "O /RIDE HE _H H] 9 8 >MS1 & %E
PU%$ H] FACE 96HIS %\LD]4 8,LIZA1 X'S
ALL "R10 HE :ISP]$4 8,X'S BAD1 ,I "K1 B
X'LL PASS4 ,I PROMISE40
  8,I MISS H] ALR10 %E CRI$ 96! BLUE
FLANNEL T 0 8 %IRT4
  8,:O1 H"OY80
  8,PAMELIA ''' H[ AB ,MA1 ! BABIES '''
:AT IF "S?+ 7 6HAPP51 ,JAMES80 ,%E LOOK$
UP AT HM4 8,I'M AFRAID4 '''0
  ,HE SD NO?+ & %E SE>*$ 8 FACE = ASSUR-
.E4 ,HE ALW _H X = H]4 8,X'S GO+ 6BE ALL
"R10 HE TOLD H]1 & %E FELT 8 >MS TI<T5
AB H] BACK4
  8,H[ OLD 0 YR ,MA :5 %E DI$80 %E DEM&$
SU45LY1 PULL+ BACK4
  8,:AT80
  8,I WANT 6"K H[ OLD YR ,MA 0 :5 %E
DI$40
  ,JAMES :I/L$ "? 8 LIPS1 YANK$ 8 CAP F
8 H1D1 & RAN A H& "? ! ?ICK HAIR4 8,Y "K
ALL ? ''' HAPP5$ MAYBE T5 YE>S AGO N[4
'''0
  8,H[ L;G 0 %E ILL80
  8,I DON'T "K ''' Z L;G Z ,I C      #BH
REMEMB]4 ,:AT'S ? GOT 6D ) ANY?+80
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,GUESS ,I 0 J WOND]+ AB
MY [N ,MA40
  8,AH60 ,HE LAU<$--SU45LY1 SPONTANE\S-
LY1 Z ALL ! ,D5NYS DID4 8,:AT'D Y & ,PA-
MELIA TALK AB ANYWAY8 ,RATTLESNAKES &
,9DIANS80
  8,( C\RSE N60
  ,HE GR9N$ & L1N$ =W>D1 H&S ON 8 HIPS4
8,WE GOT 6GET Y LAU<+ AG1 ,L\ISA ,BOR540
,HE SPOKE 6H] Z HE DID 6,KATE & ,NORA4
8,? IS A GD "D & WE C'T H Y SPOIL+ X4
,:AT IS X T ,MA KEEPS SAY+8 ,8,? IS ! "D
T ! ,"L HAS MADE4 ,LET U RJC 9 X & 2
GLAD0'80 ,HE GAVE H] A PROD4 8,GET GO+4
,C'T H ,MA SEE+ T L;G FACE ( YRS1 S
WE'RE GO+ 6H A RACE 6T OAK TREE OV] "!40
,HE LAU<$ L[ 9 8 ?ROAT1 & GRAY D>TS (
LI<T CAME 6HIS EYES4 8,X'S ": ,I KISS$
MY F/ GIRL6 ,G ON1 ,I'LL GIVE Y A H1D
/>T60
  ,%E LAU<$ !N4 ,JAMES CD ALW MAKE H]
LAU<4 ,X 0 ! WAY HE TOOK *>GE1 ! WAY HE
SMIL$ & GAVE 9 S EASILY 6HIS [N LAU<T]1
Z IF HE [N$ X ALL & 0 WILL+ 6%>E     #BI
X4 8,G ON60 HE HOLL]$4
  ,%E RAN SWIFTLY1 LIFT+ H] SKIRTS HI< Z
%E L1P$ OV] ! MUD PU4LES1 S(T & MESSY N[
)! W>M+ SUN4 ,! BREEZE LIFT$ H] HAIR F
(F H] NECK & :IPP$ 96H] *EEKS4 ,%E CD
HE> HM LUMB]+ UP 2H1 CLOS] & CLOS]1 UN-
TIL 8 >MS SWUNG \ & CAU<T H]4 ,%E HU7$
TI<T1 H1D D[N1 Z HE TWIRL$ H] 9 MAD CIR-
CLES4
  8,/OP60 %E SCR1M$4 8,5\<1 5\<60
  8,NO M P\T+80
  8,NO60
  8,PROMISE80
  8,I PROMISE60
  ,! E>? SCRAP$ H] TOES1 H] FEET DUG IN4
,! _W / SPUN \ ( FOCUS2 ONLY ,JAMES HELD
X 9 PLACE4 ,!N SL[LY1 SL[LY1 ! :IRL+1 !
REEL+1 UNRAVEL$ & %E CRUMPL$ 96HIS >MS4
8,OH1 ?ANK Y60 %E LAU<$4 8,T'S J :AT ,I
NE$$60 ,8 H& CAME UP & CUPP$ ! BACK ( H]
H1D2 "EY?+ 0 /A#1 SECURE4 ,HE 0 H] FR1
H] BRO!R1 & %E KISS$ 8 *EEK ! WAY %E ALW
DID4
  ,HE RU2$ ! SPOT )! BACK ( 8 H&4 8,-E
ON1 WE BETT] 2 GO+ ON1 OR ,PA'LL 2   #CJ
S5D+ "S"O AF U40
  ,NEI ( !M SAW ,DAVID ON ! CRE/ (!
HILL4 ,HE /OOD LOOK+ D[N ON !M1 8 JAW
DRAWN TI<T L ! /R+ (A R1DI$ B[4 ,8 BOOT
SWUNG \1 KICK+ ! AIR1 & !N HE SPUN AB &
4APPE>$ OV] ! RIDGE4

  8,YIP6 ,YIP60 A :IP CRACK$ ! AIR4
  ,WAGONS GROAN$1 !N LUR*$ =W>D4 ,:EELS
CIRCL$ >.D1 GA!R$ MO;TUM1 & SLIPP$ 96AN
EASY ROLL4 ,L\ISA1 9 ! L1D WAGON1 SAT )
,KATE & ,NORA "U EA* >M1 &! ?REE ( !M
SWAY$ Z "O 6! JO/L+ MO;N4 ,! *N 7
/RANGELY QUIET Z !Y PASS$ ! H\SE & H1D$
WE/ 96T[N4
  ,! F>MH\SE1 EMPTY N[1 /OOD ) XS DOOR
OP54 ,! 5TRY1 )! COATS PACK$ & G"O1
LOOK$ L>GE & DESOLATE1 &! G>D51 NEGLECT$
= O!R ?+S1 0 RIOT$ OV] ) WE$S4
  8,WAIT60 ,L\ISA'S SI/] JUMP$ F A WAGON
& RAN 6! WIDE V]&A4 ,! POR* SW+ 0 /
HUNG1 & H] SKIRT T\*$ X Z %E PU%$ PA/4
  8,:AT >E Y DO+80 ,>?UR ?"U$ AF 8 WIFE4
8,-E BACK "H60 ,B ,M>Y ,ANN 0 G"O4
  ,L\ISA WAT*$ ,>?UR CLOSELY F ":    #CA
%E SAT 9 ! WAGON AH1D4 ,%E CD SEE ! MUS-
CLES ( 8 FACE RIPPLE Z HE =C$ 8 M\? 96A
/RAI<T L9E4 ,%E _H ALW ?"\ ,>?UR 6BE AT-
TRACTIVE 9 A MASCUL9E SORT ( WAY1 ) 8
HAIR ! COLOR ( CL1N S& & 8 EYES BLUE L !
S(T Y>N T ,MA US$ 6KNIT BABY %OES )4
  ,>?UR 0 ! "O :O MO/ LOOK$ L 8 "F4 ,B
HE _H B5EFIT$ 0! SORT+ \ & H&+ D[N (
G5ES1 = HE _H N"O (! SCRA7I;S ( ,JOHN
,D5NY'S FACE2 ,PA'S R\< F1TURES & PROMI-
N5T NOSE _H SETTL$ M CALMLY ON ,>?UR4
  ,& L ! SIMIL>-YET-ALT]$ PHYSIQUE1 ,>-
?UR _H ,PA'S TEMP]A;T4 ,!Y 7 BO? M5
DRIV5 0A RE/.S;S1 A 4CONT5T 6LET M$IOC-
R;Y REIGN4 ,IF "! 0 A BETT] WAY1 X 0 6BE
S"\ AF4 ,B Z ,PA 0 PATI5T 9 8 P]SI/;E &
C>RY+ \ ( PLANS--N"E "O 6LOSE 8 S5SE (
HUMOR OR 6TAKE HMF OR ANY"O ELSE TOO SE-
RI\SLY--,>?UR 0 BRUSQUE & IMPATI5T :5 8
PLANS OR ID1S 7 CROSS$ OR DELAY$4 ,L\ISA
SAW ! /RAI<T L9E ( 8 M\? GIVE WAY 6A
SC[L4 8,:AT 9 T>N,N IS %E DO+80 HE BEL-
L[$4 8,JUMP+ F A MOV+ WAGON 9 H] 3DI;N6
,%E'LL MISC>RY = SURE60
  8,%E NE$S "O LA/ LOOK1 ,SON10 SD   #CB
,PA F UP FRONT4 8,DON'T LET YR IMPATI;E
& 3C]N GET TANGL$6 ,LET H] H X 9 P1CE60
,NO "O SD ANYMORE :ILE !Y WAIT$4
  ,! CANVAS SIDES (! WAGON 7 ROLL$ HI<1
& ,L\ISA _H LL TR\# SEE+ ! =LORN;S (!
F>M4 ,%E CD SEE ! B>N2 ! ROO/+ H\SE =!
*ICK5S 7!Y _H ALL BE5 %>$ 0NEI<BORS72 &!
PRIVY1 XS RU/$ GATE HANG+ LOPSID$ & OP54
,M>Y ,ANN1 %E SAW1 MOV$ F ROOM 6ROOM 9 !
H\SE1 APPE>+ F/ AT "O W9D[1 !N ANO!R4
  ,:5 ,M>Y CAME 6! DOOR %E /OOD A L;G
"T4 ,! HORSES :9NI$ 9 IMPATI;E1 & ,L\ISA
CD SEE T ,>?UR REMA9$ QUIET ) GRT DI6I-
CULTY4 ,! KNUCKLES ( 8 H&S 7 :ITE F
GRIPP+ ! RE9S S TI<TLY2 X 0 :AT MADE HM
S F9E--HIS 3TROL1 ! WAY HE CD *ECK 8 AG-
IT,N4
  8,:AT'S ,MAMA DO+80 ,NORA ASK$ SU45LY1
BR1K+ ! /RA94 ,! * SLIPP$ AWAY F ,L\ISA
6HANG OV] ! BACKBO>D4 8,HELLO1 ,PAPA10
%E CALL$ 6H] "F4 ,>?UR NO4$ AT ! ?REE-
YE>-OLD1 8 EYE / ON ,M>Y ,ANN4 ,%E _H
G"O 6! G>D5 & 0 PULL+ WE$S4 ,:5 %E F9,Y
/OOD %E _H "O 9 H] H&1 XS L;G1 TANGL$
ROOTS DANGL+ F H] CLOS$ FI/4 ,X      #CC
HUNG LIMPLY1 DROPP+ BITS ( SOIL BACK 6!
E>?4 ,M>Y HELD X \1 H] H& OP5 N[1 PALM
UP1 & !N H] F+]S DROPP$ L[ &! WE$ FELL
)\T S.D4
  ,>?UR HELP$ H] UP )\T A ^W1 & ,M>Y
,ANN SAT 2S HM /I6LY4 ,H] H&S 7 SET OV]
H] /OMA* ": X _H J 2GUN 6SWELL ) H]
PREGNANCY & H] FACE LOOK$ WE/4 8,I =GOT
6PACK FL[] SE$S10 %E :ISP]$4
  ,M>Y ,ANN R>ELY CRI$1 & %E DIDN'T N[4
,L\ISA GL.ED BACK 6H] TRUNK2 X 0 W$G$
TI<T ) FL\R SACKS1 B>RELS ( SALT PORK1
BAGS ( CORNM1L1 & O!R ?+S4 ,=A MO;T %E
DEBAT$1 !N SETTL$ BACK4 ,! FL[] SE$S CD
WAIT4 ,M>Y 0 /R;G4
  ,! :EELS TURN$ AG &! WAGONS MOV$ ON4
,PA L$ ! HORSES 96T[N1 TURN+ !M 6,MA9
,/REET1 ": HE /OPP$ 6LET ! O!R ?REE WAG-
ONS L1D \4 ,ALL AL;G ! :ITE PICKET$ F;ES
_! FRS /OOD1 & ,L\ISA GASP$ AT ! RO> (!
%\T$ GD-BYES4 ,>?UR & ,M>Y ,ANN PULL$ \
F/4 ,DO29S & ,ANNA1 ) LL ,G]TRUDE BAL.ED
ON A LAP1 W5T NEXT1 & ,JAMES ?IRD4 ,PA
CUT IN1 & SL[LY !Y MADE _! WAY "? ,*]RY
,GROVE4 ,ALL ! FRS HELD H&K]*IEFS    #CD
HI< OV]H1D1 &! :ITE FLUTT]$ AG/ ! BLUE;S
(! SKY1 L LL CL\DS SKITT]+ 9 ! W9D 2Y4
  8,LOOK6 ,"!'S ,DULLY60 %RIEK$ ,KATE1 &
2F ,L\ISA CD /OP !M1 ! *N _H SCRAM#D OV]
! BACKBO>D & 7 RAC+ BACK 6_! FR4 ,TOO
%ORT 6SEE OV] ! F;E1 !Y KISS$ ,DULLY 2T
! N>R[ PICKET SLATS4
  ,DAVID 0 "! 9/ANTLY1 GALLOP+ UP F !
RE>4 ,HE PULL$ ! GIRLS AWAY G5TLY1 PRY+
_! >MS F ! PO/S1 & C>RI$ !M ON ! BACK (
8 HORSE 6,L\ISA4 ,=A MO;T _! EYES MET4
,B ! S(T;S T _H BE5 "! ! NI<T 2F 0 G"O4
,L\ISA BL9K$ 9 HURT 4MAY4 8,! GD-BYES >E
H>D10 %E MUM#D4 ,HE NO4$1 CLUCK$ 6HIS
HORSE1 & 0 G"O4
  ,L\ISA LOOK$ BACK1 \ 6! MASS ( FRS1
BLURR$ N[ 0H] TE>S4 ,"S"O RAN 6! MI4LE (
! ROAD4 ,X 0 ,PAMELIA1 H] >MS RAIS$ HI<1
WAV+1 4APPE>+1 SWALL[$ UP 9 ! 4T.E4 ,A
WAVE ( OV]:ELM+ SAD;S BUR/ F ! PIT (
,L\ISA'S /OMA*1 & %E ROSE UP ON H] KNEES
Z IF 6SEE BETT] 0 6EASE ! PA94 ,%E WAV$
UNTIL H] %\LD]S A*$1 UNTIL H] >MS DROPP$
)\T FEEL+ 6H] SIDE4 ,TOO SOON ! FRS 7
G"O1 & ONLY ! RUTS (! WAGONS M>K+    #CE
! MUD TRAIL$ \ 2H !M1 /RET*+ L SPOIL$
RI2ONS BACK 6A _W T _H G"O ="E4






















                                     #CF
























                   #C                #CG

  8,6ADD 6! WORRY & 4COM=T ( ,M>Y ,D5NY1
:O 0 EXPECT+ H] ?IRD * 9 A FEW MON?S1
,L5ORA & ,CA!R9E DEVELOP$ :OOP+ C\< Z A
RESULT (! KISSES /OL5 "? ! PICKET F;E40
    --,ROB]TA ,FRYE ,WATT 9 .,F\R .,WAG-
    ONS .,WE/

  8,AUNTIE1 ,I'M S HOT '''0
  8,I "K Y >E1 ,KATE10 :ISP]$ ,L\ISA4
,%E LAID A WET CLO? ACR ! SIX-YE>-OLD'S
=EH1D4 8,Y TRY 6SLEEP40 ,! * SI<$ & LET
H] *EEK FALL ONTO ! PILL[S4 ,A T9Y
SMILE1 HALF-HI45 9 ! COV]+S1 CAME1 !N
W5T4 ,%E %UT H] EYES & SLEPT4
  ,! F/ TWO WEEKS (! J\RNEY _H BE5 PL1S-
ANT4 ,! FRE% >OMA ( SPR+ _H SC5T$ ! AIR1
& FL[]S ( E COLOR _H DOTT$ ! MILES 2T
T[NS4 ,I[A TUM#D & ROSE UP L ! WAVES (!
SEA2 GRE5 GRASS1 LU% & ?ICK1 PASS$ "U-
FOOT Z ,JOHN ,D5NY L$ !M WE/W>D4 ,! "DS
BL5D$ TGR Z ! TRAVEL]S ADJU/$ !MVS 6!
*ANGE4 ,B !N ,KATE _H SNEEZ$1 ,NORA'S
NOSE _H 2GUN 6RUN1 &! 3T5T;T T _H P]M1T$
! F\R WAGONS 4SIPAT$ )! R1LIZ,N T    #CH
! :OOP+ C\< _H -E ) !M4
  ,N[ BO? ,L5ORA & ,CA!R9E LAY ILL 9 !
BACK (A WAGON Z !Y J\NC$ OV] ! ROAD1 TOO
LI/.S 6EV5 RAISE _! H1DS4 ,H\R 0H\R ,L\-
ISA TOLD !M /ORIES1 BA!D !M D[N1 & TOLD
!M M TALES4 ,ONLY AN ATTACK1 VICI\S 9 XS
GRIP1 9T]RUPT$ ! R\T9E1 J]K+ _! SW1T$
BODIES UP SPASMODIC,Y 6C\<4 ,X 0 ) GRT
DESPAIR T !Y KEPT GO+1 "O W>M "D AT A
"T1 &! WOM5 SD NO?+ Z EA* MORN+ ,PA
HIT*$ UP ! HORSES1 FAC+ !M / WE/W>D4
  8,MAYBE WE'LL F9D A DOCTOR 9 ,KANES-
VILLE10 ,PA SD "O "D AT ! NOON /OP4 ,M>Y
,ANN SI<$ & LOOK$ AWAY4 8,!Y'D 2 J Z
SICK AT HOME1 ,M>Y10 HE TOLD H] K9DLY4
8,& L ,I SD1 MAYBE "!'LL 2 A DOCTOR 9
,KANESVILLE40
  8,KANESVILLE80 ,M>Y'S FAC$ %[$ ! /RA94
8,ISN'T T ": WE CROSS ! ,MISS\RI80 ,PA
NO4$4
  8,H[ C ,I TAKE MY BABIES \ 96! PRAIRIE
:5 !Y'RE S ILL80 ,HE DIDN'T ANSW]4
  8,WE WON'T40 ,>?UR FAC$ 8 "F4 8,N UN-
TIL !Y'RE ON ! M5D W WE PROCE$40
  8,WE'LL WA/E "T1 ,SON4 ,X'S IM-    #CI
P]ATIVE T WE KEEP MOV+40
  8,WE'RE N GO+ UNTIL ! GIRLS >E /R;G]4
,LOOK1 ,PA1 Y'VE SD M ?AN ONCE N 6GET MY
IMPATI;E TANGL$ ) MY 3C]N4 ,S ? IS ! WAY
X'S GO+ 6BE40
  ,JOHN ,D5NY RU2$ ! BACK ( 8 B[$ H1D )
BO? H&S4 ,!Y 7 GN>L$1 %[+ ! NE>LY #EH
YE>S ( WE>4 ,"O NAIL _H BE5 HAMM]$ CL1N
(F & ANO!R 0 SPLIT L ! CLOV5 HO( ( AN
ANIMAL4 ,! KNUCKLES 7 R.D & R$1 ! VE9S
PROM95T4 8,Y'RE "R1 Y'RE "R10 HE SD WEA-
RILY4 8,WE'LL WAIT4 ,B M9D Y10 HE A4$1
LOOK+ ,>?UR 9 ! EYE1 BLUE AG/ BLUE1
8,I'LL N HOLE UP TOO L;G40
  ,! AFN PASS$ SL[LY1 &! *N'S FEV] SEEM$
6M.T4 ,L\ISA RODE 9 ,M>Y ,ANN & ,>?UR'S
WAGON1 ": %E CD T5D !M1 & %E PASS$ ! "T
WAT*+ ,DAVID4 ,%E CD SEE HM (F 6! LEFT1
PU%+ ! FIVE MIL* C[S T !Y _H BR"\ AL;G4
,HE HOLL]$ "S?+ 6,WILEY1 ! "YE/ (! ,D5NY
BRO!RS1 &! SEV5TE5-YE>-OLD BOY MOV$ EA/4
,! CATTLE BUN*$ TGR & 3T9U$ =W>D4
  ,L5ORA /IRR$ & ,L\ISA WRUNG \ ! CLO?
6BA! LL ,NORA'S FLU%$ *EEKS4 ,M>Y ,ANN 0
ASLEEP TOO1 %E] EXHAUS;N F9,Y PUT-   #DJ
T+ H] D[N4 ,%E LAY ) H] FEET PROPP$ UP
ON A PILE ( B$D+1 H] %OES (F4 ,!Y _H BE-
GUN 6SWELL A BIT1 J 5 6P9*1 & H] ONLY
RELIEF 0 6SET !M UP B>EFOOT4 ,H] H&1 Z
ALM ALW1 RE/$ OV] H] /OMA*1 A SMALL F\R
MON?S SWOLL54 ,J YE/]"D ! BABY _H 2GUN
6KICK4
  ,SU45LY ,KATE SAT & C\<$ VIOL5TLY1 OV]
& OV]1 :ILE H] LIPS TOOK ON A BLUI% T+E4
,%E CLAW$ AT ,L\ISA1 H] BR[N EYES WIDE )
F"R1 W9D[+ ! T]ROR )94 ,M>Y ,ANN 0 AWAKE
9/ANTLY1 & TGR %E & ,L\ISA ?UMP$ !
GIRL'S BACK ) QK1 FIRM SLAPS4 ,MUC\S
DRA9$ F ,KATE'S M\?1 & 2F %E CD CAT* H]
BR1?1 %E 2GAN 6RET*1 SPEW+ M (! MUC\S1
?ICK & GRE51 D[N H] FRONT4 ,L\ISA %OV$ A
BAS9 "U H] *9 6CAT* :AT 0 LEFT1 & 9 A
MO;T X 0 ALL OV] & ,CA!R9E 2GAN 6CRY4
  8,H[ L;G C ? G ON80 ,M>Y ASK$ Z %E
ROCK$ ,KATE 9 H] >MS4 ,ALR ! LL GIRL
SLEPT4 8,! C\< ONLY GETS WORSE40
  8,I EXPECT X W 2F X C GET BETT]4 ,T'S
:AT ,MA ALW SAYS10 ,L\ISA A4$4
  8,PA SAYS "!'LL 2 A DOCTOR 9
,KANESVILLE '''0                     #DA
  ,L\ISA =C$ A SMILE4 ,M>Y ,ANN _H HE>D
:AT %E _H WANT$ 6HE>4 8,!Y'LL 2 J F9E4
,Y WAIT & SEE40 ,PA HOLL]$ 8,:OA60 &!
WAGONS CAME 6A /&/ILL4 8,LOOKS L WE'RE
/OPP+ = SUPP]4 ,I'LL G & WA% \ ! BAS940
  ,FAVORITE *ORES _H BE5 E/ABLI%$1 &
"EY"O W5T AB 8 [N ) FEW ^WS4 ,WORRY HUNG
H1VY1 AL? HOPE HELD ON4 ,PRAY]S 7 MADE
EA* NI<T & :ISP]$ "? EA* "D1 & S F> !
TWO BABIES1 ,MA'S & ,ANNA'S1 %[$ NO SIGN
(! :OOP+ C\<2 P]H ,G]TRUDE & ,LORETTA WD
2 SP>$4
  ,NI<T CAME ON &! SUNSET1 FULL ( VI-
BRANT COLORS1 WA%$ ! SKY ) BRILLIANT R$S
& YELL[S4 ,:ILE ,L\ISA HELP$ ,M>Y ,ANN
PUT ! GIRLS 6B$ 7SP;G+ !M D[N1 HELP+ !M
96FRE% G[NS1 & =C+ A BIT ( S\P 96_!
M\?S71 %E WAT*$ ,DAVID BRU% D[N ! HORSES
--ALL #AH ( !M4 ,HE 0 GD ) ANIMALS & "W$
SL[LY4 ,!Y _H ?REE F\R-HORSE T1MS3 "O
S+LE-SPAN & F\R O!R HORSES T !Y US$ =
RID+ CAVVY 7&1 ONCE !Y GOT \ 6! PRAIRIE1
= SC\T+ AH1D74 ,B ,DAVID IGNOR$ ,L\ISA Z
HE _H BE5 DO+1 GO+ AB 8 BUSI;S )A /RANGE
SIL;E1 Z IF T LA/ NI<T 9 ,*]RY       #DB
,GROVE _H N"E HAPP5$4
  ,L\ISA SANG S(TLY 6CALM H]F1 6HIDE H]
L"OLI;S1 6SOO! ! *N4 ,%E TOLD !M /ORIES
( ,MOSES &! ,PROMIS$ ,L& :ILE ! R$S (!
SKY /RET*$ \ L;G & ?91 GIV+ 96! P9KS "U-
N1?4 ,& :5 ! P9KS GAVE WAY 6GRAY %E F.D
! GIRLS ASLEEP1 _! BR1?+ TOO H>% & TOO
%ORT4 ,%E CD FEEL ! H1T ( _! FEV]S F ":
%E SAT1 &=A L;G "T %E /AY$ 2T !M1 />+ \
6! GRAY4

  ,NI<T 0 ^U !M 9 E>NE/ :5 ,L\ISA V5TUR$
\4 8,Y SURE Y DON'T WANT ME 6-E AL;G80
,JAMES CALL$ AF H]4 ,X 0 8 TURN 6TAKE !
F/ WAT*2 ! O!RS 7 ALL 9 B$4
  8,NO1 ,I WANT 6BE AL"O40
  ,! MOON 0 B"R & R.D1 M>K+ CLE>LY !
4TANT HORIZON1 & ,L\ISA SET (F T[>D X4
,%E DIDN'T "K ": %E 0 GO+1 OR :Y--%E J
_H 6WALK4 ,! W9D RIPPL$ ! TOPS (! GRASS-
ES1 & IRIDESC5T %ADES ( GRAY %AD[$ OV]
"O ANO!R4 ,Z F> Z %E CD SEE1 ,L\ISA F.D
ONLY ^! V>Y+ GRAYS1 GRAY ^U GRAY4 ,^U
TURN+ BACK1 EV5 ! WAGONS APPE>$ %R\D$ 9
GRAY4                                #DC
  ,H] ?"\S1 Z GRAY Z ! AIR %E BR1!D1
SWIRL$ 9SIDE ( H] H1D4 ,%E ?"\ ( ,DAVID1
(! *N4 ,WD "! 2 A DOCTOR 9 ,KANESVILLE8
,& IF S1 WD HE 2 ( ANY HELP8 ,0 "! ANY
HELP 6BE _H8
  ,&! BABIES--CD !Y SURVIVE ! :OOP+ C\<8
,ON & ON ! ?"\S SWIRL$ & SPUN1 SP9N+ >.D
& >.D 9 ! RECESSES ( H] M9D4 ,F9,Y !Y
/OPP$ & C5T]$ ON H] "F1 ! MAN :O _H GIV5
H] LIFE4
  ,8 "N _H BE5 ,RI*>D ,FREEMAN ,BOR51 &
HE _H BE5 A MAN D$ICAT$ 6! SPR1D+ (!
GOSPEL4 ,HE _H DI$ 2F ,L\ISA CD WALK1 &
%E WOND]$ :AT HE _H BE5 L1 :AT K9D (A
SMILE HE _H1 :E!R HE LIK$ 6LAU<4
  ,SU45LY %E R1LIZ$ T %E MISS$ H] "F4
8,I'VE MISS$ HM ALL MY LIFE60 %E ?"\4
8,I'M A "P ( HM1 &A "P ( HM LIVES ON 9
ME4 ,MAYBE WE'VE %>$ ! SAME ?"\S1 FELT !
SAME ?+S6 ,X IS TOO BAD ! GD DIE "Y '''
T'S :AT 0 SD1 WASN'T X80
  ,A NEW ?"\ SLAMM$ 96,L\ISA'S H1D4 ,A
T]RIFY+ "O1 & X MADE H] TURN & RUN4 ,%E
_H 6SEE ! GIRLS6 ,! GRASS YIELD$ 6H]1
/&+ BACK 9 PLACE Z %E PASS$1 HID+    #DD
": %E _H BE54
  ,SU45LY ,L\ISA CLUT*$ H] ?ROAT & BACK$
UP1 H] EYES RIVET$ 6! GRAVE4 ,%E _HN'T
SE5 X ON ! WAY \4 ,N[ %E NE>LY TUM#D OV]
X4 ,TWO WAGON :EEL SPOKES1 TI$ 6=M A
CRUDE CROSS1 /UCK UP \ (A SMALL M.D (
B>E E>?4 ,F ! TOP ( X HUNG A SUNBONNET1
T9Y & <O/LY :ITE 9 ! GRAY;S4 ,& TWO TIES
DROPP$ 6! GR.D LIFE.SLY4
  ,H] >MS FELL 6H] SIDES L L1D1 DROPP+
H1VILY & )\T FEEL+4 ,H] F+]S CLAW$ H]
SKIRT1 DUG 96! MAT]IAL1 CAU<T X UP 9 A
FROZ5 GRASP4 ,H] KNEES BUCKL$4 8,I W N
FA9T \ "H10 %E ?"\4 ,/R5G? SURG$ & %E
RAN4
  ,H] BR1? CAME 9 GRT GULPS Z %E NE>$ !
CAMP2 ! PA9 ( X SE>$ H] LUNGS L DA7]S
96FLE%4 8,DE> ,GOD60 %E CRI$4 8,DON'T
LET !M DIE6 ,N \ "H60 ,TE>S ROLL$ (F H]
FACE4 8,PL1SE DON'T LET !M DIE60
  ,JAMES SAW H] -+4 ,HE BOLT$ UP & />$
HORRIFI$ Z %E RAN T[>D HM4 ,H] H& R1*$ =
! NE>E/ WAGON1 &=A MO;T %E L1N$ 96X1
BR1?+ WILDLY4 ,H] HAIR TUM#D AB H]
%\LD]S1 H] FACE :ITE4 ,!N %E 0 9 8   #DE
>MS & HE HELD H] CLOSE1 FEEL+ ! TREM# (
H] BODY Z %E CLUNG 6HM4
  8,A GRAVE '''0 ,H] EYES FILL$ ) TE>S4
8,A BABY'S GRAVE ''' A D1D BABY'S GRAVE
'''0 ,%E *OK$1 & HE R1*$ UP 6WIPE H]
*EEKS4
  8,%H ''' DON'T TALK '''0
  ,DAVID HE>D & VAULT$ OV] ! WAGON BASE
9 8 /OCK+ FEET4 ,PEB#S BIT 96HIS HEELS
AT ! SAME "T HE SAW !M4
  8,"! 0 A SUNBONNET10 ,L\ISA SO2$4
,JAMES KISS$ ! TOP ( H] H1D1 ! WAY HE
ALW DID4
  8,%H10 HE :ISP]$1 HOLD+ H] TI<T]4
,BLOOD :IPP$ 9 8 VE9S & HE KNEW1 M ?AN
"E1 T HE _H 6H H]4 8,LIZA10 HE :ISP]$1
SETT+ H] AWAY F HM4 ,B HE CAU<T H] AG1
HELD H] FACE 9 8 H&S4 ,HE />$ 96H] EYES1
%9+ ) TE>S & MOONLI<T4 ,H[ ANY"O CD H S*
BLACK HAIR & S* FAIR SK9 0 2Y HM4 ,9 !
"D"T %E 0 B1UTI;L1 & AT NI<T '''4 ,HE
BIT 8 LIP4
  8,"! 7 RI2ONS1 ,JAMES4 ,LL RI2ONS1 /
WR9KL$4 ,J DANGL+ 9 ! W9D1 J HANG+ "!
'''0 ,H] VOICE BROKE AG4 ,HE HELD    #DF
H]1 LET H] CRY4 ,HE TALK$ ON & ON ( NO?+
:ILE 9SIDE 8 H1D HE CURS$ HMF1 *A/IS$
HMF =! REL,N%IP !Y %>$4 ,H[ CD HE H LET
X G ON L ? :5 E "P ( 8 BODY A*$ 6RE,Y
HOLD H]1 6RE,Y KISS H]1 6RE,Y -=T H]8
  8,I'M ALL "R N[10 %E SD1 B HE DIDN'T
HE> H]4 ,%E SD X AG1 B HE CDN'T LET G4
  8,/AY ) ME A:ILE10 HE :ISP]$4
  8,NO1 ,I'M F9E N[4 ,I RE,Y AM10 %E SD4
,HE WAT*$ HELP.SLY Z %E CLIMB$ 96,>?UR'S
D>K WAGON4 ,DAVID1 P]*$ ON ! T;GUE (!
SUPPLY WAGON1 WAT*$ HELP.SLY TOO1 8 FACE
& ?"\S MASK$ 0! %AD[S4 ,L\ISA UNDRESS$ &
SLIPP$ 2T ! *N4 ,!Y 7 / HOT1 & :5 ! TIES
( H] G[N CAU<T TI<T >.D H] ?ROAT %E /I-
FL$ ! SCR1M T WANT$ 6-E1 & !N GRA2$ !
RI2ONS & TORE !M FREE4 ,! G[N RIPP$ 6H]
BR1/1 & PULL+ A BLANKET UP OV] H]1 %E
CURL$ 96A BALL4





                   #D                #DG

  8,! GRT ,MISS\RI 0 CROSS$ AT ,C\NCIL
,BLU6S ,7,KANESVILLE7' 0F]RYBOAT ON !
#E? ( ,MAY4 ''' ,F ?;E !Y FOLL[$ ! B1T5
TRACK (! _M :O _H PREC$$ !M 6,CALI=NIA &
,OREGON40
    --,EMILY ,9EZ ,D5NY 9 .,BLAZ+ .!
    .,WAY

  8,NO1 ,MA'AM1 "!'S NO?+ C 2 D"O = !M40
,! ^WS CAME F A SMALL MAN1 & HE PASS$ A
HAT F "O H& 6ANO!R4 ,X 0 A G5TLEMAN'S
HAT--BLACK & R.D$ ON TOP4 8,A BAD CASE (
! :OOP+ C\<1 T'S CLE> 5\<10 HE SD4
8,MAYBE LUNG FEV]40
  8,LUNG FEV]80 ,M>Y ,ANN LOOK$ UP %>P-
LY4 ,%E 0 A SMALL WOMAN1 L ,L\ISA1 B H]
FACE 0 FULL]1 H] HAIR LI<T] & ALW PULL$
BACK 96A KNOT4 ,! PA/ "DS _H ET*$ SCRAT*
L9ES "U H] EYES &! FLE% PU6$ \1 D>K F !
LACK ( SLEEP4 8,I KNEW X60 %E SD 6,>?UR4
8,ALL AL;G ,I KNEW X6 ,I 0 J TOO AFRAID
6FACE ! TRU?60
  8,N[1 ,MA'AM10 SD ! LL MAN1 ! DOCTOR1
AG4 8,DON'T 2 S AL>M$4 ,! FEV]S      #DH
>5'T Z HI< Z !Y -E4 ,I SAY ) "T &--Y H A
GD MIL* C[8--"T & PL5TY ( W>M MILK1 T %D
BR+ !M \ ( X J F9E40 ,HE SMIL$1 %[+ 8
UNEV5 TEE?1 YELL[ & CR[D$4 8,J F9E40
  8,"! IS NO?+ AT ALL 6BE D"O80 ,M>Y
,ANN ASK$ AG4 8,WE _H S HOP$ ''' ONCE WE
GOT 6,KANESVILLE '''0 ,H] VOICE TRAIL$
(F &A %AD[ CROSS$ H] FACE4 8,SURELY Y'VE
GOT "S?+60 %E CRI$ SU45LY4 8,SURELY Y
D60
  8,WELL1 ,MA'AM1 "! IS "S?+ ,I'VE HE>D
TELL (4 ,B ,I DON'T "K ": Y WD GET LEM-
ONS F--N ? "T ( YE>40
  8,LEMONS80 ,>?UR SPR1D 8 FEET FUR!R
A"P1 SET 8 H&S ON 8 L1N HIPS4
  8,IF Y C F9D ! LEMONS1 "! IS40 ,! DOC-
TOR RAN A H& OV] ! DOME ( 8 HAT AG4
8,4SOLVE AN EGG 9 ! JUICE ( "O LEMON & X
HELPS ! C\<4 ,B L ,I'VE SD1 ,I DON'T "K
": Y'LL F9D "O 9 ^! "PS40
  8,":'D !Y GET ? LUNG FEV] F ANYWAY80
,>?UR DEM&$4
  8,EASY 5 9 A WAGON4 ,!Y GET DAMP AT
NI<T40 ,! DOCTOR PUT 8 HAT ON1 COV]+ !
BALD;S ( 8 H1D4 ,HE NO4$ & T\*$ !    #DI
S(T BRIM SLI<TLY4 8,GD "D1 ,SIR4 ,I'LL 2
>.D 6PICK UP MY FEE40
  ,L\ISA1 /&+ )! O!RS1 WAT*$ ! MAN L1VE4
,%E /I65$ & H] EYE 9VOLUNT>ILY MOV$ T[>D
! T5T ": ! *N RE/$4 ,PA _H J PUR*AS$ !
T5TS S "! WD 2 M ROOM AT NI<T 6/RET* \4
,= N[ !Y S]V$ Z TEMPOR>Y H\SES :ILE !Y
CAMP$ \ AT ! $GE (! ,MISS\RI ,RIV]4
  ,KANESVILLE 0 ! LA/ ( CIVILIZ,N UNTIL
,=T ,L>AMIE1 A GD #EJJ MILES \ 96! PRAI-
RIE4 ,PA WORRI$ AB ! DELAY1 B ,>?UR 0
ADAMANT4 ,!Y WD N L1VE1 !Y WD N CROSS !
RIV] UNTIL ! *N 7 ON ! M5D4
  ,SIL5TLY ,M>Y ,ANN WALK$ 6! T5T4 ,L\I-
SA FOLL[$1 & TGR !Y 2GAN ONCE AG 6BA!
D[N ! GIRLS4 ,!Y SD V LL Z !Y "W$1 TALK+
MO/LY 9 HU%$ T"OS 6,KATE & ,NORA4 ,SUN-
LI<T1 W>M & -=T+1 %"O 9 & ,L\ISA TURN$
6SEE :O _H PULL$ OP5 ! T5T'S DOOR4
  ,X 0 ,>?UR1 & EV5 9 ! SEMILI<T %E SAW
T 8 *EEKS 7 WET4 8,H Y SE5 MY DI>Y1
,M>Y80 HE ASK$1 8 VOICE HO>SE4
  8,TOP (! B$D+4 ,:Y80 ,M>Y ,ANN R1*$ =!
QUILTS NE>BY1 FUM#D "? ! SQU>ES ( COLOR1
& H&$ HM ! H>DB.D BOOK4              #EJ
  8,I WANT 6MAKE AN 5TRY40
  8,:AT >E Y PUTT+ D[N80
  8,J T X'S ,APRIL #CJ? & T WE'VE MADE X
6,KANESVILLE &! ,MISS\RI ,RIV]40
  8,NO?+ AB ! *N80
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PORTRAITS ( ,LL ,BO ,PEEP1 ,JACK &
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GR.D1 & REFUS$ 6CLIMB AG 6! SKY4 ,L\ISA
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  8,SAMUEL6 ,WILEY6 ,": >E Y TWO80 ,PA'S
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WASN'T ANY"O 9 ? "O8 ,%E %IV]$1 3VUL-
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-=T4 ,X 0 Z IF HE FELT X TOO = HE LET G
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  8,L\ISA40 ,HE TOOK H] H1D 9 8 H&S &
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  8,WE'VE GOT 6GET 6ANO!R T5T4 ,"O ": !
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  ,%E CD ONLY LOOK AT HM4 ,H] %IV]+
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LI<TN+ FLA%$ AG1 BRILLIANTLY1 & ,L\ISA
SAW ,MA'S FACE4 ,MA KNEW4 ''' ,WELL1 X
DIDN'T MATT] ANYMORE4 ,%E ?"\ 9/1D (
,DAVID4 ,&! /ORM RAG$ ON4











                   #E                #FC

  8,"O (! HUNT]S1 ,D4 ,T4 ,D5NY1 SD X
MI<T H BE5 A V S]I\S MATT] = !M 6H BE5
*>G$ 0A W.D$ BU6ALO \ ON ! TREE.S PRAI-
RIE1 ": A MAN _H NO?+ 6DODGE 2H B 8 [N
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    --,EMILY ,9EZ ,D5NY 9 .,BLAZ+ .!
    .,WAY

  ,X TOOK TWO "DS 6DRY "EY?+ \4 ,DAVID
"W$ ) UNABAT$ 5]GY1 A FRE% VIVAC;Y--&A
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/ HESITANT 6DRAW CLOSE & 0 PUZZL$ H[ HE
CD H BE5 S AUDACI\S DUR+ ! /ORM1 B %E
MADE NO %[ T %E _H M9D$1 & HE TOOK HE>T4
,HE SMIL$ M & :I/L$1 & EV5 ,JAMES CDN'T
ANNOY HM4
  ,L\ISA 0 A PUZZLE;T 6,DAVID4 ,HE KNEW
F WAT*+ H] T X _H BE5 A L;G "T S9CE ANY-
"O ELSE O!R ?AN ,JAMES _H M]IT$ H] ATT5-
;N--MAYBE EV5 Z L;G Z ! ?REE YE>S T ,MA
& ,PA _H BE5 M>RI$4 ,& X WASN'T T SUIT-
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  ,DAVID GR9N$1 FEEL+ AG ! WAY %E    #FD
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8 "N4 ,! FAMILI> /IRR+ DEEP 9SIDE :IPP$
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  8,BU6ALO1 ,PA60 ,DAVID PULL$ 9 8
HORSE1 SWUNG >.D1 & L9$ UP 8 /ALLION
NEXT 6! H1D WAGON4 ,!Y 7 ?REE WEEKS 96!
PLA9S1 & HE & ,DO29S 7 SUPPOS$ 6BE \
SC\T+4 8,A :OLE H]D ( !M1 ,PA6 ,A FEW
MILES 6! NOR?WE/60 ,DAVID'S ^WS CAME 9
SURGES Z HE GULP$ = AIR4 ,2N HM 8 HORSE
PANT$1 FLANKS H1V+4 ,! MUSCLES QUIV]$ F
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  8,GET YR GUN1 ,PA6 ,Y SD WE 7 NE$+
M1T60
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BRIM ( H] SUNBONNET4 ,%E WORE H] BLUE
CALICO 7HIS FAVORITE1 ,DAVID NOT$74 ,HE
GR9N$ & WAV$ UP 6H]2 %E SMIL$1 WAV$
BACK1 & PU%$ AT H] HAT 6SEE BETT]4
8,BU6ALO8 ,IS X SAFE80 %E ASK$4
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Y8 ,LIZA6 ,"H60 ,HE PICK$ UP ! RE9S HE
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HUNT+6 ,D\BT ^? C[S W MOSEY ON ANY FA/]
?AN !Y'RE GO+1 ?\< '''4 ,M/ 2 MILES BACK
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  8,GD-BYE1 ,"M6 ,NO "T =A KISS60 HE
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& 0 G"O4 ,>?UR & ,SAMUEL1 ! MI4LE ,D5NY
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,JAMES1 7 J Z FA/4 ,L\ISA1 ,ANNA1 & ,M>Y
,ANN %RU7$1 !N CRACK$ _! :IPS OV] !
WAIT+ HORSES4
  ,JAMES DROVE ! F\R? WAGON4 8,":'S
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BACK ( 8 B>E >M4 ,8 BR[S 7 KNIT TGR 9 A
WET1 R$ RIDGE OV] 8 NOSE4
  8,T5D+ ! BABIES 9 BACK60
  8,WELL1 C'T %E TAKE MY WAGON A:ILE80
  8,:AT HORSE Y GO+ 6RIDE8 ,PA & ,DO29S
ALR _H 6RIDE D\#60
  8,OH1 CRIM9Y60 ,JAMES LIFT$ 8 QUIRT &
LET X FALL OV] ! BACKS ( 8 T1M4 ,!Y
BOLT$ =W>D1 SNORT+ _! PA9 & SURPRISE1 &
J\NC$ PA/ ! O!RS 9 A FOG ( DU/4 ,! WOM5
WAT*$ HM G1 "K+ T 8 FRU/R,N WD       #FF
DRIVE HM F>4 ,MA POK$ H] H1D \ (! CANVAS
6%AKE H] H1D & MUTT]1 8,! FOOL W RIDE
HMF 96NO?9' B TR\#4 ,& DON'T TELL ME X'S
8 R$ HAIR4 ,X'S 8 TEMP]1 SURE Z ,GOD
MADE LL CRICKS 9 A BACK40
  ,JAMES DROVE /RAI<T WE/4 ,! O!R M5
VE]$ NOR? A FEW DEGREES1 2Y ! SWELL+ HO-
RIZON1 ) ,DAVID 9 ! L1D4 ,"H HE 0 9 -M&4
,HE _H GR[N UP )A GUN 9 8 H&1 A V]ITA#
,NIMROD1 &! O!RS FOLL[$ HM 3FID5TLY4
  ,DAVID LIK$ 6BE \4 ,HE LIK$ ! VA/;S (!
PRAIRIES1 ! ODD S5SE ( ISOL,N X GAVE HM4
,PA _H GIV5 HM ! REGUL> ASSIGN;T ( RID+
SC\T1 & HE GLORI$ 9 X1 FEEL+ AK9 6,DAVID
( L;G AGO1 %EPH]D+ 8 %EEP \TSIDE ,BE?LE-
HEM4 ,! ONLY DRAWBACK 6! TASK 0 T HE
DIDN'T GET 6SEE M* ( ,L\ISA4 8,X'S J Z
WELL10 HE ?"\ Z !Y GALLOP$ T[>D ! SPOT
": HE _H F/ SE5 ! BU6ALO4 ,TRY+ 69T]E/
,L\ISA WASN'T A ?+ HE CD RU%4 ,HE PUCK]$
8 LIPS & BIT ON ! 9SIDE BULGE ( 8 *EEK4
  8,"! !Y >E60 %\T$ ,SAMUEL4 ,SAM RESEM-
#D ,JAMES 9 APPE>.E--RU/Y1 ) 3G5IAL;Y
SKET*$ 9 8 FACE EXCEPT = :5 ?+S DIDN'T G
8 WAY4 ,HE PO9T$ D[N F A HILL !Y     #FG
_H J CRE/$4 ,! VALLEY 0 L;G & LU%1 ) UN-
USU,Y GRE5 VEGET,N4 ,! :OLE (! L[-LY+
REGION 0 ! COLOR ( ,MA'S GRE5 P1S BACK
HOME ON ! PANTRY %ELF4
  ,"! 7 NO L>GE BU%ES1 ?\<1 & ,DAVID
KNEW T 2F ANO!R MON? PASS$ ? GRASS TOO
WD 2 G"O1 HAV+ YIELD$ 6! SUN4 ,HE ?"\ (!
PASSAGE 9 ! ,BI# T SPOKE (! )]+ GRASS1 (
! FL[] T FALLE?4 ,HE KNEW X WASN'T SP1K+
(! GRT PLA9S AT ! 5D ( ,MAY4 ,HE WD H TO
LOOK T UP LAT]--MAYBE TN4
  8,"!'S HUNDR$S ( !M60 ,SAMUEL :I/L$4
,HE /OOD 9 8 /IRRUPS 6GET A BETT] VIEW1
8 EYES %IELD$ F ! SUN'S B"R;S4
  8,M L A ?\S& ( 'EM10 MUM#D ,JOHN4
8,MAYBE TWO '''0
  8,SUPPOSE WE C GET "O80 ,DO29S LAU<$
HALFHE>T$LY4
  8,I DON'T "K10 SD ,>?UR4 8,J LOOK AT !
SIZE ( !M6 ,I'VE N"E SE5 S* B1/S60 ,!
H]D MOV$ T[>D !M CASU,Y4 ,_! H1DS1 MAS-
SIVE & MANGY1 NOS$ 6! GR.D1 _! TAILS
TWIT*+ SPASMODIC,Y4
  8,H[ D Y G AB %OOT+ "O ( ^? BRUTES80
,SAMUEL ASK$4 8,ANYBODY "K :AT       #FH
WE'RE DO+ "H80 ,DAVID SAW "O ( ,JAMES'S
GR9S ON ,SAM'S FACE4
  ,HE HELD A F+] \ AH1D ( HM1 BR"\ X TO
8 LIPS1 WET X1 !N /UCK X BACK \4 8,W9D'S
-IN' F ! S\?4 ,WE'LL CIRCLE 6! NOR? &
CLOSE 9 2H !M1 A LL 6_! LEFT4 ,DON'T
WANT !M 6GET A :IFF ( U40
  8,:O SAYS Y "K :AT Y'RE DO+1 ,DAVE80
,SAM ASK$4
  8,I R1D1 DON'T ,I80
  8,HE "KS :AT HE'S DO+40 ,>?UR CLUCK$
6HIS HORSE4 ,HE & ,DAVID 7 CLOSE4 8,:AT
D WE D1 ,DAVE80
  8,WELL1 Y C EI RIDE "R 96!M L ! ,9DI-
ANS D & GET YRF KILL$1 OR Y C D X ! EASY
WAY '''0 ,HE PAUS$ 6/>E D[N 96! L[ BAS94
  8,: IS80 ,JOHN URG$4
  8,Y C TAKE A POP AT 'EM D[NW9D4 ,HIT
'EM "R & !Y'LL FALL OV] D1D4 ,HIT 'EM
WR;G & Y GOT "O MAD BU6ALO ON YR H&S60
,HE :I/L$ & %OOK 8 H1D SL[LY4 8,SURE CD
2 A S]I\S MATT] 6BE *>G$ 0"O ( ^? FEL-
L[S4 ,NO TREES1 NO?+ 6HIDE 2H B \R [N
%AD[S40 ,HE TAPP$ 8 HORSE SLI<TLY )!
RE9S1 !N PULL$ UP %>PLY4 ,8 BODY     #FI
B\NC$ -=TABLY Z ,JONA?AN BROKE 96AN EASY
TROT4
  ,HE 0 HAPPY--A HORSE 2N HM1 RIFLE CL1N
& R1DY1 GAME J AH1D4 ,! BE/ "P ( X 0 T
"! WASN'T A CL\D 9 ! SKY & ,JAMES 0 /UCK
BACK AT ! WAGONS4 ,HE GR9N$ & B5T 6SLAP
! MUSCLES AL;G ,JONA?AN'S NECK4 ,DAVID &
,JONA?AN4 ,!Y 7 A T1M4 8,I'M GO+ 6GET
"O1 ,DO29S6 ,FEEL X 9 MY B"OS ! WAY ,MA
DOES ! W1!R60
  8,PRETTY COCKY1 >5'T Y80 ,DO29S RAN A
H& "? 8 HAIR1 & X REM9D$ ,DAVID ( ,L\I-
SA4 ,%E DID ! SAME ?+ AT NI<T1 :5 ! FIRE
0 / BURN+1 ! COLD 2G9N+ 6-E ON4 8,"K ":
6%OOT80 ,DO29S HOLL]$4
  8,YUP60
  8,%H60 ORD]$ ,JOHN4 8,I HE> _! HE>+ IS
GD4 ,EYESI<T BAD1 B !Y GOT E>S40
  8,PA1 !Y'RE TOO DUMB 6"K T WE'RE EV5
AF !M10 SD ,SAMUEL4 8,DUMBE/ ANIMAL NEXT
6! %EEP40
  8,J ! SAME1 2 QUIET60
  ,!Y CIRCL$ 9 SIL;E1 _! EYE ON ! H]D4
,GRT B>E PAT*ES ( SK9 %[$ "? ! BLACK
WOOL1 ! WOOL RA7$ & LOOS5+ =! SUM-   #GJ
M]4
  8,WD Y J LOOK AT ^? EYES60 :ISP]$
,SAMUEL4
  8,AB ! SIZE ( "O ( ,MA'S T1CUPS '''0
  8,%H-H60 ,JOHN WAV$ 8 >M1 SIL5C+ !M4
  ,DO29S 0 ! F/ 6FIRE4 ,JOHN L1N$ WAY
BACK 6GIVE HM ROOM1 !N /RAI<T5$ AT !
S.D4 ,DO29S HIT "O (! L>G] ANIMALS1 A
BULL :O PD LL ATT5;N 6! 9FLIC;N 9 8
SIDE4 ,HE M]ELY FLIPP$ 8 TAIL1 !N *EW$
ON Z 2F4 ,A FEW (! BU6ALO LIFT$ _! H1DS1
Z IF 6AC"KL$GE ! GUNFIRE1 B RETURN$ _!
NOSES 6! GRASS UNCONC]N$1 SLO2]+ SALIVA
F _! L1!RY M\?S4
  8,S M* = KE5 E>S1 ,PA60 SD ,DO29S4 ,HE
SCRAT*$ 8 H1D & LOOK$ 6,DAVID4 8,DON'T
EXACTLY SPOOK1 D !Y80
  8,DON'T EXACTLY M9D A BULLET 9 ! GUT1
EI4 ,"H1 ,I'LL %[ Y H[ X'S D"O40 ,DAVID
LOOK$ D[N ! B>REL ( 8 GUN1 ! FAMILI>
SI<T L9+ UP ! CLE> PAT* "R 2H ! %\LD]
PO9T (A C['S =ELEG4 ,8 F+] CURL$ >.D !
TRI7] & HE CLAMP$ 8 TEE? TGR1 SQUEEZ+
H>D4
  8,Y HIT ']6 ,0GUM1 Y HIT ']60      #GA
,SAMUEL HOLL]$4 ,A T9Y SPOT ( R$ BUB#D
UP4 8,:AT'S WR;G ) ^! CRITT]S80 ,! C[1 L
! O!R1 /OOD UNA6ECT$4
  ,SU45LY %E LUNG$1 BELL[+ \ 9 RAGE4 ,!
H]D *>G$1 EN MASSE1 6! S\?EA/]LY HORI-
ZON1 ALL ( !M SNORT+ & TRUMPET+ 9 3FU.N4
  ,DAVID'S PREY FELL 2H1 H] LEGS BUCKL+
2N ! WEI<T4 ,%E /OOD AG & BRAC$1 A SPURT
( PURPLE BUR/+ F H] M\? & DRA9+ F H]
NO/RILS4 ,%E /A7]$1 TURN$1 CAME BACK TO-
W>D ! M51 !N FELL1 KNEEL+ Z IF 9 PRAY]4
,H] H1D DROPP$ 6! GR.D4
  ,! M5 WAT*$ 9 AWE Z ! ANIMAL F"\ H]
D1?4 ,L A LION CLAIM+ 8 KILL1 ! C[ TOSS$
H] H1D1 ! MANE ROLL+ ) MO;N4 ,B H] M\? 0
EMPTY1 SAVE ! T;GUE T HUNG F X--?ICK1
PULPY1 & R$ ) BLOOD4
  ,9 A F9AL SURGE ( P[]1 ! BU6ALO PLUNG$
=W>D4 ,B %E SLUMP$ ONLY Y>DS F ": !Y SAT
ATOP _! HORSES4 ,H] SIDE HIT ! E>?1 H]
LEGS %OT \4 ,)\T A S.D %E RAIS$ H] H1D
6/>E \ (! MASSIVE1 UNSEE+ EYES4 ,!N H]
H1D FELL )A ?UD AG/ ! GR.D1 /ILL$ ^U !
PRAIRIE4 ,! M5 /OOD UNMOV+1 H>DLY D>+ TO
ADV.E4                               #GB
  8,PA6 ,! BU6ALO6 ,!Y'VE /AMP$$ /RAI<T
=! WAGONS60 ,>?UR ?"U$4
  ,DAVID SLAPP$ ! RUMP ( 8 HORSE & !Y 7
(F1 ALL ( !M1 SPURR+ _! ANIMALS 96A H>D
GALLOP1 ! D1D BU6ALO =GOTT5 Z !Y RAC$
OV] ! FLATT5$ GRASS4
  ,! RE/ (! H]D _H SPR1D OV] ! PLA9S1 _!
HOOVES HITT+ ! SOD 9 A ?"U+ ROLL1 TE>+
UP ! GRASS )! =CE4 ,!Y R1*$ ! RIM (! BA-
S9 & 4APPE>$1 S5D+ UP A CL\D ( DU/4 ,DA-
VID BL9K$ F ! GRIT T HOV]$4
  8,L\ISA60 HE SCR1M$1 !N BURI$ 8 FACE
96! CROOK ( 8 >M4 ,HE GAVE ,JONA?AN !
L1D1 TRU/+ HM 6MAKE X "? ! DU/ T BLEW
UP4 8,-E ON1 BOY10 HE COAX$4 ,NO?+ MAT-
T]$ ANYMORE4 ,ONLY ,L\ISA1 ! O!RS4 ,:AT
A FOOL6 ,%OOT+ 96A BUN* ( WILD ANIMALS T
7 FAC+ EA/6 ,HE FELT 8 HORSE SL[1 SNORT+
ON ! PULV]IZ$ E>?4
  8,L\ISA60 HE SCR1M$ AG4 ,B ! D9 (!
/AMP$+ BU6ALO ERAS$ 8 CALL1 & HE DUG 8
HEELS 96! FLANKS ( 8 FALT]+ HORSE ) DES-
P],N4

                                     #GC
  8,AUNTIE6 ,:AT'S T NOISE80 ,KATE SAT )
,L\ISA1 H] >MS B>$ 6! SUN1 H] SUNBONNET
PULL$ BACK4 ,L\ISA LI/5$4 ,"! .0 A
NOISE1 A S(T RUM#4
  8,I DON'T SEE ANY CL\DS10 %E SD4
8,SURELY WE'RE N 9 = ANO!R ?"U/ORM '''0
  ,NORA RODE 9 ! WAGON AH1D1 B\NC+ AL;G
) H] >MS DANGL+ OV] ! BACKBO>D4 ,!Y 7
PASS+ "? A "PICUL>LY B>R5 SEC;N1 DEVOID
(! LU% GRASS T M>K$ ! L[]-LY+ T]RA91 &
,L\ISA /E]$ H] WAGON A LL 6! SIDE ( ,M>Y
,ANN'S 6AVOID "S (! DU/4
  8,LOOK60 %RIEK$ ,KATE4
  ,ANNA SCR1M$4 8,X'S ! BU6ALO6 ,!Y'RE
H1D$ /RAI<T = U60 ,A D>K L9E M>K$ !M
AL;G ! $GE (! PLA9S1 MILES (F B ADVANC+4
,A L;G1 L[ CL\D ( DU/ HALO$ ! APPROA*+
H]D1 /A9+ ! BLUE;S (! SKY4
  ,L\ISA />$ 9 HORROR4 ,%E CD SEE ,JAMES
S"EAL MILES AH1D1 SAFELY \ (! BU6ALO'S
PA?4 ,WILEY1 %E KNEW1 0 TOO F> BACK 6BE
( ANY HELP4 ,& %E DIDN'T WANT 6?9K ( HM
AL"O BACK "!1 ) ONLY ! CATTLE1 8 HORSE1
& ,JONAH4
  8,NORA60 %E HOLL]$ 6! * 9 ! WAG-   #GD
ON AH1D4 8,CLIMB UP 6YR "M & TELL H] TO
MOVE 6! S\? SIDE ( ,AUNT ,ANNA60 ,B ,LE-
NORA CLUNG 6H] SPOT1 ROOT$ ) FE>4 ,ONLY
H] CURLS B\NC$ AL;GSIDE H] R.D$ *EEKS &
WID5$ EYES4 8,QK60 ,L\ISA SCR1M$4 ,! LL
GIRL'S SKIRTS TWIT*$ & !N %E 0 G"O1
CLIMB+ & /UMBL+ H] WAY 6! FRONT4 ,! WAG-
ON VE]$ 6! LEFT & ,L\ISA LA%$ AT H]
HORSES1 /E]+ !M 6! NOR?WE/4 ,%E PULL$ UP
2T ,M>Y ,ANN & ,ANNA1 MAK+ A L9E (! ?REE
WAGONS1 FAC+ ! M>*+ L9E T GREW BI7]4 ,!N
X HIT H]6 ,! HORSES6 ,:AT IF !Y SPOOK$8
  8,NO60 %E SCR1M$4 8,X'S ALL WR;G6 ,!
HORSES6 ,TURN >.D6 ,WE'VE GOT 6TURN
>.D60
  8,:AT80 %\T$ ,M>Y ,ANN4 ,! 4TANT RUM#
0 L\D N[1 A ROLL+ ?"U1 OM9\S & *ILL+ 9
XS S.D4
  8,TURN BACK6 ,>.D60 ,L\ISA MO;N$1 CIR-
CL+ H] >M1 !N PO9T$ 2H4 ,M>Y NO4$1 !N
TURN$ H] WAGON4 ,ANNA SAT NUMB &! E>?
TREM#D4 ,! HORSES RE>$1 AFRAID 6KEEP _!
FEET ON ! GR.D4
  8,TURN Y IDIOT60 ,L\ISA %\T$4 ,ANNA
TURN$1 CIRCL+ WIDE1 FI<T+ H] T1M1    #GE
!N L9+ !M UP NEXT 6,L\ISA'S & ,M>Y'S4
  8,!Y'RE GO+ 6TRAMPLE U60 %E CRI$4
  8,HOLD YR HORSES TI<T60 ,L\ISA %\T$4
8,IF WE /& / ,I ?9K WE'LL 2 WIDE 5 6MAKE
! BU6ALO G >.D U6 ,B Y'VE GOT 6HOLD !
HORSES IN60
  8,I C'T HE> Y60
  8,HOLD ! RE9S6 ,TI<T60
  ,! BU6ET+ (! HOOVES REV]B]AT$ ACR !
E>?1 VIBRAT+ "EY?+ T T\*$ X1 SWALL[+ UP
ALL O!R S.DS (! GRT PLA9S4
  8,I C'T D X1 ,LIZA4 ,I C'T60 ,ANNA
SO2$4
  8,Y C6 ,& Y W60 %\T$ ,M>Y ,ANN4 8,Y
GET A HOLD ( YRF60
  8,I C'T HE> Y60 ,ANNA SCR1M$1 AG & AG4
8,WE'RE ALL GO+ 6DIE60
  8,%UT UP60 ,L\ISA RAIS$ H] H& B GRA2$
! RE9S Z ! HORSES PULL$4
  8,L\ISA60 ,MA SPOKE UP %>PLY1 & SU45LY
,L\ISA 0 AW>E ( ,KATE 2S H]4 8,KATY60 %E
%RIEK$4 8,GET YRF 96! WAGON60 ,! GIRL
DIDN'T >GUE2 %E DROPP$ BACKW>D 96H] GR&-
"M'S >MS4
  ,! HORSES YANK$ AT _! H>;SES 9     #GF
T]ROR1 :9NY+1 RE>+ UP4 ,! L1!R RE9S BIT
96,L\ISA'S H&S4 ,! HORSES ?REW _! H1DS F
SIDE 6SIDE1 _! EYES ROLL+ & BL9K+ F !
DU/ T 0 ^U !M4
  ,! HORSES BUCK$1 PULL+ ! WAGON UP (F !
GR.D1 !N DROPP$ X AG4 ,L\ISA'S NECK
SNAPP$4 8,:OA60 %E SCR1M$4 8,:OA60 ,B X
0 NO USE--! HORSES 7 (F1 FLEE+ ! DR1D 2H
!M4 8,:OA60 %E SCR1M$ AG Z %E WRAPP$ !
/RAPS >.D H] WRI/S 6KEEP H] GRIP4
8,:OA60
  ,ANNA'S T1M BOLT$ PA/1 & %E NE>LY
PIT*$ H1D-OV] 96! WAGON T;GUE )! J]K4
8,DE> ,GOD10 ?"\ ,L\ISA1 8:AT A WAY TO
DIE60 ,B ,GOD 0 GD2 ,ANNA HUNG ON4
  ,ALL ?REE WAGONS C>E5$ =W>D1 B\NC+
WILDLY4 ,!N ! B1/S 7 ^U !M4 ,!Y *>G$ BY1
SKIRT+ !M N1TLY Z !Y PASS$4 ,! HORSES
SNORT$1 SPEW+ MUC\S & DU/ F _! NOSES4
,!Y PLUNG$ ON1 HE$.S (! BITS T BR"\
BLOOD 6_! M\?S4
  ,L\ISA GRA2$ H>D AT ! RE9S1 PULL+ 9
TI<T1 ONLY 6H !M SNAPP$ BACK \1 YANK+ H]
>MS \ /RAI<T4 ,A SE>+ PA9 %OT "? H]
%\LD]S1 & %E FELT W>M TE>S SPR+ UP   #GG
F H] EYES4 ,H] VI.N BLURR$4 ,! DU/ CLOS$
IN1 A GOLD5 COLOR ( *OK+ FIL?4
  ,ON & ON ! MON/R\S BU6ALO CAME1 BRU%+
CLOSE1 )! HORSES DRIV5 9 ! MID/ ( !M1
WILD ) F"R4 ,L\ISA =GOT "EY?+--! TOR;T (
H] %\LD]S1 ! A*E 9 H] *E/1 "EY?+ B KEEP+
! HORSES F RUNN+ 9 FRONT (! BU6ALO4
,R.D$ HUMPS RU%$ H1DL;G 2S H]1 M.D AF
M.D1 MAK+ H] S DIZZY T %E FE>$ %E MI<T
PIT* OV] ! SIDE4
  ,!N !Y 7 G"O4 ,B ! HORSES 3T9U$ 6RUN1
& ,L\ISA SCR1M$ UNTIL H] VOICE QUIT4 ,AT
LA/ !Y SL[$1 !N /OPP$4 ,_! COATS GLI/5$
) SW1T2 SALIVA1 ?ICK ) DIRT1 & BLOOD
DRIPP$ F _! M\?S4
  ,L\ISA JUMP$ F ! WAGON1 COLLAPS$1
PICK$ H]F BACK UP1 & /A7]$ 6! HORSES4
8,%H10 %E CROON$1 RU2+ H] H&S AL;G _!
NECKS & D[N _! %\LD]S1 BO? H&S MOV+
SWIFTLY1 CALM+ _! T]ROR4 ,MA JO9$ H]1
H&+ H] ! CANTE54
  ,! WAT] RAN F ,L\ISA'S *9 & SPLA%$ ON-
TO H] SKIRT4 ,%E DRANK1 SAVOR+ ! WET;S Z
X S(T5$ H] ?ROAT & FILL$ H] /OMA* UNTIL
X A*$4 ,SPLA%+ "S ONTO H] PALMS1     #GH
%E R9S$ H] FACE1 S5S+ TOO LATE H] [N
BLOOD4 ,X SME>$1 & %E RU2$ X 96H] DRESS
AL;G H] ?I<S4
  8,! BU6ALO6 ,!Y'RE CROSS+ ! ,PLATTE60
,L\ISA LOOK$ \1 !N TOOK ,M>Y'S H& 9 H]S4
,MA & ,ANNA /OOD 2S !M & !Y ALL WAT*$
WOOD5LY Z ! H]D WAD$ "? ! WAT]4 ,! GR.D
FELT /RANGELY /1 ! AIR /RANGELY QUIET4
,SL[LY ! DU/ SETTL$1 & ,ANNA FLOPP$ H]F
AG/ A HORSE1 H] >MS ?R[N UP OV] XS BACK4
,%E PRESS$ H] =EH1D 96XS FLANK & SO2$4
  ,L\ISA WALK$ OV] 6H]1 T\*+ H] H& ON H]
TREMBL+ BACK4 8,Y DID J F9E1 ,ANNA4 ,I'M
SORRY = :AT ,I SD4 ,I SPOKE HA/ILY4 ,I D
T1 Y "K ''' X'S A BAD HABIT ( M9E4 ,MA'S
BE5 '''0
  8,I WANT 6G HOME ''' ,I J WANT 6G
HOME60
  8,X'S ALL OV]1 ,ANNA4 ,WE'RE SAFE4
,GOD TOOK C>E ( U40
  8,"H -ES ,JAMES10 3T9U$ ,L\ISA4 ,MA
/OOD ) H] H&S ON H] HIPS1 A SMALL WOMAN
) FLA%+ BLACK EYES4 ,JAMES _H ! HORSES
TROTT+1 CR1T+ M DU/1 COLOR+ ! AIR AG4
,HE JUMP$ F ! WAGON )A 8:OA0 &A      #GI
TOSS (! RE9S1 !N RAN ! REMA9+ FEW FEET1
8 EYES SE>*+ _!S4
  8,WE CD ALL 2 D1D60 ,ANNA SCR1M$4
,TE>S MU4I$ H] *EEKS1 &! GRE5 ( H] EYES
LOOK$ L GLASS4
  8,IF Y'RE ALL "R ,I'LL G SEE AB ,WI-
LEY40 ,HE LOOK$ 6,L\ISA1 B %E KEPT H]
EYES CA/ D[NW>D4 8,I'LL 2 (F !N40 ,HE
YANK$ (F 8 HAT1 !N DONN$ X AG )A PLOP4
,HE WALK$ 6"O ( ,L\ISA'S HORSES & UNL1%$
HM F ! H>;S4 8,I'LL G SEE :AT ,I C F9D1
,MA'AM10 HE SD 6,MA1 SW++ UP ON ,PETE &
ONTO ! PA?4 ,X 0 A NEW PA?1 B1T5 WIDE 0!
BU6ALO1 & /RET*$ AL;G ! RIV]4 ,2Y X 0
,WILEY4 ,"S":4
  ,L\ISA /OOD MO;N.S1 FEEL+ ! PA9 N[4
,WILEY8 ,": 0 ,WILEY8 ,& ,DAVID8 ,%E
LIMP$ 6H] WAGON1 />TL$ 6SEE ! *AOS 9SIDE
B TOO WE>Y 6C>E4 ,NUMBLY %E ?"\ AB H]
MIRROR & FIGUR$ X 0 PROBABLY 9 A MILLION
PIECES N[4
  ,%E CLE>$ A SMALL PLACE1 L[]$ H]F D[N
C>E;LLY1 & SET H] BACK AG/ H] TRUNK4 ,H]
H1D DROPP$ BACKW>D UNTIL X RE/$ ON !
HUMP4 ,H] >MS A*$1 & %E CURL$ H]     #HJ
F+]S 96H] LAP1 AFRAID 6OP5 !M =! PA94
,%E WOND]$ IF H] %\LD]S _H BE5 4LOCAT$1
B DECID$ !Y _H N4
  8,DE> ,GOD10 ,L\ISA SD SIL5TLY1 8?ANK
Y = SP>+ U AG4 ,PL1SE1 PL1SE LET ,WILEY
2 ALL "R ''' & ,DAVID &! O!RS40
  ,DAVID8 ,": 0 HE8 ,%E TOOK A DEEP
BR1?1 =C+ H]F 6CALM D[N4 ,%E SAW ,ANNA
PIT*+ =W>D1 HE>D H] [N %>P ^WS1 FELT !
YANK 9 H] >MS4 ,TE>S FELL Z %E J]K$ =-
W>D1 REACT+ 6! IMAG9>Y PULL (! RE9S4
8,BR1! DEEPLY10 %E TOLD H]F4 8,J KEEP
BR1?+ DEEPLY40
  8,L\ISA6 ,S>AH60 ,PA'S VOICE DRIFT$ "?
H] FATIGUE1 ! SWIRL+ SPACE1 B %E MADE NO
MOVE4 ,! S.D (! HORSES1 GALLOP+ 9 CLOS]
& CLOS] BR"\ BACK H] F"R1 & %E F"\ ! T]-
ROR1 CL5*+ H] TEE?1 WILL+ H]F N 6SCR1M4
,"! 7 M %\TS4 ,ANNA 0 CRY+1 &! *N '''
  8,L\ISA80
  ,%E OP5$ H] EYES SL[LY & SAW HM4 ,HE 0
P]*$ 2S H]1 />+ 96H] FACE4 8,! BU6ALO1
,DAVID '''0 %E :ISP]$4 8,!Y--0
  8,I "K ''' ,X 0 ALL MY FAULT '''0 ,HE
BROKE (F1 UNA# 6SAY ANY M4           #HA
  8,OH1 ,DAVID6 ,NO60 ,%E TRI$ 6SIT
/RAI<T1 OP5+ H] F+]S 6! TE>S T /R1M$ D[N
8 FACE1 FALL+ UN*ECK$ F 8 JAW4 ,HE GRA2$
H] H& & %E W9C$4
  8,YES1 X WAS6 ,L\ISA1 LI/5 6ME6 ,I %OT
"O6 ,I %OT A BU6ALO6 ,N"O ( U KNEW :AT
WE 7 DO+1 B ,I %OT "O60 ,HE DROPP$ H] H&
& L1N$ =W>D OV] 8 BURI$ FACE4 ,8 %\LD]S
H1V$ Z HE CRI$ \1 8,I NE>LY KILL$ Y1
,LIZA60
  8,NO--0
  8,I />T$ ! /AMP$E60 ,_! EYES LOCK$4
8,I CD H KILL$ "EY"O6 ,Y60
  8,NO1 ,DAVID1 NO '''0 ,H] PA9 0 G"O N[
--ONLY ,DAVID'S 0 "!4 ,%E R1*$ = 8 H&1 &
AT H] T\* HE TOOK X1 !N S(TLY RAN A F+]
ACR H] PALM1 ACR ! LAC],NS & BLOOD4 ,HE
TURN$ X OV] & T\*$ ! RAW;S ( H] WRI/4
,_! EYES MET AG1 & HE CALM$4 ,HE R1*$ =
H] *EEK 6SMOO? ! HAIR F H] BLOOD-SME>$
FACE4 8,I ?9K Y BETT] G10 %E :ISP]$1 N
TAK+ H] EYES F HIS4 8,YR BU6ALO ''' X'LL
NE$ BUT*]+40
  ,HE SNI6$4 8,ALL "R40 ,BACK+ \1 EYES
UNA# 6LET G1 HE DROPP$ 6! GR.D4      #HB
,=A MO;T !Y HELD EA* O!R1 & !N HE 0 G"O4























                   #F                #HC

  8,S ! PRAIRIE S*OON]S PL\<$ _! WAY1 "D
AF "D '''4 ,! MONOTON\S "DS L5G!N$ 9TO
WEEKS4 ,! SUN B1T D[N ^U !M ) XS REL5T.S
H1T2 ! FL[]S & GRASS )]$2 ! E>? 2CAME
H>D & P>*$2 ! HORSES JO7$ AL;G ) H1DS
HANG+40
    --,ROB]TA ,FRYE ,WATT 9 .,F\R .,WAG-
    ONS .,WE/

  8,? PLACE ISN'T FIT = ANYBODY B ,9DI-
ANS & BU6ALO10 SD ,DAVID4 ,HE SCANN$ !
MILES AH1D1 TAK+ 9 ! NUM]\S PRAIRIE-DOG
HOLES (! ,L>AMIE ,PLA9 &! SCATT]$ BU6ALO
B"OS--HUGE & BL1*$ :ITE 0! SUN4 ,!Y LAY
"EY":1 HUMPS ( D1? 9 ! DESOL,N4
  ,2H T[]$ ,SCOTT'S ,BLUFF1 AL;G ) O!R
ROCKY BUTTES4 ,!Y ROSE \ (! PRAIRIE />K
& GROTESQUE1 ALM TORTUR\S 9 _! APPE>.E
AM;G ! )]$ GRASS--BURNT R$ AG/ BURNT AM-
B]4
  ,L\ISA SAT ) ,DAVID4 ,%E _H 9VIT$ H]F
AL;G1 UNA# 6/& 8 QUIETUDE ANYMORE4 ,TWO
&A HALF WEEKS _H PASS$ S9CE ! BU6ALO
/AMP$E4 ,H] MIRROR _HN'T BROK51 B    #HD
,DAVID 0 SPOIL+ X ALL 0HIS OLD ALO(;S4
,%E DIDN'T "K :AT _H HAPP5$4 ,0 8 QUIET
DUE 6! FI<T HE & ,JAMES _H AF ! /AMP$E8
,! TWO ( !M _H A3US$ EA* O!R ( 2+ TOT,Y
IRRESPONSI# & ,PA _H _H 6BR1K X UP4
  ,WELL1 TD1 =A R1SON %E CDN'T EXPLA91
%E _H J CLIMB$ UP ON ! WAGON S1T 2S HM &
SD HELLO4 ,%E SAT CLOSE S T H] ?I< T\*$
HIS1 &! K9DL+ ( W>M? ( X PULSAT$ "? H]4
,"S?+ DEEP D[N _H PU%$ XS WAY UP AF YE>S
( 2+ C>E;LLY BURI$ 0PROP] TRA9+4 ,MAYBE
X 0 T %E _H J _H H] BIR?"D2 ,JUNE ! #A/
%E _H TURN$ #BD4
  ,9 H] H&S %E HELD "O ( ,PA'S %IRTS4
,HE _H RIPP$ \ "O (! BUTTONHOLES1 & %E 0
TRY+ 6SALVAGE ! WRECKAGE4 ,X 0 H>D 6D1
B\NC+ AL;G1 & ONCE 9 A:ILE %E WD W9CE &
SUCK AT ! BLOOD ON H] F+]4 ,%E ?"\ ( ,=T
,L>AMIE "S": AH1D1 & H] F+]S PULL$ AT !
?R1DS QKLY2 ! EXCITE;T ( SEE+ NEW FACES1
MAYBE EV5 HAV+ A BA?1 QK5$ H] MOVE;TS4
  ,! "DS 7 GO+ SL[LY N[--ALW ! SAME4
,EA* MORN+ 2F ! SUN 0 UP ,MA WD H A FIRE
GO+1 ! BISCUITS ROLL$1 ! BACON SIZZL+4
,%E _H 2COME AN EXP]T AT PREP>+ !    #HE
CORNM1L1 ROLL+ \ ! CAKES1 & !N TY+ UP !
SACK AG4 ,ONCE 9 A:ILE %E WD -E ACR AN
EGG 9SULAT$ 9 ! FL\R & !Y WD H A TR1T4
  ,BR1KFA/ OV]1 !Y WD HIT* ! HORSES &
/>T ! L;G WALK ALL OV] AG4 ,! *N / C\<$
F "T 6"T1 B ! WORRY (! :OOP+ C\< 0 G"O4
,EV5 ! MEMORY (! BU6ALO /AMP$E _H SUB-
SID$1 & NO?+ B A FEW W&]+ ,9DIANS CR1T$
A /IR4 ,X WD 2 WOND];L 6GET 6! =T4 ,PA
_H SD MAYBE TM4
  8,MAKES Y WOND] H[ !Y SURVIVE \ "H10
SD ,DAVID4 8,! ,9DIANS1 ,I M1N40
  8,I SUPPOSE !Y W&]1 FOLL[ ! BU6ALO OR
"S?+40 ,%E DIDN'T LOOK AT HM4 ,HE 0
TALK+ N[1 & %E DIDN'T WANT HM 6/OP4
  8,REMEMB] ! "D ,I %OT ! BU6ALO80 ,%E
NO4$4 8,A V]SE--WELL1 "P (A V]SE--CAME
6MY H1D T "D4 ,"S?+ AB )]+ GRASS4 ,I
LOOK$ X UP LA/ NI<T40 ,HE LAU<$ SU45LY &
%E GL.ED UP %>PLY4 8,X'S 9 ,JAMES6
,IMAG9E ME F9D+ ANY?+ USE;L 9 ,JAMES60
  ,%E PU%$ ! NE$LE 96! SMALL P9 BOOK T
,MA _H MADE = H] ONCE4 8,WANT 6HE> H[ !
:OLE ?+ GOES80 HE ASK$4 8,NO1 WAIT1
,I'LL TELL Y ANYWAY4 ,8,LET !        #HF
BRO!R ( L[ DEGREE RJC 9 T HE IS EXALT$1
B ! RI* 9 T HE IS MADE L[1 2C Z ! FL[] (
! GRASS HE % PASS AWAY4 ,=! SUN IS NO
SOON] RIS5 )A BURN+ H1T B X )]E? ! GRASS
'''4 ,S AL % ! RI* MAN FADE AWAY 9 8
WAYS40'0 ,HE PAUS$4 8,JAMES #A3I-AA4
,9T]E/+1 ISN'T X80
  8,Y ?9K Y'RE GO+ 6BE RI* "S"D80
  8,T'S N ! PO9T4 ,JAMES IS ! RI* BRO!R4
,I'M ! "O ( L[ DEGREE40
  8,I'M N SURE ,I "U/&40
  ,HE SMIL$ SL[LY & %E WAT*$ 8 M\? TURN
UP4 8,WELL1 ,I D1 ,LIZA4 ,I D '''0 ,8
VOICE TRAIL$ (F & HE SMIL$ AG4 8,I'M GO+
6MEMORIZE ! :OLE ?+1 Y "K40
  8,! :OLE ,BOOK ( ,JAMES60
  8,X'S N T L;G4 ,FIVE *APT]S1 #AJH V]S-
ES1 :I*"E Y PREF]4 ,C.T$ !M LA/ NI<T4
,?"\ ! IDEA ( MEMORIZ+ ,JAMES "S:AT FUN-
NY40 ,HE TURN$ ON ! S1T 6FACE H]4 8,Y
DON'T SEE ! HUMOR 9 T1 D Y80
  8,NO1 C'T SAY T ,I D40
  8,WELL1 ,I D4 ,YUP1 ,I'M GO+ 6MEMORIZE
T :OLE BOOK4 ,MI<T HELP ME \ :5 X -ES 6T
BRO!R ( M9E4 ,L ! BIT AB 3TROLL+     #HG
YR T;GUE ''' ,OH1 =GET X40 ,HE TU7$ ON !
RE9S1 URG$ ! HORSES FA/]4 ,HE LAU<$ AG4
  8,Y'RE J1L\S ( ,JAMES40
  8,:AT80
  8,Y'RE J1L\S ( ,JAMES1 ,DAVID4 ,I SEE
X ALL N[4 ,Y >E1 >5'T Y80
  ,HE PROPP$ 8 ELB[S ON ! WORN ?R1DS ( 8
PANTS & />$ \ OV] ! BACKS (! HORSES 6!
PRAIRIE4 ,HE FIDGET$ )! L1!R /RAPS 9 8
H&S1 RU2+ 8 PALMS TGR S T ! RE9S ROLL$ F
! BASE ( 8 PALMS \ 6HIS F+]-TIPS & BACK
AG4 ,HE TURN$ 6LOOK AT H]1 8 EYES D>K F
! SQU9T4 ,!N DELIB]ATELY HE WRAPP$ !
RE9S 6! PO/ AL;GSIDE HM & TOOK H] FACE
2T 8 H&S 6KISS H]4
  ,%E GASP$ F ! SU45;S ( X & PULL$ AWAY4
,B HE GRA2$ TI<T4 ,! SUN BURN$ HOT ON H]
FACE & HE KISS$ H] AG4 ,8 LIPS 7 H>D &
UNYIELD+1 !N H>% & PA9;L4
  8,DAVID60
  8,I DON'T SEE Y GETT+ 9 S* A HUFF )
,JAMES60
  ,%E PU%$ H] FALL5 SUNBONNET BACK 9TO
PLACE & TI$ ! RI2ONS TI<T "U H] *94 ,%E
DID X SL[LY1 AW>E (! WR9KL$ SAT9     #HH
2T F+]TIPS1 (! *ASM T SEEM$ 6ONLY WID5
2T H] & ,DAVID4 8,T'S DI6]5T10 %E :ISP]$
S(TLY4 8,? IS Y & ME1 ,DAVID4 ,WE'RE
DI6]5T4 ,>5'T WE80 ,%E LOOK$ UP & SAW T
HE _H )DRAWN -PLETELY1 & %E BL9K$ & WIP$
H] EYES4 8,DON'T D ? 6ME1 ,DAVID10 %E
PL1D$4 8,PL1SE DON'T %UT ME AWAY4
,PL1SE6 ,JAMES--0
  8,DON'T M5;N ,JAMES 6ME AG60
  8,B HE'S MY BRO!R1 ,DAVID ''' ,YR
BRO!R40
  8,HE .IS M9E40 ,DAVID'S VOICE 0 COLD &
HE />$ /RAI<T AH1D4 8,HE IS .N YRS40
  8,DAVID40 ,%E PAUS$4 8,JAMES & ,I H
BE5 FRS "E S9CE ,MA & ,PA GOT M>RI$4 ,WE
_H FUN TGR '''0 ,%E /OPP$ ABRUPTLY4
  8,S ,I'VE NOTIC$10 ,DAVID MUM#D4 ,HE
SLAPP$ ! RE9S 9 8 H&S4
  8,HE IS MY BRO!R1 ,DAVID4 ,:AT--0
  8,HE IS NO M YR BRO!R ?AN ,I AM60 ,HE
SNAPP$ ! :IP &! HORSES BOLT$4 ,L\ISA _H
6HOLD FA/ 6KEEP F 2+ B\NC$ (F4 8,"!'S
NO?+ 9 ! LAW1 ,L\ISA ,BOR51 T SAYS
,JAMES C'T UP & M>RY Y6 ,& LET ME TELL Y
"S?+1 T IS J :AT .MY BRO!R 9T5DS     #HI
ON DO+60
  ,! WAGON LUR*$ =W>D1 ! DES]T PASS$ BY4
,JAMES8 ,HE WANT$ 6M>RY H]8 ,L\ISA SAT
/UNN$4 ,%E CD HE> ,DAVID TALK+ 6! HORS-
ES1 FELT ! WAGON SL[4
  8,Y'RE WR;G40 ,%E 0 AFRAID 6LOOK AT HM
N[4 8,JAMES DOESN'T WANT 6M>RY ME OR HE
WD H ASK$ A L;G "T AGO40
  8,DON'T M5;N ,JAMES 6ME1 ,L\ISA4 ,I
TOLD Y T40
  8,JAMES--0
  8,I'M SICK ( HE>+ 8 "N6 ,I'M SICK (!
:OLE BUSI;S60
  8,Y'RE N TRY+ 6"U/&60
  8,I "U/& PL5TY60
  8,HEY "!6 ,:OA60 ,DO29S RODE UP ON
,DAVID'S HORSE4 ,HE CAME \ ( NO":1 />TL+
!M BO?4 ,L\ISA FELT H] FACE W>M4 8,PA
SAYS = Y 6RIDE SC\T ) ,SAMUEL1 ,DAVID6
,I'M 6TAKE OV] "H60 ,HE 4M.T$ :5 !Y
/OPP$4
  ,DAVID H&$ ! RE9S D[N & FELL 96,JONA-
?AN'S SA4LE 9 ALM "O MO;N1 & ,L\ISA
WAT*$ Z HE GALLOP$ AWAY F H]4
  8,DAVID C ONLY SEE ,JAMES N[1      #IJ
,SIS10 SD ,DO29S4 8,& X'S *URN+ 8 GUT40
,HE HOPP$ UP & GOT ! WAGON ROLL+ AG4
  8,I DON'T "K :AT Y'RE TALK+ AB10 SD
,L\ISA4 ,%E TOSS$ H] H1D4
  8,JAMES CA/S A PRETTY BIG %AD[4 ,A BIT
( ADVICE1 ,SI/]4 ,/AY AWAY F HM4 ,Y'LL
LOSE ,DAVID40
  ,L\ISA SAW NO R1SON 6ANSW] H] BRO!R4
,%E LICK$ ! SALTY TE>S F H] *EEKS &
SNI6$4 ,DO29S DUG "? 8 POCKETS1 PULL$
LOOSE A DU/Y H&K]*IEF1 & )\T A ^W H&$ X
6H]4
  8,?ANKS10 %E :ISP]$1 !N BLEW H] NOSE4