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Benteen didn’t atte after each other as he slapped the horses with the reins and chirruped to the tea hooves, and the rattle of the covered wagon combined to drown out the voices Beside hi in the seat to keep her parents in sight as they drove down the street The tears kept falling, and Benteen kept a tight-lipped silence, understanding yet feeling the anger of frustration, because there was nothing he could say or do Her desolation was beyond co, so he didn’t try

They were nearly out of town before her shoulders quit shaking with sobs, but the tears didn’t stop Benteen slid a short glance at her pale, strained face, partially turned froain to the front With one hand he untied the kerchief knotted loosely around his throat and silently offered it to her

She took it and wiped at her tear-drenched cheeks, while holding on to the sides of the wagon seat to keep froh road When she had dried her face, she clutched the kerchief in her lap

“I can’t help it” Lorna defended her tears

“I know” His voice was tight She dabbed again at her eyes, bowing her head and sniffling Purposely or not, she washer away from her parents It rankled hied with him, not theitation crept through “Those tears aren’t going toand cursed hi her some comfort

When he tried to put his arm around her, Lorna pushed it away “You don’t understand,” she accused, the tears building again in her eyes “I’ll probably never see theain”

In all likelihood, she was right, so Benteen didn’t atte for hi at his silence

“It’s true, isn’t it?” she whispered

“I don’t know” He was honest as he could be with her, a grimness to his profiled features

He expected her to burst into tears, but the outpouring of grief didn’t come Tears continued to slide silently down her cheeks as Lorna stared at the road ahead That was harder for hi he had anticipated

All was in readiness to take the trail when they reached the caone The horses were hitched to the chuck wagon; Ely Stanton’s wagon was ready to pull out; the wrangler had the horse re for the word to move out

Pulling in the team, Benteen set the brake and wrapped the reins around it He cast a glance at Lorna, noting the tears frozen on her face A heavy sigh broke froround He walked to the rear of the wagon and untied his saddle horse

Jessie Trumbo rode up as Benteen stepped into the saddle “All set whenever you give the word,” he said, and received a short nod

Benteen rode past without looking at Lorna and cantered his horse to the Stanton wagon He touched his hat in a silent greeting to the plain wo her hair She met his look squarely

“I’d be obliged, Mrs Stanton, if you would drive ,” he requested stiffly “My ould be grateful for your coler’s helper will drive yours”