Sharon breathed in deeply before answering. At length, she replied, "Because David and his new wife will be spending the winter season in the same camp where we will be."
"They will?" asked Amelia.
"Yes," answered Sharon. "Apparently, his new wife is a cousin to Morning-sun-woman, Chief Chases-the-enemy's sits-beside-him wife, and their families often winter together."
"Really? I have not seen them in this procession. Are you certain?"
"I am. They are behind us, I believe. Forgive me my weakness, but I…I can't be in the same camp as David and his new wife."
"Of course not."
"There are other reasons, also, besides the obvious one as to why I can't set up my own lodge where they are."
Amelia became silent for several moments, until at last she asked, "And, those reasons are…?"
Sharon glanced away from her friend. "I cannot speak of them."
Amelia bobbed her head slightly and said, "Of course. I understand. But please, if you are determined to do this, then let me find my husband and tell him about this, and we shall go with you as far as Fort McKenzie."
"Oh, Amelia, how kind you are to offer this, and you are truly a good friend. But, I cannot allow you and your husband to do it. Winter is coming. You must remain with the others, and—"
"The others will fare well for the little while we would be away."
"And, then how will you get to the winter camp?"
"It will be easy. Gray Falcon knows the way. And, if it's too hard, we will simply spend the winter at Fort McKenzie," said Amelia.
"But, if you were to have to stay there, where would you obtain the money to pay for your lodging? Nothing there is free."
"My parents are still in residence there. Besides, my husband could earn our keep by hunting for the fort."
Sharon shut her eyes. "You are a good friend, but, no, I still can't let you do it."
"Nonsense. I will talk to Gray Falcon about it tonight when we break to set up camp for the evening."
Sharon shook her head. "And, I know he would do almost anything you ask, and yet, I can't let you do it. You are my very best friend, and I love you very much, which is why you must stay here with the others."
"Don't be silly."
Sharon didn't answer. Indeed, having already made up her mind about returning to Fort McKenzie and, from there to Fort Union, nothing else would do. If she were no longer amongst the people, it would be difficult for David—who had made only a few friends in the camp—to heap shame upon her.
There were other equally good reasons to leave, too: it would spare her the humiliation of having to defend herself against David's accusations. It would also put her out of David's reach and would free her from the necessity to explain herself to her newly acquired family. She wouldn't then feel the need to tell them why she couldn't be a man's second wife, especially since she and David had once fallen from grace.
Also, Fort McKenzie was within reach from where she was now; even she should be able to find it since their procession was keeping their path close to the Missouri River. It should be simple enough to slip away in the early hours of the morning, and hopefully she would find the keelboat to still be in port at Fort McKenzie.
However, she didn't wish to fool herself; it wouldn't be easy to make the trip alone. But, it was the only solution she could envision. After all, David's threat to spread tales about her was a very real threat. Indeed, a man who would flaunt God's laws could be capable of doing anything.
And, he would shame her. She knew he would. And, by bringing disgrace upon her, she would bring the same disgrace upon her new family.
Truly, she must leave. Her plans were simple: she would take the keelboat from Fort McKenzie to Fort Union, and she would winter at Fort Union. Then, in the spring, she would embark upon the steamship to return to St. Louis.
What she would do there, she didn't know. After she had come to know the people here and the kindness in their hearts, it would be hard to remain away from it.
Yet, she could think of no other viable solution. Indeed, the thought of piling disgrace upon her new family was more than she could bear.
She would never see Strikes Fast again, though. Strikes Fast. Her one and only hero and the man who had cared enough about her to adopt her into his family. Would he be mortified to learn of the stain upon her reputation?
Perhaps. But, she wouldn't, she couldn't, think of what his reaction might be—not now. She had to do what must be done to protect the people she had come to love.
