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Then Tal and his bunch left. They didn't say anything, they just packed up and left. No one was sorry to see them leave either. Ferg was glad they were gone, there had been a lot of tension between the trappers and Tal's bunch wounded men had healed well, but their souls were not healed, and they were belligerent most of the time.
Slowly the trappers got their gear and headed to the northern high country. They had to go in the spring as they only had about two seasons to do their work. Ferg and the boys hung around Matt and Snow Bird, it had been a long while since they had been in any community of people and they were a bit sad at how easily some of their friends left.
Ferg went up to Margaret and gave her a good and thorough look. She saw him and blushed. She brushed back her brown gray hair and stared into his dark eyes.
"Margaret we'll be leaving in a day or two." Ferg told her. His hand reached for hers, and she gave it freely now. "I wanted to thank you for taking such good care of Raz. He hasn't showed any signs of having it. Do you think he is alright?"
Margaret looked at the man then back at Ferg, "He hasn't had a fever in some time. He hasn't shown any signs of it, but I've heard tell that it can take hold of a man as long as a year or so later. So be watchful of him. If he does start showing signs, he'll die soon after. But mark my words on it, you may have to restrain him until he does die. It isn't an easy thing to do to a man, especially one you've known and cared for."
Ferg nodded, "Well, I thank you again. Will you be staying here?"
"Yes, it's my home now." She nodded, not looking directly at him.
"You’re a right handsome woman, Margaret." He told her. "If I get this way again, I might stop in on you again."
"I'd be pleasured." Margaret smiled.
"And I don't mean, just to sleep."
She let a sly smile curl her lips. "I was kind of hoping you'd say that."
As he was about to walk off, she, touched his arm, he turned to look at her, "And if you don't say goodbye, I'll be angry with you."
"I'll make a point of it." He grinned.
She smiled and let him go.
A couple of the trappers came up to Ferg and the boys. "We're sure glad we got that smokehouse built. From now on, we can make our meat last longer with that. We thank you for all the help too. It was a dandy idea. Hope to see you next season."
"We'll probably be back this way again. No thanks needed."
"Safe journey then," they nodded to all and left.
Snow Bird packed their things and was ready to leave the minute Ferg let them know.
"I don't know how she does that so quickly, it would have taken me all day to get my stuff together."
Snow Bird smiled, "Indian women know how to pack up and move. They are used to it."
"I believe that! And thanks." He winked at her.
Ferg went up to Margaret and before she knew what was happening, he took her in his arms and gave her a kiss she'd never forget. When he came up for air, she blushed profusely.
All the boys chuckled.
"Told you I'd say goodbye." He grinned.
"You sure did that," she smiled shyly.
"I'll be back woman."
"I'll look for you then," she nodded and after hugging Snow Bird, she watched them leave.
When they got outside to the clearing they stopped and looked at Matt. "So exactly where was you thinking of settling down?"
"Thought we might head to Texas."
"Texas?" Ferg shot him a peculiar glance.
