Free Jodi's Journey by Rita Hestand Page A

worth their salt on a
cattle drive.”
    “What happens if we run out, though?” Matt
asked after a short silence. “Of your coffee, I mean.”
    “Shhh…bite your tongue. I have made it my
purpose to see we don't.” She smiled at him. “And I buy extra. See
that crate back there? That's coffee.”
    “I've tasted some pretty rank coffee in my
time.” Matt grinned. “My ma, she spent hours cooking sometimes. But
once—before Daddy died—we had Indian trouble, and the next day
everyone was tired and washed out, so Mama began cooking. She was
still so upset by the Indians she burnt the coffee beans in the
skillet. That was the worst coffee I ever had, but Daddy…he never
said a word, even though I knew he hated it by his pouring half of
it out outside.”
    “How'd your daddy die, Matt?” Jodi asked,
eyeing the boy.
    “He was killed haulin' silver for a miner,”
Matt replied. “Got held up.”
    “I'm so sorry. It must be rough on your
mama,” Jodi replied, realizing the boy had suffered from it.
    “That's one of the reasons I wanted this job.
I'm savin' my money, gonna take it to her when I'm through. She
works so hard, has so little, and I aim to see her days better for
her,” Matt said with conviction.
    Jodi's throat constricted at the pride she
felt for this young man. Hunt really did know how to judge
people.
    Changing the subject, she went to telling him
about how she insisted he wash up before and after the meals.
    Matt nodded. “Yes ma'am.” And he didn't seem
to mind anything she said. He took instructions better than any
cowpuncher she’d ever hired.
    “And one other thing, try to keep the caboose
under the wagon filled with either wood, or cow and buffalo chips.
Makes it easier when fire is needed, okay? We also keep extra
rawhide under there for general purposes.”
    “Sure thing.” Matt smiled “Where is the
caboose? I mean, exactly?” he asked innocently.
    Jodi pointed down. “Underneath the wagon
there. You'll see it when we stop. It comes in mighty handy during
a heavy rain. It's just a cowhide stretched under the wagon to keep
added supplies along the way.”
    Matt smiled and nodded. “You run a smooth
camp, don't you?”
    “We try to. The better prepared you are, the
easier the drive,” Jodi laughed.

    ≈≈≈

    “So, how's he working' out?” Hunt asked as he
rode into camp that night, obviously anxious to know if the boy was
doing okay.
    “Not bad. Catches on real fast. I think he'll
do. It's just…” A shadow of annoyance crossed her face as she
spoke.
    “Just what?” Hunt seemed to recognize her
hesitance at accepting Matt.
    “He's so young.” Jodi's voice lowered a notch
so Matt wouldn't hear her.
    “Don't let him hear you say that. Age doesn't
have a thing to do with ability. He learns fast, he's eager. Don't
mother hen him. He'll be fine. It's hard enough a boy turning into
a man without a woman trying to nurse him.”
    “I'm not trying to mother him.” she replied
vehemently. “I just think he's kind of young for this.” Jodi
replied becoming a little miffed at his accusation.
    “A boy has to start somewhere to become a
man. I don't figure we'll have much trouble with Matt. He's a good
kid. Most kids his age want to get out and do something on their
own, especially when their father is gone. He's a man now in his
way of thinking. You can't go back to childhood once that happens.
It'd be like reversing nature. Got to respect that about him. Who
knows, in days to come, he might be the very one to save us.”
    “How would you know?” she replied
sardonically, wondering how the man could size a situation up so
quickly.
    “'Cause I wasn't much older than him when I
got out on my own.” Hunt sat down beside her and gave her a warm
smile. He sighed heavily, glancing about the camp with complete
satisfaction. “That's one thing a trail boss has to learn real
quick, sizing up a man or a boy.”
    “And how does he size up?” Jodi asked,
holding a smile in. As