*Isabella*

Ma’s voice is shoutin’ in my head. She’s a yellin’ at me to head back to the wagon. She don’t want me out here with these “wild men,” not because she’s afraid they’ll hurt me. Hell, Chet already done saved my life. No, she’s afraid of what the others will say.

Well, to hell with them.

I ignore her and hone in on what Chet has just told me. I feel my stomach tighten up in a knot and a funny feelin’ lower than that, like parts of me are alive and on fire I ain’t never paid much attention to before.

“Are you going to say anything?” he...