He had not taken time to shave since cholera struck. He and Blake were due to rendezvous with the captain of Fort Boise in a couple of hours. They’d meet at a set point far enough from the fort so that they didn’t accidentally infect anyone. He dumped out his soapy, bristly water just as a wagon rolled into camp. Grant’s heart jumped. It must be Miss Sadie and Ginger. He walked toward Miss Sadie’s campsite. Blake had insisted that no one try to move into that spot. Miss Sadie would have had a conniption fit if anyone had dared. Feeling more light-hearted and relieved than he had in days, he walked toward the wagon. As he drew close, he realized Ginger wasn’t in the wagon. Miss Sadie reined in the oxen and nodded grimly to Grant as he offered her assistance down from the wagon. “Where is she?” he asked. “Gone,” Miss Sadie said flatly. “What do you mean, gone?” She shook her head wearily. “It’s not her fault. Web didn’t give her much of a choice. They rode out during the night.”
