Israel stood just outside the cabin. Katie stood a few feet from him, while Jemima sat on the porch sewing a dress. Baby Rose played on a blanket beside her big sister.
"If you come with me. Cincinatus will give you candy." He said looking at his cousin.
"Leave her be, Israel." Jemima called from the porch. "If you want to go to the fort, that's fine, but she doesn't have to go with you. Don't bully her."
"It is safe. You don't have to worry. 'Sides, I'll be with you. Don't you like candy?" He pleaded.
Jemima set her sewing down and walked to Katie. "He's right Katie. It is safe. You don't have to worry, but you don't have to go either. You can stay here with me." She put a hand on her cousin's shoulder.
"Candy." Israel said again grinning. "Yummy, candy!" She hesitated, then slowly reached out and took her cousin's hand. "You wanna come?" Israel said over his shoulder to Mima as they walked towards the fort.
"I'll catch up!" Jemima said. She ran to the porch and gathered her sewing, tucking it into a basket. Lifting Rose she headed inside. She smiled as she thought of how Israel never minded when Katie held his hand. He enjoyed his role of protector. She tiptoed quietly into the cabin to put her sewing away. She tried to be quiet and thoughtful these days. She glanced around the silent cabin and saw her mother sitting near the fire. She had one of her father's shirts in her lap, but she wasn't sewing. She wasn't doing anything. Seeing her this way troubled Jemima deeply. Her mother was almost never still. She was always busy - cooking, sewing, gardening, storming around putting together a pack for her Pa who was forever needing one packed. And always while she did anything she was singing. She never sang now.
"Ma?" Jemima said. "Israel wants to take Katie-Grace to the fort. Pa's there. I thought I'd take Rose there too. Do you need anything?"
"What? No. Nothing." She sighed and picked up the shirt in her lap and began to sew.
***DB***
Daniel was surprised to see all four of his children step in the door of Cincinatus' tavern. "Well, lookee, here!" He said smiling. He crossed the room and lifted Katie Grace up and into his arms. "You walked here?" He asked her and she nodded. He kissed her and said, "Well, aren't you a brave thing." She whispered something, very softly. "What's that?" he asked leaning closer. He laughed out loud when she whispered, "Israel said there would be candy."