Chapter 6

After going through some switchbacks through the foothills, they reached the little valley. Sam looked around and couldn't help the smile. The walls were high and there was a waterfall that emptied into a small lake. The lake also had a waterfall that emptied into a small stream. To Sam it all looked perfect.

"How'd you find this?" Sam asked Jake as they dismounted.

"Grandfather found it years ago," Jake told her.

"Who does it belong to?" Sam wondered.

"Whoever happens to be here at the time," Jake shrugged.

"Does anyone else know about it?" Sam asked.

"Dunno," Jake shrugged again.

"Grandfather says it's part of the Shoshone tribal lands," Bryan said, hearing their conversation. "So we can use it whenever we want."

"I'm not Shoshone," Sam pointed out.

"You're adopted," Quinn responded. "As long as you're here with us, you're fine."

Sam nodded and smiled. "What should I do?"

"Go ahead and take the tack off Daisy," Jake said. "She won't go anywhere."

"Okay," Sam answered and began to do just that.

First she untied the bag she had brought and put it in the pile where the guys were putting their things. Then she loosened the cinch and pulled the saddle off of the mare. She put the saddle on the ground and took the bridle off, leaving on the halter.

Draping the bridle over the saddle horn, Sam grunted as she managed to pick up the saddle and stumbled with it to where the others were putting their saddles. Sam noticed that the guys were watching her out of the corner of their eyes. Probably to see whether or not she'd complain about the weight. She didn't.

Jake gave her a nod as he motioned her over to help unpack the two pack horses.

"Put the sleeping bags in a pile over there," he pointed. "That's where we'll end up sleeping."

"Okay," Sam nodded and took the couple that he handed to her and brought them to where he had indicated they went. She came back and he handed her a couple more and she repeated the process until all seven of the sleeping bags were in a pile.

Then they took the fishing gear and Jake showed her where they usually kept it.

Quinn and Bryan were getting firewood while Adam was cleaning out the area they used for the fire. Sam could see the ring of stones and rocks from previous fires.

Since it didn't look like Jake needed help, she went over to where the twins were gathering firewood and helped them. She lifted what she could and Bryan told her to grab some of the scrub for them to start the fire with.

"We get firewood every morning," Quinn told her. "That way we have enough for when we cook and at night."

Sam nodded in understanding.

"Girl's bathroom will be that clump of bushes there," Kit announced as he pointed. "If I see any of you guys near there I'll beat your asses."

Sam blushed.

"Guys' bathroom is over there," Kit pointed to a spot away from the girl's spot. "I wouldn't wander too close to it, Sammy."

Sam blushed deeper and shook her head, looking down at the ground. The six Elys grinned over her head. All of them were thankful they were guys.