Going back to school was good for Jeremy, but getting there had been a hectic experience for the brothers. They were still finishing up the cutting at the higher altitudes, and that meant a longer, earlier trip in the morning for the boy. And sunrise was getting later every day.

Not that that bothered Jeremy. He was glad to be out and on his own, and it wasn't like it was really all that dark. He was allowed to roam the mountain all of every day, after his work was done, but he was supposed to be afraid of it in the mid-light times? Jason sure had him figured wrong, if he thought that!

He'd leave in plenty of time, just-in-case, every morning, But the first two days – not one, but TWO days, Jason had gone with him. Not to school, but into town! As if he didn't know how to go to town by himself!

At least he hadn't come back in the afternoon, and Jeremy could go back to camp by himself.

Josh pretended he'd been about to go out looking for him, since it was getting soo late. What if he'd got lost? What if he'd fallen down and skinned his knee? What if –

"Oh, sh-shut up!"

Josh yanked Jeremy's hair and ran off the work area, so Jeremy couldn't (wasn't supposed to) follow him.

Jeremy smiled briefly. He'd seen Josh rolling his eyes and acting dramatically behind Jason's back that morning. At least Josh knew Jason was being ridiculous.

Jeremy went looking for something to eat. A brought lunch didn't last long when a guy had to climb a mountain a few hours later. Especially if he'd played during the recesses. Maybe tomorrow he wouldn't run so much.

Maybe he could climb a tree.

Maybe he could go back to their place in town for lunch, even if he had to cook for himself. Or get something to eat before he headed for home. That might be better.

"How was your day?" Jason was suddenly there.

Jeremy shrugged, stuffing food in his mouth so he wouldn't have to talk.

"Did you have any trouble?"

Jeremy shook his head and chewed slowly.

Jason sat down. "I don't know if you're not talking because you can't or because you won't. We'll talk later, we still have some work to finish for today. Stay here in the camp. There's plenty of work for you to do here."

Jeremy nodded.

After supper, Jason said,"I'll be going in with you again in the morning. I have some business to take care of in town."

"Why didn't you do it today?" Josh asked (to Jeremy's relief. He wanted to know but didn't want to ask.)

"It didn't need done then."

"Oh, the order we finished?"

"Mm-hmm." Jason finished his coffee. "We'll have lunch at Lottie's tomorrow, unless you prefer a cold sandwich and water."

" I D-Don't!"

"You could have two or three sandwiches, and a couple of apples," Jason teased. "If you want, we could boil eggs for you every couple of days."

"Th-they'd be cold, too."

"Of course, you could light the stove at the house and cook yourself something. Maybe put potatoes in the fire."

"I thought about that. I coulda had something b-before coming back, but then i'd be late and you'd worry."

"That part's right, anyway. I've been worrying about you since before you were born, and I don't see it ending any time soon. We're just going to have to live with it. Hopefully I'll get better control as we get more experience."

"B'sides, I don't wanna mess it up. They made it look whole new."

"I'm glad to hear you respect that."

Jeremy grinned and stabbed at his dish. "If I m-mess it up, you m-might make me c-clean it like you did the b-bed." He shuddered.

"I might, at that. If it gets too cold or rains too hard, I want you to stay in town."

"B-by myself?"

"Or with somebody, if anybody will have you. We'll have to work out at what point you'll need to decide whether to turn back or keep going. Maybe the fork at the grandmother pine?"

"What if it rains d-down there b-but not up here?"

"I guess I'll just have to trust you. Or come into town myself when we finish the day's work."

"I like the first one."

"Ah, but can you live up to it?"

"L-let's f-find out." Jeremy grinned.

"We have to start somewhere, don't we?" Jason agreed, tousling the boy's hair.

Josh made a gagging sound, then laughed when his brothers stared at him.