Josiah awoke to the sound of the cabin floor creaking under someone’s weight. As he opened his eyes, the outline of Jacques could be seen squatting in front of the fireplace. Watching Jacques stoke a newly lit fire, Josiah propped himself up on one arm and asked, “What time is it my friend?” Never taking his eyes off the fire, Jacques chuckled and replied, “Time for you to get out of bed! It is nearly six o’clock and we have to get to those traps before the scavengers do.” “Mmm.......right.” Shedding off the last layers of sleep, Josiah sat up and reached for his backpack. Opening it, he pulled out fresh clothing and began to dress. If Jacques was up, then Cheyenne would not be too far behind him. There had been more that enough awkward moment lately, without having her come out and see him not yet dressed.

“Will you be heading back this afternoon, Josiah?” Jacques inquired, setting a final log on the now roaring fire. While waiting for his reply Jacques retrieved the coffee pot from a shelf above mantle, and began to make the morning brew. Having readied the pot and hung it over the fire, Jacques noticed that he had still not been answered. He turned to face Josiah, and immediately received his answer as to why Josiah remained silent.

About to answer his friend, Josiah had looked up from placing his dirty clothes into his knapsack. As he did so, a movement from the far side of the cabin caught his eye, drawing his vision to it. There, in the doorway of her room, stood Cheyenne. As she started to walk towards him the present was replaced with the image of his dream. The memory of it flashing before his eyes, Josiah was transfixed as the dream replayed in his mind. The images of Cheyenne walking towards him, whispering inaudible words, and lastly, kissing his cheek danced vividly in his memory. Yes, he thought, I remember. I asked for a sign and last night she came to me......in a dream. Surely this was the omen he had prayed for, and if he read it right (which he was certain he did), it was encouragement to persue Cheyenne.

Cheyenne was oblivious to Josiah’s unwavering stare. She was fully aware of his presence, but avoided eye contact for the moment. Cheyenne was still disturbed by her uncharacteristically bold actions of last night. True, she had only yesterday been about to bare her soul to Josiah. It was one thing to devulge her passion for him, but it was entirely another to go to him in his bed and risk exposure of this blatant act not only to Josiah, but to her father as well. Jacques watched the moment unfold as one would seated in the audience of a play. It was painfully obvious that both longed to tell the other of their desire, but lacked the courage to do so. This could, however, have been due to the fact that his presence only exacerbated an already arduous task. Jacques made a mental note to arrange for Josiah and Cheyenne to have some time alone before Josiah headed back this afternoon. That was, if he did still intend to leave today. Again Jacques posed the question to Josiah. “Will you still be heading back today Josiah?”

This time the query broke through Josiah’s reverie. Tearing his eyes from Cheyenne’s form, he turned his attention to his friend. “Um....yes Jacques, I must return to the missionary today. We are a little short handed at the moment......I was lucky to get these two days off at all.” Jacques nodded his head and answered, “I understand. We are glad to have you for any length of time we can. Isn’t that right Cheyenne?” Daring to lock eyes with the object of her desire, Cheyenne met Josiah’s returned gaze. “Yes....” She stated, her words carrying with them a passion that could not be contained. “Any time you spend here is a blessing.”

The words hung thick in the air. Jacques knew that his daughter and Josiah desperately needed time alone to air their emotions. Jacques didn’t believe in procrastination, so he decided to expedite the situation. “Cheyenne.....would you bring in the furs I hung to dry yesterday? They should be ready by now.” “ Yes father.” Was her reply, and she set off to do as she was asked.

No sooner had the door closed behind her did Jacques turn to Josiah and said, “I want you to stay here while I attend to the traps.” Confused by Jacques request Josiah asked, “Why Jacques? Have I done something?” “It is what you haven’t done that makes me ask this of you.” Jacques slowly walked over to the bed that Josiah still sat on and continued. “You need to talk with her Josiah.......tell her how you feel.” Giving Jacques a worried look, Josiah shook his head. “I don’t know about that. I don’t want to rush things.” “Are you still unsure of your true feelings for her?” Letting loose a drawn out sigh Josiah shrugged his shoulders and said, “I think so....I mean I cannot deny that something has changed between us......but I want to be absolutely sure before I voice it. I just don’t want to ever hurt her Jacques...you know?” Nodding Jacques placed a hand on Josiah’s shoulder. “I know. I know that you would rather die that hurt Cheyenne. So, then, why not at least take this time and spend it alone with her......it may help to clarify things.” “You may be right.” Josiah then gave Jacques a mischievous grin. “Are you certain you trust me alone with her still?” “Josiah.....you are about the only man I would trust alone with her.” Then with a glint in his eye he continued, “Besides, if you do not behave it gives me a good opportunity to try out my new hunting knife.”

Cheyenne slowly made her way, by feel more than by sight, back to the cabin. The pile of wood in her arms obstructed her view but having done this so many times she knew the path by heart. When she arrived at the door Cheyenne gave it a hard kick with her foot to let her father know he should open the door. As per normal, the door opened and she made her way inside. Cheyenne walked over to where the wood was to be stored and waited for her father to begin unloading her arms. The top three logs were removed from her load, but the face that was revealed on the other side was not that of her father’s. “Oh! Josiah! I was thought you were my father.” “Um.....no......it’s me. Your father left about five minutes ago Anni.” Josiah continued to remove logs from Cheyenne grasp and place them on the pile by the fireplace. “Hope you’re not too disappointed that it’s me.” He gave her a wink, but there was an undertone of seriousness in his words. “No! I was only ....surprised is all.” Cheyenne then realized what Josiah had said about her father’s whereabouts. “Did you say my father was gone? Where did he go?” “To check the traps. Same as every morning right?” “Well.......yes, but were you not going with him.” Cheyenne could feel her palms begin to sweat. Could it really be that her father had left her and Josiah alone together? Josiah began to wonder if this was such a good idea after all. What if Cheyenne was uncomfortable with being alone with him for so long? He ran his hands through his thick hair and replied, “Yeah, well, I changed my mind. I thought you and I could spend some time together.....before I leave. Is that all right with you?” Her heart leapt from her chest to her throat in a split second. Did her ear’s deceive her? She took a moment to compose herself and then answered, “Yes! I would like that very much.” She silently chastised herself for what she thought was sounding too eager. Cheyenne wondered if she appeared as transparent to Josiah as she felt.

Her fears were calmed when Josiah produced a huge grin and said, “Great! That’s great Anni.” Now that he knew she approved of this idea Josiah’s mind began to work. He needed to think of something for them to do, other than stand here staring at each other. Suddenly it came to him. “What about a picnic?” “What?” Cheyenne asked, startled by his outburst and not following his train of thought. Feeling foolish for blurting it out, Josiah took a deep breath restarted his thought. “I was trying to think of something we could do and I thought a picnic would be nice.” Finishing his sentence, Josiah waited eagerly for her reply. Cheyenne felt as if she were in a dream. the thought of a private picnic with this man sent shivers of delight throughout her body. “I think that sounds like fun, Josiah. I will get some food for us now.....that is if you want to leave soon?.” Josiah gave Cheyenne an enthusiastic nod. “Sounds great! We could go for a little hike and then stop and have lunch. So, while you’re packing the food I’ll get the blanket and a canteen of water.” “..Yes...I ..will pack a basket now then.” Cheyenne said, still not able to believe this was all happening. As she watched Josiah head to her father’s room to get the supplies she reached down and pinched her arm. Ouch! Yup.....she was awake.

One by one Cheyenne placed the food she had gathered into the basket. At one point, while picturing herself alone with Josiah, her palms became so sweaty that she nearly dropped a jar of raspberry preserves. ‘Calm down!’ She thought to herself. ‘If you are going to act like a fool you will never win his heart!’ Yes, that was what this was. A perfect opportunity to show Josiah that she was no longer a girl, but a woman. And not only a woman, but a woman who could be his woman and make him happy. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she continued packing the lunch.

Having collected what they would need Josiah emerged from Jacques room. Cheyenne, immersed in her task, did not notice his return. Josiah stood, quietly, and took in the sight of her. She was magnificent in her beauty, her long dark brown hair cascading down to her slender waist. Josiah could not deny his physical attraction to her, but did he dare act upon these desires with a woman so many years his junior. Josiah played with this idea in his mind as he continued to watch Cheyenne. It was not merely physical desires that attracted him to Cheyenne, he reasoned. He was also drawn to glorious spirit, and her caring heart. No, Josiah decided, there was much more to this heavenly creature before him that her outward appeal. Eager to begin the days activities Josiah let his presence be know. Josiah cleared he throat and said, “Almost ready?” Cheyenne, who had been deeply enveloped by her thoughts, jumped at the sound of his voice. She placed her hand over her heart, as if to calm it’s racing and replied, “Josiah, you scared me!” “Oh Anni!” Josiah chuckled, “I’m sorry..I didn’t mean to. Are you O.K?” Cheyenne let out a laugh of her own. “Yes, I am fine. I just did not hear you come out.” Placing the lid on the basket she picked it up and said, “And yes, I am all done.” “Great, shall we go then?” He asked, slinging the knapsack he had packed over his shoulder. Cheyenne gave Josiah a wide grin and a nod of her head. “ Yes.”

The two headed south, at Cheyenne’s request. There was silence for the first few minutes of the journey, both pretending to be taking in the wooded scenery. The truth of the matter was that each was desperately trying to come up with the right thing to say to break the ever growing silence.