Rain in the valley meant no hunting or cutting wood, so Rud caught up on work close to the cabin. The homestead – this was the first time Rud had thought of the cabin as a homestead – was in pretty good order. With the food plot, animals, and outbuildings, he had to admit it looked like a homestead now. As Billy and Rud worked, Billy asked about moving into the hideout. Billy said he was almost thirteen and did not want to share a bed with his sister forever. Billy had matured fast, but Rud didn't think he was ready to live on his own.

Rud agreed he should have a bed of his own, though, and would think of a solution. Rud knew he and Patience would eventually marry, and the current living arrangements would need to change. Billy knew Rud was planning on marrying Patience, as Rud had asked for his help on a secret project toward that end.

Rud and Billy were away from the cabin often as they hunted and collected firewood. What they did not tell Patience was they were also scouting spots in the creeks where they could pan for gold. Rud had never found enough gold in any of the creeks to make it worth the time and effort to collect. But for this task, he only needed a small amount.

An excellent time to pan for gold was after a heavy rain passed through the valley, and as the rain pounded the cabin, Rud hoped he would soon have the gold he needed. In the meantime, he was slowly creating a pattern in some scrap iron for the object he intended to make. Rud had never tried this before, but if he could melt then cast the gold into the basic shape, he could then work it into its final form. His creation may not be as pretty as store-bought gold, but it would be from their valley.

They would visit Bessie and her granddaughters about once a month. It was an easy trip, and both Patience and Billy enjoyed getting out of the valley for a day. Rud would hunt for fresh meat to take to Bessie and take his tools to do whatever repairs were needed. Billy and Alice would pair up as soon as the work was done and walk around Bessie's property talking.

Billy would show off, and no matter whether he succeeded or not, Alice would always act impressed. When Rud was that age, the other kids would have made fun of a boy and girl acting that way. But with Billy and Alice, it appeared to be the most natural thing in the world.

The older granddaughter, Martha, was just a few months older than Patience. Martha, Bessie, and Patience typically stayed in the house or sat on the porch, talking, while they shelled the peas or beans Patience had brought. Rud could tell Patience was enjoying herself.

Sometimes the ladies would laugh and look over at Rud, who, when he was not working, was in his usual spot under the big shade tree. Rud had to be careful to not look too comfortable, though, or else Bessie would find something for him to do. Patience would bring him something to drink from time to time to make sure he knew he was not forgotten.

Bessie had a wealth of knowledge on living in the wilderness, and Patience was eager to learn. Bessie knew what wild plants were edible, which to avoid and which could be used as medicine. Bessie helped Patience with making bread, which, as Patience learned, the problem she had been having was due to Rud purchasing the wrong type of flour.

Patience had made candles before but Bessie showed her a better method. Patience also learned to make soap, which Rud had to buy or trade for in the past. And Patience used Bessie's recipe to make the goat cheese Rud and Billy liked.

Bessie would always come to see Rud late in the afternoon to thank him for the food and for the work he had done. Bessie enjoyed having them over and enjoyed being Grandma to all of them. She sometimes made comments that Rud thought was her way of telling him to get off his backside and marry Patience, but Rud was not going to be rushed.

It was autumn in their valley, and the trees were losing their leaves. There was still work to do to get ready for the snow and winter trapping, so now was not the time to marry. In the spring, Patience would be seventeen, they would have a year together, and it would be time.

Always present in Rud's mind, though, was Patience and Billy were still in danger. People like her uncle did not like others interfering with their plans and did not like loose ends when there was so much at stake. Rud had to keep his guard up.

The following week Billy, who had just had his thirteenth birthday, asked if he could go over to see Bessie. Billy knew her wood supply was getting low and wanted to go cut and split some wood for her.

Billy's main job at the cabin was firewood, and he was able to handle both the saw and ax without supervision. Patience said, "You want to visit with Alice," which embarrassed Billy. Rud stood up for Billy, saying he was proud of him for wanting to help.

Rud stated young men need to learn to stand on their own, but Patience had the final say. Patience, who rarely felt her brother was in danger as long as he was with Rud, was a little scared at Billy venturing out alone but agreed he could go.

Rud had never let Patience or Billy venture outside the valley without him. But since that day in the blacksmith shed, he realized they could not live locked away afraid of the outside world. No one had come looking for them, and the trips to Bessie's had all been uneventful.

In years past, Rud often encountered bad men when traveling outside his valley, but that time seemed to have passed. Now it was primarily honest, decent people just trying to make a living. Instead of ignoring them, Rud would sometimes even wave and say hello to those he passed.

Rud felt Billy would be alright going to Bessie's alone. Billy was smart and cautious, and at thirteen, Billy was a better woodsman now than Rud had been at that age.

* * * * *

The next morning Billy set out early with his knife, hatchet, saw, and ax. Rud saw him off and gave him some advice. "Do your work first and don't have Alice around when you work. Girls are, by nature, distracting to boys, and the worst thing you can do is get injured." Billy agreed, said he would be back before dark, and set out for Bessie's.

Bessie, Martha, and Alice were all outside when Billy rode up. Bessie, surprised at seeing Billy alone, asked, "What's wrong?" Billy responded, "Nothing, winter is coming, and you will need more firewood than you have. Rud and Patience said it was okay if I came over and helped out today." Bessie smiled and told him to "get to it, then."

Alice asked Bessie if she could help, but Billy cut her off saying he had to get his work done first, and Alice distracted him. Martha and Bessie thought Billy's statement was funny, but Alice did not.

Billy walked the mule down past the house where he knew some dead trees still stood. Billy cut down the trees he could handle, cut them into sections then used the mule to drag the sections behind Bessie's house where they would be easier to cut up and split. Later, Billy hitched Bessie's horses to her wagon, drove it to where he had cut down the trees so he could bring the limbs back.

By the end of the day, Billy had brought ten, eight-foot sections back to the house, had a very impressive pile of limbs that could easily be cut up as needed, and had cut and split about a half cord of wood. Alice sat by the window, watching Billy, and made a point to bring him water whenever he "looked" thirsty. Bessie called Billy in for supper, and after he cleaned up, they had a nice meal.

Billy and Alice went for a walk around the property before he left. Alice was not her usual happy self. She had wanted to be out there with Billy, not watching from the house. Billy could tell Alice was upset and asked what was wrong. Alice told Billy she did not like being told to stay away from him and did not think she was a distraction.

Alice asked Billy to promise he would never leave her behind again. Billy could tell it meant a lot to Alice. Billy told Alice she was right and promised from now on where he went she would go too, they would be together, always. Alice wrapped her arms around Billy and hugged him very tightly. It was a simple promise, although neither realized how this moment would so very much affect the rest of their lives.

As Billy got ready to leave, he told Bessie next time he would cut and split the tree sections behind the house. Bessie kissed him on the cheek and told him to come back anytime. Billy climbed up on the mule's back and held Alice's hand as she said goodbye. As he rode off, Alice waved to him until he disappeared from view.

Patience was quite worried when it started getting dark and Billy had not returned. She had lost her parents, and the thought of maybe losing Billy was too much. Rud managed to keep her calm by promising to look for him if he was not home soon. Rud was worried but knew Billy was probably running late.

It was about a half-hour after dark when Billy finally rode up to the cabin. As he jumped down from the mule, Billy told Rud he was sorry he was late and explained what he had been able to get done. Rud asked him if it was worth it, and Billy just smiled.

Billy looked older and more confident than when he left that morning. Patience mussed her brother's hair as he walked past, leading the mule to the shed. Her smile was not showing any of the worries she had felt just moments ago. Rud put his arm around Patience, and as they turned to go back in the cabin, Rud whispered, "Your little brother is growing up."