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morning. Afterward he had a shave and a haircut, then shipped his belongings to Denver except for the items he'd need on the journey. He ran into Fox and Peaches outside the St. Charles, looking pleased with themselves.
    "It's been a good morning so far," Peaches said by way of a greeting. He smiled broadly, displaying perfect white teeth.
    "That's a fact," Fox said, swinging down off the wagon. "We sold another load of ice, and Whitfield has agreed to meet our terms." A satisfied smile lightened her expression. "Peaches is taking the horse and wagon to Whitfield right now. We had to throw in the wagon, but that's all right."
    "The cabin's closed up," Peaches added. "I reckon we're ready to go."
    Tanner nodded. "You've got everything in hand. It doesn't sound like you need me, so I'll"
    "We need your money," Fox said, pulling a list from beneath her poncho. "You should stop by the General Store and pay McGurty for the provisions, then pay Whitfield for the animals. Then go to the bathhouse and pay them. And me and Peaches want our up-front money anytime today that you want to pay it." She gave him a long measuring stare as if challenging him to prove he could produce the funds.
    He planted his feet in the dusty road and looked down at her. "What's this about paying the bathhouse. What for?"
    "Well, for me and Peaches to have a bath, what do you think? I figure we should start out clean. We aren't going to have another decent hot-water bath for a long time." Her gaze skimmed his close shave and shorter hair. "Looks like you had the same idea yourself. Now, when are you planning to pay us?"
    "Right now," he said after a minute, reaching for the pouch inside his jacket.
    "Not here," Fox said between her teeth. Grabbing his arm, she gave him a tug toward the lobby of the St. Charles. Inside, she looked around then led him behind a tall leafy plant growing out of a massive urn. "It's not smart to go flashing money around," she said, rolling her eyes like she couldn't believe what a rube he was.
    "And you don't think two people hiding behind a plant will occasion any comment?" She was the strangest woman he'd ever met. Acutely aware that everyone in the lobby had watched her drag him behind the urn, he quickly counted eleven twenty-dollar gold pieces into her palm and one ten-dollar piece. "That's yours, half of three months' pay up front, and here's"
    "I'm not taking Peaches's money." The glare deepened. "You can pay Peaches when you catch up with him at Harry Whitfield's." She closed her fist around the coins then opened her palm again. "You gave me five dollars too much."
    "That's for the bathhouse."
    "It won't cost anywhere near five dollars."
    Tanner swore under his breath. She could find an argument in the simplest statement. "Keep the change. I'll see you at daybreak tomorrow."
    She followed him around the urn and back to the street. "You'll see me before that, at the General Store. It's going to take time to check all the provisions against my list, and I want to persuade McGurty to let us use his back lot as a staging area."
    "I have some things to take care of. I'm sure you'll be finished before I get to the General Store." He wasn't going near the store until he was certain she was gone. He'd had enough aggravation for one day. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to Whitfield's to pay for the animals."
     
    Fox stood on the boardwalk and watched him stride down the street. He had good manners, she'd give him that, but it was beginning to look as if he was moody and possibly ill-humored. There was nothing worse on a long trek than temperamental companions. And she hadn't met the other two yet, whoever they were. Well, if the worst happened, she didn't have to spend time with them. She had Peaches, and Peaches was always good company.
    Checking the provisions went more smoothly than she'd anticipated, and the new gear was in order. As she ticked the items off her list, she silently calculated how she would pack everything and