"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Running Bear asked warily.

Mindy smiled, "Absolutely. Trust me."

"If something goes wrong they may never forgive you. I am the captain of this project. I can afford to anger those two. Girls can loath men. They can hate other women."

"But they see me as a mother figure. Lynn and Emily in many ways are still little girls. They claim to be friends but they are constantly playing mind games with each other. They need to cut out that nonsense and they must mature more than they need another day taking apart a camera. If they see me as a mother then I need to act like one and kick them out of the nest."

Running Bear sighed. "I still think this is a terrible risk, however, I do trust your judgment."

He turned from Mindy and looked up a long hill. "Ok, they are going to be out of range in just a few seconds."

Mindy smiled. "The note is all ready."

Lynn put down the tripod and leather equipment case. She squinted and blocked the sun with her hands. "I don't see any waterfall. Emily, do you see it?"

Emily was carrying the camera. She shook her head. "Maybe he was thinking of another place. What do you think we should do next?"

"Tell him he's wrong. Maybe that will convince him to take us back to Big Sky for lunch."

As they walked over the top of the hill they could see the road. Lynn stopped dead in her tracks. Emily gradually ceased her whining about the warmth and her lack of chocolate.

"Lynn? Are you listening to a word I say?"

Lynn pointed down the hill.

"Oh great, now you've gotten us lost. Wait a second."

Emily ran up the hill and looked around. She walked a few feet over the hill and saw Lynn still standing there.

Emily waved. Lynn waved.

Emily threw her hands in the air. "They've abandoned us, right?"

Lynn nodded.

Emily walked up to Lynn. They started down the hill to the road.

A lone trunk was in the middle of the dirt path.

"Running Bear, that's the one who did this to us."

Lynn shrugged. "Emily, you don't know that."

Emily was taken aback. "Oh, so now you're taking his side?"

Lynn smirked. "I'm taking our side as in we are a team. We must stick together. We must have harmony if we are traveling like this for the next several weeks."

The girls reached the trunk. "There's a note."

Lynn unfolded the note.

Emily opened up the trunk to inspect the contents.

Lynn swished her mouth as she read it.

Emily was impatient with her. "Well, what does it say?"

"It says, 'We're in a lot of trouble.'"

Lynn gave her the note.

"Girls: this was my idea. Running Bear and I are going on a second honeymoon in Bozeman. Wanzi nonpa wi ousel mini hanwi hanwi."

Emily cocked her head.

"What is this supposed to mean?"

Lynn shrugged. "You tell me."

Emily sighed. "For one thing it means I just accused Running Bear falsely. Thank heavens he wasn't around to hear me. And I am confident that you know the definition of those Siouan words. Since I am encouraging your hard work, I will give you a test, what do those words mean?"

"I'm not that naïve Emily. You don't know what it means either."

Emily shook her head. "No, I don't, but maybe if we looked at it together we could figure it out."

"Wanzi nonpa is Siouan for one and two. We learned that the first time we played Spades with Running Bear and Mindy."

Emily nodded. "Wanzi was easy because it sounded like 'onesi-twosi-threesi-foursi' a silly rhyme Sarah and I did as children."

"Wi is sun. I dunno what ousel is supposed to be."

Emily thought for a moment. "I've seen that name before but I can't remember where I saw it."

"Beats me."

"Isn't mini the Siouan word for water?"

"Yes. It is the word for water, very good."

Emily smiled. "Even when it doesn't look like I'm studying I am. If wi is sun, then hanwi must be moon. Why would she say it twice?"

"Two moons as in we'll be out here for two nights!"

Emily covered her face with her hands. "And Ousel is the name of a waterfall. It's a long walk and I don't know which way we go."

"We'll be just fine. Remember last year's wilderness training at school?"

Emily looked away. "Kinda sorta."

Lynn was befuddled. "How could you not remember spending the night outside, all alone?"

Emily gave a coy smile.

Lynn nodded. "Ok, let me guess. You and Sarah found each other and then spent the night in Outlook?"

Emily giggled, "River City."

Lynn's eyes bulged, "You walked to River City?"

"No. We thought of a more creative way to cheat. Sarah rode out one of her horses the night before and tied him to a tree. We found each other about a few minutes after the drop off. We got the horse and away we went."

Lynn was dubious. "And no one found out?"

Emily wore a devilish grin.

"So, it was just me and Tommy Grossman all alone in the wilderness."

When the statement left her mouth, Lynn reconsidered what she had missed. "So, it was just me and Tommy Grossman all alone in the wilderness?"

Lynn was a cyclone of mixed emotions. She whimpered, "He could have kept me warm."

Emily curtseyed. "I'm the best."

"Well, Miss Clementine since you are the best and don't have any actual camping experience, you will lead me. You will set up the tepee, make the fire and find food and lead us to Ousel Falls all within 48 hours."

"You're joking."

Lynn looked her in the eye. "I'm not. I am the one the governor asked to help Mindy and Running Bear make a film. In turn, I asked if you would like to join me with the understanding that you would be my constant helper not just my girlfriend."

Emily was offended.

Lynn said, "Permit me to continue. I am the one who has done most of the work and I do not appreciate it. You've gone out with Jan, Karen and Audrey almost every night. Do you know how to fix the truck?"

Emily popped her lips. "Not expertly."

"Emily, do you know how to fix the camera?"

Emily was defensive. "I know as much as you do."

"Liar! I do not have time to replace you. I have made commitments. I need someone who can help keep me grounded." She shook her head. "I need a reminder of my life in Eagle Creek. I need someone to remind me that I am a seventeen-year-old girl."

Emily sighed. "But you look so tough on the outside."

Lynn retorted, "And you look so confident around boys."

Emily shrugged. "I'm scared to death most of the time."

"Then why do you act like nothing can stop you?"

"Because if I can pretend like I am an intelligent, vivacious seductress then maybe I can be one in real life."

Lynn whispered, "It's the same with me."

Emily pondered her statement, "So you're frightened too?"

Lynn cleared her throat, "Very."

"Therefore, you act like you know what you are doing so you can convince yourself to not be afraid?"

Emily twirled.

Lynn winked. "Good."

"Do I still have to set up the tepee, find food and all that?"

Lynn closed her eyes and nodded. "Yes."

Emily picked up one handle of the trunk.

"Let's find a shade tree and take inventory."

Lynn smiled and picked up the other handle. They sat beneath a large oak.

Emily got a pencil and paper out of the camera bag.

"Let's see what Running Bear left for us."

"Only one sleeping bag? That means… oh, nice. Emily, I don't snore."

She shrugged. "I do. Sorry. Oh, this is interesting, two pairs of blue jeans."

Lynn gasped. "No dresses? What if someone sees us?"

"It would be a tremendously exciting scandal!"

Lynn shivered at that idea.

Emily continued, "Two plaid shirts. One metal cup. One frying pan. Four feet of rope. One match. Two pairs of socks. One large wash cloth. Mmm, scented soaps, very thoughtful Running Bear."

"You think Running Bear packed the trunk?"

"It's all men's stuff so far. Let's see. Tepee canvas. Bowie knife. Salt and pepper in the same bottle, now that is handy. Maybe Mindy did this?"

Emily paused. "Yup, Mindy packed the trunk."

She pulled out a small container of Lister's Towels.

"Yup, he didn't pack that."

Emily cringed. "Am I that obvious?"

"You've been moody."

They walked down to a river. Emily studied the flow of the water. "Ousel Falls is…" she pointed to her right, "that way."

Lynn said, "Ok."

Emily was confused: "Ok? Why did you say that?"

Lynn replied, "Because copasetic sounds so snooty."

Emily placed her hands on her hips. "I mean, why did you agree with me?"

"You're probably right. We have to start somewhere, it seems perfectly reasonable that the falls is north of us."

Emily sighed. "You're right, I'm sorry."

Lynn put a hand on her shoulder. "You have been a little too gruff."

Emily whispered, "With the camera, tripod and trunk we are toting almost sixty pounds between us."

Lynn lifted up the left side of the trunk.

Emily got the right. "Let's go."

After a few hours of walking on the banks of the Gallatin River they were getting thirsty.

Lynn gasped for air. "Hold up a second. My feet are killing me."

She let down her side without Emily letting down her side of the trunk.

The tripod fell off.

When Emily reached for it the camera slipped off.

The girls screamed.

It fell over a cliff.

They shut their eyes. After a few seconds, Lynn opened them.

"Emily? Emily? Why was there no splash?"

Emily cocked her head. "Hey, hey, that's right there wasn't a splash."

Both girls got on their hands and knees and gazed over the cliff. The camera was on top of a bush on the side of the cliff.

"Ok, Emily, what do we do next?"

Emily slowly exhaled. "You are taller than me."

"I'm afraid of heights. There is no way I'm going to…."

Moments later, Lynn was standing in front of Emily wearing blue jeans.

"Do you know how much I'm trusting you at this moment?"

Emily spoke softly, "I do. You'll be fine. Consider this a compliment, Lynn. I am heavier than you; weight is on my side in this instance. For once, I'm very happy that you are thinner than I."

Lynn stuck out her tongue.

Emily smirked. "I'll remember that when I'm dangling you over a forty foot cliff."

Lynn rolled her eyes. "Let's just get this over with."

Lynn got on all fours near the cliff; Emily grabbed her feet. Lynn gingerly scooted off the cliff, head first.

She methodically descended down the sheer rock face. She held out her arms. She was about twelve inches from the camera when she heard Emily say, "Ah."

Lynn said, "Whadya say?"

"Ah."

"Pull me up now!"

Emily jerked her up.

Lynn held on to the ground.

Emily sneezed twice.

Lynn put her face in her hands. "Oh, this is such an adventure."

Emily wiped her nose with her hands. "Sorry, I had to sneeze. I couldn't help it."

Lynn whispered, "It's alright."

Lynn returned to her position of laying flat on the ground near the cliff.

Emily grabbed her feet.

Lynn slipped over the edge.

Emily retained her grip.

"A little lower Emily. Don't fret, just… oh, no!"

Lynn traced the path of the bee with her head. "Why did I put on perfume this morning?"

The bee circled around her face and twice bumped into her cheek. Lynn closed her eyes and tried to breathe deeply. Emily remembered how bees can be startled by loud noises so she kept quiet. They never prayed so fervently. A few seconds later it flew away.

Lynn sighed. "All gone."

"Thank you, Lord."

Lynn snapped her fingers. "Back to task at hand; Emily, I need just a few more inches."

Emily struggled for air as she replied, "This isn't as easy as I imagined."

As Lynn's fingers reached the edge of the camera a small rock fell next to her. It missed the camera but hit the bush. The camera tilted back and forth. The bush seemed to slump towards the river.

Lynn growled, "This is an expensive camera."

Emily was hyperventilating from the stress of Lynn's weight.

"Come on Emily. Do it in the name of Eagle Creek!"

Emily continued to strain. "Eagle Creek?"

"Do it in the name of chocolate!"

Emily's panted: "In the name of chocolate!" She stretched her arms and moved Lynn further.

Lynn heard the frightful snapping of twigs.

Emily screamed when she saw the bush drop into the river.

"Got it." Lynn announced triumphantly.

Emily squeaked, "Seriously?"

Lynn said, "Yes. Please pull me back up; I am about to be sick."

Emily wailed, "I love you Lynn Watson!"

"I love you Emily Clementine!"

She pulled her back up the cliff.

Emily collapsed on the ground and took several deep breaths.

Lynn picked up the camera and placed it next to the trunk.

"How did you know I would do it in the name of chocolate?"

"Because your mother doesn't live in chocolate! When I said 'Eagle Creek' you thought of your mother."

Emily began to chuckle; Lynn joined her merriment.

They continued walking.

"I'm hungry: I wish I was back home."

Emily paused, "But Lynn, I thought you said your mother was a lousy cook?"

Lynn wistfully replied, "She is; however, I'd give $100 for one of her biscuits right about now."

Emily shrugged. "I never really liked the bakery but it now seemed like nirvana."

"Chicken pot pie at Casey's."

Emily licked her lips. "Mrs. Kennedy's Crum cake."

"Cinnamon ice cream at Kruger's."

"The chocolate puff at Tate's Soda Shop."

Lynn rubbed her stomach. "Coca Cola ham."

"French Toast made by Daniel, Jan's butler."

Lynn chuckled, "Cashew fudge at Duncan's over in the Last Chance Gulch."

"The Mercado over at the Broadwater Hotel."

"Mama Tonito's Pizza."

"Mint coffee at the Sprintzer's Dance Hall in Butte."

"Angel food cake."

Both girls looked at each other and swooned. "Tommy Grossman's lips."

Emily said fondly, "They tasted like sweet apples."

As they walked they neared the point of exhaustion. They came upon a clear spot.

Lynn said, "We put it down on three."

Emily replied, "1. 2. 3."

They placed the trunk on the ground without incident.

"This seems like a good enough spot for a camp."

Emily wiped the sweat off of her brow; "Fine."

Lynn opened the trunk and then stood up. "We don't have any…."

"Do it down wind please."

"Is there any paper left in the notebook?"

Emily tore out a sheet. "Be my guest."

Lynn took the paper and disappeared into the woods.

When Lynn returned, she was happy to see the tepee set up and a circle of rocks festooned with dry twigs.

"I must say Emily: I am impressed."

Emily was arranging a fire pit. "My father took me camping once."

"I underestimated you." She ripped out a piece of paper. "Your turn."

"I'll be back shortly."

When Emily returned she could not see Lynn.

Lynn came around a tree and made the hush sign. She mouthed, "We're in luck."

Emily was intrigued.

They walked around the tree. In the forest glen was a turkey. They watched as it pecked and scratched the ground.

"You jump on it and hold it for me."

Emily raised an eyebrow. "Why can't you do that?"

"Would you like to cut his head off?"

"Turkey wrangling sounds fun."

Lynn took out the knife and moved to the left side of a big rock.

Emily took a shallow breath; she was nervous about her mission. She shook her head. "I can't do it."

Lynn hemmed and hawed. She made the sign of eating to Emily. She smiled and rubbed her tummy.

Emily winced but then repeated the sign.

They counted on their fingers. "One. Two. Three."

Emily ran and leapt on the turkey and wrestled it to the ground.

Lynn jumped next to her and decapitated it with her knife.

Emily held it upside down as its wings flailed and body jerked. Soon, the bird stopped moving.

As night fell they relaxed by the fire.

Emily wiped her mouth. "That was the best turkey dinner I have ever had."

"Thank you. I had to do that last March by myself while you and Sarah lived the high life in River City."

"We all have our own little exploits."

Lynn went to clean the pan in a nearby stream. When she returned to the tepee, Emily had written: "Camp Consternation. Lynn Watson, proprietor."

Emily was in the tepee unrolling the sleeping bag. The fire slowly died down.

Lynn crawled into the big sleeping bag with Emily.

"Lynn, those jeans really flatter you."

"Thanks; compared to these my Sunday dress feels like a barrel."

"This sleeping bag is a tight squeeze."

Lynn said, "Not very comfortable. However, it will only get colder tonight. Body heat is reliable."

Emily yawned. "You're right as rain."

Lynn brushed the hair from her eyes. "Thank you."

Emily shook her head. "Don't just thank me."

Lynn nodded. "Thank you God for blue jeans, a strong bush, a stable cliff, a slow turkey, a bowie knife and," she choked up, "and Peggy Watson who told me to trust my instincts and George Watson who never doubted my abilities and Michael Conrad who saw my creative side and urged me to employ it instead of ignore it."

Emily continued the prayer. "And thank you for second chances. Thank you for Camp Consternation."

"Thank you for Eagle Creek, the town where we live no matter where we reside."

"Thank you for my father and," Emily swallowed. "My mother. Thank you for patience and mercy. Thank you for Amanda who was the first one to say that I was the most beautiful girl in the world!"

"Thank you for my cousin Jake. I really miss him." Lynn paused. "And, um, God, keep Jake and Brian Anderson out of my room. I mean, come on, you made thirteen-year-old boys, they can be… never mind."

Emily began laughing.

Lynn chided her, "You can't laugh in a prayer!"

Emily shrugged. "Why not?"

"Because! Because!" Lynn chuckled, "I dunno."

Emily cleared her throat. "Lord, keep Pete Jackson from doing anything too stupid."

Lynn snickered, "Remember the time he put a pine cone in his mouth?"

Emily cackled, "I do! How much did Russell bet him?"

"A dime!"

Emily sighed. "Thank you, Lord, for boys who entertain us, kiss us and provide us with countless hours of insightful conversation and a fair amount of frustration because they're dense sometimes."

"Yeah Lord. What's wrong with Julius? Can't you give him a miracle or something to let him know that he's supposed to be with Lucille? I know you're busy, but, well, if you have a moment to spare I know Lucille would appreciate it. Lord, be with Sarah. Give her wisdom; as much as a sixteen-year-old girl can handle."

"Give her patience when dealing with my mother and juggling her emotions when it comes to Tommy and Pete."

Lynn mumbled, "Thank you Lord for Running Bear."

Emily heard wheezing; Lynn had fallen asleep.

Emily nudged her.

"And Mindy. Thank you for Emily. Please keep her from snoring."

"Sweet dreams, God. We'll talk tomorrow."

Lynn chuckled, "Best prayer ever."

"It was one for the books. Night Lynn."

"Night Emily."

They closed their eyes and went to sleep.