Lillian Prock looked behind over her shoulder, laughing as her brother swore and threw his hat down on the ground. She tossed her long brown hair out of her face and patted Ally's neck.

"Come on, girl! We can do it!" she said, adjusting her long skirt so it didn't trap her legs against the horse's sides. She looked back again and frowned as her brother mounted his horse and took off after her. She urged Ally to go faster, but she was no match for Cameron's thoroughbred. He caught up with them in a matter of moments.

"What do you think you're doing, running off like that? You know that horse ain't trained good!" he said, wiping his face with the bandana around his neck. "You're lucky I don’t tell Pa about this!"

Lillian's eyes widened. "Oh, Cameron, please don't! You know he said he'd make me stay at the house for a week if he found out I was riding Ally again!"

Cameron frowned. "I know. He'd probably blame it on me anyway." He helped her off the horse and pushed her in the direction of the house. "Go help Cassandra cook supper."

Lillian frowned. "Why I got to help? She ain't my ma."

Cameron glowered at her. "Just go."

Lillian glowered back at him and plodded down the dirt path, grumbling to herself the whole way. All she's going to do is tell me I shouldn't be getting so dirty. Like I'm supposed to listen to her, she thought.

"Lillian, honey, is that you?"

"Yes, ma'am," Lillian replied.

"Oh, Lord. What happened to you now?"

Lillian shrugged. "I fell."

Cassandra looked her up and down. "Looks like something worse than a fall."

"It was a bad fall," Lillian said, brushing past Cassandra.

Cassandra's face fell. "All right then." She busied herself with supper, taking out pots and pans that she didn't need. "Do you want something to put on those cuts? If you go up and change your dress, I'll mend it for you. I know it's your favorite." She had a huge, hopeful smile on her face, but Lillian didn't even notice it.

Why is she always pretending she cares about me? Everybody knows why she married Pa.

"No, thank you. I'll have Carol do it."

Lillian slipped out of her shoes and ambled up the stairs, not looking forward to changing her dress. This was her favorite, after all.

She entered her room slowly, being careful not to get mud on the soft sheepskin rug on her floor. She slipped out of the dirty dress she had on and laid it on the back of a chair for Carol to pick up later. She browsed though her armoire, selecting a light green dress that wasn't too constricting. She pulled it on, adjusting it over her petticoats. She combed out her hair and braided it, knowing Cassandra wouldn't be pleased unless it was perfect.

Lillian leaped up as she heard footsteps on the porch outside. She flew down the stairs, straight into her father's arms.

"There's my little girl!" he roared, lifting her up and swinging her in a circle.

"Pa! I'm not a little girl anymore!" Lillian giggled and wrapped her arms around her father's waist.

"That's right. You're a young lady, and it's time you started acting like one."

"What do you mean?" Lillian smiled innocently.

"You know what I mean. I heard you were out riding Ally today." His expression turned stern and he set her on her feet.

"Oh, that Cameron! He promised not to tell!" Realizing what she had just said, Lillian looked up at her father, biting her lip. "But, she was really gentle, Pa! She didn't throw me off or anything!"

"That doesn't matter. I told you not to ride that horse!"

"Oh, Pa! I'm so, so sorry! But I saw a little calf run into the woods, and I know there are a lot of bears around there, and I didn't want you to lose a calf. I figured it would be alright since I was trying to help you!" Lillian looked up, a hopeful expression on her face. "Since I had a good reason, I'm not punished, am I, Pa?"

Her father frowned. "All the same, I told you not to ride her anymore. You'll have to stay here at the house and help Cassandra."

Lillian's eyes filled with tears. "I don't want to stay, Pa!" She raced out of the door and down the steps, heading towards the stables.

She leaned against Ally, pressing her face into her fur. She could smell leather and a unique smell that was all horse, and it comforted her. She sat down on the straw and stretched out her legs.

"That woman! She gets me so mad, pretending like she wants to help! And Pa! Why does he always act like she's my ma? He knows just as well as I do that she ain't." She leaned against the wall and chewed on a piece of straw. "She's always telling me to do stuff! Like it's my duty to help around the house! It ain't mine, so why should I?"

Lillian stood up. "Guess I better get back, Ally. Don't want to miss supper. For such an annoying woman, Cassandra sure can cook good."

She stepped out of the stall, giving Ally quick pat. "I'll come see you tonight, if I can get away." She left; making sure she locked the door behind her.

The minute she walked in the house, all eyes were on her. Her father cleared his throat.

"I think you'd better apologize to Cassandra. That was mighty rude of you."

Lillian muttered a quick apology and sat down. She heaped her plate full of mashed potatoes, beef, and carrots, and gulped everything down.

"May I be excused?" She knew it would be more polite to address Cassandra, but she didn't care.

Her father nodded at Cassandra.

"Of course, Lillian. Please be down for evening prayers."

"Yes, ma'am." Lillian headed up the stairs as fast as she could without running. She sat down on her bed and took out her comb. As she brushed out the fresh tangles, she thought about running away. She knew she wouldn't ever do it, though. It was too dangerous. Lillian shuddered as thought of savage Indians and wolves filled her head. No, running away was not an option.

She heard her family moving around downstairs, and went down quietly. They all knelt on the floor as her father's deep voice washed over them, saying the usual prayer.

Lillian let the peacefulness surround her, calming her anger. Well, most of it. She still couldn't like Cassandra, no matter how hard she tried.

The end of the prayer ended the feeling and her anger came back full-force. She said curt goodnights to everybody and went upstairs. She threw herself on her bed and sobbed like a child. Oh, Ma, why did you have to die? I miss you so, so much.

Eventually the sobs faded into hiccups and Lillian's throat burned with thirst. She got up, pulling on her wrapper over her nightgown. She heard whispers coming from her father's room and padded dawn the hallway.

"She is much too spirited! You've got to break her somehow." Cassandra's voice sounded pinched.

"I know. I think breeding her might calm her down," her father said.

"So you'll find one tomorrow?"

"Of course. I think I know of a perfect one down at Stith's place."

Lillian narrowed her eyes. They want to break me? Tears poured down her cheeks and she sank down on the hard wooden floor. Well, they won't! I'd rather deal with Indians!

She hurried back into her room, her thirst forgotten as she planned her escape. I'll take a pair of Cameron's breeches. I can wear one of my blouses. And I'll need money and food. I should probably take a good coat, too, in case it gets cold.

Lillian packed her satchel, stuffing things in until it couldn't hold any more. She crept downstairs and unlocked the front door, hesitating on the porch. Can I really do this? I don't have that much money … I'll probably die. She stiffened. That's better than becoming some old man's wife. She leaped down the stairs and ran to the stable.

"Come on, Ally." Lillian saddled the horse and led her out of the stable, mounting once she was outside. She urged Ally to run as fast as she could, and was soon far enough away from the house. She slowed to a walk and planned her journey.

I could go visit Grandma, but that's all the way in Vermont. I don't have enough money to get that far. She bit her lip. I could go farther west, but that's too dangerous. Especially for a woman alone. Lillian shuddered. No, that wouldn't do. Hmm … I suppose I could just wander around for a bit. I have plenty of time to decide.

Lillian led Ally into the woods until she came to a small clearing. She fell to the ground, the grass softening her fall.

Oh, what have I done? I've only been riding for an hour and already my bottom is so, so sore. How'll I make it anywhere if I can't ride for an hour?

She dug around in the satchel until she found the wad of bills hidden at the bottom. She stuffed it in her drawers, figuring it would be safer there. She unsaddled Ally and brushed her, giving her a carrot when she was finished.

She sat down on the ground and took out a piece of beef left over from tonight's supper. She munched on it, savoring each bite until it was all gone. She leaned against a tree trunk and rubbed her thighs, trying to make that horrible ache go away.

Lillian stood up, slipped out of the breeches, and lay down on a blanket near Ally.

"Oh, what am I going to do? I can't do this … I'll probably get myself killed … then what'll Pa do?" she murmured. "I'm so dumb. I should have went and talked to Pa." She rolled over, trying to get comfortable on the hard ground. It was difficult, though. There was a rock poking into her back and a clump of dirt against her head. Eventually she fell into a light, restless sleep.

She was so relieved when morning came. The soft light banished the shadows and the forest looked too beautiful to be hiding anything bad.

She whistled as she repacked and saddled Ally. She hummed as she got dressed. By the time her and Ally were on the road, she was bursting with songs. I sure hope nobody's out here looking for me. They can probably hear me clear to Boston. She smiled and urged Ally to go faster. The farther I am from home, the happier I'll be, she thought.

A few hours later, she was bone tired. Riding for five hours straight was much different from riding for pleasure. She hopped off Ally and led her into the forest.

Lillian collapsed on the ground, rubbing her sore arms. She groaned as the thought of more riding entered her mind. Oh, I want to go home, she thought. I was so stupid!

She leaned against Ally's leg. I suppose I should head for town. I hope I have enough money for a train ticket.

She stood up, stretching her arms and legs before she had to get back in the saddle.

Suddenly she heard a noise behind her. She froze, not thinking about the gun in her pocket or the knife in her boot.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"

Lillian smiled with relief as she heard the familiar voice of Brett, a cowhand on her father's ranch.

"Oh, Brett! You scared me!" She turned around and lightly hit his shoulder. "Don't you know you aren't supposed to sneak up on a lady?"

Brett looked her up and down, from the tousled hair to the too-tight blouse to the baggy breeches held up with a piece of twine. "Don't look like a lady to me."

Lillian gasped. "Oh, you! I am to a lady!" She crossed her arms and bit her lip.

Brett laughed. "Calm down, Lilly. I was just joking."

She glowered at him. "Just tell me where the next town is."

He frowned. "You're planning on going to town by yourself?"

"Of course. Who else am I going to go with?"

"Honey, you can't go there by yourself. You'll probably get … you know." The tips of his ears glowed bright red and he looked at the ground.

"Brett, I can take care of myself."

He smirked. "And what were you going to do if I had wanted to kill you?"

"I'd of shot you."

"Oh, I could see that. Were you just waiting for the right moment to get your gun?"

She frowned. "I … I was waiting for the right moment. So there." She turned on her heel and mounted Ally. "Thank you for your concern, Brett. I'll be fine."

He stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I'll go with you."

Lillian giggled. "I don't think so. It isn't proper."

"It's better than you getting killed. You know your pa would shoot me if he found out I let you go to town alone."

She sighed. "I guess … but don't you try anything, or I'll shoot you!"

Brett frowned. "You're only fifteen, Lillian. I won't try to take advantage of you."

Lillian sighed. "How many times do I have to tell you? Nineteen is not old. Now come on, you're wasting my time."

The second chapter will probably be up next week.