She felt so safe sitting with her Pappa. She wondered about the bad men Pappa had mentioned.
"Pa, why are bad men after you?" she asked.
"I wont tell you the whole story," Pa said "but I will tell you that I saw them do bad things and they are afraid of me telling the authorities."
"What kind of bad things?" Annie asked.
Pa Chuckled: "You never were much for leaving things be." He looked serious for a minute and then continued: "Annie, do you remember Mr. McCallister? When we were on the cattle drive, I saw these men shoot Mr. McCallister, most of the other hands, and take his herd. These men aren't the kind to leave a witness. They have been hunting me and the other survivors ever since. That is why I couldn't come back before. I didn't want them to follow me here where they could hurt you and" he paused, looking sad "and hurt your Momma."
They continued on a for a while before he either of them spoke. Annie thought of all of the possibilities. She imagined Momma driving the wagon while her and Pa shot back at the riders coming towards them. Of course, in her dreams, they won.
Pa cleared his throat before he spoke. "I finally slipped in to town about a week back, after I heard that your Momma had passed." He looked grave. His eyes were dewy as he stared ahead. "I wasn't sure if I was going to retrieve you or not." He was completely honest; he had always been known as an honest man. "I wanted to make sure whether or not you were better in your current situation or not." He smiled down at her. Annie saw dirty wet streaks down Pa's face. He bumped her gently with his right arm. "Honey, I didn't want to leave you there, but I needed to know if you would be better off with those farmers or if I should take the chance that those men would find us. No one recognized me in town. I spent time in wandering about and listening to other people's conversations. When I heard that farmer grumbling about making ends meet with you being there and having just found out his wife was expecting, I knew you were safer and better off with me."
Annie silently snuggled in tight next to her Pa, thankful he had come to get her. They chatted happily for the rest of the day. Pa kept them going at a good pace all day, only stopping to rest and water the horses when necessary. Annie was so happy.
They didn't turn in until after sundown. They were on their way somewhere, Annie didn't know where. She would ask tomorrow. .

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