Moving West Chapt 27B

The sun was just beginning to rise above the horizon, when Dover knocked on Sean and Mariska's bedroom door. Mariska opened the door, and told Dover to come on in. Dover, carrying his early morning coffee cup, looked back over his shoulder, and whispered, “Ma'm, I don't want to hurt Mrs. Newly's feelings, but I have to tell you – her coffee just doesn't come close to matching yours.”
Mariska laughed, and said, “Well, I suspect you have been drinking my coffee for so long that you have forgotten what good coffee really tastes like...”
Dover kept moving around the room, offering small talk, and fidgeting, until finally Mariska spoke out. "Dover, clearly you have something on your mind, out with it.."
Staring out the window at the early morning sun, Dover set his now empty coffee cup on the dresser and turned around.
“ Well, folks, I've been thinking. You two have a good place to stay while Sean here heals up. I'm thinking it's time for me to be moving on. I stayed with you when Sean was sick back there in Mississippi, because I thought ya'll needed me until you got a little more seasoning. Well, you have certainly done that. Ma'm, you have as much courage and wisdom as any woman I've ever met. Sean, well, it looks like he's too stubborn to die, so he will be just fine."
"The Nez Perce should be in Montana hunting buffalo along about this time. I'm a blood brother to one of their sub-chiefs, and they keep a lodge for me. Winter comes early up there, and I've been thinking about those Nez Perce women. Ma'm, I reckon you would turn heads no matter where you went, but I have to tell you that those Nez Perce women will give you a run for your money – they surely would. Figure I better get on my way up there, and get me three or four of those pretty gals to get me through the winter".
"Just three or four?, asked Mariska with laughter in her eyes. Are you sure that will be enough? After all, it's a long winter in the north country."
"Well Ma'm, I'll be a guest in the tribe. I don't want to be selfish, so reckon I'll have to make do with just three or four.” Dover stepped over to Sean's bed and offered his hand. "I was up early, I'm packed and ready to go. Sean, I'm proud to call you friend. Best of luck to you. If you ever decide to get yourself killed, let me know, and I'll come back and take care of your beautiful wife.”
Sean shook Dover's hand, and replied, “Sure thing... We won't forget everything you have done for us... So long, and good luck! You will always be welcome at our fire."
"Well", Dover answered, "I get around a bit, so don't be surprised if I show up sometime looking for a good cup of coffee."
Mariska hugged Dover with tears in her eyes, and said "Goodbye Dover. We shall miss you terribly. Take care of yourself."
Dover turned and walked to the door, stopped, turned, tipped his hat, and simply said, "Goodbye Mariska".

With that, he mounted, and headed down the trail. Winter comes early in the mountains, so Dover intended to make up time by riding long and hard. The end of the day found him between two trees, sitting perfectly still, as he looked over the
flatlands ahead of him, his eyes searching for any movement that might be hostile Indians, or outlaws. He would remain right there until the sun went down. There were exceptions, but most of the Indians in that part of the country were reluctant to fight at night. They had been taught that if they were killed at night, their spirit would forever wander in the darkness. Dover figured to ride through the night, find a good hiding spot, and sleep in the morning.
As he waited for the sun to drop out of sight, the man called Dover was struck by the thought that for the first time in many years, he had been devoting more time to thinking about what he had just left, than to what lay ahead around the corner, or over the mountain.