Prospect Creek Ranch, Wyoming Territory, October 1875

"Nemo! Nemo! You bring that back!"

Blair charged after the little canine thief who ran along gaily, stumpy tail straight in the air, very pleased with the prize she held in her mouth.

Huffing and puffing, Blair followed his dog across the meadow away from the cabin. He didn't know Nemo could run that fast! Reaching the forested hillside, he slowed to navigate his way through the brush and trees.

"Nemo! Nemo!" he hissed, very put out with the disloyal actions of the little spotted dog. "You better not hurt it or you're sleepin' in the barn - forever!"

The ten-year-old followed the sound of breaking twigs and rustling leaves ahead of him, thinking words his father wouldn't approve of him even knowing existed. Thinking of his father, the boy inwardly winced. Running pell-mell through the forest was not on the acceptable list of activities given to him while he healed from a broken arm. It had been a whole month since falling from Mrs. Danbush's tree. The arm didn't even hurt anymore and the swelling was gone, but Papa said the splint still needed to be on another two weeks. It was pure agony for the active boy not to be able to engage in the boisterous play to which he was accustomed to, but Papa had used that stone face he only made when he was dead serious. Blair needed to find Nemo soon or the dog wouldn't be the only one in trouble.

Lungs about to explode, Blair stopped to catch his breath. "Stupid dog," he muttered. It's not like he played with the toy Nemo ran off with. He didn't even sleep with it anymore. Uncle Paddy had won him the little stuffed rabbit at his first 4th of July in Cascade and the sentimental value was beyond reckoning.

The sound of something dropping into the dry leaves of the forest floor next to him drew Blair out of his thoughts. Nemo. The little dog had quietly returned to her master and dropped the stuffed animal at Blair's feet. Now she sat panting and wagging her tail. Blair just scowled at her and snatched up the slobbered on rabbit, sawdust leaking from a tooth puncture in the bunny's side.

"Bad dog!" the boy scolded, shaking the toy in Nemo's face. "Look what you did!"

Blair stuffed the little toy down his shirt so he'd have his hands free and turned to start home, not really caring if Nemo followed him or not. After taking a couple steps he stopped and looked around before starting again in another direction. A few feet of stomping and he halted, looking around trying to get his bearings. He hadn't paid any attention to the way he'd come and the cabin wasn't in sight. Panic started to rise, sending a chill up the boy's spine and setting his stomach to churning. If he shouted real loud for his father, Blair knew the man would hear him, even though the elder Ellison was a couple miles away. But, considering the situation, that didn't seem like a very good solution.

Nemo came up to Blair's side and barked playfully. The boy glared down at the dog, blaming her for the situation he found himself in when an idea struck. He petted the animal and smiled. As quickly as he could, Blair removed the sling from his arm, his efforts hampered by the splint. He tied it around Nemo's neck in a makeshift collar and lead.

"Nemo, home, girl," he said to the dog, hoping she would follow the command his father often gave her. The dog began moving off to his left and he kept a hold on the fabric of the sling so he wouldn't loose her. Within minutes he could see familiar trees again and soon after the meadow could be seen through the thinly treed areas. Blair slipped the sling off her neck and let her run towards the cabin, following behind.

Before going into the cabin, Blair looked around the yard and peeked in the barn. No sign of his father. Good. The boy trotted to the house and pulled the little sewing basket down from its place on the dresser. Taking the damaged rabbit from his shirt, Blair quickly assessed the damage. There was only the one hole and it wasn't too dirty. Nemo wouldn't have to sleep in the barn. Threading a needle, Blair made quick work of sewing up the hole and returned the sewing kit to its place before collapsing on his bed.

The ten-year-old was exhausted and it was only a little after noon. Not even bothering to kick his shoes off, Blair turned over on his side, rabbit still in his good hand, and fell asleep.

~~~

Jim Ellison entered his cabin after bedding down his horse, Sentry, for the night. He'd almost bagged a deer, but lost the buck when it was suddenly startled. His winter stores were pretty good, but smoked venison would make a nice addition to their larder.

The wrangler's spirits brightened when he beheld his sleeping son, looking like an angel fallen from heaven. He couldn't resist lightly tousling the boy's hair, chuckling softly at the bedraggled rabbit clutched to Blair's chest. The boy began to stir and Jim hung up his coat, hat and gun, letting the boy come awake on his own.

"Papa? You get anything?" Blair asked, groggily, rubbing at his eyes.

"No, but I'll try again tomorrow. How was your day?"

Blair held up his damaged toy. "Nemo stole it and tore a hole in it, but I sewed him up."

Jim took the toy and looked over the workmanship of the repair. "Nice work, Little Bit." He handed the toy back and looked over at Nemo who lay on her mat by the fireplace. "I'm surprised you're not out in the barn, dog."

Blair glared at his dog, who just wagged her tail. "She came close."

"Well, I'm glad it worked out all right."

Grinning like a Cheshire cat, Blair winked at the dog. "Me, too."

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