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discomfort. She noticed a line of horse-drawn hackneys and wondered if she should secure one, when Jonah’s thin but sturdy figure appeared with a porter. She fell into step with them as they made their way to a hackney. The driver stood by his rig.
    â€œWe need a hotel close to a cable car and a post office, and we’ll be needing to get some supplies. We’re heading north into the wilderness,” Meredith said.
    The driver glanced at Jonah, saw his nod, then replied, “I know just the place, ma’am.”
    Meredith smiled and stepped up into the hackney with Jonah close behind her.
    â€œWas your equipment all right?”
    Her traveling partner smiled. “All intact.”
    â€œMy typewriter?”
    â€œFine.”
    â€œGood.” When the coach took off, her head snapped back, and she reached up to secure her hat.

    The Old Mission Hotel, a low adobe structure with a wide veranda across the front, hugged a small hill and provided a contrast to the more common Victorian inns they had passed. Two rooms were secured. After they inspected their rooms and tucked away their belongings, Meredith met Jonah in the hotel lobby to discuss their plans.
    â€œI thought we might find the closest land office and do some inquiring,” she said.
    He raised an eyebrow. “You mean you haven’t chosen a camp yet?”
    Her eyes lit. “That, Jonah, is our objective.”
    â€œBut Asa said that you—”
    â€œWhat Asa doesn’t know won’t hurt him, will it?” She patted his hand. “Don’t worry so. We’ll see what’s available and decide tonight over supper.”
    Jonah stood. “Perhaps I was too hasty to jump on this assignment….” His voice trailed off, but Meredith didn’t wait around to hear his next complaint.

    The land office wasn’t far. When their business was concluded, she took Jonah’s arm and chatted all the way back to the hotel. Inside the lobby, she patted her portfolio.
    â€œI’m going to my room to look over this information. Shall we meet at dinner to discuss our plans?”
    â€œI suppose so,” Jonah said.
    â€œLook, Jonah. This assignment is not a contest between us. We need to work as a team. Sometimes it feels as if you have a problem with me.”
    â€œA man likes to take the lead once in a while.”
    â€œWhenever you feel the urge to do so, go right ahead.”
    He stroked the downward tips of his mustache. “We’ll see, Storm.”
    Still, she hesitated to leave. “There’s one other thing.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œOnce we get to the logging camp, I’d rather you didn’t call me that name in front of other people.”
    â€œIt’s your name.”
    â€œI know, but I have a feeling this isn’t going to be an easy assignment, and I don’t want to give a wrong impression to any of those loggers. Know what I mean?”
    â€œYeah. I guess I do.”

    At dinner, they agreed that Bucker’s Stand would be the most convenient logging camp to investigate. Its location was north of San Francisco in the redwood country. The closest town, called Buckman’s Pride, was situated on the coast.
    â€œThe way I look at it,” Meredith said, “we have two choices. Either we can go by ship, or we can find us an overland guide.”
    â€œAny ideas where we would find such a person?” Jonah asked.
    â€œI’ve been thinking about that. Most loggers coming from the East pass through San Francisco. I’d wager that some of them pick up supplies while they’re in the big city. We just have to figure out where they purchase them.”
    Jonah’s blue eyes sparkled. “That just might work.” He leaned close across the table. “If we could find such a place, we could hold off making our decision until we talked to a few of them, get their advice on the best method of travel.”
    â€œGood