Ho! Ho! Ho!

[Woman Narrating] It's been almost ayear since I left my home in the East...

and traveled west with the man I loved.

I was positive about my future...

full of hopes and dreams.

Our eyes were always on the end of the trail...

as if life as I envisioned it would be just that.

In fact, if someone had told me that I would find myself here today...

I would have called them crazy.

I was sure of myself and where I was headed...

stubborn and full of pride.

I was in control.

Or so I thought.

Quit acting like a kid, Marty. Get back here.

No. Not until you admit that I am right and head this way.

- We're going in the right direction. - We're going north.

Mr. Graham said to go north.

He said to go northwest.

Don't you think it's strange we haven't come upon it yet?

Well, we'd be there already if the weight of these books hadn't slowed us down.

Those books will provide us with a little culture once we get settled.

- It's too bad we can't eat any of that culture. - [Groans]

That 200 pounds of beans and rice...

that we had to toss off the wagon to lessen the weight...

would taste a whole lot better right now than the 200 pounds of books we got!

None of this would have happened if you hadn't talked me into coming out here...

to the middle of nowhere, Aaron Claridge!

We both know that you don't do anything you don't want to do.

For once in your life, be reasonable.

I'm tired...

sick and tired of the dirt...

and miles that seem to lead nowhere...

and the layers of dust on my skin...

aching feet, aching back.

If I never sit in that wagon again, it'll be all right by me.

Marty.

I see.

It's exactly like I pictured.

Can you see it? Just over there.

A cabin, with curtains in the windows.

A-A-And over here, a barn.

And a garden where we'll grow our own food.

Those trees are just made for swings...

for all those kids who are gonna look just like their mama.

I don't mind if they look like their father.

We did it. [Laughs]

We actually did it, Marty.

This just feels right, doesn't it?

This will be the perfect place to raise a family.

Pass down the land to our children...

and give them opportunities that are limitless.

We can do anything as long as we're together.

[Both Laughing]

Promise me...

that even if things get rough...

we'll remind each other of that, okay?

I promise.

[Aaron] Dad blame it.

Marty.

One of the horses got away.

- Oh, no, Aaron. - I'm taking the other horse, and I'm going after him.

Shouldn't be gone too long. He's probably just a ways downstream.

I'm coming with you.

No need. I'll be back with the horse before breakfast.

Make up a lot of pancakes. I'll be hungry.

- [Whinny] - Got ya.

[Whinnies]

Hyah!

Come on!

Hyah! Come on! Let's go!

Hyah!

Come on. Come on. Let's go.

Hyah! Hyah!

[Whinnies]

[Aaron's Voice] Marty.

[Horse Whinnies]

Whoa. Whoa.

Miss Claridge. Ben.

Ben Graham, ma'am. Met you a couple days back.

Found him about an hour ago.

Miss Claridge.

Can I get you some water? Ma'am?

[Muffled Sobs]

Miss Claridge?

Well, I guess you'll be needing time to...

to think, uh...

My wife will see to your husband.

The preacher's leaving tomorrow.

I can bring him back here first thing in the morning...

to say a few words.

Oh.

[MartyWhispering] We're fine.

We're fine.

We're fine.

We're fine.

- We're fine. - [Coyote Howling In Distance]

We're fine.

[Woman Clears Throat] Hello?

Mrs. Claridge?

Marty?

It's me.

Sarah Graham, Ben's wife.

You met me a couple days ago.

Marty...

it's time.

We need to start your husband's funeral.

We don't want to be starting it without ya.

I can't do this.

You have to do this.

[Whispering] I would...

I would appreciate just... just a moment, please.

We'll wait.

[Sobs]

[Man] Aaron Claridge journeyed west in search of a dream.

His untimely death means that one journey is over.

Another has just begun.

[Sighs]

[Sarah] Winter is coming, and there's no wagon train heading east till spring.

I don't know how you're fixed for money to board in town, but...

you're gonna have to make a decision... and soon.

[Sighs] Well...

you take tonight and think on it, and...

Ben'll come and check on you tomorrow.

Thankyou.

[ThunderRumbling]

Excuse me, ma'am.

I'm Clark Davis...

and I'm truly sorry about your loss.

I have a proposition for you.

I know it's not the right place or the right time.

[ThunderRumbling]

But I figure if we marry...

it'll help solve both our problems.

You'll have a roof over your head...

and all your needs will be met...

and my Missie, well, she'll have a mama.

I know it sounds crazy...

and the timing is unlikely...

but you have to understand the preacher's leaving the area today...

and he's not gonna be back until spring...

and I ask this only for my daughter.

I'm thinking...

that she needs a woman's hand in parts ofher life.

I know it's not the perfect solution...

but when the wagon train heads back east in the spring...

I'll pay the passage so you can go home.

You'll help me get home?

If that's what you want.

I'll leave you to think on it, ma'am.

[Child] Get her off of ya!

[All Shouting]

So I had to be chasing after 'em. The next thing... Hey!

- I tried to stop them. - [Ben] Hey! Hey!

- [Grunting] - Missie.

Hey, hey. Come here.

[Panting] He started it, Pa.

You get up. Get up!

Clint says I got a new ma. He's lying to me.

- Is that true, Clint? - No, sir.

She poked me right in the nose for no good reason.

You're a liar. That is so a good reason.

[Clark] Hey. Where do you think you're going?

Apologize.

[Panting]

Sorry.

Sorry.

What'd I tell you about fighting with girls?

I ain't fighting with no girl. It's just Missie.

Get inside. Go on.

- No worries. - Come on, Missie.

We need to talk.

[Indistinct]

Oh, God, I don't want to do this.

- I just wanna go home. - Now you listen to me.

There is no place in this part of the county...

to waste your time cying overwants.