Mabel Coates has always gotten her own way. Having lived a comfortable life on a small farm in Pennsylvania with her overly indulgent father and her put upon mother, she has never been forced to do anything she did not want to do. Until one year when their farm fails and Mabel's father makes plans to move the family to Oregon. Mabel suddenly finds her comfortable life turned upside down. Not only is she forced to leave most of her possessions behind and walk on rocky roads for hours at a time, she also has to contend with Bill Atkinson. 
The guide hired to take her family through to Oregon, whose mission seems to be to relentlessly mock Mabel's soft upbringing. Mabel, stubborn and persistent by nature, gives Bill as much grief as he gives her. But, when tragedy strikes on the Oregon trail, the two must work together to see that the family makes it out alive. And, in the process, they may discover a deeper connection than either of them had ever dreamed.

A Standalone Short Story with no cliffhanger!