The stage stopped moving. Were they stuck? Lost? He ached to join Dutch and Sam but couldn’t bring himself to leave Louise’s side. If they were lost or stuck, he wanted to be right there, helping her, protecting her.
Slowly the stage continued on. He tried not to imagine the men peering into the blinding snow, eyes crusted with frost, having to wipe ice from the horses’ nostrils so they could breathe.
There was nothing he could do but continue to pray and hold Louise’s hand, providing as much strength and comfort as he could.
The interior, already dim because the heavy curtains were down, grew even darker as the storm clouds shut out the sky.
Nate quit looking out the window. No need to see what he already knew—there was nothing to see but white. Looking only let in a cold draft.
Missy’s eyes, about all that showed above the buffalo robe, were wide.
He wanted to assure her they were going to be okay, but apart from God’s hand leading them to safety, he could not give such assurances.
Both Adams men had their eyes closed. Nate guessed they were praying.
He didn’t have to look at Miss Rolfe. He knew she’d be wishing she’d stayed with Peace despite the man’s protests.
Aside from praying and observing his fellow travelers, Nate wondered about the cattle of the Eden Valley Ranch and the nearby ranches. Chances were, this storm would not go that far north, but then again, it might. Snowstorms could be deadly on cattle if they drifted too far or ran out of pasture.
Good thing Eddie Gardiner had the foresight to bring his animals down to lower pastures, which were less burdened by snow and, even more, Eddie put up hay to see the cattle through times when the snow was too deep for them to find grazing.
The afternoon passed slowly. Without being able to see sun or sky, he couldn’t tell how late it was.
Louise’s head dipped, then settled on his shoulder. Good, she’d finally fallen asleep. What better way to pass the uncertain hours until they reached shelter?
It took him a moment to realize the coach had stopped moving. He was instantly alert but managed not to move a muscle so he wouldn’t disturb Louise.
Dutch opened the door. “You folks follow me.”
Nate glanced past the driver. He could see nothing but white, swirling snow. The whine of the wind filled his ears.
Nate held Louise back as Dutch helped the others down, then he dropped to the ground and reached up to help her. He wrapped her heavy shawl about her and pulled her into the protection of his arms. She was his wife. He would not let her go until they found shelter. It might only be a pretend marriage, but at the moment, his responsibility felt very real.
His concern felt like more than responsibility—a thought he didn’t have the time or desire to analyze at the moment.
“Stay close,” Dutch said, leading them into the snowstorm.
“Where are we going?” Miss Rolfe asked, her voice quivering.
Dutch, his head bent into the wind, didn’t answer.
Nate continued to pray. Could You please see us to safety?
Through the snow a dark shape appeared before them. After another ten feet he made out a cabin. A door opened to reveal warmth and soft light, and one by one they hurried inside.
“Thank You, God,” Nate said, still holding Louise in the shelter of his arms, close enough he felt her relieved sigh. He wanted to tell her that this was surely a sign God had not forgotten them.
He looked around. “Where’s Sam?”
“He’s still with the horses,” Dutch said. “I’ll help him and then be back. By the way, meet Dusty. He’s an old cowpoke.” He introduced the leather-faced older man who lived there. His eyes were faded blue as if a hot sun had soaked away the color, and his thinning blond hair hung raggedly to his shoulders. Still, for Dutch and the rest of them he was a welcome sight, and so was his home. “Dusty, my man, I have never been so glad to recognize the tree at the side of the road in all my life. I knew where I was when I saw it. Almost ran into it.” He left them in Dusty’s care and went out to tend to the horses.
“I expect you’re all cold to the gills,” Dusty said. “Why don’t you step up to my stove and warm yourselves while I make some fresh tea.”