Noah squinted through the falling snow as the figure grew closer.
It was a woman! She stood at the top of the embankment, and before he could gather his wits, she began a careful slide down the small hill.
He blinked a few times, yet she only grew nearer.
“I was just behind you, using your lantern light as my guide, and saw what happened.” She closed in, her dark, damp hair tumbling loose from her bonnet all around her shoulders. Was she a snow spirit? A ghost? Because those large indigo eyes and her pale face looked much too otherworldly to be from this sphere.
She nearly lost her footing as she reached the bottom of the embankment, and he reflexively reached out an arm to steady her. The wool of her cape brushed against his glove.
Well, she felt real.
She looked down at his hand on her arm and then shot him a smile. “Well, here I am, trying to come to your aid, and you end up assisting me.”
Noah could only stare. Words completely failed him. And then, from inside the folds of her cape peeked a small set of wide eyes. A baby? The woman stopped in the middle of a snowstorm to help him, and she was carrying a baby?
Words skidded even farther away from him.
“Thank the good Lord you're upright.” She gestured with her head toward the road. “Your horses too. With a turn like that one, I'm surprised someone didn't get hurt real bad.”
And then Marty flew to mind again.
“Marty.” The name puffed out on a breath. Noah spun around, searching for the young man. “One of my men. He's—”
“I see him,” she broke in, taking off in that direction.
Noah blinked a few more times and then, with his hand on the carriage for support, made a much slower approach.
“He's breathin’,” the woman said, kneeling in the snow beside Marty. “His leg's turned in an awful direction, though, so I reckon it's broke. I can't tell about his head or neck, so I'm scared to move him.”
Noah rounded the side of the carriage. “We can't stay here. He'll freeze to death.”
Those indigo eyes rose back to his, and she dipped her delicate chin in agreement. “Then we'll have to take the chance there ain't nothin’ too hurt in his spine or neck.” Her gaze fell to his limp. “You can't make it up that bank without help neither.”
He attempted to stand taller to prove his ability, but his wince contradicted his intentions.
She dipped her chin and straightened her shoulders as if readying for the task. “But I don't think I can get him up to my buggy on my own.”
If at all. Noah stiffened against a surge of panic and searched the area. His attention landed on a blanket half spilled from the open carriage door. “Let's drag him.”
Her gaze followed his, and a smile brightened her whole face, pausing his thoughts all over again. “That's a good start, but you think you're able?”
He forced his brain into motion. “I will be.”
She held his gaze as if measuring his determination, and he refused to look away. He'd have to work through the pain in his leg. There was no other option.
“All right.” With a nod, she marched over to the blanket and pulled it from the door. Noah released his hold on the carriage and limped forward, biting back the pain in both his leg and his shoulder as he helped her shift Marty's limp body onto the blanket.
“Are you sureyou'reable to help?” He flitted his attention down to the baby's wide blue eyes, so similar to the woman's. “I can try on my own.”
Her grin tipped a little. “Charlie's used to me working with him strapped in. If it gets too tough for me, I'll settle him in the buggy, but he's getting so wiggly, I'm afraid he won't stay.”
“You need to promise that you won't put either of you in harm's way. If it gets to be too much for you, stop. I'll make do as best I can.”
Her dark brows rose. “Mister …”
“Lewis, Noah Lewis.”
“Mr. Lewis, it's impossible to live without being in harm's way sometimes, and I think helpin’ out a neighbor in need is one of the best reasons for risk, don't you?” And with that, she turned and started tugging the blanket with Marty up the hill.
