Evie’s eyes sparkled. “If you can find someone, I would love to race Nutmeg.”
“Are you thinking who I’m thinking?” Muriel had already washed up the dishes and returned to the table with a full pot of coffee.
Henri grinned, bit the end of her pen, and nodded. “Let me ask her before anyone gets too excited.”
I could tell it was already too late for excitement. Evie looked radiant. Maybe it was the fresh air, the riding, or maybe it was just because she was so damn gorgeous, but everything about farm life suited Evie Newton.
The front door opened and Mr. Lumber kicked the snow off his boots. “The battery is dead in the plow truck. It looks like this storm might be stalled over top of us. Evie, you’d better call your grandmother and tell her that you have to spend the night out here.”
Evie’s chest expanded. The breath she took was visible from the opposite side of the table. “Are you sure I can’t make it out?”
“You’re welcome to try, but when you get stuck, it will just be more work for us in the morning.” Jack finally participated in the conversation. “I’ll get some extra sheets and towels. You’ll have to sleep down in the cabin with Nick. Is that ok with you two?”
I cleared my throat. Coming to the farm had been my attempt to get away from Chance Rapids, Christmas, and Evie. Now, I was surrounded by the kindest Rapidians, a fifteen-foot Christmas tree, and Evie was going to be sleeping next to me, again.
“That’s fine. Evie can take the loft.”
“Well, that’s settled.” The chair scraped on the worn hardwood floor as Mrs. L stood and brushed her hands together.I’ll get you two a carafe of coffee for the walk down there and Jack will bring down some extra bedding.”
“I’m sure we can manage. Jack, you don’t have to come down. I know the way.”
“Suit yourself,” Jack said.
Armed with a stack of bedding, a steaming thermos of coffee, and a set of headlamps, Evie and I started our journey down the trail to the spot at the bend of the river where the little cabin stood.
EIGHTEEN
EVIE
Mr. Lumber was probably right,the Cadillac was good in the snow, but we were wading through snowdrifts that came up to my waist.
“Where is this cabin?” I shouted. Our lights illuminated the snow falling from the sky, but they weren’t a huge help in following the path.
“It’s just down there. Once you hear the river, you’ll know that we are close.” I appreciated that Nick was taking small steps. I was planting my feet in the holes in the snow that he’d created. After walking for what seemed like hours, the unmistakable scent of a woodstove’s smoke drifted past us. “I left the fire going. We’re close now.”
A few steps further and the river gurgled along beside us. I shone the light ahead and finally saw the cabin. When we approached, the snow was over the front steps. Nick grabbed the shovel from beside the door and cleared a path for Evie.
“What’s that?” I held up my finger and listened.
“It’s a…cabin?” he said.
I shook my head. “I know it’s a cabin. What’s that sound?” It almost sounded like a baby crying.
Nick set the shovel next to the door and paused to listen. “I don’t hear anything.”
“There it is again.” I pointed to the stand of trees behind the tiny building. “There’s something in the forest.” I didn’t tell Nick that foxes often sound like babies. I wasn’t sure how he’d feel about rescuing some kits.
“I don’t hear anything.” The river gurgled, the trees creaked in the wind, and his boots clomped on the deck boards of the cabin.
I thrust the thermos at him. “Wait here. I’m going to go check it out.”
“The hell you are.” He opened the door to the cabin, tossed the bedding inside, and grabbed the shovel. “I’ll go look.”
“I’ll come with you.” I followed him alongside the cabin to the woods, listening carefully. The crying sound got louder and turned into yipping.
“It sounds like…”
“A dog!” I shouted. A scruffy mutt hobbled out of the forest. He was skinny and the snow had balled up on his fur, but his tail was wagging. His tongue hung out of his mouth and he ran right to me. “Who are you?” He held up his paw, which was basically one giant snowball. I took off my gloves and pulled off the snow, and then used the heat from my hands to warm his paw. “He needs to get inside. The poor guy is freezing.”
