“I will assist you.” Shorty took one step, groaned, and sank down. “Perhaps I will go out later.”
Nash joined Addie at the cupboard. “Don’t let Mr.Bertrand’s comments disturb you. He’s so full of his own importance that he has no concern for anyone else.”
“He doesn’t bother me.” Her laugh was more snort than amusement. “Though I admit I don’t care to hear peoples’ ill-informed judgment.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Mr. Zacharius doesn’t look strong enough to pan for gold.”
“Let’s hope his son is prepared to give him a warm place to rest.”
She washed a dish. He dried it and placed it in the cupboard. The last spoon had been put away when a crash rattled the dishes.
Addie gasped. Shorty pushed to his feet and stood there wobbling. Mr. Bertrand grunted. “Sounds like the place is falling down.”
Nash glanced upward. The ceiling appeared to be in place. But something had happened.
He grabbed his hat and hurried out into the rain.
Six
Addie shivered—less from the cold draft than from alarm. The cabin stood solid and in one piece. Mother hadn’t even stirred, but the three men remaining indoors looked ready to bolt. Except where would they go?
She hurried to the window and rubbed away the film of moisture on the inside, which did nothing to remove the blurring rain trickling down the outside. Leaning closer, she squinted, trying to see through the wavering gray curtain. At least fire posed no danger under these conditions.
Although she made out nothing but shadowy shapes of nearby trees, she remained at the window.Lord God, keep us safe in here. Keep Nash and Hawk safe out there.
A figure emerged from the rain. Air whooshed from her lungs as she made out Nash. Praise be to God. His boots thumped on the step. Then he entered the cabin, shaking water from his clothes.
“Is everything—?” She didn’t finishthe question.
He hung his hat before he answered. “Another tree came down. This one caught the corner of the woodshed. I’m sorry, Shorty. There’s been some damage.”
“This mountain appears set on destroying me. It could be time for me to move on.”
Addie barely spared Shorty a glance. “Hawk is all right?” she asked Nash.
“A might aggravated at this delay, but other than that, yes.”
“Aggravated, is he? Harrumph.”
Neither Addie nor Nash looked toward Mr. Bertrand. Let him grumble and complain if he must. Addie didn’t intend to pay any attention. What did Preacher Stone say? “Grumbling is the death of joy,” she murmured the words under her breath as Nash moved closer in time to hear them.
He nudged her arm. “That’s the truth.”
“Father Stone said it often.” She edged in to whisper, “Is it as bad out there as it appears from inside?”
“If you mean, has the constant rain made travel treacherous?” He glanced back at the others and lowered his voice even more. “I have to say I feel like the whole side of the mountain might come down.”
“Nash! What do you mean?”
“Forget I said that.”
“No. Explain yourself.” Realizing the others were straining to hear, she moved closer to the cupboard and talked about making stew, so they’d assume the two of them were only concerned about the next meal.
“Perhaps I’m overreacting to so many trees coming down. But it’s all in the same general area, and I can’t help wondering why.” Seeing her struggle to open the jars of meat, he reached over to twist the lids free.
A deep rumble thrummed beyond the cabin walls,and she turned toward the sound. It grew louder, echoing in her stomach and chest. The walls shook. The cupboard and its contents rattled. She grabbed Nash’s arm, clinging to it to steady herself. The vibrating floor rattled her teeth. The sound increased to a deafening thunder that seemed to last forever, though it could only be a few minutes. Then it faded. Ceased.
She released an overdue breath. Then there came another thud.
In the ensuing silence, no one moved. No one breathed. Mother hadn’t even stirred.
