The three of them watched Shorty’s chest rise and fall.
“I need ta tend the stock.” Hawk shrugged into his slicker and strode from the room. The thud of the door closing accompanied the snap of wood burning.
“I’ll put a dressing on his leg.” Addie chose the cleanest rags from the drawer and applied them to the wound, which still oozed. Finished, she stood back at Nash’s side. “About all we can do is watch and wait.”
“And pray.”
“Yes, of course.” Why had he been the one to remind her? She should have done so. Father would be disappointed in her. Not that she hadn’t prayed since they stepped out into the rain. For her, praying formed aconstant murmur in the back of her head.Please, God, be with us all and keep us safe.
“Addie.” Her name carried on a faint whisper. Its urgency jerked Addie’s attention to her mother as her head dipped forward and her body angled toward the floor.
At Miss Stone’ssharp intake of breath, Nash turned to see what alarmed her.
Mrs. Stone tipped forward, about to fall face-first to the floor. He jumped forward and caught her before flesh met wood. He shifted her into his arms. He felt her thinness through her damp clothes. This woman needed rest and food. A warm cot would do her a world of good. But Shorty lay injured and semiconscious on the only bed available.
Addie touched her mother’s face. “She needs to lie down.” Her gaze went to Shorty on the cot. Then brown eyes lifted to Nash, eyes full of concern replaced with determination. She stretched herself tall. Well, as tall as her height would allow. The movement brought her eyes level with his chin. “I’ll fix up something for her.”
Mr. Bertrand harrumphed from where he sat planted to the narrow bench, his bulk pouring over the edges. “If you find extra beds, I demand one.”
Addie’s gaze met Nash’s. She didn’t roll her eyes, but the way they widened and how she tilted her head expressed the same disbelief at the man’s demands. “I’ll have a look around.” She eyed the narrow, low door beside the cupboard. “What do you suppose is behind that?”
“There’s one way to find out.”
“Indeed.” Her wet shoes squished as she strode over.
“Be careful.” The warning came without forethought. He didn’t expect any danger to dwelt behind the rough wood. But his arms were full of an older woman who moaned, leaving him helpless to assist.
Mrs. Stone opened her eyes. “I’m fine. I can stand.” Words as weak as the sunshine outside.
He ignored her as he concentrated on Addie. She bent over, jiggled the latch, and pulled. The door didn’t move. She yanked harder. With a squeal of protest, the hinges released. A cold draft swept across the floor.
Ducking down, she peered inside. “It’s dark, but it appears to be some sort of storeroom. There are crates and—yes! Shelves.”
Nash moved closer as she went into the room. If he had to, he would lower Mrs. Stone to the floor and go after her.
“Blankets! Even a fur.” Addie grunted. “It’s heavy.” Something thudded to the floor.
“What’s going on?”
“I’m coming.” She grunted several times, then emerged half carrying, half dragging a buffalo fur. “This is exactly what Mother needs.” She lowered it to the floor beyond the table and spread it out. “Mother, here you go.”
Nash eased the woman to the fur.
She sighed. “Feels good. Thank you, dear.”
Nash and Addie knelt beside the fur bed observing the woman.
Then Addie sprang to her feet. “I’ll get blankets.” She hurried back to the room and reemerged with an armload of blankets, slowing to kick the door closed behind her. Halfway across the room, she paused. “I’ll warm them first.” She opened the oven and spread two blankets on the door.
Minutes later, she brought the blankets and tucked them around her mother.
Mrs. Stone sighed. “Nice and warm.”
Mr. Bertrand heaved to his feet and grabbed the two other blankets. “I don’t mind being warm.”
Addie rose and went to the man. “You’re more than welcome to have one.” She plucked the top gray blanket from his arms. “So is Mr. Zacharius.” With steady fingers, she wrapped the woolen blanket around the man’s shoulders.
Mr. Zacharius mumbled thanks, coughed several times, and then, with a sigh returned to sleep.
