Using a combination of motions and the few words she could manage, she had Marcellus lie down on his side. She gave him the two small chunks of meat she had left, then removed her bow and quiver and positioned them with the satchel next to her.
At last, she crawled in to lie in front of Marcellus. He draped his arm over hers, and she could feel the tremble as his body tried desperately to stay warm. Her own limbs wouldn’t stop shivering, either.
As she settled in beside him, she finally managed to breathe easier. Was this a good sign or bad? She didn’t know anymore. She couldn’t think through the fog clouding her mind. Her eyes drooped shut, and she let herself rest for a minute. Just one minute, then she’d keep herself awake—counting snowflakes if she had to.
Evan didn’t sleep that night. There were a few times his body tempted him to lie down and rest, just for a few minutes. But his soul wouldn’t allow it.
He pleaded with God for Brielle’s life. Not just for herlife, but for every part of her to return whole. Not even a nip of frostbite.
He raised the same prayer for Marcellus and for Brielle’s father and uncle. When he asked Philip for full names so he could be precise in his petitions, the man seemed wary about giving those details.
“I only want to tell the Almighty clearly who I’m asking Him to save.”
The man nodded understanding. “Her father is Henri Durand and her uncle is Carter Maurier.”
Evan raised his brows. “Her mother’s brother, then?”
Philip nodded.
Evan turned his focus back to the Lord, praying for God to place angels around each of the four to keep them safe no matter where they went, just as it said in the Psalms. Other Scriptures slipped into his mind through the hours, and he prayed each as they came to him. He’d never felt so close to the Lord as he did now, but the angst in his spirit wouldn’t leave.
Please, Lord. That simple cry seemed to say as much as every other word his thoughts could form. Maybe his spirit really did make intercession like Romans said.
Intercede for Brielle. And Marcellus, and Monsieurs Durand and Maurier, too. Bring them backto us whole and healthy and stronger than ever before. Use this time to make yourself real to them. Makeyour path for them clear, both during the storm, and the plans you’ve laid out for their future.
He stopped just short of begging God for Brielle’s plan to include him. He hadn’t yet come to grips with what he should do about the pitchblende.
He knew he had to tell Brielle everything, but beyond that he had no notion. Even when he asked God to show him, the way forward looked fuzzy in his mind. Maybe the conversation with Brielle would give him a vision for how to proceed.
Philip had been sleeping for hours when a step sounded in the hallway. That was Audrey’s tread, but it seemed too early for her to bring the morning meal.
Evan scrambled to his feet, and his hands trembled as he waited for her to open the door. She must have news.
When she pushed the partition open, she was carrying a tray. His stomach dropped. That must mean it really was morning. Maybe she had nothing to tell.
Philip awoke with something that sounded like a hiccup and pushed up to his feet as Audrey entered.
She caught Evan’s gaze, and the mixture of worry and relief in her eyes worked like a fist to grip his chest and twist hard. “Chief Durand and his brother have returned.”
The room seemed to wobble around Evan, and he took a step forward to steady himself. “Brielle?” They must not have found her. He refused to believe they’d only found her body.
Audrey shook her head. “They didn’t find her or Marcellus.”
Relief eased through him. At least they hadn’t found her dead.
Place your angels around her on every side, Lord.He envisioned shining men with swords, like what the Bible said was placed in front of the Garden of Eden. A powerful foursome like that pressed into a square around Brielle shoulddo well to keep her warm and ward off any animals that might threaten.
“Has the storm stopped?” He’d prayed for that, too, but not as much as he’d prayed for safety and protection.
Audrey hesitated. “The wind has died down. There’s still snow falling, but visibility is much better.” She moved forward and set the tray on the floor.
Evan gave himself an inward nudge. He should have taken it from her instead of standing like a mindless oaf.
But his thoughts quickly shifted back to Brielle’s situation. “Are they going back out to look for her?” As much as he trusted God to bring her back safely, part of him still strained to secure that protection himself.
Audrey nodded. “Two of the other men have already left.”
A new thought slipped in, and he straightened. “How are her father and uncle? Do they suffer much from the cold?” He’d been praying for all of them. This might be a chance to learn how God would provide answer.
