Thank you, Lord. You got us away just in time.
Levi sent a look over his shoulder, farther up the path they’d been taking. “How far to the cave?”
She followed the line of his gaze. “If the opening weren’t so well hidden, we could see it from here. Just above that cliff, behind the scrubby tree.”
“We’ll have to stay low. Better to go one at a time so there’s not as much movement.”
She gave him a quick glance. Was he well enough to duck and run by himself? He seemed alert enough to be capable now. “I’ll go first since I’ll be able to find the opening easier.”
“Be careful. Stay behind rocks as much as you can.” He reached for a satchel. “I’ll carry one of those.”
She shook her head. “I have them.” He might be able to get himself there, but they had no reason to make his struggle harder.
Before he could protest, she ducked low and sprinted six strides toward the nearest rock large enough to providecover. Once there, she took the opportunity to check the other mountain once again. Still only one figure visible. The searchers must have spread out.
She didn’t allow herself to glance at Levi and instead turned back to map out the rest of her route to the cave. From boulder to boulder she ran, keeping as low as she could and stopping at each one so a person watching from a distance wouldn’t see a steady stream of movement.
At last, she reached the path beside the cliff, and she was breathing hard as she ducked behind the scrawny tree with its sharp needles. The thin strip of darkness that marked the opening of the cave finally came into view. She let out a long breath. They’d almost made it.
Leaning around the tree so she could see Levi, she motioned for him to come. Another glance at the other mountain showed two figures now. They didn’t seem to have spotted her movement.
Levi started along the same path she’d taken, although he ran slower. Maybe, in part, because of the blankets on his feet. As he bent low to move, he sometimes had to touch the ground with his hands for balance.
Don’t let him fall, Lord.If he sustained another injury, his chances of getting away safely would be so much worse.
She needed to light a candle and check the cave to make sure there weren’t any unwantedguestsinside, but she couldn’t tear her gaze away from Levi as he ran.
At last, he slipped between the tree and the rock as she had. He was breathing hard as he came to a stop beside her.
She dropped one of the satchels to the ground and fished inside it for a candle and tinderbox.
When she pulled out the flint and steel, Levi reached forthe tinder remaining in the dish. “I can hold that.” Working together, they had a candle lit within moments.
Levi picked up the satchel from the ground, then started toward the cave opening.
She moved to step around him. “I can go first since I know a little of the layout.”
He didn’t step aside. “I’ll go first. Might be better if I hold the candle, though.”
Part of her was more than happy to hand over the light and let him be the first to step through spider webs and encounter any creatures within. But was he up to the strain? The heavy, dazed look had left his eyes, and he seemed much steadier on his feet. Far more like the capable man she’d met by the creek—was that only yesterday? It seemed like weeks had passed since then. Months, even.
She handed over the candle and its holder. She should have thought to bring one of the torches they used to light the hallway inside the caves. Maybe once Levi was settled inside, a small fire could be built. Not so large that the stream of smoke would be obvious from outside, just big enough to give a little light and warmth.
The thought of leaving Levi nestled beside that fire sent a pain to her chest. She’d planned to come only long enough to make sure he reached the cave, tend any wounds, and leave these additional supplies with him. But what if he needed more help?
Levi stepped into the cave, doing his best to take in everything illuminated by the candle. His senses still weren’t assharp as they should be, but he’d certainly come back to life from the benumbed condition he’d been in.
Miss Moreau had brought him back to life. Somehow. Maybe simply by forcing him to keep moving.
The cave didn’t extend very deep. Or maybe that was a turn instead of the rear wall. Yes, the path twisted to the right. “How far does it go?” Though he kept his voice quiet, the sound seemed to echo around them.
“I think it ends right there.” Her voice sounded immediately behind him, and he glanced back to make sure she was maneuvering without trouble.
The thin smile she turned to him was still one of the prettiest things he’d seen in a long time. He couldn’t fathom why she was helping him. Perhaps once they were settled, he could learn the reason from her.
Refocusing his attention on the path ahead, they only went a half-dozen steps before they reached a solid wall. Bits of leaves and twigs and dirt—some that likely hadn’t always been dirt—littered the floor. There might be a few dead insects in there, but nothing alive.
He lifted the candle to see the ceiling. He’d heard that nocturnal flying creatures sometimes lived in caves, but there appeared to be nothing here. He eased out a breath. “Looks empty.”
