CHAPTER 23
Eric squinted through the thick curtain of snow swirling around them. The biting wind found every crack in his clothing, burning his skin with stinging ice. The snow had piled up to the horses’ knees, making each step a laborious effort for the animals.
Did Silas really plan to keep going in this? As much as Eric wanted to make up for lost time, this felt like madness.
The older man's face was set like stone, determination etched into the lines that framed his mouth and eyes. Yet even with all the years Silas had spent enduring Montana winters, he couldn’t be immune to this agony.
Silas glanced his way and nodded as if conceding to the unspoken request. "We'll make camp in those trees."
Eric peered through the white to see what he meant. They’d not passed trees in hours—at least not that he’d seen.
It took a moment before he made out a dark form in the distance. That must be what Silas meant.
Relief sank through Eric.
At last they reached the stretch of woods, and when theanimals stepped under the canopy of pines, the wind instantly quieted, it’s howl sounding distant.
Silas halted them a dozen strides in at a spot where the tree trunks spread farther apart, allowing for a nice campsite. Snow covered the ground here, but they could brush it aside easily enough.
The guide motioned to the spot. “This’ll be a good place to wait out the storm, even if it takes a few days.”
Relief eased the ache in Eric’s bones. As much as he wanted to reach Washington before his father passed, if he died on the journey, that would do neither of his parents any good.
Nor Naomi and Mary Ellen.
Had she received his letter yet? Did she understand the depth of his love? The surety that hewouldbe coming back to her? As long as he didn’t perish in this snowstorm, that was.
Eric dismounted with a groan, his legs stiff from the ride and the cold that had numbed him all the way down to his feet.
Silas was already directing Harvey on where to clear snow for the fire and their blankets. He motioned toward the horses as he spoke to Eric. “Help me get them unloaded, then the two of you can tie them out while I start us a fire. Make sure you pack ice around the mare’s ankle.”
The poor horse that had been Harvey’s mount had seemed better after the night of rest while they waited out the snowstorm on the open plain. Silas had suggested they swap her with the pack horse, so she didn’t have to carry Harvey’s greater weight. Harvey hadn’t been pleased with that change, but he went along with it when Silas mentioned his other choice was to walk the horse, trudging through knee-deep snow.
Even with the lesser burden, the injured mare’s limp had continued all day yesterday and today. Maybe with a longer rest now while they waited out the storm, she could recover fully.
By the time he and Harvey had the animalsfed and tied where they would be protected from the wind, Silas had a healthy blaze crackling in the center of the cleared area. It continually amazed Eric how the man could build a fire when everything around was wet.
He brushed the wood dust from his hands and groaned as he pushed to his feet. “We’ll need a good bit o’ wood. Best we all start gatherin’.”
The work never seemed to end, but maybe once this part was done, he could settle in beside the fire and thaw his frozen, weary limbs. He had to remember why he was doing this. His father and mother needed him. And as soon as he saw to the details there, he could finally get back to Naomi and Mary Ellen. And they could finally move forward together into the life they all craved.
The relentless wind stung Naomi’s face and blurred her vision with swirling snowflakes, as she rode beside Heidi, with Two Stones ahead and Jonah behind them. It felt like she might never be warm. But at least the horses had been able to manage in the knee-deep snow.
They’d made it three days since passing Fort Benton. Jonah had stored his wagon and team at the livery, renting a horse so they could move faster. How fast were Eric and his group moving? As harsh as a mountain snowstorm could be, the gusts across this open plain never seemed to stop. There was no protection. No break from the unending misery.
They had to push on. It might still take days to catch up with Eric, but surely they would reach trees or hills that would offer a little protection.Lord, slow them down. Give them a safe place to shelter until we get there.
They’d all been praying this. Only God’s intervention couldmake this mission successful. He’d sent her after Eric—she knew that with every part of her. The dreams had been so frequent. So clear. And reality had matched so completely.
If God sent them after Eric, He would help them reach the group. She had to cling to that, no matter how miserable every moment was.
“I think those are trees ahead.” Jonah had to shout to be heard above the wind.
Naomi squinted, her eyes watering from the biting cold. She made out a line of darkness emerging through the veil of white. Relief weakened her muscles, but she couldn’t let herself relax. If they could just make it to the trees, there would be shelter from this unceasing wind.
She glanced skyward. The low gray clouds made it impossible to tell what time it was. Maybe a little after noon? Far too early to stop, but at least in the forest, the ride would be easier.
The trees became more distinct, and the horses picked up speed on their own. Smart animals.
