She helped him to his feet and waited as he fumbled with the buckle of his holster. She took it from him and hung the holster and gun up on the peg. She could barely reach it and nearly lost her footing. Righting herself, she took hold of the crate rather than grab the tent pole. The last thing she needed was to knock that loose and bring down their shelter.
Edward was reseated with his pants around his knees by the time Marybeth returned with his dry pants. She pulled off his wet trousers and felt his long johns. They were surprisingly dry. Marybeth worked the dry pants onto him. She felt no sense of embarrassment or hesitation. Her husband was freezing, and it was her job to help him warm up.
Without warning, the shivering began. He nearly dropped the empty teacup. Marybeth took it and put it aside. Edward shook so hard that Marybeth had to struggle to finish getting his pants on him. She helped him stand and the shaking worsened.
“I’m so sorry, Edward.” She continued to work until she had him redressed, socks included. “Come on. We need to get you to bed and warm you.”
She led him to his pallet, and as he struggled to lie down, she grabbed up her blankets and joined him. “You need my body warmth,” she said as he looked at her oddly. “If you don’t get warm ... you may die.”
That seemed to sober him, and he gave a hint of a nod. Marybeth carefully placed the covers over him and snuggled in under their warmth. She pulled Edward into her arms as she might have done for Carrie. It felt like the most natural thing in the world, even though Marybeth had never held a man in this fashion.
How odd that it should take a snowstorm and threat of freezing limbs to put them in each other’s arms. Something stirred inside her. She knew she cared deeply for Edward. She always had. At least ever since Janey announced that she had plans to marry him.
But Janey wasn’t her concern anymore, and the feelings welling up inside Marybeth weren’t those of compassion for her best friend’s husband. She pushed down her emotionsand did her best to focus on Edward’s trembling. She couldn’t allow herself to fall in love with this man. Edward had made it clear this was a marriage of convenience only. Unfortunately, Marybeth knew her feelings were going beyond that boundary.
11
The moment Edward woke up, he felt the strange sensation of someone near. He opened his eyes and found himself in Marybeth’s arms with Carrie snuggled down between them. What was going on? He tried to remember what had happened.
It came to him in a flash. He’d gotten lost in the storm the night before. Fred had sent him home early, but he’d lost his way. He didn’t even remember finding their tent.
Little by little memories of Marybeth’s tender care came to mind. She had been awake and ready when he’d stumbled against the flaps of the tent. His hands had refused to work at the ties. Edward remembered the desperation of the moment. He hadn’t even been sure he was at the right tent.
He closed his eyes and listened to sounds around him. For the most part, there was little to be heard but the rhythmic breathing of Marybeth and Carrie. It seemed the whole world was silent.
Edward remembered mornings when he and Janey had slept in. There was always something so intimate about those times. They would inevitably end up in each other’sarms sharing tender romantic moments. Of course, this was completely different. He was married to Marybeth, but they weren’t intimate. Her arms around him were only there to aid in keeping him alive.
Carrie woke up first. She sat straight up and wiped her eyes several times before looking at Edward with a silly grin.
“You seep.”
He wasn’t sure if she was declaring what had happened or ordering him back to bed. He grinned and reached out to tickle her. She giggled and bounced away from him, rolling over onto Marybeth.
“Quiet, Carrie,” Marybeth half whispered, half moaned. She opened her eyes.
“Morning,” Edward said, hoping the situation wouldn’t startle her too much.
Marybeth glanced over and smiled. She’d never looked quite so pretty. For a moment, Edward lost his thoughts in the reflection of her dark blue eyes.
“The storm has stopped,” she said matter-of-factly. She closed her eyes again, then without warning sat up, pulling her arm from under Edward’s head. “How are you feeling?” The relaxed look in her eyes was gone. It was as if all at once she realized their situation.
She struggled to her feet, and Carrie followed suit. Gone was the warmth and the welcome intimacy of the moment. Edward stretched and sat up. “I think I feel just fine, thanks to your quick thinking and care.”
“I was so worried. You were nearly frozen to death. You could hardly speak or move,” Marybeth said, going to the stove. “I’ll be glad when we get moved over to the Hendersons’ place.”
“Yeah, me too.” He watched her go about her duties. Shehad a methodical way of arranging her tasks. Marybeth was all about making order out of chaos.
“What time is it?”
Edward shook his head. “I have no idea. My watch is in my jacket pocket.”
Marybeth looked around the room and found the discarded piece. She checked the pockets and produced the watch. She opened it carefully and shook her head. “It must have frozen. This can’t be the time.”
“What does it say?”
“It’s nearly noon.” Marybeth held the timepiece to her ear. “It’s ticking just fine. Oh, goodness. Do you really suppose we’ve slept that long? That certainly isn’t like Carrie.”
The toddler danced in a circle on her pallet and paid them little attention. She was her happy self with no idea of the dangers that had passed in the night.
