Then her foot snagged on a root. In the blink of an eye, she was on her rump, and a tiny gasp escaped her. Jacob’s eyes widened, and his attention darted to the mother black bear. She stopped and looked toward Mary, sniffing the air. Jacob thought his heart would beat out of his ears as he waited for her reaction.
One black paw moved closer, and Jacob’s fingers twitched, itching to grab Mary and run. But the swift movement would only exacerbate the situation.
“God, please, no. Please protect her. Please send the bear away.” Despite the quietness of her whispered pleas, Dawn’s voice behind him was laced with panic. He could not reprimand her, though, could not tell her not to pray. For what choice did they have? And what other comfort did she have? Thankfully, Mary did not move a muscle after falling and simply stayed put on the ground.
After a bit more sniffing, the mother black bear lumbered off after her progeny.
As soon as the family of bears was out of sight, Jacob holstered his gun and made for Mary. Dawn beat him to her side and wrapped the child in a hug, tears spilling from her eyes. Jacob swallowed and held his ground. It seemed too private of a moment to interrupt.
When Dawn finally loosened her hold, though, Mary turned to him. “Jacob?”
He knelt. “Yes?”
Mary left Dawn’s lap and came over to wrap her arms around his neck. “Thank you.”
Jacob returned the child’s embrace but glanced at Dawn. “I did not do anything.”
“Yes, you did,” Dawn replied for the child, nodding as tears continued to slip down her cheeks. “You kept your head and kept her safe. We would not have known what to do without you.”
They sat there, Dawn looking on and Mary hugging him, with not a care in the world that they were in the middle of the forest. They were simply glad that the danger had passed. After some time, Jacob remembered what he had been doing before Dawn had begun screaming for Mary.
He eased Mary from him and quickly regained his footing. “I need to get those dishes washed. And bury our food stores so as not to attract the bears.”
Dawn came to him and placed a hand on his arm. “I can wash easier than I can dig. If you will let me help, we can accomplish both tasks at once.”
Jacob frowned as he took in her earnest face with those blue eyes that so easily melted his heart. He did not want her to have to tend to either task, much less to risk putting her life in danger by sending her to the same river where the bear was likely taking a drink with its cubs. But she had a point. Digging would be almost impossible for Dawn. And he knew how much it pained her to admit that.
“Be careful. Watch for the bear and try to stay out of its sight. Remember not to move or make a sound if she does see you. And if she comes toward you or acts aggressively, use the dishes to make loud noises. I will be right here if you need me.”
Dawn nodded. “Keep Mary here with you.”
Jacob dipped his chin in a nod, but his words stuck in his throat as he realized what she said. He could have bent and kissed her right then, for the pride and joy that washed over him. He was well aware of what a great deal it meant for Dawn to entrust Mary’s care to him in the face of danger.
Perhaps his plan was working, after all. By keeping a level head when it was needed most, it seemed he had worked his way into Dawn’s trust, and hopefully, into her heart. If he could prove himself worthy, perhaps he could win her affections once more.
And yet, they had still to make it through the night.
June 30, 1782
Rocks clattered and water splashed as Jacob stepped into the shallow waters of the wide creek. Beside him, Dawn entered the sunny creek bed with Samson in tow, the animal making a louder clatter as all four hooves came down into the rocky creek. She turned and grinned up at Mary, who sat atop the horse as though she were a princess atop a royal steed, her back straight and tall and the hint of a smile on her face as she took in all around them.
Then Dawn tipped her face upward, blinking at the bright sunlight. She sighed and closed her eyes, simply soaking in the moment. Despite the oppressive heat that had settled in come mid-June, she still relished in the feel of the sun’s warmth against her face. For so long, she had been made to do without. One could forget what a blessing the light could be. That was, until they had to face the darkness.
As Jacob sloshed over to a deeper spot to refill their canteens, Dawn shook the dreary thoughts from her mind and instead watched the cold water soak the bottom of her petticoats and swirl around Samson’s dark grey legs. Tiny fish darted in and out between the horse’s fetlocks before moving on downstream.
When Jacob walked over and offered her the canteen for a drink, her mouth twisted in amusement. While fresh, moving water was not exactly scarce in this land, Jacob seemed to make sure that she and Mary drank more than their share, as though their supply might run out at any minute. Of course, the landscape did change so often, the water was not always available right at the moment it was needed.
Dawn accepted the drink and then handed the canteen up to Mary. With proper nourishment, the little one already seemed to be perking up. Though still pale and thin, there was a warmth and brightness to her face that had been lacking before.
While Mary sipped the water, Dawn returned her attention to her husband’s easy smile, to the face that had so quickly become familiar to her again. “I know it will be nearly unbearable on up in the day, but the sun feels so wonderful. It reminds me of those carefree days on the bank of the pond.”
“I miss those days as well. There was no pressure. To do anything. Be anything.”
Dawn frowned. How much of that pressure had been placed upon his shoulders by her and Mary? Thin lines creased the edges of his eyes and mouth. Were they added by age or by the stresses of life over the past years? Dawn shook her head. “I never meant for any of this to fall upon you, Jacob.”
He stepped closer. “You are not a burden, Dawn. This journey is not a burden. I meant what I said. I had no plans, no direction.”
Jacob seemed earnest, but how could it be that he truly did not have a single plan for his future? And what of his mother? His siblings? “Still. We have taken you away from your family.”
