Hours later, when they stopped to change horses, Dutch did not allow more than enough time to hitch up the fresh team before he said they must be on their way. She’d barely got out to stretch her legs.
At the first stop in the afternoon, Nate turned to Louise. “You should stay inside this time.”
“I can’t.”
“It’s cold and the wind has come up.”
“I can’t. Really can’t.”
He finally understood her meaning and nodded. “Very well. But make it quick.” He helped her down and escorted her across the yard, where he gave her some privacy.
“You weren’t wrong,” she said when she rejoined him. “The wind has a real bite to it.” It also carried hard pellets of snow.
Nate rushed her back to the stagecoach and she didn’t object, welcoming the protection of the thin walls. “Sit in the middle this time. I’ll sit next to the window.” Even with the heavy curtains down, a draft came through the opening and she gladly relinquished the spot.
But if she thought Nate meant to give her extra attention, she soon discovered he had other things on his mind. He lifted a corner of the curtain and watched outside.
“What’s wrong?” she asked after several miles of this.
“Nothing. Just watching the weather.”
She leaned closer and peered over his shoulder. Snow came down, thick and wind driven.
He glanced at her and shook his head.
She nodded, understanding he didn’t want her to say anything and alarm the others. Her own concern was enough to deal with. She faced straight ahead, avoiding Missy’s questioning stare, and pressed her palms to her round belly. She’d had no more cramps. That was good. But if they got stranded out in the open...
Now would be a good time to trust God. Please get us safely to shelter.
They stopped once more to change horses. The passengers took one look outside, saw the wind-driven snow and remained huddled inside, except for Louise. She had to exit the coach despite the cold. Again, she clung to Nate’s hand as he sheltered her against his side across the yard.
When they returned to the coach, Sam tied the horse to the back of the wagon and climbed up beside Dutch.
Louise had been in the West all her life. She had experienced raging snowstorms. She knew Sam rode up there to help watch for the trail.
They had not gone far when the coach stopped and tipped as the men climbed down.
“No need for worry,” Dutch called. “I’m only checking on the horses.”
But when they didn’t return to the seat, Louise knew they were on the ground leading the animals through the snow. Her lungs grew so tight it made breathing difficult. She wished she could blame it on the cold but it was fear.
She again peered over Nate’s shoulders into a solid white wall. She grabbed Nate’s hand under the robe and squeezed hard.
He tried to smile but didn’t succeed in hiding his worry.
She prayed as she had never prayed before, because never before had she been worried about so many others besides herself and her baby. She had no desire to freeze to death in the white fury. She meant to get to Eden Valley Ranch in time for Christmas and the safe arrival of her baby. After that, as Nate said, she would move on with her life. And stop trying to hold on to the past.
Please, God, guide us through this storm.
* * *
Nate wished he could be in two places at once—at the front helping guide the horses and in the stagecoach, making sure Louise was safe.
His fingers grew numb from the way she squeezed his hand. She had seen the storm, felt its fury when she left the stage. She had more reason than the others to fear being stranded.
Out of nowhere he remembered something he’d heard, that too much anxiety could bring on birth. Seemed being in a snowstorm might qualify as a source of anxiety, and if the grip of her hand meant anything, he figured she was plenty worried.
He tried to recall what he knew about the birth of babies. Very little. Ask him about a horse or cow about to give birth and he knew every warning sign. Such knowledge proved of little value under the present circumstances.
There was little he could do except pray.
Since working at Eden Valley Ranch, he had learned the value of prayer and turned his thoughts to asking God for help. Our Father who art in Heaven, guide us safely to the way station. Keep Louise and the baby safe. And the others, too.