Part 4 (2/2)
She shrank back into her crouched position before the fire. In spite of her strong resolve, tears began to fill her eyes and trickle down her still-cold cheeks. She brushed them away with a trembling hand. Sam continued to eat his pemmican.
Ariana said nothing more. It was Sam who first broke the silence. He had finished munching on his trail provisions. He had even finished his third cup of coffee. Now he pulled the back of his hand across his unkempt mustache and sniffed.
”How's yer wrist?” he asked, as though it was an ordinary question.
Ariana's eyes showed her surprise, but she said nothing.
”Let's see it,” he suggested.
She hesitated for one moment, and then held it out obediently.
He took the wrist in his two hands and ran his thumbs and fingers over the area, bending it forward, then back, nearly making Ariana cry out. He pushed it to one side, then the other, his fingers feeling each bone and muscle as he moved it. Ariana fought the tears.
”Don't think nothin's broke,” he said at last, ”but it's gonna pain fer a while.”
There was no apology. No offer to give any a.s.sistance with the pain. He released her hand and went back for another cup of coffee.
As he poured out the thick, steamy liquid he spoke again. ”Iffen I were you, I'd jest curl up there beside the fire and try to git some sleep. Once daylight comes I 'spect we'll be movin' on outa”an' we got a mighty tough ride 'head of us.”
Ariana nodded. The fire was making her feel drowsy.
”Here,” said Sam, ”use this,” and he tossed his big buffalo-hide coat on the floor at her feet. Ariana reached for it and awkwardly spread it out before the fire.
Mrs. Benson opened the door as soon as she heard her husband's steps. Her eyes quickly scanned the darkness, but to her dismay he stood there in the snow alone.
”Whata”?” she began, but he brushed past her and into the room.
She saw his face then and knew that he was just as concerned as she herself was.
”IaI didn't find her,” he admitted.
”Did you try the store?”
He nodded. ”I went to the store first.”
”Did you go to the school?”
”Of course I went to the school.” His anxiety made him a bit curt, which was most unusual. His words, spoken in sharpness, brought terror to her heart.
Tears formed in her eyes, and she began to wring her hands in agitation. He stepped forward and pulled her to him. ”Now, my dear,” he said, and she could tell that he was fighting to put down his own fears. ”Let's not jump to any conclusions. I'm sure there's a reasona””
”What reason?” she cut in, her voice full of panic as she pushed back from him. ”What possiblea”?”
”I don't know yet, buta””
”She has never been late. This is not like her.”
”Perhaps one of her students had an emergency.”
It was something to grasp at. She prayed he might be right. But even as he spoke the words, her heart began to doubt again.
”Buta”she would have let us knowa”someway. She'd know we'd worry.”
”Maybe she had no way to let us know. Maybea”there wasn't time,” he continued.
”Come on to the table,” she said, brus.h.i.+ng at the snow on his coat. ”I've got your supper.” Her voice sounded wearya”dead.
He resisted. ”Noano, I just came toato let you knowa” His voice trailed off in an evasive manner. ”Wea”I've spoken to the sheriffa”some of the townfolks. Weawe're going to keep looking. Weawe'll check out the homes of all the students. Make surea””
”But it's dark. And the storma””
”We'll all carry lanterns.”
Her next protest caught in her throat, between concern for her husband and worry over her daughter. Silently she nodded her head. ”Travel in pairs,” she said softly. ”Are you dressed warmly enough?”
He nodded.
He reached for her again. Her worry had turned to alarm, and now she felt as though her heart were being squeezed. She allowed herself to be drawn up against him, and the tears spilled out and mixed with the melting snow on his shoulder.
She felt him bend his head and kiss her silvery hair.
”We'll find her,” he promised, his voice full of emotion.
She lifted her head and fumbled for her pocket hanky. ”You should eat,” she tried once more through her sniffles.
”Later.”
”Travel in pairs,” she reminded him again.
He nodded.
”You should have your heavier mittens,” she fussed.
He nodded. ”Would you get them, please?” he asked her.
She knew he was trying to distract her, but she brought the mittens and watched as he removed the ones he was wearing and replaced them with the heavy pair.
”I'll be praying,” she said and lifted her hanky to wipe tears again.
He again held out his arms to her and she quickly took refuge. He was her minister now as well as her husband, and together they bowed their heads while he led them in fervent prayer. Then with one final kiss on her forehead he released her and turned back into the night.
The search continued until it was impossible to carry on. Every home that had a student in the local school was called upon. The response was always the same. The children were shocked and bewildered. ”She was still there when we lefta”same as always,” came the reply to the question.
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