He’d taken the lamp with him, plunging them back into darkness.
“Go back to sleep,” Dutch said with a yawn. “No point in getting up until it’s light out unless Dusty returns with the lamp.”
Nate still held Louise’s hand and she wasn’t going to be the one to pull away. It felt strangely good to be held, secure and reassuring, as well as a feeling she couldn’t quite describe. If he didn’t want the touch to continue, he had only to release her hand and she’d tuck it back under the covers.
But he didn’t and she fell asleep wishing she could hold things this way forever.
Some time later the sound of stove lids rattling woke Louise. She opened her eyes. Dutch was putting wood in the stove and shaking the blue enamel pot. The aroma of coffee pushed away the remnants of sleep.
“I see you’re awake.” Nate sat on his rolled-up bedding. The Adams men and Sam held similar positions.
At Nate’s words, all the men turned to look at her.
From the heat racing up her cheeks, she guessed they grew bright red.
Nate turned away. “We’ll give you ladies some privacy.” The five men lined up facing the wall.
The women hurriedly adjusted petticoats, stockings and dresses.
When they were done, the men returned to their activities.
“Dusty hasn’t returned?” she asked.
Dutch grunted. “He’s crazy to go out in a storm looking for a dog. My guess is the dog has more sense than old Dusty.” He poured coffee for each of them.
Dutch was on his third cup and there was still no sign of Dusty. Or breakfast.
Louise’s stomach growled loudly. She’d eaten nothing the night before and she was hungry. “Does anyone object to me finding something for our breakfast?”
She turned to Dutch. Seemed he was the only one who could give permission.
“You go right ahead.”
“Dusty won’t mind?”
Dutch shrugged. “He’s not here to mind.”
She rummaged through the cupboards and found a store of flour, cornmeal and oatmeal, as well as a few vegetables and a stack of canned goods. Surprisingly little for a man facing a Montana winter.
With an ease born of preparing meals most of her life, she mixed together a large batch of biscuits and after they were baked golden, served them with a jar of preserves that were so out of place with the rest of Dusty’s supplies that she wondered if some woman friend had given it to him. The idea of Dusty with a woman friend gave her the shudders.
“That was wonderful,” Rowena said. “Maybe you should run a stopping house.”
Nate’s eyebrows jerked toward his hairline.
Louise explained her comment.
Dutch considered her. “I believe there will come a time when accommodations such as you describe will be the norm. Though I wonder if the stages will continue to run. The Canadian Pacific Railway will soon bring passengers and freight across Canada from the East. And lines are coming from the East in the States, too.” He sounded so morose, Louise wished she could assure him the railway wouldn’t change anything. Trouble was, she knew it would.
Missy and Rowena helped clean the kitchen, then there was nothing more to do but wait for the storm to end.
Dutch reached for his heavy outerwear. “I’m going to look for that crazy Dusty.”
“I’ll help you.” Nate slipped into his coat.
“Me, too.” Sam followed suit.
Louise gripped her hands together in front of her. She wanted to beg Nate to stay inside. The storm had not abated one bit. It was impossible to see more than a foot ahead.
But she sat quietly as the three stepped outside and the door closed behind them.
“What if they don’t come back?” Missy croaked.
“Think any of us can drive a stagecoach?” Louise looked about, hoping the others would know she spoke in jest.
But both Missy and Rowena looked worried and the Adams men shook their heads.
Louise turned to the door, a spasm clenching her stomach muscles.
Nate better come back. He’d promised to see her and the baby to Eden Valley Ranch.
* * *
Nate, Sam and Dutch went to the barn and stepped inside.
“Dusty,” Dutch bellowed. The horses neighed but no human voice answered.
The three of them searched each stall but didn’t find Dusty.