Page 14 of One Last Storm
“We’ll make it home,” Moose said quietly. He met Axel’s eyes, a warmth in his gaze, a sort of determination, too.
Everest moved to the window, peering out at the storm. Snow had piled halfway up the glass, and wind showed no signs of letting up. “If we leave right away, we can take advantage of the weather window Echo mentioned.”
London had gotten on the Ham radio, gotten an update on the weather front.
“Or the storm gets worse,” Sage added.
“Maybe,” Wilder said. “But sitting here won’t get those packages to the Clearwater kids. Won’t get you home to Flynn.”
Axel’s chest tightened. The smart thing was to wait. The safe thing. The thing that wouldn’t risk lives for the sake of one man’s proposal plans and some Christmas packages.
But Flynn was waiting. And twelve children in Clearwater were counting on Christmas morning magic. And time was slipping away with every hour they sat in this cabin.
“How dangerous are we talking?” he asked.
Wilder exchanged a look with Everest. Some silent communication passed between them—the kind that came from years of shared experience in unforgiving terrain.
“Dangerous enough,” Everest said finally. “Creek ice can be unpredictable this time of year. Temperature swings, pressure ridges.”
“Plus there’s wildlife,” Wilder added. “Wolves, mostly. They follow the same corridors we’d be using.”
Wolves. Unstable ice. A ten-mile journey through wilderness during a blizzard, just to reach Clearwater. Then another six-hour push through equally treacherous terrain to get home.
“This is a team decision,” Moose said quietly.
“I’m in,” Shep said.
“Same,” London added.
Winter shook her head. “I’ll stay here, ride out the storm. My dad can fly in when it clears and help me get the plane de-iced and back home.”
“Topher?” Moose asked.
The EMT was quiet for a long moment, staring out at the storm. Then he shook his head. “I’ll stay here with Winter. Ride out the storm. Someone should be here in case the weather gets worse or if Bear and Dr. Matthews need backup on their medical run.”
Moose turned to Wilder. “You sure about this?”
He was looking at Luna, almost for permission. “I’ll be back by Christmas morning, pumpkin.”
She nodded. “It’s okay, Daddy.” She’d gone over to her grandmother Una, and taken her hand. “I understand.”
A muscle pulled on Wilder’s face, then, and he looked back at Moose. “Okay.”
Okay.
Quietness settled among them as the wind howled outside.
“When do we leave?” Moose asked.
Everest was already moving toward the gear hanging by the door. “Now.”
“Bundle up,” Wilder said heading for the door. “It’s going to be cold.” He grabbed his parka, his hat.
Axel watched him bundle up, glanced at Moose. He wore a grim look, but met his brother’s eyes. Nodded.
The ring box pressed against his ribs with every heartbeat.
He was going to make it home, no matter what.
