Page 31 of On the Mountain

He couldn’t recall how he had gotten there. Whether Wade had pulled him in or the boy had ventured in on his own when he could endure the coldness no longer, Wade wasn’t entirely sure, but he did remember the feel of the boy against him. He was the smallest boy he had ever seen and was all skin and bone. It was no wonder he was half-

frozen. He only prayed to God the boy had found somewhere to keep warm tonight.

The night dragged on with no sign of the boy and Wade knew he couldn’t ask his men to keep looking. Frank had come back from town to inform them the boy had not returned. Wade felt a sense of dread overcome him and wondered if they would find the boy dead in the woods in the morrow.

He released Joe and the other two men and told Prescott he may as well return to town as well. If the boy was out there and could hear them hollering, he didn’t want to be found. It was the hardest thing to do, but Wade turned Sty around and headed back to town.

* * *

He figured he should have stayed out searching for the boy, for all the good coming back to town did him. He laid wide awake in his bed waiting for the first sign of sunrise. There wasn’t a sound to be heard when he slipped out of the saloon and headed for the livery. There was no sign of Chuck Rhodes, but he was startled to find Joe already there.

“Figured you’d get back out as soon as there was light.”

“Thanks Joe.” He gave his lead hand a grateful slap on the arm before saddling up Sty.

The two lone figures rode out of town and into the woods surrounding the small village. Like the night before they split up with Wade taking the same route he did the night before. Though it was still dark, there was enough light amongst the trees to see clearly.

He had not gotten far when a rifle exploded into the silent forest. He reined in Sty and looked in the direction of the shot. A school of birds flew out of the treetops crying and flapping their wings in protest. He kicked his spurs into Sty’s side and took off at a fast canter through the winding path until at last he caught sight of Joe’s horse. At first there was no sign of the lead hand until he rounded a bend and saw the man leaning low into a thicket. Beside him, lying on the earth was the boy.

Without even stopping, Wade leaped from his horse and ran to the pair. “How is he?”

“Cold.” Joe grimaced, stepping aside for Wade.

He crouched down and touched the boy. He lay unconscious beneath a huge oak, his body an icy fortress. The skin over his pronounced cheekbones was deathly white and his lips a bluish purple. Quickly checking his pulse and receiving a faint beat, Wade snatched the boy into his arms and carried him over to his horse. The ride back to town was by far the longest he could ever recall. He held on tight to the boy who lay against his chest as he rode Sty at speeds that otherwise could bring serious harm to the animal in such a wooded area.

When he broke through the clearing that led to the village, Prescott was on his horse and headed in their direction. “Good God. What happened? Is he alive?”

“Barely.”

“Come, bring him to Elizabeth. We can warm him by the fire and get him something strong to eat.” Wade was grateful for Prescott’s offer.

The woman was only too happy to assist and scurried around Wade and the boy like a concerned mother. Somehow, Wade knew the kid would like that. As he placed him in a chair in front of the fireplace, the boy moaned and Wade felt a flood of relief. Elizabeth pulled two blankets from a storage box and wrapped the boy up warmly. He stirred and slowly started to open his eyes.

“I’ll go and fetch him a mug of hot coffee.” Elizabeth hurried away and Wade looked down at the boy. He found him staring back at him. Something flashed across his young face aging him in that brief moment, before looking away.

“Hey, you gave us one hell of a fright. Thought we lost you.” He tried to smile, but found the corners of his mouth were far too heavy.

Elizabeth returned with a steaming mug and held it out to the boy’s lips. One small shaking hand slipped out of the blanket and held the mug as he took a sip. “I’ve heated up some leftovers and some warm soup. How does that sound?”

The boy vaguely nodded.

Elizabeth took his hand and studied the fingers. “You’ve nearly frozen your fingers off. What in tarnation could possibly send you into the woods without a coat or shoes when temperatures are below zero?”

His eyes briefly shifted to Wade. Elizabeth looked over at him. She was by far too astute, not having missed the boy’s swift glance. But she was too much of a lady to comment. Instead, she said, “Why don’t you leave the boy here for a while? Let him have something to eat and get warmed up. You can come and fetch him before you leave.”

He didn’t like the idea but realized his presence wasn’t welcome. Whatever had upset the boy, was no doubt related back to Wade somehow. He nodded and got to his feet. Staring down at the boy, he felt he ought to say something. He just wasn’t sure what. Turning on his heel, he left him sitting by the fire.

* * *

Anna watched him leave. She had an overwhelming urge to cry. But tears were nowhere to be found. Inside she felt empty. Numb. A coldness had settled over her heart and the feeling was frightening. She wondered if she would ever feel joy and happiness in her life again. Or was she destined to live a life of suffering.

“Are you feeling strong enough to eat?” The friendly woman looming over her offered a bright smile.

Anna recognized her as being Prescott’s love interest, Elizabeth. She gave a nod and was grateful when the woman brought a plate of her wonderful cooking. She didn’t even mind when the woman took the seat across from her. So much better was her company than those at the saloon.

A shiver had her drawing the blanket closer before surveying her surroundings. They were unfamiliar and it took a few minutes after she awoke to recall what had happened. The moment she looked into Wade’s eyes, however, and the whole revolting memory of the night before came flooding back. She squeezed her lids shut in an attempt to shut out the sight of the naked saloon woman standing over Wade on his bed.

Her throat squeezed inward and she urged the tears to come once more. To no avail. She had wanted to cry or scream, but found neither solace. Instead she had done the only thing left to her and that was to run. Her pain had consumed her entirely and it was without thought or concern that she entered the dark forest. It didn’t take long however for the realization that she was lost to break through her consumed grief.

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