Chapter 15
The dreaded storm rolled in during the night.
He had spent two hours laboring over his wife's body, trying to stamp her with his own, taking the time to caress and whip her into a desire that was almost a match for his own.
And had exhausted both of them in the process.
Instinct had him opening his eyes to see the snow drumming against the wide pane of glass.
A glance at the clock showed that it was a little past three in the morning.
His wife was wrapped up in his arms, and the fire was blazing in the hearth.
He had added wood chips to the smoldering blaze before he succumbed to sleep, and it was still very much alive.
His first instinct, his first thought was to keep his arms around her and fall back asleep.
But if he knew his men, and he knew them well enough to know that they would be out in the thick of it making certain that everything was ready for the aftermath.
He was their boss and it was only right and fitting that he should be out there with them.
Easing first one arm carefully as he tried his best not to wake her, he started to lift the other off her belly, when she opened her eyes.
"I was trying not to wake you." He kissed the tip of her nose. "Go back to sleep."
"What time is it?"
"After three."
"Where are you going?"
"Outside. The men are already out there--" He stopped when her arms tightened around his narrow waist.
"Don't go."
"I have to." Tipping her chin up, he gazed into eyes he had fallen in love with the moment he looked into them. "You know that."
"The storm--"
"I'm used to this type of weather. I'll keep in touch, I promise."
She held on a little bit more, feeling the unaccustomed and unwelcome panic inside her chest.
"You could get lost or frozen."
He chuckled, shaking his head at her expression. "I have too much to live for to take unnecessary risks. Trust me on this." Kissing her on the lips, he removed her arms and slid off the bed. "Go back to sleep."
"As if I could," she muttered. Sitting up on the pillows, she watched him dress, admiring the ease at which he donned his clothing. "Is that all you're wearing? A flannel shirt and a sweater?"
"My jacket is in the mud room. I told you I'm used to this weather, and I cannot afford to have multiple layers weighing me down.
Don't worry." He dragged long fingers through his shoulder-length dark hair and considered it combed, before rising lithely.
"Anything, and I mean anything, feels amiss, please call me. "
"I will. God, I hate this," she murmured. "I'm worried about you."
"I know." Crossing the room, he bent over and rubbed his lips on hers. "I'll be back before you know it."
"You'd better," she warned, holding him for a few more minutes. "Don't make me come and get you."
"Yes, ma'am." His eyes twinkled as he kissed her again. "Go back to sleep," he added as he headed for the door.
But she couldn't. And she didn't see how he could expect her to simply turn over and go back to sleep when he was heading out in that. "Oh dear God!" she exclaimed, looking out the window. It was really coming down out there and the wind was whipping the flakes into a frenzy.
She was about to get off the bed when she felt the movement of her baby inside her womb.
Pressing her hand on the bulge, she spoke reassuringly.
"It's okay, darling. Daddy will be okay.
Please God." Swinging her legs off the bed, she shrugged into her robe and went to look out the window.
One hand flew to her throat as she stared at the horrifyingly fascinating scene.
She had heard about a complete whiteout but had never seen one before.
As far as the eye could see, everything was covered in dazzling white, and it was still falling rapidly. And he was out in this. They were all out in this. Pressing her face against the cold pane of glass, she closed her eyes and started praying.
Bryson was doing some praying himself. He had taken his horse to avoid being stuck in the snowdrifts. Thor was surefooted and was familiar with the property. He was also attuned to his master's moods, which was an added bonus, especially in a situation like this.
He turned when he heard the sound of hooves plowing through the snow and saw Jack's grim face before he reined in his horse.
"How bad?"
"The southeast barn doors are covered in several feet of snow. We're experiencing some electrical shortage in some of the cottages."
Bryson's hands tightened on the reins, causing Thor to paw the ground.
"Easy, boy," he murmured before looking at his foreman. "Which cottages? And how can we move people out? If we have to house them in the ranch house, then so be it."
Jack nodded in approval. "I'll round up some of the men. Some of the cattle drifted away, but not far. Jake and Teddy are rounding them up as we speak. Boss--" He jammed his woolen cap more securely around his ears to ward off the cold. "It's going to be a hell of a long night. Ms. Julianne--"
"Is safe and sound inside, and there are people there who will alert me if there's something wrong.
" He was hoping to God that he could hurry up and get back to her.
But his conscience would never allow him to just go and leave his men to carry on the work.
That wasn't him and she knew that. "Let's get to work. "
It didn't show any signs of stopping. Unable to stop worrying and too restless to stay inside their suite, Julianne took a shower and headed downstairs. The household staff was just stirring, and the scent of coffee permeated the air, causing the saliva to pool inside her mouth.
She was about to stop one of the maids hurrying by with an armload of linens when she glimpsed Barbara descending the stairs.
"Why are you up so early?" the woman asked with a frown.
"Why are you?" Julianne countered.
"I have to issue some instructions to the kitchen to make some breakfast and coffee for the men out in the storm." Barbara came alongside her. "You should be resting."
"I've rested enough, and my husband is out there in that--" She threw an arm out indicating the thick flakes hurtling from the sky. "I tried calling--"
"The service is a bit sketchy because of the storm, and depending on where he is, he will not be able to receive calls.
" Touching her arm lightly, Barbara guided her into the cozy blue and green salon where there was a fire blazing in the hearth and the long counter already set with various meals to choose from.
"Why don't you sit, and I'll pour you some tea?"
Julianne nodded and took a chair near the window.
In any other circumstances, she would have admired the unblemished whiteness covering everything in sight.
But not while Bryson was outside. She kept thinking of various scenarios.
He could be thrown from his horse and break something. His horse could go lame.
"Here you go. There's soda bread and ham and cheese."
"Thanks." Taking the steaming cup of tea, she blew on it, her eyes straying to the window. "I'm not hungry."
"You should eat--"
"I'm not hungry! Just--" She closed her eyes briefly in contrition.
"I apologize. I'm worried. He promised to call and he hasn't.
It's been four hours and nothing. I cannot stand it.
" Putting the cup down on a lovely cherry wood table, she rubbed her belly.
"I want him to come home, and I'm so scared I cannot stay still.
" She turned to face Barbara. "How can you stand it? "
Taking her cup of coffee with her, Barbara sat next to her daughter-in-law. She was aware that the woman was still suspicious of her and approached her with caution. She wanted to be friends with the woman who had changed her son's life for the better but realized it was going to take time.
"Your husband is strong and smart, and he knows the land like the back of his hand.
" A smile played around her firm lips. "He has been out there since he was a boy.
" She started to reach out a hand to Julianne but thought better of it.
They had not gotten to the physical stage yet, and she wondered if that would ever be the case.
It was her fault, and she was prepared to wait.
"He also has two reasons to come back home safely. You and that baby you're carrying."
"Three," Julianne murmured, feeling reassured by the woman's confidence.
"I beg your pardon?"
Julianne reached out to touch the woman's arm lightly. "You're forgetting yourself. He has three reasons to come home to us safely. Failing that, I promise to bodily go out there to get him if he's not back in time for supper."
Barbara sent her a grateful smile. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Rubbing her belly, she started to rise. "I think I can eat now."
"Please allow me," Barbara insisted, pressing her back down.
He stumbled in almost at midnight, frozen and tired to the bone.
He had made sure to check in at intervals during the very long day and night to let them know that he was all right, but there was just too much to do.
The kitchen was kept busy providing hot meals throughout the day, and several of the ranch hands, the ones with families, were carted over to the ranch house because of the power outages in their cottages.
Julianne kept herself busy despite Barbara's protest that she put her feet up and go and relax.
"If I don't do something, I'm going to go crazy. Put me to work."
She was put in charge of the biggest pot of beef stew she had ever seen. And was prepared for him when he finally came home. He had stopped inside the mudroom to get rid of his coat that was caked with snow and ice as well as his boots.
She had prepared a steaming bath for him to get into as soon as he stepped into their suite and a full glass of his favorite brandy.