Christmas Bride by Ford Linda

Author:Ford, Linda
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crocus Mountain Publishing
Published: 2019-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

9

Katie wrapped her arms around Sam as she cried. Josh’s arms circled them both. Katie leaned into his embrace as she watched the cabin become engulfed in flames. The heat forced them back as orange crawled down the walls. Flames wrapped around the window, and the glass fell to the ground and shattered. The door blackened as the heat seared it, and then it dissolved in flames.

Katie realized she was moaning and made herself stop.

They stood mesmerized as the cabin was reduced to charred logs and smoking ash. The stove stood like a wounded soldier in the midst of the devastation, a blackened log leaning on it.

Pulling Katie and Sam after him, Josh sank to the ground.

None of them spoke as they huddled together and stared at what was left of their home.

Josh let out a long breath. “There goes our shelter.”

Katie didn’t respond. What was there to say?

Sam clung to Josh’s arm as it crossed over her stomach and simply stared. Her hat had fallen off, and Katie stroked her hair. “We’re all safe. That’s the most important thing.” Although she believed it, she didn’t sound totally convinced.

“And we have the woodshed, so we aren’t completely without shelter,” Josh added. “Once it cools off, we’ll see if we can salvage the stove.”

Katie tried for a laugh that sound suspiciously like a sob. “And we have supplies.”

“That’s right.” Josh pushed them to their feet. “We have food in the shed, and because of Katie’s idea of seeing what it was like to carry our sacks, we have some bedding.”

“I have two books.” Sam’s voice rang with disgust. “What was I thinking?”

“At least you have something from your home.” Josh pushed and pulled them toward the shed. “Come on. Let’s get settled.”

Inside the shed, they drew to a halt. “We have wood but no way of starting a fire.” Josh shrugged. “I suppose we can light a fire from the hot embers of the cabin.”

Katie studied the little enclosure. She hadn’t realized how small it was. “Should we toss out some wood to make room for us?” Otherwise they would have to sleep standing up.

“Good idea. If we work together, it will be easy. Sam, you hand the logs to Katie. Katie, you stand here.” Josh indicated the doorway. “And hand them to me. I’ll stack them against the shed.” He gazed at the smoldering cabin and shook his head. “We have to make the best of it.”

It took them half an hour to make a spot barely big enough to accommodate them.

“Katie, you have a pot. We can heat water.”

She bit her tongue to keep from saying she didn’t want hot water. She wanted a warm house. “I have a frypan. I can heat up some of those rice and bean patties. We have fresh biscuits, thanks to you.” Her voice grated, and she stopped before she could be reduced to tears.

“Sounds good. I’ll start a fire.” Josh went to the middle of the yard, well away from anything that might burn, and set out wood.

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