“We need to be on our way before this snow worsens,” Slatter said and got to his feet, reaching his hand down to help her up.

Willow stood with a shiver and her husband was quick to wrap his arms around her. She felt tearful, though no tears sprang to her eyes. She loved the way he always took her in his arms without question. It was as if he knew what she needed from him and gave it to her without hesitation. She would miss that when they parted and the thought rushed a single tear to one eye.

“We need to go,” he said, releasing her reluctantly. “This snow could worsen.”

She nodded as she pretended to rub the sleep from her eyes so he wouldn’t see the tear that trickled down her cheek, then gathered the blankets as Slatter turned his attention to the fire that had died out hours ago. They were soon on the horse and on their way. The snow remained light, but after traveling about three hours, the snowflakes seemed to consume the sky as they fell rapidly over the land.

After another hour, Slatter stopped and guided the horse beneath a tall tree. He didn’t dismount. He brushed what snow covered Willow off as he said, “It’s about another hour to our destination, though with the snow worsening it will probably take longer.”

“Then we should not waste another minute,” she said, realizing he was letting her know the remainder of their journey would not be easy.

“It is a warm cottage, good food, and a friendly face that will greet us,” he assured her.

She smiled. “Then why do you wait? Let’s be on our way.”

“Keep your cloak up around you and I will keep my cloak over you as well. And keep yourself snug against me for warmth.”

“What of you?” she asked with concern.

He leaned down and brushed a kiss across her lips. “You will keep me warm.”

Willow did just that. She kept herself cuddled tight against him and she periodically rubbed along his arms and back, encouraging warmth to his flesh, as they battled the snowstorm together.

Slatter had been caught in many a snowstorm but never one as enjoyable as this one. His wife was intent on keeping him warm and she did, more ways than she realized. She had a caring touch, but it was her green eyes, bold with concern when she looked upon him as her fingers gently brushed the snow from his face that touched his heart the most.

She truly cared for him and God help her, for in the end he would bring her pain.

Snowfall made travel difficult. Heavy snow could make travel impossible. Visibility was poor, the path disappearing, markers as well. But he had learned how to combat the snow and so he preceded with confidence.

It was almost two hours when he recognized the area and was relieved since they wouldn’t have been able to travel much farther.