The packed snow had covered a low spot on the side of the trail. As the sleigh ran over it, the snow caved in under the weight of one runner. The sleigh lurched sharply to the right and came to a stop. Megan screamed as Daniel flew off his seat and landed out of sight, on the snowy ground below.

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Startled by the sleigh’s sudden weight shift, the horses whinnied and reared. Their massive hooves flailed the air as they strained and twisted in the traces, tilting the sleigh at an even steeper angle. As Conner struggled to control the powerful animals, Megan flung the quilt aside, sprang out of the sleigh, and plunged through the deep snow to where her brother lay.

Daniel had landed in a deep snowdrift, which had cushioned his fall. He lay on his left side, his right arm and his legs thrashing—thank heaven for that, Megan thought. No limbs appeared to be broken, but his expression and his moans of pain told her he’d been hurt.

Bucket had jumped out of the sleigh with Megan. As she knelt beside her brother, the dog nosed in beside her to nudge Daniel and lick his face.

Megan’s most urgent worry had been that the sleigh might tumble over onto Daniel, or that he might be trampled by the horses. But Conner had managed to calm the team. Chip and Patch stood in their traces, sides heaving as he petted and soothed them. The sleigh was still tilted, but it didn’t appear to be in danger of falling over.

“Where does it hurt?” she asked Daniel.

“Shoulder . . .” He grimaced in pain. Megan could see that he’d landed on his left shoulder, which was still under him, partly supported by the snow. Until Conner could safely leave the team and help her, moving Daniel could be risky.

A frigid breeze had sprung up, blowing clouds across the sun. Daniel’s teeth were chattering. His hat had fallen off and was lying in the snow. Megan brushed it off and slipped it back on his head. Then she pulled the quilt out of the sleigh and laid it over him. “It won’t be much longer, Daniel,” she said. “When Conner comes to help, we’ll get you up.”

Bucket seemed to know what to do. He burrowed under the quilt, pressing his body against Daniel, warming and comforting him.

Moments later, Conner came back and knelt beside them. “Will the horses be all right?” Megan asked. “They won’t run off, will they?”

“The horses should be fine,” Conner said. “The sleigh won’t move until we tip it back onto the trail. Right now, I need to check before we try to get you up, Daniel. Can you move your arms and legs? Tell me when it hurts.” He moved the quilt aside. His hands ranged expertly over Daniel’s body, testing his limbs and joints.