Rocky Mountain Showdown. Victoria Austin W.

wanted to reach out and put his hand on Laura’s shoulder to stop her but was afraid of destroying the fragile trust they seemed to have built. Instead he quit walking and coughed. Laura paused and turned to look at him. She had a question in her eyes, and he struggled to find the right words. “This is pretty rough terrain.”

      She waited, watching him. Probably wondering why he had stopped their progress to state the obvious. Seth felt himself becoming flustered, which made him want to snap. No. That approach wasn’t going to work. He decided to just say it and wait for the rejection. “I was wondering if you wanted me to carry Abby for a little bit. She has to be getting heavy.”

      Laura looked at Abby, who seemed to be following the conversation with her sweet dark eyes. “She’s been sick all week. I thought her fever had broken but it felt like it was coming back when I was carrying her in the tunnel. Are you sure you want to risk it?”

      Seth couldn’t stop the laugh. “I’m pretty sure, all things considered, getting the flu is the least of my worries right now.”

      Laura looked up at the sloping forest in front of them. She kissed Abby on the check and held her out toward Seth. “Thank you. A break would be nice.”

      Seth took the little girl, surprised at how light she felt. She was warm and wound her arms around his neck without hesitation. Laura began walking again, and Seth followed. The daylight was fading, and they needed to find a safe place to make it through the night. And they needed a plan for getting past both a forest fire and a group of armed men. Help us to make the right choice, Lord. I don’t want to let them down.