A Grand Teton Sleigh Ride: Four Generations of Wyoming Ranchers Celebrate Love at Christmas (16 page)

“Should we knock on the door?” Amelia asked. “Maybe they came home after all.”

“I’ll check the barn. You try the door.” Emily hurried off to the barn to check for a wagon. All the while, minutes ticked away. If the family was lost in this cold, it could mean life or death.

She found no wagon in the farmyard and met Amelia back at the sled, where the dogs waited patiently.

“No one answered. I knocked loud enough to wake a baby.” Amelia shook her head.

“Well, get strapped in and we’ll be on our way.”

Amelia clambered onto the sled, fastened the straps, and they shot off along the trail.

Emily kept the dogs at a moderate pace. No need to tire them unnecessarily. And by going at a slow enough pace they would see anyone along the trail, or if off the trail, slow enough to see anyone taking shelter.

Another trail led uphill. Not sure where it led, Emily avoided that branch. The cold began to seep through the layers of her clothing. If it bothered her, Amelia had to be suffering.

Indeed, the young woman’s teeth were chattering.

“We’ll take the route to town.” They kept racing along, until Emily paused at a turnoff. What if they’d been going to visit someone? Down this meager roadway lay a few homes, one of which was the doctor’s.

What if they’d taken the baby for help, or if one of them were ill?

“We’re making a detour,” she announced.

“We need to detour home. I can’t take much more of this.”

Emily shook her head. She should have left Amelia at home. Someone should have insisted she go back to town and her warm hotel room with the parson and his wife.

A few things sprang to mind to say, but none of them would help the current situation. Instead, she turned the team and they headed along the road to the doctor’s home.

Not long, and they glided to a stop at the modest home where the doc had lived for years, the son of homesteaders.

They left the dogs in the yard and went to the house, where lamps glowed inside.

Dr. Whitley opened the door immediately. “Yes? Oh, Miss Covington. And a young friend. What do you need assistance with this evening?”

“We’re looking for the Willoughbys. Have they stopped by here at all?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. Their young son is very ill. I’m keeping him here overnight, and they’re staying as well.”

“Mr. Willoughby’s brother is very worried about them, and some of us have gone out searching.”

After apologies and explanations from the Willoughbys, and politely refusing a cup of tea, Emily turned to face Amelia.

“We’d best get home. My hour is nearly up, and I don’t want to worry the family.”

Amelia nodded then spun to head toward the sled. “Take me to the hotel, please. We’re closer than your home.” Amelia’s sharp tone gave Emily pause.

“But your clothes.”

“I’m done.” She waved her hands. “I’m so cold, I can’t see straight. My clothes are soaked through. I … I can’t do this.”

“All right.” Emily would have explaining to do, once she arrived back at the ranch. “To Ma Reed’s, then.”

Amelia muttered something as they sped off along the road back to town.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch what you said.”

“I’m sending word to Gus Tolliver in the morning. I’m leaving. You should be happy.”

Will and Zebulon covered the route to the west of the ranch and found no one stranded on the road, or any evidence of a wagon.

“I’ll see to the team.” Zed hopped down from the sleigh. “You go ahead to the house and see to Emily. She’s probably back already.”

“I don’t mind helping.”

Zeb shook his head. “Naw, go on in. I’ll be but a few moments.”

Will left the sleigh then hurried across the ranch yard to the warmth of the house. Now he knew what it felt like to worry about someone out missing in the cold and the dark. Maybe Emily had news.

But one thing made him pause when crossing the yard. No dogs barked from the direction of the barn. He and Zebulon had been gone longer than the agreed-upon hour, and he should have expected to hear dogs when they entered the ranch yard.

What if something had happened to Emily and Amelia?

He shoved the thought aside and opened the front door.

“Ah, hello? Zebulon and I are back,” he called out.

“Oh good!” Mrs. Covington called from the kitchen. “Did you find the Willoughbys? Have you seen Emily?”

“No, we didn’t find them. And no, we haven’t seen Emily either.” Will brushed the snow from his shoes then peeled off his gloves.

“Well maybe she was just delayed a few minutes. She might have gone a little slower with having a passenger on the sled, although Miss Clark doesn’t look like she weighs more than a gnat.” Despite her words, Mrs. Covington frowned. “I’ve kept the cider warm, and there’s coffee on. And we have spiced doughnuts if you need something to eat.”

“Thank you. Just coffee, please.”

Mrs. Covington poured him a cup of coffee, which he accepted, enjoying the warmth of the cup on his fingers.

He thanked her then moved to take a seat in the now-vacant living room, where earlier they’d celebrated and sang. How quickly things could change, such as it was in the wilds. In life, really.

A log on the fire crackled then an ember popped. A dog’s bark sounded outside, faint at first, then the barking intensified.

Emily!

Will set his cup on the mantel and darted outside to the yard. Snow sprayed up from his boots. Emily was gliding in on her sled, the dogs straining against the harness.

One thing stood out immediately. No Amelia.

He crossed the yard in a few steps and joined her at the sled. “Where’s Amelia? Did you find the Willoughbys?”

Emily nodded. “The Willoughbys brought their baby straight to Doc’s home. The baby had a fever and is very ill, so they decided to stay overnight at Doc’s until the little one turns the corner.”

“And Amelia?”

“She’s now safe and warm in her room at Ma Reed’s. She couldn’t take the cold. I think being out tonight scared her a little, too. Anyway …” Emily paused.

“Anyway …?”

“She told me she’s contacting Gus Tolliver first thing in the morning and heading back across the pass before it’s too late to leave.”

“Finally. No matter what I told her, she wouldn’t listen.”

“I know.” Emily shrugged. “You tried. And I don’t bear you any ill will for treating her so kindly.”

“Well, I suppose I should let you see to the dogs, then.”

A strange look passed across her face. “Yes … You can join me if you like.”

Will caught sight of Zebulon crossing to the house. “I’m going to speak to your father for a moment.”

“All right.”

Emily unbuckled the dogs from their harnesses and let them run for their water bowls. They’d done well tonight. And she thanked God the Willoughbys were safe. She thanked God even more that Amelia had decided to leave. The young woman’s presence had been a burr under the saddle.

But Will, just now, hadn’t acted very happy about Amelia leaving. He seemed preoccupied. And it wasn’t as warm in the barn as it had been in the house; the barn was where he’d kissed her for the first time. She’d been hoping for a second kiss tonight, except the evening hadn’t turned out like any of them had planned.

“Glad you found them, Em.” Pa stood on the other side of the partition. “I’ll have Sam ride out to the Olsens and let them know in the morning that we won’t be needing to search anymore.”

“I’m glad, too.”

“So Miss Clark is back in town, likely headed out of Jackson soon.”

“Yes, sir.” She nodded, scratching Felix’s ears. The dog licked her hand.

“Interesting development.” Pa nodded. “Well, I’m heading in. Don’t be too long. I think your young man is inside, waiting for you.”

“I’ll be in soon.” She gave the dogs each a pat and brushed a few of them. Niki had a sore spot on her front paw in spite of the leather booties Emily put on the dogs before heading out, so Emily used a bit of salve she had on hand.

She heard the barn door open then whispers and voices. A horse nickered at someone. A blast of cold air swept into the dogs’ area of the barn. Was someone going out again?

A jingling of bells sounded in her ears. Who’d taken out the sleigh bells?

Emily headed for the main part of the barn. “Hello, who’s going out now? It’s getting a little cold.”

“I thought I’d give your Will a hand in hitching up the sleigh for a moonlit ride.” Pa stood there, holding the reins, while Will adjusted the bells, which jangled merrily.

“Tonight?” She glanced from Pa to Will.

“Tonight,” Will said. “Come. We have a warm fur cover. It’s a fine night for a sleigh ride.”

She was a bit tired after being out for so long, but the barn had helped her thaw a little. Part of her wished she could change into something better than her trousers and shirtwaist. However, it was dark enough, and they’d be warm enough in the sleigh.

“I’ll see you two in a bit.” Pa gave Will a nod.

Will took her by the hand and helped her into the sleigh. “We’ll take a quick trip, halfway to town and back.”

“All right.” Emily pulled the fur over her lap, and Will took the seat beside her.

Then he tucked the fur around them securely. “There. Now, here we go.”

He whistled to the team, and they headed out easily, plodding along in the nighttime. “I won’t push them. It’s cold, and they’ve already been out. This won’t take long.”

“What won’t take long?”

“Ah, Emily, I had a nice conversation with your father. He told me about building this sleigh, how it was special to the family.”

“Yes.” She tried not to shiver. Will pulled her close to him. It felt a bit scandalous to have his arm around her, but she liked it. And no prying eyes or wagging tongues, and Amelia was likely packing now at Ma Reed’s. Either that or thawing out before the fire.

“So, I understand your father proposed to your mother in this very sleigh.”

“He did.” She loved the story and never tired of hearing it.

“Oh, I do love you so, Miss Emily Covington. I may not say or do the correct thing—like with Amelia. I can argue in court and state my case, but a woman—gets my tongue every time.”

“I love you, too, William Adams. Just like you are.” Her heart beat a little faster. They slipped onto the road to town. Now the route didn’t seem so ominous in the dark, with the moonlight glittering on the snow. The full moon lit William’s features, and she stared at his profile.

He pulled the team to a stop and faced her. “Miss Emily Covington, the reason I asked your father to let me take you on a sleigh ride tonight is I wanted to waste no time.”

“I see.” She smiled.

“I want to ask you tonight, like your father asked your mother, a very important question.”

“Ask me what?”

He put both his arms around her and pulled her closer still. “Marry me, Emily Covington.”

“Lawyer Adams, that’s not a question.” She couldn’t help but tease him.

“Well then, allow me to rephrase. Will you do me the honor of being my wife, and make this the happiest Christmas ever?”

“Oh yes, Will, I’ll marry you.” She let him warm her lips with a kiss.

“So, does this mean you’ll still run for town council in the spring?”

“I’ll not change my mind about that, sir.” She grinned. “But you may change your mind, if you so wish.”

Will let out a laugh. “Oh, my dear, it will be a most interesting campaign.”

June 1920

C
ouncilwoman Covington, are you ready to become Mrs. William Adams, Junior?” Pa asked as they stood at the doors to the chapel.

Councilwoman Covington. Emily wanted to dance a little jig at the sound of the title, but she was in her wedding gown and a few of the men were still sore about the women of Jackson taking the elections in a landslide.

Their town needed some fixing, and the women, now dubbed the “petticoat government,” were glad to lend a hand to make good changes happen.

She’d given Will a walloping in the votes herself, but he assured her he was fine, although his male ego was a tad bruised.

But Mrs. Will Adams? She smiled at the thought. She wouldn’t be councilwoman forever, but she’d gladly bear her husband’s name the rest of her life.