Rebecca did all she could for the team and climbed back into the wagon. Her hands shook. She couldn’t feel her feet. The wooden provision box under the seat held two blankets, a canteen, jerky, and some hand tools. Lifting her waterproof, wool cloak, she wrapped a blanket around herself. Tugging the garment down and tightly around her torso, she covered Bolo then moved the box. She and Bolo crawled beneath the seat. Rebecca tucked the frozen canteen closer to her body so it could thaw enough to drink.

“I’m sorry about this, boy. I should have listened to Zachary. And Uncle George. Me and my stubborn streak. Surely it will stop snowing and the sun will peek through.” Rebecca’s teeth chattered so hard she had to clench her jaws painfully tight to make them stop.

Bolo whined.

She sighed and closed her eyes.

Why is Zachary riding away from me? Is he still mad? Where is he going? Silas! When did he come back? What does he want? Where is he taking me? He’s going to kill me this time as sure as Jesus is coming back. Help me. Somebody, help me.

She screamed, terrified when her eyes wouldn’t open.

 Image by Noah Janes from Pixabay