Another rainstorm during the night had turned the barely there, red-tinted river into a raging mess. It swirled and foamed with mud and twigs, looking angry and ominous, but the day was less hot than the one before, although there was still plenty of sun.

"I guess water won't be a problem anymore," Ruth observed as she got up on her horse.

"Doesn't look like it," Kid responded, getting up on his own horse.

They didn't have much else to say to each other as an awkward silence still hung after the last argument they'd had. Apologizing wouldn't fix anything as the problem that had started the argument was still there.

They hadn't gone far when Ruth's horse came into the path of a rattlesnake. It moved its rattle in warning, sounding like a sizzling frying pan, but the warning was not soon enough as Carmel was already within striking distance. The coiled snake was poised to strike, and the sight of it sent Carmel into a panic before Ruth could get control of the situation by having her slowly back away. The sudden movements of her horse as it bucked and prepared to run launched Ruth off the horse and into the river.

The current pulled her along like she was nothing but a rag doll. She screamed and made thrashing movements in an attempt to free herself from its tow but met with little success. Kid didn't know if she could swim or not but with the pull and her skirts now wet, heavy, and impeding her legs, it wouldn't make much of a difference if she could.

He had rarely felt fear, but he felt it now, stronger than he'd ever felt it in his life. His body went ice cold; however, it didn't paralyze him but spurred him into action. He dug his boots into the sides of his horse, urging it into a faster gallop, as he tried to outrace the river. If he could get closer to her, he'd have a much better chance of reaching her. When he drew up along side her, he jumped from his position on the horse.

The water was on the cool side for the time of year, since the sun hadn't been hitting it for very long. It momentarily stole his breath, but he was barely aware of it as he used all his strength to cut through the treacherous water.

He panicked when he got close to her and she slipped under the surface. He didn't know if it was because the struggle to keep afloat had sapped her of all her energy or because of something worse, but he quickly retrieved her and brought her above surface again. He didn't have time to see if she was alright as they were still in peril. He used one arm to hold her and the other to swim back to shore. It was a herculean effort, but he managed to keep her head above water and get them both back to safety.

Once on dry land, he pushed her matted, wet hair away from her face. There was no response to his touch. She was still unconscious and he noticed there was no rise and fall of her chest, and he felt the fear take hold of him all over.

How could God have brought such a gift into his life only to lose her now like he'd lost his brother, and he did believe that God had brought her to him.

"Please, don't take her. She has so much left to do, and I need her. I know I'm not in a position to bargain when I've drifted so far from You if a person can even make bargains with the Almighty, but please, I'll get right with You if You bring her back." Ruth had become his conscience of late and he could almost hear her telling him that God worked all for good and that a person had to walk with God whatever came their way. "I'll get right with You whatever happens, but if there's a way to save her, show me."

In a desperate attempt to bring life back into her still form, he flipped her over and thumped on her back. Her body suddenly jerked, and she coughed, expelling the water from her lungs. He heaved a great sigh of relief.

When she'd finished coughing, she sat up and began to visibly shake. He pulled her against himself in an attempt to warm her with his body heat, although he wasn't exactly dry himself. She didn't fight the action, a sign of how cold she was. "Are you okay, baby?" It was a stupid question even to his own ears. Of course, she wasn't okay; she had almost drowned, but he needed to hear the sound of her voice.

"I think so," she answered, her voice sounding a little raspy.

He listened for what seemed like the longest time to the sound of her breathing, strong and steady despite what had happened, and he rejoiced and treasured the sound. She still trembled though, which worried him. Despite what she'd told him about wet clothes, he knew people could catch their death in chilly waters. "Can you unbutton your dress?"

She shook her head, still too weak for a lot of talking. He immediately unbuttoned her dress, not exactly the circumstance he'd pictured doing it in, and removed the waterlogged dress, along with her corset. He left her chemise on though, and he doubted she would have let him remove it even in her somewhat mild state. He took off his shirt and then stood up, picking her up and keeping her tight against his chest. He started walking toward the direction the horses had gone, hoping he'd find them and retrieve the dry, woolen blankets they carried.

He was still worried about her, but he somehow had the feeling that she would be okay whether he found them or not, and he sent up a prayer of thanks. Although he'd tried to forget the Lord, it appeared the Lord hadn't forgotten him.