Chapter 32 The Storm

Nathan wakes early and it very quiet and dark. He peers outside and sees a curtain of white, the snow has begun. Dressing quickly in his warmest clothes and leaving notes for Allie and his Mom he goes outside to fight the cold windy snow. Arriving at the jail he quickly builds up the fires. Bill bursts into his office and says "Nathan this looks like a mess." Nathan agrees and they decide to have a quick group meeting at the café. All the men are gathered and Clara is already up cooking. All are given duties to try and keep as much of the snow cleared as possible. Carson knows he will be busy at the Infirmary and is concerned as he has no one to help him. Lee and some of his men will take care of snow removal, Ned will open the mercantile for emergency supplies. Fiona has already volunteered to help with the phones if Florence and Molly can't make it. Nathan checks with Kevin to ensure the horses are ready if they are needed and he already knows he will need Newton as he will have to check the outlying roads. It's too dangerous for Nathan to go alone, so Bill deputizes Jesse to go with him and he will ride Sargent as he is a trained Mountie horse. Bill will stay in town and stay in touch with everyone.

In the row houses, Rosemary, Elizabeth, Maura and Allie hunker down. They do some snow cleaning to at least try and keep their steps clear and they check on their neighbors to ensure all is well. Maura starts cooking to help keep her occupied. Julia is in the saloon watching everyone organize to ensure all the residents are as safe as possible. She becomes aware that Carson will need some help and she volunteers as she was once a nurse in her early career. Carson eagerly takes the help.

Nathan and Jesse mount up to check on some of the outlying community. It is too dangerous to check on everybody yet as some live too far out. While everyone in town battles the snow, Nathan and Jesse are almost blinded by it. Most of the homesteads are all right and they go back to town to warm up before they take the other side. In town all are working to battle the snow as best they can. Nathan hears that Julia is helping Carson in the infirmary. He has a number of sprains and gashes to care for, but nothing too bad yet. Nathan checks in with Bill and so far they are doing the best they can. After eating and warming up Nathan and Jesse head out again. The conditions are even worse than before and it takes them some time to complete their stops. There are a couple of places that Nathan has to perform some first aid as people have fallen and sprained arms and legs, but they have nothing too bad yet that they need to get to Carson. Nathan bandages them up as trained.

When they arrive at the last place it looks like little more than a shack. Nathan knows that Old Man Watkins lives here alone. There is no smoke coming from the chimney which is a bad sign. Nathan and Jesse have to force the door in as there is so much snow drifted. When they enter the shack they find Mr. Watkins lying on the floor bleeding. He had tried to cut some wood in the house for the stove and he has a very bad gash and his leg looks almost broken from when he fell. Nathan tries to bandage the gash as best he could, but the man needs stitches and he needs his leg looked at. Both Nathan and Jesse are exhausted at this point , but they rally and rig up a device to carry Mr. Watkins to town.

Barely able to see their path they begin the journey back. Dusk is falling and Bill and Clara are worried that something has happened to Nathan and Jesse. Bill has everybody light as many lanterns in town as possible to help Nathan and Jesse find their way. Clara is beside herself with worry. Maura and Elizabeth have called to check on Nathan and they too have a vigil to keep. Rosemary, Maura, Allie all stay at Elizabeth's to help one another.

Finally Bill sees some movement that looks like it could be Nathan and Jesse. They are covered with snow and are frozen. "Bill", Nathan says "We have Old Man Watkins here and Carson needs to see him". They guide them to the Infirmary and the men help get Mr. Watkins inside. Bill pushes Jesse and Nathan in as well. "Carso", Bill says "You got patients". Carson runs to look at Mr. Watkins. Nathan stands there dripping and gives Carson the rundown on finding Mr. Watkins and what Nathan has tried to do. Julia begins to prepare Mr. Watkins for examination. Carson looks at Jesse and Nathan and says "Get yourself in front of a fire, change your clothes and get some hot soup in you. Sit and rest for the rest of the night you can't do anymore."

Nathan and Jesse stagger to the Café where Clara helps Jesse and Bill helps Nathan as they are so numb they can't even get out of their coats. Bill finds some clothes for Nathan at the jail and shortly they are at least changes and dried. Clara gives them some food and Nathan begins to rally. "How is everything here?" asks Nathan. "As good as can be expected. We will pick up our efforts tomorrow" Bill says. Nathan needs to report into Mountie Headquarters and finish up some details. Bill fights him on this, but Nathan is adamant. Lee checks in with Nathan and says he will go home to check on the women. "Tell them I am Ok", Nathan says . He then contacts Mountie Headquarters and gives them an update on Hope Valley. The storm should be over tomorrow for which Nathan will be grateful. The phone rings and it is Elizabeth. Nathan asks "How are all of you?" She responds "We are fine what about you?" "I am fine and will be home later" Nathan says. Elizabeth lets Allie talk to her Dad and he talks to his Mom and says take Allie home and check on the stove. "If you need anything send Allie to Coulters. I will be home as soon as I can" Nathan tells him mother. Then he speaks with Elizabeth who demands he stops in on his way home no matter how late. "I am not going to win this am I Elizabeth?" he asks. "No and don't even try" she warns. He hangs up with a smile on his face as he can't remember the last time somebody worried about him other than Allie and it made him feel good.