January 27

5 p.m.

Lee's light whiskers scraped across Rosemary's cheek, waking her. Where was she? What time was it?

She glanced around, searching for the clock. Lee's dancing eyes intercepted hers as he sat down on the edge of the bed. For him to have such a glimmer in his eyes, he must have good news.

She sat up. "I must have taken a longer nap than I realized. Is it already that time?"

Last she'd looked it had been a quarter to two, and she'd finally resigned herself to the fact she needed a little nap. But with Lee's return it must be near five o'clock. She'd better get up and at 'em if they were expecting to go over to the new house and work on their projects this evening.

Lee placed his hands on the covers, snuggling her back in tight. "We aren't going anywhere. Remember that snow we've been expecting? Looks like it is going to fly before the end of the day."

Her eyes flashed to the window. It had been quite dreary and gray today. She pulled back the covers, scooted past Lee, and crossed the floor in her stockinged feet to lift the curtain.

Sure enough, the clouds were full and white, already littering snowflakes across the lawn.

"Yep, according to the almanac, it's a doozy of a storm— at least a good foot of snowfall if it's the big one they predicted. It might do us good to break from our routine anyway. Have a few moments alone at home and just relax a bit. What do you say, Love?" Lee met her at the window, his eyes soft with a hint of spice.

Although an evening in sounded delightful, the sight of the snow filled clouds filled her with dread. Of course even the sky would remind her! The storm clouds brewing were not only in the sky, but also in the days ahead of her with the fast approaching arrival of Harriet. No matter what she did to push away the thought the last few days, she realized, like it or not, 'the storm' would be here soon. She'd need to have that heart to heart talk with her husband revealing not only the news of Harriet's arrival, but also how their pasts were connected. She sighed and let the curtain drop. Today would be that day.

"So, what do you say? An evening in?" Lee waited, his demeanor relaxed.

She pushed her worries back, where they would stay until she chose to reveal them later on this evening, and pursed her lips together, enlisting a teasing tone. "I really was hoping for a trip to the house— to get the last Valentine gown done." She fake pouted.

"Now don't go talking like that, that might hurt a guy's feelings." Lee clasped her hand, placed it on his shoulder, and scooped his arms around her waist, his lips brushing against her cheek. "What do you say we just hunker down here at the row house, perhaps let the victrola play, sip hot chocolate, and we could try out that new card game you keep telling me about."

At that, she wiggled her eyebrows. She was always ready for friendly competition with her husband. Maybe this time they would up the stakes. Then later, perhaps much later, she'd drop her imminent news on him.

"Alright, you win. We will stay in today, but tomorrow— tomorrow I have got to get back to the new house and get to sewing on that gown."

That must have pleased him, for he nipped her earlobe, causing her middle to dance. She reached up and tapped him on the chest.

"I have a feeling exactly what the stakes should be for that third game."

"Third game? I was thinking more for the first game." Lee put his hands to his waist.

"Best out of five." She turned around and sauntered down the stairs, ready for the playful game ahead of them. Lee would locate the cards as she heated some milk on the stove and locate the chocolate she kept stashed away. Just as her feet touched the landing, a loud pounding came at the door, causing her heart to jump to her throat.

"Mr. Coulter, Sir? It's an emergency." Hickam's voice came from outside.

Lee was down the stairs in a flash, his face creased with concerned as he opened the door.

"Hickam, what's going on?" Lee didn't even bother with a handshake.

Hickam stepped into the parlor and took off his hat, which was already covered in snow.

"Bill's received some news. There's been a new development about the whereabouts of Fife. He received a telegram early this morning. He says that there is strong evidence that he could be hiding out as near as the Black Hills."

Lee grunted, his hands on his hips. "Okay, so what can I do? Does Bill need me to sheriff in his stead while he checks it out?"

"Actually," Hickam threw a guilty look her way, "He needs you to ride out with us. Immediately."

"What? No!" She chimed in from her spot by the stairs and then moved closer.

Lee gave her what he must have thought was a reassuring look, but she sure didn't feel one bit reassured.

He turned back to Hickam. "Us? Bill wants you and me apart of his team? What of Jesse? He's Bill's usual go to." Lee questioned.

"Remember Jesse's injury at the mill? His leg's worthless for a few more days. Bill is leaving him with the sheriff duties, along with Carson, if he needs reinforcements."

"Shoot. I'd forgotten about his leg." Lee rubbed his jaw.

"Carson's young and strong. Why can't Bill take him along as the third rider?" She questioned.

"I said the same, ma'am, but Bill has his reasons."

"But he sure doesn't seem to mind leaving a wife without her husband. Doesn't anyone remember I am one of the few in Hope Valley who hasn't lost my husband to calamity? I sure don't plan to start now." She put her hands on her hips to accentuate the point.

Lee rested a hand on her shoulder, then faced Hickam. "Perhaps I ought to go talk to Bill myself. I mean… I'm fine with helping out with the sheriff duties in his absence, but riding out and scoping a criminal's hiding spot— I'm not sure I am capable of all that."

Hickam shrugged. "I feel the same way, believe me, I do. I guess Bill was given strict orders to not approach him alone. We're just ride out assistants— help investigate a bit. Reinforcements are on the way already, but coming clear from Calgary. They just want us to scope the place out or get a drop on him before he has an opportunity to skip town."

"Bill really can't find another assistant?" She questioned again, her hand protectively going to her belly.

"I asked the same thing. What with Faith and I getting serious—" at this his cheeks reddened and he tugged at the collar of his shirt. "The way Bill explained it, with the red coats involved in this— they want someone with the force, someone who has been filled in with policy and procedure and deputized."

"Which would mean we are the only ones for the job." Lee stated, hands to his side, a grim line on his face.

Hickam looked at the grandfather clock near the wall. "Bill will be here in a matter of minutes. He was hoping- with me coming early and all- that you'd be prepared to ride out immediately." Hickam tipped his hat and opened the door, letting in a rush of cold air. "I'll just wait out here."

Lee closed the door and stood behind it, still for a moment before glancing back at her. She could feel the blood draining from her face. She knew what he was going to say. He'd always been a man to do what was right regardless of the cost involved.

She felt a whimper at the back of her throat. He couldn't leave her. Not now. Not with so much unspoken between the two of them. He crossed the distance between them and cupped her face as she grasped his shirt.

"Don't leave me, Lee." The fabric of his shirt caught between her fingers.

"Shhh… it's going to be okay, Rosie." His eyes reached hers, full of sympathy with rich undertones of love.

"But, Lee, you could be hurt, injured, even—" she let the words hang.

He took her hands in his. "We got to trust it is going to all work out. Aren't you ready for life to return to normal? For us? For Dottie? With the capture of Fife, the store can open again. Things will return to how they were before. Isn't that what you want?"

She hesitated. "But not if I could lose you."

"You won't. It sounds like it is just a routine stake out. You heard Hickam, the red coats are on the way." He paused. "You won't even realize I've gone."

She gave him a doubtful look and he smiled.

"Okay, so you might realize I've gone… but you could stay busy working on your sewing projects while I'm out. I could even see if the Jamestons would let you room with Dottie while I am gone."

She shook her head. "No, I would just be underfoot there. I'd much rather stay with Elizabeth. Maybe we can start getting her measurements for her wedding dress."

He stroked her hand. "That's my Rosie. So it sounds like it is settled then?"

She couldn't keep the worry from rising in her eyes. "Okay, but Lee Coulter, you better promise me you will return. Unharmed."

"It's a deal." He placed his lips gently on hers and she soaked in the feel of him, but too quickly the moment was up and he was pulling away, but not before pausing to offer an affectionate rub to her belly. He straightened and she could have sworn she saw the glitter of a tear in his eye. "I'd better grab my stuff."

Ten minutes later, Rosemary watched as the love of her life, along with the two other men, mounted their steeds. Lee lifted up an arm in a goodbye wave, his eyes sure. He would return. That she knew. She glanced up at the storm clouds, already spilling forth, and wondered if she'd be able to weather this storm, as well as the one looming in the not so distant future. It was just about too much for one person to bear. She pulled her shawl closer on the shiver that had settled on her soul.