Matt travelled the snowy road until he reached another cross road. His intuition made him head back to Dodge as the snow was getting heavier and deeper by the hour. He hoped Festus would be doing the same, but at least he had the comfort in knowing that the hill man was able to care for himself in all kinds of weather. He nudged Buck forward and started toward the town he called home. It was slow going and it seemed that they were now riding into the storm, but in reality, the wind was whipping the snow in circles making it even more difficult to see where the road was.
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Festus was still trying to read the tracks that were in the snow. They were quickly being covered and filled in with the wind and blowing snow that continued to fall. He dismounted and walked, pulling Ruth behind him. The night grew darker and colder as they pushed on along the road. Festus stopped and looked back at his own tracks that were quickly disappearing. "Ruth, we'd better find us a place fer the night. This snow storm seems to be kicking up it's heels and we're caught with our britches down!" Festus pulled on the mule's reigns urging him to follow and the winter storm seem to intensify.
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James glared back from the door of the small cabin. "Would you stop fretting!" he bellowed at Billy. "Get some soup into Lilly. I gotta get her strong enough to travel, and I would like that to be in a day of two, depending on the weather."
"Sure." Billy said meekly and moved to the cook stove and pulled the pot off the back to the middle for it to heat up.
"I'm gonna feed the horses and bring in some wood I saw in the barn." James stated as he pull his coat collar tight before opening the door to the windy cold night. He quickly stepped through and pulled the door closed behind himself. The door only served as a slight wind break as the cold still blew in around it.
Billy walked over and knelt down next to Lilly. "You feelin' better?" he said as he gently ran his hand down her cheek.
"I always feel better when he's not around..." she said softly and took his hand in her and placed a tender kiss on his strong palm.
Billy smiled. "If you come away with me, I promise that I'll care for you and the baby." his eyes twinkled in the candle light.
"I know you will Billy Charles. If James finds out about us, there's no telling what he'll do." Lilly looked away feeling ashamed of her love for Billy over James who's baby she was carrying.
"It's not as if you're married, yet. I'll figure something out." the young man stood and moved back to the stove to stir the pot. "It was him that did the shootin' anyway. Just leave it to me." he looked over and saw a slight smile on Lilly Stewart's face.