Chapter 57. Stranded in the Storm

Julia raced up the mountain on Newton. He was a tall, powerful horse, with a heart to please. She felt every strong gait he made, and knew he understood the urgency. Julia was worried for Allie, and scared, but she trusted Newton completely. She held fast to the knowledge that he would never let anything happen to her, even when her confidence wanted to falter. She knew how dangerous it was to be on such a big, powerful animal. And, with her limited riding experience thrown into the mix, she was keenly aware. But, she remembered the task at hand. She had to find Allie. And, the adrenaline that was coursing through her veins helped her keep her head on straight, and the fear at bay.

"Help me find, Allie, Newton." Julia kept whispering to him. She kept him straight at the turn out, just as Nathan and Allie had mentioned. And, as she passed there, Julia stood up in the stirrups and grabbed hold of a tree branch. She snapped it clean, a sign that she had passed, left behind for Nathan to find. It started to rain as they raced on and Newton took a slight turn with the trail, which made it obvious that he knew this trail well. That set Julia's mind at ease, and she just gave Newton his head.

It started to rain harder and harder as they climbed, and soon she heard lightning and thunder overhead. "You're doing great, Newton." She reassured him, as she held on tight. She had no idea how horses reacted in a storm, so she wanted to keep him calm, and on task. She spoke low and soft, and tenderly to him. "Take me to Allie, boy."

Unrelenting rain was falling in sharp drops, and the wind was unyielding as it drove against them. The hard rain slapped Julia in the face, and the wind whipped her wet hair behind her. It was getting harder and harder to see, and to make out the trail. But, Newton knew his way and was steadfast as he raced along. Julia barely made out the stream until they crossed it. And there, Julia grabbed and broke another tree branch, as they passed.

Higher and higher they climbed, and the weather got worse with each footfall. The wind was even stronger now, almost howling, but Julia didn't waver. She had to get to Allie.

A ways further, through the driving rain, Julia noticed a cabin. It was just barely a blur, as they raced by. But, she took note. On a little bit farther, and they arrived at a clearing. As they barreled across it, Julia looked up and saw the menacing, swirling clouds, the lightning so bright and dangerous, and the thunder that boomed way too close behind. All this time, she and Newton had raced along under the trees without realizing just how dangerous the storm.

But, as they got to the other side of the clearing, Julia saw Ginger.

"Wooah, boy." Julia told Newton. She tightened the reigns and took back control. They rode up next to Ginger, but Allie was nowhere to be found. Julia raised her arm to shield her eyes. It was so hard to see and make out anything, in the darkness, with the driving rain and the wind slapping at her face. The huge cracks of lightning and the deep booms of thunder seemed so close.

"Allie! Allie!" Julia called out at the top of her lungs. Where could she be? Suddenly, Julia realized that Ginger wasn't even tied up, but her reigns were dragging on the ground. Julia dismounted and grabbed them, taking care to keep ahold of both horses reigns. Julia called out again and again, with all the force that was inside of her, "Allie! Allie!"

And then, very softly, very faintly, she heard a small voice call back to her. It was as if it were coming from across the valley that Julia could see, when a crack of lightning lit the sky, was just beyond the tree line. She heard the tiny voice call back again, "Julia!"

"Allie!" Julia yelled again. The rain was so hard and the wind so strong, and the voice so faint, she couldn't make out where it was coming from.

"Julia!" It was slightly stronger now, "Julia!"

"Allie! Where are you?" Julia yelled with all her might. "Allie!"

"Julia!" Closer and stronger still, until Julia saw movement to her right, and Allie running towards her.

"Allie!" Julia said as Allie came crashing into her. She threw herself into Julia's arms. Allie seemed terrified, and so very relieved to see Julia.

"I was so scared! Julia! I'm so happy to see you! I was so scared!" Allie told her, crying into Julia's chest.

"Allie, are you okay? You aren't hurt?" Julia asked, looking her up and down, still holding the reigns of both horses.

The lightning cracked just near them, and both horses startled. "No, I'm not hurt. I was just scared! Thank you for coming, Julia."

Julia tried to yell over the cracks of lightning, the thunder, and the howling wind, "Allie, we need to find cover. We need to get out of this storm. Do you think you can make it back to the cabin I passed a little ways back?"

"That old hunting cabin?" Allie asked. She knew it.

"Yes. We just need to find cover, Allie. It's not safe for us to be out in this lightning." Julia told her.

"I think I can make it." Allie said. Julia handed her Ginger's reigns, and helped her mount.

"Allie, we've got to go back across this clearing. Let's stay to the left, near the tree line, and keep your head down!" Julia told her. "And, the faster the better!"

Allie nodded and Julia quickly mounted Newton, and led the way. "Newton, get us back to that cabin, boy. Help us get there."

Julia gave him a little nudge and they were off. The lightning was so loud overhead, and the thunder so close behind, Julia knew the storm was upon them. The sound of the two was almost in unison, and she knew what that meant. They needed to take cover.

Julia gave Newton another nudge and he quickly moved up to a canter. She looked back and saw that Allie was right behind, so they moved even faster. They were quickly across the field but visibility was now so very low, that she almost missed the cabin, they nearly passed it completely. Julia pulled back on Newton's reigns just in time, and Allie stopped just next to her. They made quick work of the dismount, and tied up the horses. Julia grabbed ahold of Allie, and kept her arm around, shielding her as they climbed the stairs and went inside.

Once they were safely inside, they realized how very bad the conditions were outside. The sound reverberated off every wooden board and every stone of the old cabin. Julia couldn't believe they had been out in such a storm. The wind was so loud, howling now, and she realized just how dangerous it had been. The lightning was so close and the wind more than strong enough to fell a tree.

Allie was terrified, and wouldn't let go of Julia. She led Allie over to the bed, and sat her down. Julia found an old oil lamp and some matches. She said a little prayer under her breath that the matches and lamp would actually light. And, then a prayer of thanksgiving when both did. Once the lamp was lit, Julia did a quick assessment of the cabin. There was a bed, a wooden table, and two chairs. There was a fireplace but no wood, not that they needed any in the summertime. Though, Julia did pull a blanket from the foot of the bed, and wrapped Allie up in it. Mainly because they were both soaked to the bone, and Julia didn't want Allie going into shock, because of fear.

The storm raged on outside, and they sat tight, holding each other. After an hour or two, all of a sudden, there came the distinct sound of boots on the porch. Julia and Allie both looked at each other, unable to breath. Allie looked absolutely terrified, so Julia quickly grabbed an old frying pan. She was ready to use it too, until the door opened and she saw the flash of red. Nathan.

"Dad!" Allie screamed and raced into his arms. Julia ran towards him too, and buried her head in his chest. His arms came strong around both of them, and they held him tight. Rain poured down off the top of his hat as Nathan laid his cheek on the top of Julia's head, so very thankful he had found them.

Julia heard him make the slightest groan as she held him tighter still. She realized he was hurting. She pulled back enough to look up at his face and saw the lines, it was evident. "Allie, Allie, we're hurting him." Julia warned. Allie looked up, too and saw Julia was right.

"Dad, what happened?" Allie asked him. "Are you hurt?"

"No, I'm not hurt, just sore, from the ride up." Nathan told them, as he removed his hat. It's true he wasn't supposed to ride for another 4 to 5 days. Faith had been right, he wasn't ready yet. But, he had risked it, for them. He looked so relieved they were okay, that he had found them. "Are you girls okay?" He asked them.

"Yes, yes, we are just fine. Wet, but fine." Julia told him.

"I'm fine because Julia found me. Dad, I was so scared!" Allie started to cry again, remembering. "Ginger got away from me, and I was lost and so scared. I prayed, and Julia showed up just in the nick of time."

"I'm just glad you are both alright." Nathan looked at Julia then, but she couldn't figure out his expression.

Julia stepped back from him, and Allie did, too. And that's when Julia realized. One look at his face and she could see it. He was angry. She wasn't sure she had ever seen him angry before. Only when he had talked about Dylan Parks or Archie or Lucas Bouchard. But, she wasn't sure she had ever seen him angry in real time before. And, there was no doubt about it, he was angry.

Nathan couldn't contain himself any longer. He had been so terrified on the way up. So very scared of losing one or both of them. Allie had no right taking off like that, she paid no heed to the weather or the warnings. She just took off without a care for anyone or anything else. "Allie, what were you thinking? Running off like that? This is so very dangerous!"

Allie saw the flash in his eyes, and understood. He was angry. She didn't like to see him angry, and she hated that she had been the cause of it. She had just wanted to go away and think, and cry. She hadn't meant to make trouble, not for Archie, or her dad, or Grams. She just wanted some place to think, and she thought of the overlook. She had no idea about the storm. "Dad, I'm so sorry! It was such a stupid thing to do!" She ran into his arms and hugged him, crying into his chest. "I had no idea about the storm. I just wanted to think, I needed to go somewhere and think." Allie told him.

Nathan let her cry it out. But, then he tenderly, but firmly set her back on her feet and held her out in front of him, by the arms. "Ginger was given to you to learn to ride and to use with permission. You took her without permission." Till now his voice had been firm and even, but calm. Now the emotion welled up and caused a shake that even he had never heard before. "You did a very irresponsible thing, Allie."

"I'm sorry, Dad." She said as he bottom lip quivered.

"Nathan, take a deep breath. We are okay." Julia tried to soothe him.

"Julia, we are not okay. We are in the middle of the woods in a rickety old cabin, and tornados have been spotted in the area." Nathan told her. "And, don't think you are exempt. I am just as angry with you." And, his voice showed it. Julia noticed his hands were shaking.

"With me?" Julia asked him.

Nathan's voice was charged with emotion. He spoke firm and steady but with an energy that conveyed every bit of his feelings. "Yes, I am. Julia, you took off in the middle of a storm on an unfamiliar horse way too big for you. You are an inexperienced rider. That is irresponsible and dangerous. You could have been hurt, or worse!"

"Nathan, I did all that to find Allie." Julia said calmly.

"It doesn't matter. I told you a long time ago you were not allowed to put yourself in harm's way. Only I am allowed to do that. And, you agreed." Nathan reminded her.

"Nathan, that was a completely different circumstance." Julia told him, upset at her own voice betraying her.

He shook his head. "What you both did was dangerous and careless." His voice broke then, raw with emotion. He took a deep breath. "And, I'm very upset with both of you." Nathan told them, jaw set and firm.

All of the sudden, they heard what sounded like a train whistle. Julia and Nathan looked at each other, both aware of what that meant. Tornado.

"Under the table, both of you, quick!" Nathan told them.

Julia grabbed Allie and quickly headed under the table. As soon as they were safely under, Nathan crouched down beside them. Julia reached for him, and tried to pull him closer, but he didn't budge. Allie's eyes were shut tight, and she trembled, terrified, as the noise became almost deafening. Julia held Allie fast and when she couldn't take it anymore, she closed her eyes too. And finally, Nathan's fear won out over his anger, and he put his arms around them both. Julia looked at him, grateful for his comfort and strength in that moment. Nathan kept her gaze as the noise grew louder and it seemed the cabin would be blown away from over their heads. They held each other tight, the three of them, until the noise slowly faded away. The wind continued to howl but the lightning and thunder diminished, and finally, the train whistle became ever more faint and was gone.

When that horrible sound had been upon them, the cabin had shaken so hard, Julia thought it would lift right off of them. Julia had clung so hard to Nathan, she was sure she had hurt him. But, she couldn't help it, these were the two most important people in the world to her. And, she couldn't lose either one.

Nathan slowly broke his gaze with Julia, and let go of them. He came out from under the table and moved to the window. He looked outside and in the lightning flashes, saw several downed trees, as well as debris scattered around. He walked out on the front porch, to assess the situation. The rain was still coming down hard and the wind was still very strong. But, after a few more minutes, the lightning and most dangerous conditions seemed to have moved off to the east.

Nathan was still frustrated, so he stood outside a very long time. Nathan ran his fingers through his hair over and over, as he tried to calm down and think rationally. No one had been hurt, both his girls were fine. But, he just couldn't get over his feelings. After the accident with Julia on Friday, and talking about Colleen on Saturday, it was just too much. His nerves and his emotions had already been raw, before this dangerous situation that could have been completely avoided. Allie and Julia had both put themselves in danger, and he was upset about it.

He looked out into the darkness, trying to shake off the fear. The horses were nowhere to be found, so they weren't going home anytime soon. He had been forced to let them loose. Horses knew what do to in a storm, so it was best to let them go. He had told Newton to keep Ginger and Hero together and to bring them back here, once the storm was over. He hoped he could count on Newton, and that none of the horses had been hurt.

He looked at the time, it was well after midnight now. He walked slowly back in the cabin. They would have no other option than to bed down here for the night, and hopefully the horses would be back in the morning. When he came near, he realized Julia and Allie had both fallen asleep, clinging to each other and leaning on the crossed legs and beam of the table. He crouched down and gently pulled Allie out from under the table, without waking her. He placed her on the bed, still wrapped in the blanket that Julia had given her.

Then, he bent back down to get Julia. Her hair was down, wet and curly and a few strands had fallen softly across her forehead. Her lashes were dark and wet and she looked cold. He gently pulled her out too, and managed to keep her asleep as he hoisted her up into his arms. When he stood, her arm instinctively went behind his shoulder, and her face snuggled into his neck. He wasn't sure if she was still asleep or not, or somewhere between waking and slumber. But, he was sure, no he knew that he had felt a featherlight kiss on his neck. Right there on the top of his racing pulse. That kiss had made every nerve ending in his body light on fire. He held her close and couldn't, wouldn't let her go yet. Finally, he moved to the bed and knelt down beside it to lay her down ever so gently next to Allie. But, as he did, Julia didn't seem to want to let go. He couldn't seem to untangle himself from her embrace.

And there, Nathan found himself in a predicament. He was now leaning down very close over her, completely taken in by her scent and her proximity. And her nearness held him. His arm was pinned underneath her, and all his senses were reeling, his defenses melted. He looked down at her and almost kissed her. Her eyes were closed and she seemed to slumber, and that was the only thing that stopped him. He didn't want to wake her. He finally managed to untangle himself from her arms, and let them gently fall beside her. She was still soaking wet, so he searched the bed for another blanket, but there wasn't one. Allie was laying precariously on the one blanket they did have, and he didn't think he could get it out from under her without waking them both. So, he slowly unbuttoned his serge, and laid it gently across Julia's torso. She smiled in her sleep and snuggled into it, rolling a little bit toward him as she did. He bent down close and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. And he whispered ever so faintly in her ear, "I love you", before standing up and moving back from the bed.

When they were settled, he took another look around the cabin. He only found a chair and a hand towel. Nothing else of use to them. So, he pulled the chair up near the hearth, even though it wasn't lit. He settled himself in the chair, propped his crossed legs up on the hearth, and tried to sleep.

Julia was not the first to wake up. She had slept so very peacefully, despite the rain still pouring outside. When she slowly opened her eyes, she had almost forgotten where she was. That was probably because she had been enrobed by the scent of him. Her body and mind and heart had been at peace, probably all because of the serge draped across her. The serge she held so very tight around her, which provided warmth but also comfort, because it smelled of Nathan. Now that her eyes were open and readjusting to her reality, she couldn't remember what she had dreamt about. But it had been good, and it had involved Nathan. And his arms around her. And they had been close, very close. Now the stark reality of the dim cabin seemed a harsh contrast to where she had been in her dream world.

She sat up on the bed next to Allie, who was still slumbering, and looked around. Nathan was nowhere to be found.

Morning light was streaming in the small windows. Julia's dress was now almost dry, though there were still some wet spots. She looked down at Allie, who slept peacefully wrapped in the warm blanket Julia had given her the night before. She stood and wondered about Nathan. She pulled the serge around her shoulders and put her arms through the armholes, though they dangled down way too long. She managed to get one button done up, to stay closed up in it's comfort.

Nathan had been so angry the night before, upset with both she and Allie. Obviously he had feared for their safety, and that had been what fueled his anger. Julia agreed it was very irresponsible for Allie to have run off, especially with the impending storm. But, she hadn't known about the coming storm and certainly hadn't intended for anyone to be in danger. Surely he would come around to see that.

Julia walked to the window, and looked out. She saw Nathan then, standing with his shoulder leaning against one of the wooden pillars of the porch. His gaze was fixed and trained, scanning out over the landscape. He was wearing only his short sleeved Henley, and it was not warm outside. From this angle, she could see that he held his arms folded strong across his chest, as if he might be chilled. His stance made the muscles in his back and arms bulge in just the right way. She tried not to notice how that detail made her heart beat faster, as she silently walked out onto the porch.

Without a sound, she stepped right up next to him, facing the landscape. She asked him softly, "You been holding that post up all night?"

He didn't move from his post but turned his head to look at her. She had turned his serge around and put her arms through. Her hair was down and still curly, but dry now and falling down all over the red of his serge. He thought she looked so very beautiful in the morning.

He looked down at his feet and back out at the landscape. "I slept a little." He told her. She could feel his coldness and knew instantly that he was still upset.

She nodded as she took that in, and looked at her own feet.

Julia took a deep breath, turned toward him, and spoke softly, gently. "Nathan. I'm sorry if I worried you. But, you have to know it was for Allie. I would never knowingly put myself or either of you in harm's way." She paused and then added, "But…Nathan, it was Allie."

He just nodded, his jaw still set and clinched.

"You, yourself, know that when you love someone, you don't think of your own safety, when they are in trouble. And Nathan, I do love Allie, too." She told him.

She saw his jaw loosen, but he didn't look at her and he didn't move.

Finally after a long time, he said softly, "I just need some time, Julia. You cannot know what it was like to find out you two were up here in this storm, not knowing where, not knowing if you were okay or hurt or…worse."

She tried to reassure him. "But we are okay, Nathan."

He finally looked at her. "I realize that, Julia. But, you two are my life. And, I'm just not over it yet."

"Newton would never have let anything happen to us." She told him.

That brought his blood pressure up, and the elevation in his voice and tone showed it. She shouldn't have gone there. He turned to face her now, clearly ready to go toe to toe. "Newton is just a horse. And you have an injured shoulder, and there was a tornado, Julia."

His reaction brought Julia's blood pressure up too, and her voice showed it. "So I should have just done nothing? When Jed told me Allie took off on Ginger?" She faced him too, not backing down an inch.

"You should have gotten me or Bill, or anyone else who knew how to ride and wasn't injured." Nathan told her, his energy level still rising.

"There wasn't time, Nathan. I had to get to her! And before the storm hit!" Julia told him with her jaw squared.

He just shook his head. "There had to be another way!" He said, as he ran his fingers through his hair.

Julia's patience snapped. She knew she could be too headstrong sometimes, but she had to make him understand. And, his attitude was bringing out the feistiness in her with each passing second. She looked him square in the eye and told him with an even voice. "There wasn't. In that moment, I didn't believe there was time to get you or Bill. And you know what, Nathan? I would do it again, exactly the same way! I wouldn't change a thing, because Allie is sleeping inside that cabin now, perfectly fine. And, for that, I am grateful. I'm grateful but I'm not sorry, Nathan. I'm not!" And with that, she turned to head back inside, but stopped in her tracks when she saw Allie standing in the doorway.

Allie spoke up then from the door, she had obviously woken up and had overheard them. "Dad, she's right. She got to me in the nick of time. If she hadn't come when she did…" and Allie's voice broke.

"Allie, I'm not finished with you, either. We are not done talking about everything you did wrong. You put us all in danger, not to mention scared everyone in Hope Valley. Including Grams." Nathan told her, the hint of anger back in his voice.

"I'll assume it, Dad. I was wrong and I did a stupid thing. But, please don't fight with Julia. She saved me, Dad!" Allie insisted.

"I'm done fighting, I'm done trying to make you two understand. I'm going to try to find the horses." Nathan told them, and he walked off the porch and started out into the woods. Julia felt his frustration as he ran his fingers through his hair yet again.

Allie looked confused and called out after him, as he started on his way, "They aren't tied up where we left them?"

He turned around to face them, his shoulders hanging and his countenance downcast. "No, Allie. I had to let them go. So they could take refuge in the storm. So they could follow their instincts and save themselves. And, I'm hoping they will come back. Because if they don't, we are stuck here. Either until they do or until someone comes for us." Nathan told them, his voice even and strong, with a hint of defeat, but now void of anger.

It was sprinkling rain on him as he stood there. "Nathan, wait!" Julia said as she moved quickly off the porch and ran towards him. She had the button undone on his serge and was taking it off on the way. She felt horrible about the way she had just spoken to him. Why wasn't she willing to back down? Why wasn't he?

"Take this back, please. To keep warm." She told him as she held it out and helped him put it on. Julia moved around in front of him and was going to get his buttons, but he gazed at her with such intensity, that she froze. He held her gaze for two or three more seconds and then turned and disappeared between the trees.