by Stella Clark
The horses walked through the wood, and he realized they were moving upstream. Parallel to the river just to their left, they stepped lightly in the dimly lit evening. His stomach growled, but he stayed focused. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he searched for movement up ahead. It was her; he could feel it.
“Paul!”
“I’m here!” Paul cried out, taking a look at his father. Guilt gnawed at his insides, and he swallowed hard. Papa hadn’t looked this angry or anxious since they’d lost his mother. Only this time, it was all his fault. He kept waiting to be knocked upside the head or shouted at again, as if that might help ease his conscience.
No, he tried to tell himself. Everything would be better if they could find Hollie. Part of him wished she wouldn’t come back to them. But he knew how mean that really was and tried not to think it again. Maybe if he fixed this, then Papa wouldn’t be angry at him. He gripped the reins so tightly that his knuckles shone pale in the moonlight. Paul wondered how everyone else saw so well and tried harder to look between the trees.
It was too dark. “Hollie?” he called out, his voice cracking. Paul slowed the horse down more and glanced at his father. Papa was swinging his head around, trying to listen. They hadn’t imagined it, had they?
“Paul? Is that you? Paul!” They heard a sob of relief.
Anton automatically started the horse forward. “Hollie!” He ignored his own advice, moving faster now in the darkness. Paul struggled to keep up, trying to make sure he didn’t drive the horse into a tree or the river. They rounded the bend, and Paul came to a stop as he saw his father jump down.
“Oh! Anton!” Hollie disappeared into his arms, hidden from the world. Relief seeped warmth into her bones as she leaned against him, tears springing to her eyes. He held her so tight she could hardly breathe, but Hollie wouldn’t protest. She had never felt safer.
He kissed the top of her head once, twice, three times. “We were so worried,” he muttered. “You’re miles from the house, and it’s dark. I can’t believe you made it this far. You’re freezing.”
Swallowing, she shook her head. Her throat was parched and her voice sounded hoarse. “No, it’s all right. I’m … I’ll be fine. I needed to find Paul, though. I thought I heard …”
“I’m here.”
Hollie gasped, pulling herself free to find the boy right there. Unable to help herself, she touched his face to make sure he was well. “You … oh my goodness, you are here. I was so worried; I couldn’t find you. I couldn’t imagine …” Her voice grew shaky, and she swallowed the words, tears spilling from her eyes. “I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost you, Paul.”
Swallowing, he glanced up at his father who still had a hand on Hollie. There was a look in the man’s eye that he hadn’t seen in a while. He used to look at Mama that way. The mama with soft blonde hair, sparkling eyes, and a beautiful singing voice. He gulped and glanced at the taller woman with dark hair, who looked too young and tried too hard.
But Papa loved her. And so did Jenny. The guilt only grew worse. Not just from the problem he had caused here, but the problems he had caused since Hollie arrived. She’d handled everything well and acted like she really cared. Paul realized she’d been out here because of him. She hadn’t gone home and not tried to find him; the woman had gone into the unknown for him.
“I’m sorry.” He hung his head. “I haven’t been nice. I didn’t mean to …” He didn’t know where to start.
She offered a watery smile and took him in her arms. He was surprised to find it reminded him of his mama, with a warmth he hadn’t realized he’d missed. Trying to hold back his own tears, Paul found himself returning the hug. “Everything is just fine,” she whispered. “I love you, Paul.”
“I guess that’s all right,” he allowed after a moment. “Jenny needs a mama, after all. I’m fine, but she needs one. So I’ll be better. Or, I’ll try.”
Sniffling, Hollie ruffled his hair. “That is most agreeable, Paul, thank you.”
Anton stepped in, an arm wrapped around her waist. “Then shall we return to the house? We need to get you warmed up and somewhere safe.” He’d already draped his jacket around her shoulders. But the moment they went to take a step forward, Hollie gasped in pain. “What is it?”
“Oh, my foot. I twisted it earlier.” She swallowed hard, having forgotten about it in the reunion. But now that everyone was well, now that her family was safe and sound, the pain came splintering back. “I’m sure it’ll be …” Hollie gasped as Anton swung her up in his arms. Immediately, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“It’s long overdue,” he murmured in her ear. “But I thought I should carry you eventually.”
Epilogue
Anton added another log to the fire as he heard the page turn. When he glanced back, he found both of his children curled up on the floor, watching Hollie. She had her legs resting on a stool, one wrapped tightly for her sprain, and continued reading the Bible story.
A peace had settled over his home since yesterday. It was hard to put into words, but something had changed. No longer did he feel uncertain around Hollie or get his tongue tied in a knot. Just like that, something had clicked.
He wondered if she felt it, too. Anton had wanted to talk to her about it earlier, but they hadn’t had a chance. The three of them had hurried home, building a fire to get Hollie warm. Horses had been put away, and Mrs. Reed had gone home with her children. When he’d checked Hollie’s ankle, it was so swollen they’d nearly needed to cut the boot off. It was a bad sprain, but she’d recover. She just needed rest.
They’d eaten pie for supper, and Hollie had fallen asleep shortly thereafter. Anton had carried her to bed, and she’d slept late. He’d brought her water and oatmeal and then helped her out to the parlor where she had stayed since. Jenny and Paul were having a game of it, offering to carry anything and everything to Hollie.
She could feel Anton’s gaze on her as she finished the story and answered seven of Jenny’s questions. Even Paul had one for her. When he looked at her, Hollie’s heart warmed up, and she would willingly get lost in the wild all over again, even breaking her leg just to have him look at her.
“That’s enough,” Anton chuckled when Jenny asked yet another question. “We can talk tomorrow. But let’s get to bed. Mama needs her rest. Good night.” They obeyed, waving farewell before disappearing.
Hollie waved in return, sighing as Anton put the book down and sat beside her. Something was on his mind, for he’d been distracted all day. They hadn’t had a moment to themselves, however, since the children were so curious about her injury that they wouldn’t leave her alone.
“I don’t know what other trouble Paul caused, but I think he’s going to stop,” he mused quietly. “He even called you Mama this morning, while you were asleep.”
Her cheeks warmed. “Did he? Did he truly?”
Taking her hands in his, Anton nodded. “He sure did. And Jenny hasn’t been too worried about calling you her mother since you arrived. I … I know I haven’t put much stock into words, Hollie, but I want you to know. You belong here, with us, always. Don’t ever doubt that. We’re a family, the four of us.”
Her cheeks tinged pink as she looked up at him, wondering how he knew that’s what she had been wondering. Anton didn’t always say much, certainly, but his words were always right. She had wanted this so badly, finding a place to belong. And Anton had done this for her. He’d brought her in, cared for her, respected her, and saved her. How could she not love him?
Before Hollie had a chance, Anton leaned in close. “I love you, dear.”
The young woman wrapped her arms around her husband, pulling him eagerly into a kiss. He was warm from sitting by the fire, and he tasted like blackberry syrup. Anton felt like home to her, and Hollie never wanted to let go.
The End