When she opened her eyes again, the strange ceiling was still above her head, and she realized the wall next to her was constructed of the same roughhewn logs. She closed her eyes again and took in a deep breath and blew it out slowly, hoping when she opened her eyes again, she’d be safe in her bed.
Jason’s voice pulled her out of her musings when he said, “Thank goodness you’re all right. How do you feel?”
Charity glanced towards his voice and realized she was in a strange small cabin.
“Where are we?” Charity asked. “And, why am I lying down?”
Jason pulled the rickety chair he was using closer to the cot she was lying on and said, “Don’t you remember the accident?”
“Accident?” Charity asked.
“With the sleigh?” Jason added.
“Umm, yes, I remember the sleigh tipping, and I slid on the snow toward the creek. I tried to stop myself, but then everything went black until I opened my eyes here.”
“You must’ve hit your head on a rock when you slid down towards the creek. By the time I was able to get to you, you had rolled into the creek, and you had a large lump on your forehead. How do you feel?”
“A bit confused and cold,” Charity answered.
Her eyes roamed the cabin, and she squinted when she saw her coat, dress, and chemise hanging near the fireplace.
Her eyes shot to Jason, “Why are my clothes over there and not here on me?”
Jason put up his hands as if he were surrendering and said, “You were soaked to the bone and unconscious. I couldn’t right the sleigh, and the only thing I could do was unhook the two horses and ride us to this line shack. I remember it being here when I was a kid, and they must still use it. There’s a lot of firewood and some food and coffee. We’ll be warm and safe until daylight.”
“Daylight,” Charity stammered. “We have to remain here all night? And, tell me how you got me here if I was unconscious?”
Jason began explaining. “I placed you on one horse, and then I climbed on the other.”
“How could you put me on a horse if I was unconscious?”
“I draped you gently over the horse’s back.”
“Like a criminal or a dead body?” Charity exclaimed.
“Not exactly. There weren’t any saddles, and I had to climb onto the horse bareback, but I couldn’t do that carrying you. I placed you on one horse, climbed on the other, then pulled you on my horse, and we rode here.”
“All right,” Charity said. “Why didn’t we go to town?”
“You were soaking wet and freezing. This line shack was less than a mile. Town is over five miles away. I couldn’t take the chance you’d freeze.”
“I can understand that I think, but please tell me why my clothes are hanging by the fire.”
Jason shrugged, “They need to dry.”
Charity blew out a breath. “I understand that. Tell me how they got there.”
Charity stared straight into Jason’s eyes, and he frowned. “It isn’t what you think.”
She continued to stare at him, and Jason swallowed before saying, “You were shaking from the cold. I put you on the cot and pulled off your boots and socks, but I knew if you didn’t get out of those heavy layers, you’d never get warm. I removed your dress, but first, I covered you with a blanket and made sure as I pulled off the dress and chemise that I kept you covered. I only looked if I needed to make sure I was doing it right and then just quickly. Honestly, I didn’t sit here and stare at you.”
Charity bit back a smile at the seriousness of Jason’s explanation and finally burst into laughter. “I believe you, and I understand, but when we don’t return, my brother may come looking for me. If he finds me here with my clothes hanging across the room, he may shoot you.”
Jason paled. “Joseph wouldn’t shoot me, would he? We’re friends. We’ve known each other since we were in school. Maybe he might shoot me.”
“I’m not sure. I remember you and Joseph were quite adventuresome as boys. What else did you do?”
“Nothing. Wait,” Jason exclaimed. “You know how you tease me about carrying my satchel everywhere I go, and I tell you it’s because there are things in it that I might need as mayor? While that’s true, I also must keep up proper appearances. I keep a change of clothing in it just in case I can’t get back to my home or office if something happens. I have a shirt and pants you can put on. You’re already wearing my socks.”
Charity was still giggling at Jason’s concern.
“Stop worrying. We’re getting married in less than a week, and I doubt Joseph would shoot you. He might punch you, but not shoot you.”
Jason did his best to smile and said, “Joseph has always been protective of you. I remember one Sunday after services when we were kids, and I commented that you looked pretty in your new bonnet, and he threatened to punch me and said I shouldn’t think about his sister like that.”
“You thought I was pretty as a kid?”
“I’ve always thought you were pretty. I was jealous of Charles when he caught your eye, but I would never have wished what happened to him on anyone. He was a good man, and I hope someday you’ll think the same of me.”
Charity glanced lovingly at Jason, “I already do.”
“All right let me get you the pants and shirt. You should feel warmer, but you’ll need to keep your feet covered. Your boots are wet. There
