Unable to withstand the destruction to its structure, one corner of the bridge gives way. Some of the passenger's leap from the front cabins, trying to flee to safety only to be crushed to death, trapped beneath the splintered cabins and the burning wood of the bridge as it tumbled into the rushing river below.
Bronnah squeezes her eyes shut and holds onto Chase, sobbing, she thinks of all the times she should have told him she loved him. Securely held in his arms, she feels his love as his body trembles with fear. Every grunt from the debris striking him vibrates through his body and into hers.
The train crumbles into the water below, and the water acts as a cushion. Oil lamps ignite the wooden wreckage in some areas, and the now sinking cabins begin to fill. Chase looked up and realizes that they are floating on their side with broken windows above them.
“Hurry, Bronnah!” He lifts her to the broken frame and shoves, standing on wood and furniture, other passengers begin to do the same. They help each other, pulling and lifting the women and children and any who need help. Some leap from the train into the freezing water.
“Go, Bronnah!” Chase orders. Bronnah leaps into the water and swims toward, shore, slowly, struggling against the push of the water and the weight of her skirts dragging at her.
“Help me!” A voice screams and Bronnah turns to watch a mother struggling to drag her two sons through the water. She too fights the current of the river, while she struggles to keep them from sinking under. Bronnah races back into the rushing water just as the women loses her grip on the smallest child.
"NO!" The woman screams as her oldest tries to break free to go after his brother. Bronnah leaps and grabs his foot, pulling him to her body. Immediately, she plants her feet in the muddy ground and lifts his head above water. He wraps his arms around her neck and coughs as she pushes to the shore and falls sobbing to the ground.
“Oh, God! Thank you, thank you,” the mother sobs and pulls the small child into her arms.
Bronnah nods and turns to watch as the crumpled train cars fill with water entombing those within in an icy grave of metal and wood. “Chase!” She gasps and scrambles to rise up and go back in search of him.
“Don’t even think about it,” Chase calls from behind her. He was forced to leap off the other side the cars when more of the bridge fell onto the train. Bronnah whirls around just as he falls to his knees in the mud beside her. Chase drags her sobbing body into his arms.
"It's alright," Chase murmurs and rocks her in his arms. He pushes her back and begins checking her for wounds. "Let's check you over now." Bronnah is battered and bruised, her blonde hair is saturated and her tattered, torn, dress is bloody. Smoothing back a piece of hair from her face, he notices everything about her. From the bruise on her forehead to the split lip and blood in her hair. To his eyes, she has never looked more beautiful. Kissing her softly Chase sends a prayer of gratitude. Around them the screams of the wounded and those searching for loved one’s registers.
"Chase, I'm okay. You took most of the battering for me." Rising to her knees, she takes his face in her hands and kisses him before dropping her forehead to his.
“We’re going to be okay.” Standing slowly, he pulls her to her feet. “I have to help them.”
“Yes, we must help them,” Bronnah murmurs and they help each other up and begin tending to the injured. Her nursing skills come in handy, and Chase helps pull as many people as they can from the cars. The engine, baggage and sleeping cars were thrown from the track and are lying on their sides, sinking beneath the water. The men who can help begin setting up a field hospital to care for the wounded.
"Look out!" Someone screams as the remaining half of the bridge falls flaming to the river below. People run screaming from the water, those on the river banks weep. The men are concentrating on pulling the survivors out and back away from the wreckage, while the women take orders from Bronnah. She works tirelessly, helping where she can and comforting those who need it.
“Bronnah, help has arrived from the town,” Chase points and pulls her to his side as they watch reinforcements arrive. Trembling from exhaustion, Bronnah steps away and gladly lets the doctors take over. Local townspeople are offering their homes to the wounded and Chase thankfully accepts shelter for them at the Doctor’s local farm.
Chase watches the Sheriff arrive with his deputies and sighs with relief. Now, he can focus on Bronnah. Wagons are waiting to carry those that are fit to travel, he moves to Bronnah’s side and pulls her further away from the wounded towards the river.
“Let me look at you," he whispers, cupping her face in his hands. Love filled eyes seek his, and she doesn't bother to swipe at a stray tear that streaks a path across her muddy cheek.
“I’m well, Chase, thanks to you.”
“We will see. I plan on checking you over thoroughly later,” he teases softly. Bronnah grins up at him but can’t quite find the energy to banter. Instead, she drops her forehead to his chest taking comfort in the feel of him.
"What are we gonna do now?" she whispers hoarsely.
Chase tilts her chin up, “Let me see those beautiful eyes,” she smiles up at him. “We are going home. I want you
