Harris watches her mount up and wipe her eyes. He prays this cabin is the sanctuary they so desperately need.
Chapter 23
They ride for two days, following the directions Harris remembers. Rain begins and helps cover their tracks through the slush. Exhaustion beats at both riders. Once they reach the tree line across the valley Harris breaths a little sigh of relief.
Starlight creek trickles along, guiding the way to a small cabin with a moss-covered roof. The thickness of the foliage provides a perfect camouflage before opening onto a clearing. A small shed will act as a shelter for the horses.
Kimani sits quietly on her horse, with pain and exhaustion beating at her, staring at the cabin. It was built using whole logs, with chinking stuffed between to prevent the cold from entering the cabin. Oddly enough it sits on a foundation made of large river stones, and it even has a stone chimney. Tanned animal skin covers the one window, and a thatch broom stands propped on the porch. Nothing has ever looked so beautiful. Tears prick her eyes, and she sniffs when Harris reaches up and helps her off the horse.
“Let’s get you inside and start a fire.” He guides her slowly concerned with how quiet she’s been on the journey. Her lips are pinched tightly together, no doubt from pain and exhaustion.
“Sutton said the cabin is kept stocked with enough supplies for two weeks. You can rest and heal,” he says when he steps up on to the porch and stomps his feet, to remove some of the mud. “Thank God, the rain has stopped,” Harris says with a grin. He stops and looks over at her, and she is wavering on her feet, staring at him.
Fear has him stopping and reaching for her. “We made it, Harris,” she says, and the sobs start when he pulls her into his arms.
“We made it,” he whispers and presses a kiss the side of her head. He stands holding her, waiting for a sign that she is okay.
“You shouldn’t be so nice to me, it makes me cry,” she pushes at him.
“Get used to it,” Harris chuckles, “Let’s get inside.” Harris removes his duster and hangs it on a peg outside the front door. Kimani waits while he checks inside for animals or squatters before he calls her inside. She pulls off her overcoat and leaves it with his to dry glancing around the cabin and clearing. The creek is calling her, she’s desperate to feel clean but first, food and sleep.
“You staying out there or coming inside?” he teases.
Kimani smiles softly and hurries inside. “Oh,” she gasps when she enters. “It’s deceiving from outside!”
The one room cabin has a loft with a ladder leading to a sleeping area and a stacked stone fireplace for heating in one corner. Glancing up towards the loft, she notices the sloped roof allows for a high ceiling. A small two-person table built against a wall for dining and two chairs near the fireplace.
“I’m going to start a fire; the sun will be setting soon. You should rest.”
Kimani glances around the cabin surprised to see the walls have shelves with dishes and tools are hung below the shelves on the wall. She walks over and sits on the floor and leans against the wall. Caked in mud, rain, and dirt from the trail, Kimani can’t fight the exhaustion any longer.
Harris stomps inside with his arms full of wood and stops in his tracks. She’s huddled, asleep, in the corner like an animal. Guilt is intense. He works quickly and starts a fire to heat up the cabin, then shuts the door and kneels in front of her.
“Kimani,” he calls.
Her eyes open slightly, and Harris is struck by her natural beauty. “You don’t have to lay on the floor. Go upstairs and lay down.”
“Too dirty,” Kimani tries to go back to sleep, but he wants her to sleep in a bed.
“Come on, sleep is more important,” he insists.
“I am trying to sleep, Harris,” she frowns and tries to lay down.
Harris laughs softly and pulls her back up. “Stand,” he pleads.
Kimani groans and stands, snapping at him, “You go sleep, I’ll stay here.” Harris pulls her towards the ladder.
“It’s important for your healing that you sleep well,” he insists.
“First, I’m going to the creek to wash off the mud and dirt. Then I will sleep, probably for days.” He laughs and hands her a bar of soap of honeysuckle and rose from Melody.
“Oh!” Kimani smiles and sniffs it. Harris wraps a heavy blanket around her shoulders. “Drop your clothes on the porch, we will wash them later.”
“Yes, Harris,” she yawns, causing him to look at her in worry.
“Maybe I should go with you,” he says.
Shock has her spine straightening. Images of his hands on her naked body and his mouth. “No, I’m fine, I’m awake. I’ll be quick.” Kimani rushes from the cabin, stunned that her body would react to the thought of him naked and washing her.
Harris frowns and watches her go. He quickly carries in wood for the fire. It shouldn’t be hard to keep this tiny cabin warm. Exhaustion beats at him, and he makes quick work, locating supplies and inventorying what they have. He throws together a pot of broth soup with canned vegetables, from a labeled glass jar.
“I’ll have to send them some money as a thank you when this is over,” he thinks and removes the pot from the small rock fire place. He grabs a blanket of his own and marches from the cabin towards the creek.
Kimani soaps her hair a second time and ducks one last time beneath the icy water to
