Josephine looked toward the sack containing her mother’s dress.
Then toward the front door.
Then at the stranger who could have dragged her anywhere but stood asking permission while armed men surrounded his home.
“East.”
Harlan nodded.
“Stay close.”
They entered the tunnel.
He shut the hidden door behind them.
Darkness swallowed the gunfire.
The passage was narrow.
Josephine could hear Harlan breathing ahead of her.
The lantern illuminated rough stone and timber braces.
The ceiling was low enough that Harlan had to duck.
Josephine clutched the coat shut and followed.
After perhaps fifty yards, the tunnel sloped upward.
Cold air began cutting through the passage.
Harlan stopped near an iron grate.
He extinguished the lantern.
Josephine nearly walked into him.
“What?”
“Listen.”
They stood perfectly still.
Wind.
Trees.
No voices.
Harlan lifted the grate.
Snow collapsed inward.
He climbed out first.
Then he reached down.
Josephine stared at his hand.
“Take it.”
She hesitated.
Harlan said nothing.
His hand remained open.
Josephine placed hers inside it.
His fingers closed carefully.
He pulled her upward.
For all his size, he did not yank.
He braced her.
Allowed her to find footing.
Then let go the moment she was steady.
Snow reached nearly to Josephine’s knees.
Harlan handed her mittens.
“Where are the horses?”
“Half mile east.”
“Why?”
“Because if I kept them beside the cabin, men like Pike could trap us.”
Josephine almost smiled despite herself.
“You plan for everything.”
“No.”
They began moving through the trees.
Harlan added, “I didn’t plan for you.”
Josephine looked at him.
He continued walking.
“What does that mean?”
“I expected Miriam’s daughter.”
“I am Miriam’s daughter.”
“I know.”
“What did you expect?”
Harlan was quiet long enough that Josephine thought he would not answer.
Then he said, “Someone who wanted nothing to do with me.”
“That may still happen.”
“I know.”
Again, no anger.
No wounded pride.
Only acceptance.
Josephine hated how much that affected her.
They walked for nearly twenty minutes.
The storm swallowed every sound.
Josephine struggled.
Her legs were short compared with Harlan’s long stride.
He noticed quickly and slowed.
She noticed him noticing.
Neither mentioned it.
Eventually they reached a small lean-to hidden beneath pine branches.
Two horses stood inside.
Harlan saddled them.
Josephine stared at the larger animal.
“I don’t ride well.”
“Then you ride with me.”
Her body tightened.
Harlan saw it.
“Or I walk beside you while you take the smaller horse.”
“You’d walk through this?”
“Yes.”
Josephine looked at the snow.
Then at him.
“I’ll ride with you.”
“Certain?”
“Yes.”
He mounted first.
Then he reached down.
This time Josephine took his hand without hesitation.
He lifted her easily.
Too easily.
Josephine stiffened as she settled in front of him.
Harlan’s arms came around her only enough to reach the reins.
“Tell me if I crowd you.”