He positioned the timbers beneath the load-bearing beam.
He used wooden wedges to secure them firmly against the floor and overhead structure.
The work was awkward.
His injured hand made certain tasks difficult.
But his strength and experience helped.
The woman watched carefully.
“Move that one farther toward the inner wall.”
He looked up.
“Why?”
“That's where the original support joins the beam.”
He examined it.
Then nodded.
“Good eye.”
She smiled.
“I told you I know this cabin.”
He moved the post.
Then secured it.
Another gust struck the roof.
The timber groaned.
But the new support held.
The rancher stepped back.
He wiped sweat from his forehead.
For a moment, they listened.
The wind continued roaring.
Snow pressed against the windows.
But the roof no longer seemed to be moving as sharply.
The woman exhaled.
“Think it'll hold?”
He examined the bracing.
“For now.”
She nodded.
“Then we'll keep watch.”
He looked toward her.
She was exhausted from the movement and strain, but her expression remained steady.
He felt a strange mixture of admiration and affection.
For years, he had survived by relying only on himself.
Tonight, he had been reminded that another person's knowledge could save him from making a dangerous decision.
If he'd acted alone, he might already have been climbing onto an icy roof in the middle of a blizzard.
Instead, they had worked together.
He returned to her side.
“You were right.”
She looked surprised.
“About what?”
“Not going outside.”
She smiled.
“I'm going to remember you said that.”
He laughed.
“Figured you would.”
Then he noticed her hands trembling.
He frowned.
“You all right?”
She nodded.
“Just tired.”
He looked toward the fire.
“Let's get you settled.”
She accepted his arm.
They moved carefully toward her reinforced chair.
She lowered herself into it with a long exhale.
He placed another blanket within reach.
Then he crouched beside her.
“You frightened?”
She considered the question.
“A little.”
He nodded.
“Me too.”
She smiled faintly.
“Good.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Good?”
“Means you're finally being honest.”
He laughed softly.
Then he took her hand.
For a while, they sat listening to the storm.
The cabin creaked occasionally.
The fire continued burning.
The extra supports held.
And the rancher began to understand that staying with someone didn't mean he had to become invulnerable.
It meant they could face frightening things together.
Later that night, he prepared a sleeping place near the central hearth.
The woman's bedroom was temporarily unsafe beneath the damaged roofline, so they decided to remain in the reinforced section of the cabin.