Loretta wrapped a blanket around her shoulders.
Then guided her toward the table.
For the next several hours, Loretta managed food, hot drinks, and information passing between the mine and the families waiting below.
She didn't pretend she could carry heavy timbers into the tunnel.
Her size and the physical demands of the rescue made that impossible.
But she could coordinate supplies.
Keep workers fed.
Maintain warmth.
And make sure frightened families had somewhere to sit while waiting for news.
She knew what every person in the cookhouse needed.
Sometimes it was food.
Sometimes dry clothing.
Sometimes a quiet place to cry.
And sometimes simply someone willing to listen without offering false certainty.
By midday, even miners who had mocked her were helping carry pots between the cookhouse and the rescue site.
No one was laughing now.
The first trapped workers were reached shortly after noon.
A section of the damaged passage had been stabilized enough for the rescue team to establish communication through an opening. Several men inside were conscious and able to respond.
Arthur Finch coordinated the work carefully.
Elias helped move supports under the engineer's direction.
Walter Boone organized tools and replacement hardware.
The rescuers advanced slowly.
Each new section required inspection.
Each beam had to be checked.
And every decision balanced the urgency of reaching the workers against the danger of another collapse.
By late afternoon, six men had been brought out.
Two needed medical attention.
The others were exhausted but able to walk with help.
Loretta received the news through a runner.
She sent more broth.
More blankets.
And fresh water.
But Thomas and Daniel were still missing.
Anna sat beside the stove, holding Ruth against her chest.
She hadn't spoken for nearly an hour.
Loretta approached.
Then lowered herself onto the bench beside her.
For several seconds, neither said anything.
Finally, Anna whispered, "What if he doesn't come home?"
Loretta felt a painful tightness in her chest.
She wanted to promise that Daniel would survive.
But she couldn't.
So she took Anna's hand.
"I don't know what will happen," she said gently. "But the men are still working, and we're going to keep helping them."
Anna began crying.
Loretta remained beside her.
Ruth looked up.
"Is Daddy cold?"
Loretta swallowed.
Then she answered carefully.
"The men are trying to reach him and bring him somewhere warm."
The little girl nodded.
Then she rested her head against her mother's shoulder.
Loretta looked toward the door.