"Good."
"The church stove's blocked. We'll work on it after daylight."
"Any injuries?"
"One broken wrist. A few people chilled badly. No one missing that we know of."
Clara closed her eyes for a moment.
"Thank God."
Caleb looked toward the table.
The large pot was nearly empty.
The bread basket held only crumbs.
He saw the crowded room.
Then looked at Clara.
"Have you eaten?"
She hesitated.
He knew the answer.
"Clara."
"I had a little broth."
"When?"
She looked away.
He set down the blankets.
Then lifted the lid on a small pot near the stove.
There was enough porridge for one serving.
He found a bowl.
Filled it.
And placed it in her hands.
"Eat."
She looked at him.
"Caleb, there are still people—"
"They've eaten."
"Not everybody."
"I asked. The ones who haven't are waiting for the next pot. I'll see to it."
She glanced toward the children.
Caleb lowered his voice.
"You can't keep a whole valley warm if you fall over."
Clara stared at him.
Then, reluctantly, took a spoonful.
He sat beside her.
For several minutes, he said nothing.
He simply remained close while she ate.
When she finished, he reached for the empty bowl.
"Better?"
"A little."
He smiled.
"Good."
She looked toward the snow-covered window.
"I don't know how we're going to manage this."
Caleb followed her gaze.
"Neither do I."
The honesty surprised her.
Most men she knew preferred giving confident answers even when they had none.
Caleb studied the room.
Then looked back at her.
"But we've got through tonight."
Clara nodded.
"Yes."
"Tomorrow, we'll count what we've got."
She smiled faintly.
"That's what I said at the meeting."
He returned the smile.
"Seems I was listening."
Morning revealed the extent of the damage.
The lower cellars near the creek had flooded.
The schoolhouse roof leaked.
The general store remained intact, but its owner had barred the doors until the roads were safe.
Two barns had collapsed beneath snow.
A small footbridge was missing.
Several families had lost their winter vegetables.
One homestead had enough damage that its owners could not return immediately.
The settlement was not destroyed.
But its margin for survival had become dangerously thin.
Clara stood on her porch watching the pale daylight spread across the mountains.
Caleb approached carrying two buckets of water from a protected spring.
"Morning."
She looked toward him.
"You didn't sleep."
"Some."
"Where?"