Eli stared at him. The man pointed toward the wagon. "Flour. Coffee."
"Salt. Pork."
Rachel stepped into the rain. "How much?"
The man named a price higher than before. Much higher. Matthew rode in at that moment.
His horse was lathered beneath the saddle. He heard the price. His face went hard. The driver smiled.
"Storm changes things."
Matthew dismounted. For a moment, Rachel thought he might accept. The cattle contract depended on the crew. The crew depended on food.
The storm showed no sign of breaking. Langley knew it. Rachel looked at Matthew. He looked at the wagon.
Then at the cookyard behind her. Smoke. Canvas. Dutch ovens.
Men eating. Rachel said nothing. Matthew turned back to the driver.
"We don't need it."
The man's smile disappeared. "You might by morning."
Matthew removed one wet glove. "We won't."
"You sure?"
Matthew glanced at Rachel. She held his eyes.
"Yes," he said.
The wagon turned around. Rachel watched it go. Langley's last easy answer disappeared down the muddy road. By nightfall, everyone was tired.
The storm had weakened but not stopped. The herd remained restless in the lower basin where temporary fencing and mounted riders kept it together. Rachel's hands ached. Her back burned.
Smoke had worked into her dress and hair. Rebecca sat on an overturned crate peeling potatoes with red, swollen fingers.
"You ought to rest," Rachel said.
Rebecca looked at her. "So should you."
Rachel almost laughed. "No time."
They baked through the night. Cornbread in rounds. Cornbread in squares.
Thick cakes cooked in greased skillets. Some made with buttermilk until it ran out. Then water. Then broth.
Whatever they had. Men stopped caring which hot food was hot food. Around midnight, Matthew came under the canvas. Rain ran from his hat brim.
Rachel was lifting a pan from the coals. He reached for it.
"Too hot."
"I know."
"You've been riding since before daylight."
"You've been standing here since before daylight."
She gave him the pan. Their fingers touched around the iron handle. Neither moved for half a second. Matthew's eyes went to her face.
"You all right?"
Rachel nodded. "You?"
"No."
That honesty caught her. He looked toward the dark pasture. "If we can't move the herd by morning, we miss the rail slot."
"Can they hold for now?"
"Yes."