But she sat with a stillness that spoke of discipline, of having learned young that movement attracted attention." Good morning," Clara said softly. Kaya said nothing, but she did not look away either. Clara's eyes went to the corner where Eli had bedded down for the night, but the blankets were empty. She heard sounds from outside the chunk of an axe biting into wood and understood he was already working cutting firewood to replace what they had burned through the night.
Even on Christmas morning, even after being awake most of the night, the realization sparked something warm in Clara's chest. Gratitude, yes, but something else, too. something she did not have a name for yet. She turned back to Kaya." Are you hungry?" The child's expression did not change, but Clara saw her swallow. Saw the almost imperceptible nod.
"Wait here." She went to her meager cupboard and took stock of what remained. Three potatoes. No. Two. Now, after last night's meal, a handful of dried beans, half a jar of questionable preserves, not much of a Christmas dinner, but perhaps enough for breakfast if she stretched it carefully.
Clara thought about all the Christmases before the abundance of food, the laughter Thomas's face, when he found the wooden horse William had carved for him under the tree. The ghost of that happiness moved through her like a cold wind, but she did not let it stop her. Those days were gone. These were the days she had now. And in these days, two potatoes and a handful of beans would have to be enough.
She had just started peeling the potatoes when the cabin door opened and Eli stepped inside, bringing cold air and the smell of pine. He carried an armload of freshly split wood which he stacked beside the fireplace before removing his coat and hat." Storm's passed," he said, but the drifts are deep. We won't be getting to town anytime soon." How deep?" "Waist high in places." I've seen worse, but not by much.
Clara nodded, processing this information. They were trapped. Then all of them stuck together in the small cabin until the snow melted enough to clear the passes. Days at minimum, possibly weeks." The woman's better," she said.
"Fever broke." "That's good." Eli's eyes went to where Nolan lay sleeping, then to Kaya in her corner. Something moved across his face. Concern, maybe, or calculation." What are we going to do with them?" "Do with them?" "You heard what she said last night. There are men looking for her." "If they come here, then we deal with it." Clara heard the edge in her own voice and softened it deliberately.
"But not today. Today is Christmas." Today we eat whatever breakfast I can put together from three potatoes and hope and we don't worry about what might happen tomorrow. Eli studied her for a long moment. Then unexpectedly he smiled. It transformed his face.