Then we order more. Molly came up beside her. For winter. Hannah's smile faded slightly. For the house, huh?
Molly accepted that. The children went inside. Grant remained near the gate. Hannah looked at him. He did not ask her to stay.
He did not mention the calendar. He simply opened the gate for Walter's wagon and stood aside. And that was when Hannah understood something she had missed from the beginning. Grant Dalton could have used his children's fear, the failing house, Marian's arrival, and every tender thing Hannah had built at High Meadow to bind her there. Instead, the giant cowboy was holding the gate open, even if she chose to walk through it.
For 3 days, Hannah could not stop thinking about that. The weather turned while she was thinking. At first, it was only the mornings. A thin sheet of ice formed across the water trough before sunrise. The grass stayed white until nearly 8.
High above the ranch, the bitter roots lost their autumn colors beneath a clean line of snow. Walter noticed before anyone else said much. He came into the kitchen on Thursday morning, rubbed both hands around his coffee mug, and looked out the western window. Too early. Grant glanced up from a cattle tally.
For what? That. Walter nodded toward the mountains. Grant studied the ridge. Hannah saw the change in his face.
Not alarm. Calculation. How many still above the lower divide? Near 60 head. Grant set down the paper.
They should have been brought down Tuesday. Would have been if the north fence hadn't gone. Henry looked between them. "Snow coming," Walter said. "Maybe." Grant stood.
His shoulder had improved, but Hannah still caught the slight hesitation when he reached for his coat. "You're not riding up there today." Grant looked at her. I wasn't aware I'd asked. "You didn't." Walter took another drink and quietly moved toward the door. Coward, Hannah thought.
Grant pulled on his coat. Those cattle stay up there under a real storm. We'll lose some. Send Walter. I am sending Walter.
Then stay here. Grant fastened the top button. Hannah, you can barely lift that arm after dark. I can ride. Those are not the same thing.
Henry stared hard at his slate. Molly was very still beside Hannah. Grant noticed both children. His voice lowered. I'll be back before supper.
Hannah folded the dish towel in her hands. You don't know that. No. The honesty made her angrier. Grant stepped closer, stopping on the opposite soundfall of the table.
I know the upper trail. So does Walter. I know where the herd drifts when weather turns. Then tell him, his jaw tightened. Hannah regretted the words as soon as they left her.
Not because they were wrong, because fear had sharpened them. Grant looked toward the window. A wind had started in the pines, he said quietly. High Meadow is mine to answer for. Hannah's fingers tightened around the towel and the people in it.