Chapter Five

"Tessa!" Ben called as he stepped onto the wooden porch of the small cabin.

The door swung open, and his sister emerged, her apron dusted with flour, a concerned look in her soft brown eyes. "Benjamin! What's happened?" she asked, eyeing the unconscious stranger in his arms.

"She fell in the creek," Ben grunted, stepping inside, his worn boots thudding against the wood planks laying on the floor. Tessa followed close behind, her brows furrowed in concern. She watched as Ben laid Bethany gently onto the worn settee near the fireplace. As he placed her down, he couldn't help but steal a glance at her face. Damp, brown curls framed her delicate features, and even in her unconscious state, she seemed to radiate an ethereal beauty that left him breathless.

"She's all wet," Tessa censured.

"That's what happens when you fall in the creek, Tess." He dropped Bethany's wet coat next to the fire to dry out and turned on his heel.

Tessa rushed to the settee; her hands fluttered uncertainly before pressing on Bethany's pale forehead. "She's cold as ice, Ben!" she cried, her voice rising with worry. "Do we need to call the doctor?"

Benjamin was already striding towards the woodstove in the opposite corner of the large room. The clatter of pots and pans echoed through the cabin as he searched for a kettle.

"The creek is too high." He stopped for a minute. "What in tarnation would someone be doing out in this weather?" He shook his head and pointed to Tessa. "Find some blankets and some dry clothes. I'm going to heat some hot water. We don't want her catching pneumonia."

As Tessa did as she was told, Benjamin filled a kettle at the pump outside, his teeth gritted against the stiff wind that swept across the porch. His mind raced with a dozen concerns, but at its core was a single thought; he couldn't let this woman die.

Stomping mud from his boots, he returned inside, placing the kettle on the stove. Tessa was crouched in front of the roaring fire, adding logs from the wooden crate nearby. The heat emanating from the flames enveloped Ben, making his clothes stick to his skin. Despite this, his gaze remained fixed on Bethany's unmoving body across the room. He couldn't bring himself to tear away and change into something more comfortable.

"I put some dry clothes on the table," Tessa said. "You should probably get changed as well. I wouldn't bathe her. Just dry her off for now."

"She's cold."

"Yes, but you don't want her to stay wet. I'll get her changed. Just help me get her boots off."

Benjamin moved toward the settee, crouching down beside Tessa. He hesitated before reaching out and tugging on Bethany's worn boots. As he pulled each one off, he placed them by the fire next to her soaking coat. He tried not to pay mind to the womanly curves that were revealed as he helped Tessa remove his long coat he had wrapped Bethany in. It felt all too intimate, this act of undressing a stranger, but he pushed away the discomfort, reminding himself this was about survival, not propriety.

Tessa carefully helped him move Bethany away from the wet sofa and towards a rug by the fire. "Surprisingly, the sofa isn't as damp as I expected," she noted as they settled the unconscious woman down on the rug. Tessa reached over and grabbed a soft linen sheet. "Go change," she urged, her voice gentle but firm. Benjamin only nodded in response and disappeared into his bedroom.

He stripped off his wet clothes and replaced them with a fresh pair of trousers and a soft flannel shirt. He ran a hand through his unruly hair, attempting to tame it somewhat before returning to the living area. Once he changed into clean, dry clothes, he felt more at ease, more like himself. He remembered the emotions that were stirred in him when little Hope Davis went missing in the ravine. To see someone else fall victim to the same treacherous landscape stirred a protective instinct within him he couldn't ignore.

The house was quiet, save for the crackling fire and the bubbling sound of the kettle on the stove. Tessa was still tending to Bethany when he returned to the main room.

She had changed her into a dry nightgown and was wrapping a warm blanket around her shivering body. Seeing Bethany laid out on the floor, pale and vulnerable, Benjamin felt a twinge of guilt for his earlier irritation.

He glanced at Tessa, her anxious eyes meeting his. "She's feverish, Ben," she said, her voice a mere whisper, as if afraid to disturb the silence of the room. Her small hand trembled lightly as she brushed stray curls away from Bethany's forehead. "It could be the fire, but I don't think it is."

Ben sank to the floor near Bethany's head and placed a cool hand against her forehead. She didn't feel feverish under his hand. Gently lifting her head, he placed his hand against the back of her neck. She groaned and turned her head into his arm. He could feel her breath tickle the hairs along his arm.

"She's just cold," he reassured Tessa, but his own voice wavered with uncertainty. "We need to keep her warm and get some soup in her when she wakes." He ran his fingers through her hair, gently untangling the knots and removing some of the mud still caked in her tresses. "We should rinse her hair, though."

Glancing up, he saw Tessa staring at him with an unreadable expression. Ben dropped his hand quickly, a flush creeping up the back of his neck. His sister's gaze remained focused on him, her eyes filled with an unnerving mix of worry and curiosity.

"You're very gentle with her," she finally murmured, her attention returning to the weak woman before them. "Never saw you like this with anyone, Ben."

He frowned, his gaze wandering over Bethany's frail body again. He swallowed hard against the lump that had suddenly formed in his throat. "I... I don't know what you mean, Tess."

Shrugging her thin shoulders, she added another log to the fire. Sitting back on her heels, she shook her head, casting him a sideways glance. "I just mean I've never seen you...care about someone. That's all."

"Tess—"

"No, it's not a bad thing." She quickly interrupted, casting a concerned look at their silent guest on the floor. "It's a good thing, Ben. It's rare to see you let your guard down."

As much as Ben wanted to deny his sister's words, he couldn't ignore how they stung him. He always guarded himself, always careful to maintain his distance, but with this stranger in their home, something about her had slipped through his barriers. He looked down at her again, tracing the curve of her cheek with his eyes.

"Maybe I'm just glad she's alive," he mused aloud, his words more of a question than a statement.

Tessa added another log to the fire, her gaze lost in the dancing flames. "Yes... maybe," she said softly, though from the way her voice sounded, it seemed like she didn't quite believe him.

He couldn't blame her, as he was finding it hard to believe himself. The kettle on the stove was reaching its boiling point, generating a mellow simmer that traveled across the room.

"Did you take your medicine today?"

She glanced up at him. "Did you find my goats?"

Ben's lips twitched at the side. "No. I had other things going on at the ravine."

Tessa smirked. "No, I didn't take it today. I forgot."

"I'll make you some tea, and then I'll prepare some soup for when Bethany wakes up."

"Is that her name?"

"Bethany?" Ben nodded.

"How do you know her?"

"She was here when that little girl got lost."

"I remember that. What do we do now, Ben?" she asked, her voice sounding way too young for her nearly fifteen years.

"We wait," he replied, his voice filled with a harsh reality that was all too familiar in this harsh land. "Would you like some tea? It'll help keep you warm, or would you prefer milk?"

"Milk will make me sleepy." She tried not to yawn. "I'll have some tea."

Tearing his eyes away from Tessa's stare, Benjamin stood and moved to the woodstove. He removed the kettle from the fire and poured hot water over a spoonful of herbs Doc had given him. Finding a jar of honey that was a welcome to Flat River gift from Mrs. Chapman, he added a teaspoon to the chipped cup and stirred, letting the herbs steep.

As the tea brewed, he rummaged through the pantry, gathering ingredients for a hearty soup. With precision, he sliced salted beef and peeled root vegetables, adding them to a pot on the stove. He poured the boiling water over the mixture and carefully placed a lid on top.

Turning to tend to the fire, he added more kindling and stoked it until it crackled with heat. The pot of soup would need several hours before it was ready to strain, so he moved on to stirring the beans Tessa had cooked on a tripod over the open flame.

"Your tea should be ready." He checked the mixture and strained it into a clean cup, saving the herbs before carrying it over to Tessa, who accepted it with a grateful nod. The steam rose from the cup as she cradled it between her hands. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply.

Taking a sip, she sighed. "Thank you. Where should she sleep?" Tessa pointed at Bethany with her toe. "You can't leave her on the floor, and my room is occupied by..."

"Marigold." Ben sighed. "You need to take her out soon. I don't want any messes. Marigold really belongs in the barn."

Tessa blinked at him several times, her lower lip quivering. "But Ben!" Tessa protested, tears welling up in her eyes. "She's too little to be out there!"

As he turned back to Bethany, Tessa sipped her tea quietly, studying him through narrowed eyes. He could feel her gaze on his back like a physical weight.

"All right," he said after a moment's thought. "Bethany can take my room; I'll sleep on the settee."

"I'm going to go check on Marigold," she said, taking her cup and heading towards her room.

In the quiet that followed Tessa's departure to the back of the cabin, Ben allowed himself a moment to just breathe. The tension eased out of his broad shoulders as he sank down on a wooden chair by Bethany's side. He surveyed her quietly, his gaze finally settled on her hands. They were delicate compared to his own calloused ones. A sharp contrast to the hard life he led.

With gentle strength, Benjamin scooped Bethany into his arms and carried her to his bedroom. His muscles welcomed the opportunity to hold her close again. He carefully lowered her onto the soft sheets and tucked her in with a cozy quilt. Pressing his lips gently against her forehead, he whispered to her before reluctantly pulling away. "Sleep well, sweet Beth."

As he brushed several stray hairs from her face, he lingered for a moment, admiring her serene expression before turning to leave. His heart swelled with an unnamable emotion as he left the room, closing the door behind him.

After a dinner of hearty soup and cornbread, Tessa went to bed, leading Marigold by a yellow hair ribbon. Bethany still hadn't woken up, although Ben checked on her before turning down all the lanterns to settle down by the fire in the main room.

He tried to get comfortable on the lumpy settee, his mind was in turmoil. He couldn't shake off the image of the woman now sleeping in his bedroom, her presence stirring up a mix of emotions within him.

"Lord," he prayed silently, "I don't know why You've placed her in our path, but please watch over her and keep her safe. I know You do nothing without a purpose. I pray there is a purpose for her being here and it has nothing to do with Mrs. Chapman." He finished his evening prayers with a soft amen and flipped over once more on the settee, punching the pillow before closing his eyes.

As the wind howled outside the walls of his humble homestead, inside, a newfound sense of warmth and hope bloomed in Ben's chest.

Bethany felt something tickle her nose. Lifting her hand, she brushed away the intruder and mumbled something about leaving her alone. The intruder persisted. This time, something soft and velvety brushed against her chin. A sigh escaped her lips as she tried to move again, but a tug on her blanket stopped her.

"Mm... stop..." she muttered sleepily, trying and failing to pull the covers back over herself.

When that failed, she opened one eye, only to find herself at eye level with an inquisitive pair of black eyes and a twitching nose.

"AAAAH!"

Bethany screamed, bolting upright and nearly tumbling out of the unfamiliar bed. Rapid footsteps thudded down the hallway outside the room, and she heard a frantic voice call out. "Bethany? You all right in there?"

She stammered out a response. Her mind still reeling from being suddenly awoken. She turned her wide eyes towards the door just as it swung open to reveal Ben, his chest heaving and a worried look on his face.

"I'm all right," she assured him, slowly calming herself. "Just got a little startled by..." Bethany's nose crinkled in confusion as she peered at the sheep rummaging through Ben's clothes. "Why do you have a sheep in the house?"

Ben grabbed the creature by the ribbon tied around its neck. "Tessa!" he yelled. "Come get Marigold."

A young girl emerged from behind Ben and cautiously entered the room. Her eyes widened with excitement when she saw the sheep, and she quickly rushed over to her brother to take it from him.

"Oh dear, did Marigold wake you? She's fond of sneaking into places where she ought not to be."

"This is my sister, Tessa." Ben explained, releasing the ribbon. "And this is Marigold, her lamb."

"Doc gave her to me." Tessa coaxed the young sheep away from Bethany. "You look better this morning. I'll make some coffee." She tugged on Marigold's ribbon and led her out of the room.

Ben let out a long, exasperated sigh as he watched Tessa and her pet sheep file out. The sound of them moving echoed through the space, leaving behind an awkward silence. He shifted from one foot to another, feeling Bethany's piercing gaze on him. "Looks like we'll have to get that latch fixed," he muttered, scratching his stubbly chin.

Bethany's eyes narrowed as she noticed the messy bed and her missing clothes. She quickly snatched a quilt from the nearby chair and covered herself as she tried to process what had happened while she was unconscious. "Where are my clothes? And whose bed is this?"

"That would be my bed, ma'am," he replied with a wince, realizing how it sounded. He offered a quick explanation. "You were unconscious, so Tessa changed you into a clean nightgown. I just carried you in here to sleep."

"So, you put me here." Her eyes narrowed. "Where did you sleep then?"

"On the settee by the fire."

"Was it comfortable?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "It doesn't matter. You needed the bed. I didn't fall in the creek and nearly drown."

"Where are my clothes?"

"Full of mud and soaking wet. Tessa has them in a bucket with some lye soap. Once the rain breaks, she'll wash them. Your duster is drying by the fire."

Bethany took a moment to look at him. She'd noticed his height when he'd carried her from the water, but now she could fully appreciate how tall he truly was. His broad shoulders nearly filled the door frame, and his face, while rugged and somewhat weathered, was not unkind. He had on a loose shirt and worn pants. He picked up a wide-brimmed hat hanging from a peg on the wall behind him and turned it in his hands as if considering his next move.

"Thank you," she whispered, her gaze shifting from him to the floorboards. "For saving me."

A hint of surprise flickered across Benjamin's face before he quickly composed himself. "I'm glad I was there."

"What were you doing there, Mr. Kendrick?"

"Call me Ben." He coughed in embarrassment. "I was trying to find the goats."

"Goats?" She laughed. "Are they in the house as well?"

He grinned, and Bethany thought her heart might flutter right out of her chest. "Not in the house, no. They're out back with the horses or in the barn. They have a nasty habit of wandering off into the woods. Figured they'd appear by the creek."

Bethany paused, biting her lower lip as she considered his words. "You were just passing by." She looked at him, eyes softening with gratitude. "You ended up saving my life."

His grin faded into a serious expression, the lines around his eyes creasing deeply. "Well, I wouldn't say that…" Ben started, but trailed off, his gaze shifting to the windowpane where raindrops still traced their way down the glass. "But yes, I suppose that's the truth."

His quiet contemplation gave Bethany a chance to study him further. His eyes were warm and inviting, a deep brown that reminded her of freshly turned earth in the spring.

A day's worth of stubble darkened his square jaw, rough against the smooth skin of his high cheekbones and wide forehead. His hands, she saw, were large and calloused from hard work, but steady and gentle, nonetheless. These were the hands that had saved her life.

"I'm glad you were there."

"How did you end up in the creek, Bethany?"

"I saw Tommy's coat on a branch. When I tried to grab it, I fell in." She looked up at Ben, feeling hope for the first time in days. "Have you seen him?"

Ben shook his head. "No. Do you think he fell in the creek?"

Bethany's body trembled as she tried to hold back her tears. Her shoulders hunched forward, and her hands tightened around the blanket. "I hope he didn't," she choked out between sobs, unable to look up at Ben. "I could never explain that to my ma."

Ben kneeled in front of her and lifted her chin with two fingers. "I'm sorry I even suggested that." He wiped her tears away with his thumb. "He may have lost his jacket further upstream. Don't cry, Beth."

She sniffled, nodding at his words. She felt a fresh wave of hot tears spilling over her lashes, but she brushed them away with her hand. "You're right," she whispered, "He would have come home by now if he was all right."

"Hey," Ben's voice was soft and comforting as he interrupted her thoughts. "We know nothing for sure. It'd be best not to assume the worst yet."

Bethany nodded again, although the knot in her stomach didn't ease. She felt Ben's rough hand squeeze hers gently before he got up and moved away from her.

"I will help you look for him once the storm passes. I promise." He gave her hand a quick squeeze. "I've got chores to do. Tessa will bring you some fresh clothes now that you're awake." He turned to leave but paused at the door. "Would you like a bath?" He chuckled for a minute. "I know you had a good soak in the creek, but a warm bath might make you feel better. You can get the last bit of the mud out of your hair."

She reached up with delicate fingers and felt the dried clumps of dirt and leaves still tangled in her auburn curls, nodding at his suggestion. "Yes... yes, I think a bath would be nice. I should probably head home. My family must be worried sick."

"There was a man on the other side of the creek."

"That was my Uncle Devin. He's a tracker and trapper too."

"I told him I'd bring you back as soon as the water recedes."

"Is it still high?" She bit her bottom lip. Pa must be so worried. She couldn't imagine how Ma and Millie were handling it.

"It hasn't stopped raining in days. I don't know when the water might go down."

"I don't want to inconvenience you."

"It isn't a bother, Bethany. I'll get the water heated." His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he turned and disappeared through the door.

As he left the room, Bethany allowed herself to relax slightly into the coarse but comforting bed linens, her heart heavy but warmed by Ben's promise. She had been alone in her fear for Tommy since she'd stumbled upon his jacket. Now, she wasn't alone anymore.

She tossed the blanket back on the bed and pushed herself to her feet. Her muscles were still weary of fighting the current, and she wanted to lie back down. A knock on the door had her scrambling back under the covers. "Come in," she called.

Tessa pushed the door open and entered with a small bundle in her arms. "Ben said you were staying awake." She smiled as she placed it at the end of the bed. "Here's a dress and some fresh sheets. I'm not as tall as you, so it will be a little short, but it is clean. I scrubbed your boots, and they are dry now. They sat by the fire overnight. If you strip the bed, I can wash those sheets."

"Your name is Tessa. Right?"

The young girl nodded. "Yes. I'm Ben's sister. We didn't meet properly when Ben brought you in. You're Bethany."

"Yes."

"Ben said you were here when someone left that little girl in the ravine."

"Yes. We followed the horse thieves into the mountains. He wasn't very talkative then."

Tessa giggled. "He's not very talkative now. Although there is something about you that makes him want to talk. I made some breakfast, if you're hungry."

"Thank you," Bethany replied, grateful for the kindness but still feeling disoriented.

Tessa smiled again and pressed the dress into Bethany's hands. "You're welcome, Bethany. Let me know when you're ready for your bath. Ben should fill the tub by the fire. He'll go to the barn so you can have privacy. If you don't mind, I'll just stay in my room until you're done."

"Where's your lamb?"

"Marigold is in my room right now. Normally, she stays by the fire."

Bethany offered a tentative smile. "Once I'm dressed, maybe she can come out and you can tell me how you came to keep her inside by the fire."

"I'd like that. I'll set out your breakfast, and then you can take a bath," Tessa said before leaving the room, her voice carrying a tune as she went. Bethany stripped the bed as she listened to Tessa's cheerful singing, before picking up the dress and examining it in her hands. It was a simple calico day dress, but it looked warm and functional.

The sound of the approaching rain drummed against the window, filling the room with a steady rhythm. She glanced out the window, watching the rain pour down in torrents. They were trapped inside, at least for now, but somehow, she kept her fear at bay.

"Lord," she prayed silently, "I don't know what Your plan is, but help me trust in it."

Bethany turned to the messy pile of clothes on the bed and sighed. Tessa had thoughtfully placed a fresh wrapper on top for her. She slipped into the soft fabric, tying the belt firmly around her waist. Running a hand through her tangled and mud caked hair, she then grabbed the dress and clean undergarments from the end of the bed before heading out of the room to start her day.