Page 52 of Bryson

"As if I could," she muttered. Sitting up on the pillows, she watched him dress, admiring the ease at which he donned his clothing. "Is that all you're wearing? A flannel shirt and a sweater?"

"My jacket is in the mud room. I told you I'm used to this weather, and I cannot afford to have multiple layers weighing me down. Don't worry." He dragged long fingers through his shoulder-length dark hair and considered it combed, before rising lithely. "Anything, and I mean anything, feels amiss, please call me."

"I will. God, I hate this," she murmured. "I'm worried about you."

"I know." Crossing the room, he bent over and rubbed his lips on hers. "I'll be back before you know it."

"You'd better," she warned, holding him for a few more minutes. "Don't make me come and get you."

"Yes, ma'am." His eyes twinkled as he kissed her again. "Go back to sleep," he added as he headed for the door.

But she couldn't. And she didn't see how he could expect her to simply turn over and go back to sleep when he was heading out in that. "Oh dear God!" she exclaimed, looking out the window. It was really coming down out there and the wind was whipping the flakes into a frenzy.

She was about to get off the bed when she felt the movement of her baby inside her womb. Pressing her hand on the bulge, she spoke reassuringly. "It's okay, darling. Daddy will be okay. Please God." Swinging her legs off the bed, she shrugged into her robe and went to look out the window. One hand flew to her throat as she stared at the horrifyingly fascinating scene. She had heard about a complete whiteout but had never seen one before.

As far as the eye could see, everything was covered in dazzling white, and it was still falling rapidly. And he was out in this. They were all out in this. Pressing her face against the cold pane of glass, she closed her eyes and started praying.

Bryson was doing some praying himself. He had taken his horse to avoid being stuck in the snowdrifts. Thor was surefooted and was familiar with the property. He was also attuned to his master's moods, which was an added bonus, especially in a situation like this.

He turned when he heard the sound of hooves plowing through the snow and saw Jack's grim face before he reined in his horse.

"How bad?"

"The southeast barn doors are covered in several feet of snow. We're experiencing some electrical shortage in some of the cottages."

Bryson's hands tightened on the reins, causing Thor to paw the ground.

"Easy, boy," he murmured before looking at his foreman. "Which cottages? And how can we move people out? If we have to house them in the ranch house, then so be it."

Jack nodded in approval. "I'll round up some of the men. Some of the cattle drifted away, but not far. Jake and Teddy are rounding them up as we speak. Boss--" He jammed his woolen cap more securely around his ears to ward off the cold. "It's going to be a hell of a long night. Ms. Julianne--"

"Is safe and sound inside, and there are people there who will alert me if there's something wrong." He was hoping to God that he could hurry up and get back to her. But his conscience wouldnever allow him to just go and leave his men to carry on the work. That wasn't him and she knew that. "Let's get to work."

It didn't show any signs of stopping. Unable to stop worrying and too restless to stay inside their suite, Julianne took a shower and headed downstairs. The household staff was just stirring, and the scent of coffee permeated the air, causing the saliva to pool inside her mouth.

She was about to stop one of the maids hurrying by with an armload of linens when she glimpsed Barbara descending the stairs.

"Why are you up so early?" the woman asked with a frown.

"Why are you?" Julianne countered.

"I have to issue some instructions to the kitchen to make some breakfast and coffee for the men out in the storm." Barbara came alongside her. "You should be resting."

"I've rested enough, and my husband is out there in that--" She threw an arm out indicating the thick flakes hurtling from the sky. "I tried calling--"

"The service is a bit sketchy because of the storm, and depending on where he is, he will not be able to receive calls." Touching her arm lightly, Barbara guided her into the cozy blue and green salon where there was a fire blazing in the hearth and the long counter already set with various meals to choose from.

"Why don't you sit, and I'll pour you some tea?"

Julianne nodded and took a chair near the window. In any other circumstances, she would have admired the unblemished whiteness covering everything in sight. But not while Bryson was outside. She kept thinking of various scenarios. He could be thrown from his horse and break something. His horse could go lame.

"Here you go. There's soda bread and ham and cheese."

"Thanks." Taking the steaming cup of tea, she blew on it, her eyes straying to the window. "I'm not hungry."

"You should eat--"

"I'm not hungry! Just--" She closed her eyes briefly in contrition. "I apologize. I'm worried. He promised to call and he hasn't. It's been four hours and nothing. I cannot stand it." Putting the cup down on a lovely cherry wood table, she rubbed her belly. "I want him to come home, and I'm so scared I cannot stay still." She turned to face Barbara. "How can you stand it?"