1824-Ypsilanti, Michigan Territory
She dreams of travel…
He a family…
When tragedy strikes and Elizabeth’s stranded with a broken ankle in the midst of a raging snowstorm, is life about to take her down a path she never would have chosen?
~~~~~
As the minutes turned into hours, she grew cold—so cold she could barely feel her limbs. With no reprieve the chilling winds and billowing flakes proceeded to envelop her slender frame as she clung to her unyielding belief that God would somehow deliver her.
A verse her mother used to remind her of played over in her mind, becoming her comfort. God is my hiding place; He will keep me from trouble, and bring me peace and deliverance. Thank you Lord, for my deliverance!
Elizabeth's frigid draw towards slumber muddled her thoughts, sending her into a fitful sleep. Teetering between dreams and reality, she panicked when large hands grabbed at the front of her coat. In her weakened state, her arms flailed in revolt, yet her captor was unyielding. Through half-open eyes, she saw the abominable snow-covered man shake his head. The momentum of being thrown over his broad shoulder left her feeling dizzy and light-headed. Too exhausted to combat his overpowering strength, Elizabeth drifted in and out of consciousness ….
~~~~~
Elizabeth awoke with a start! She was lying in a clouded haze on a hard surface with a roof over her head. While her meager surroundings held not a flicker of familiarity, the same snow-covered ruffian who had thrown her over his shoulder was removing her coat, her boots, her wet pants, and her wet shirt. When he reached to unbutton her long underclothes, alarm slammed though her. She came out of her stupor—fighting! Agonizingly, the intense pain in her ankle would not allow her to stand.
What does he think he’s doing? Her brain screamed out in revolt.
Recalling her father's warnings of despicable men's intentions, the blood now raging through her veins began to boil! Swines, brutes, horrible degenerates, they wouldn’t think twice about robbing a woman of her virtue! Understanding the full impact of her father’s warnings, she asked herself, how does he know I’m a woman?
No matter, no one will take anything from Elizabeth Somers—not while I have breath left in me! Curling her fingers in a tight knot, she punched him square in the nose. The scant light from the small window revealed a trail of blood, trickling from his nostrils. Her courage was renewed. His size alone should have kept her from such a brazen attempt, but if determination was indeed a powerful weapon, this could be a close match!
The vindictive glower in his deep menacing eyes strengthened her resolve. As yet he hadn’t lashed out, and while this confused her, Elizabeth would not take chances. His feet were spread apart, poised and ready, waiting for her next move. She would not back down. In one fluid motion, she drew back her uninjured leg and kicked him hard in the shin. He grimaced and painfully dropped to the floor.
As he rose to his feet again, the beat of her heart thudded out of control. His scowl housed the fury of ten men. Out of sheer desperation, she lunged for the poker—but not fast enough! He nailed her to the floor with his huge bulk, bellowing as he wailed on her rump.
“You ungrateful brat! Is this the thanks ...?” The split second his thunderous words reached her ears, the tenseness in her body gave way to her weakened state. She calmed—and so did he.
Stunned by “Eli’s” sudden change in behavior, he loosened his hold, but he did not let down his guard.
I know that voice, she thought. He’s unrecognizable wearing all that snow and because she was dressed like a boy, he couldn't possibly know who she was. As her lips parted to speak, an impish thought touched her mind. Having been on the receiving end of his teasing so many times, how could she deny herself this one scintillating moment. As her head spun to face him, her narrowed gaze pierced right through him.
“My brothers will come after you with a vengeance when I tell them what you just did!” She could see the lights go on.
“Elizabeth … Somers?”
At her hesitant nod, Kaleb reached for her brother’s hat and watched as long golden locks tumbled down around her shoulders. His mouth dropped open in shock. Contemplating whether he should be furious with her for taking unnecessary risks or relieved that he had found her when he did, he gave her the benefit of the doubt.
“What were you doing out in this storm? Dressed like a boy no less!”
