Page 59 of Baby and the Beast

They descended carefully, the slope steeper than it had looked from above. Nash slipped once, catching himself on a tree trunk before Casimir could reach him. The big man frowned but said nothing, just slowed his pace slightly.

The sun climbed higher, making the snow blindingly bright. Nash squinted against the glare, wishing he had Casimir's foresight—the hunter had packed snow goggles for them both, and handed him a pair.

"Almost there," Casimir said as they reached the bottom of the slope. "Just through those trees."

Nash could hear it now—the occasional distant rumble of a vehicle passing on the highway. The sound of civilization after so long in the wilderness was both thrilling and somehow jarring.

"What if no one stops?" Nash asked, voicing the fear that had been growing as they approached, stashing their goggles away.

"Someone will," Casimir said with quiet certainty. "And if not today, then tomorrow."

"We can't stay out here another night," Nash protested. "Not with Copper."

Casimir pointed to a structure barely visible through the trees. "Forest Service shelter. Basic, but it'll do if needed."

Casimir bent and unhooked himself from the sled, taking the bags. Nash helped understanding there was no way the sled would fit in a car and Casimir simply left it behind a tree.

They reached the highway just as a logging truck rumbled past, throwing slush from its tires. Nash stepped back instinctively, but Casimir stood his ground, watching the road curve away.

"Truck stop's about five miles that way," he said, nodding south. "We walk until someone offers a ride."

They trudged along the shoulder, the packed snow making for easier walking than the forest had. Copper slept against Casimir's chest, lulled by the steady rhythm of his stride. Twice, cars passed without stopping, their drivers barely glancing at the trio.

Then a blue pickup slowed, its tires crunching on the icy shoulder.

"You folks need a ride?" The driver was an older man with a graying beard and kind eyes. He looked from Casimir to Nash, then noticed the bundle against Casimir's chest. "That a baby?"

Casimir stepped forward. "Yes, sir. We're trying to reach the truck stop."

The man's eyebrows rose. "In this weather? With a little one?" He shook his head. "Hop in. I'm headed down to Riverdale myself."

Nash exchanged a look with Casimir, who gave a slight nod.

"Thank you," Nash said, climbing into the truck's cab. Casimir followed, carefully maneuvering with Copper still secured to his chest.

"Name's Earl," the driver said, pulling back onto the highway.

The driver's eyes narrowed slightly. "What brings you folks out in this weather with a baby?"

Casimir shifted, angling himself so Copper was less visible. "Heading to family in Asheville."

Earl nodded, but Nash caught the doubt in his expression. "That's quite a trek. Where'd you come from?"

"Our cabin up in the hills," Nash answered quickly. "We got caught in the storm. Had to wait it out."

Earl glanced at them in the rearview mirror. "No car?"

"Broke down last month," Casimir said, his voice steady. "Haven't had the chance to replace it."

The truck cab fell silent except for the rumble of tires on asphalt and the soft hiss of the heater. Nash could feel Earl'ssuspicion like a physical presence. He caught Casimir's eye, silently communicating his worry.

"That your baby?" Earl finally asked, the question directed at Nash.

"Yes," Nash answered immediately. "She's mine."

Earl's gaze flicked to Casimir, then back to the road. "And you're...?"

"He's with me," Nash said firmly, reaching over to place his hand on Casimir's arm. "We're together."

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