Laurel: Bride of Arkansas (American Mail-Order Bride 25) by Carra Copelin

protective covering. “Griffin, we’re in here!”
    He tore open the door and rushed in with Henry right behind him. He gathered her and Josie into his arms and held them tightly. “Thank God you’re in here. I didn’t know what to think when we drove up a few minutes ago and I couldn’t find you.”
    “I didn’t know where else to go,” she cried into his chest. “Is it over?”
    “It is for now. The clouds aren’t as dark and heavy as they were.”
    A clap of thunder rumbled fairly close letting her know there might be more to come. “Were we in a tornado?”
    Henry held his wife and Coral. He kissed the little girl on the cheek and said, “We didn’t see a twister, but the damage we’ve come across here and in other places looks like there might’ve been a small one.”
    “Is there damage to the house?”
    “Some,” Griffin said, his hand stroked her hair. “I’m not worried about that now.”
    Laurel pushed out of his arms, handed a trembling Josie over to him, and walked past him out of their safe room. The only difference from earlier was she didn’t have to go to the front windows to see the sky. The windows and part of the roof were missing. Completely gone. The settee leaned against the wall in a pile of mangled cotton material, stuffing, and splintered wood, while the glass lamps appeared to be untouched on the mantle above. Slowly, the others joined her as they took in the dammage.
    “I’m so sorry about the house, Griffin,” she said, feeling utterly inadequate.
    “Don’t worry, honey. It’s just wood and nails.” He looked around the ruined room and nodded. “Yeah, we can put on a new roof or we can build another house. My family’s more important to me. You are more important to me.”
    She marveled at his final declaration, but before she could answer him, a wagon wheeled up in the front yard. The man driving the horses hopped down and met them inside the house. “Is everyone all right?”
    Griffin shook the man’s hand. “Yes, just rattled. And your family?”
    “Good, Olga’s fine. We have no damage.”
    “Glad to hear it.” Griffin turned to Laurel. “This is Ansel, father to Clem and Otto.”
    “I’m happy to meet you.”
    “Same here, but this . . .” He spread out his hands. “I’m sorry.”
    “Ansel, why are you here, and not with your family? Is something else going on?”
    “Yes.” The Norwegian glanced over his shoulder. “I left the boys up at the office to keep a look out for the weather. Shortly after we all left, a lightning strike started a fire, and unfortunately, the rain hasn’t started to help with containment. Clem came to tell me, and I sent him to round up more men. They’ll meet us at the base.”
    “Good.” Griffin spun to face his father-in-law. He hated to put the older man in this position, but he trusted him to make the right decisions for his family. “Henry will you stay here and keep them safe?”
    “I’ll be right here. I’ll protect them with my life.”
    “I know you will.” With Josie on one arm, he reached for Coral and hugged them both. “Will you be good girls and watch out for Grandma and Grandpa? And help Laurel with whatever she needs until I get back?”
    “Yes, Papa,” Coral answered and Josie nodded, wide-eyed.
    Handing the girls off to Gwenda and Henry, he turned to Laurel and wrapped her in his arms. “Thank you for taking care of my girls today. You mean the world to me and I’ll see you when I get home.”
    “I’ll be here.”
    He pressed his lips to hers and kissed her soundly, deeply. He wanted her to know how he felt about her before he went out to fight the forest fire. There was always a chance . . . He gave himself a mental shake. Thinking like that could get him killed. “See you, soon.”
    “I love you,” she called out as he waved and climbed into the wagon with Ansel. If he heard her, he didn’t acknowledge