Free Shining Water 01 - The Icecutter's Daughter by Tracie Peterson

and pried, pulled and positioned into the wagon, then driven to the icehouse. That was where Rurik came in. He found that to be much easier than sawing. The slippery, snow-packed roads were a challenge, but the horses seemed surefooted. Even so, when the light began to fade, Rurik was glad to know the workday was ending.
    He had no sooner returned to the lake with his empty wagon, however, than a commotion at the lake’s edge drew his attention. Bogart Krause was trying to maneuver one of the teams, and something had caused the horse on the right to become agitated. He refused to cooperate.
    Rurik wondered if he should do something to lend a hand, but then, without warning, the horse began to fight the man’s hold on the reins. The gelding was trying to rear, but the constraints of his harness and mate only made him more frantic.
    “Whoa, Herrman. Stand fast.” But the draft horse had no interest in instruction, and by now his distress was makingthe other horse frantic. Before Rurik could set the brake and climb down to offer assistance, Bogart Krause was knocked to the ground.
    One of his sons came running, but before he could reach his father, the horse named Herrman reared into the air and came down on top of Krause. The older man cried out in pain. In one quick motion, Rurik leaped from the wagon and ran down the ramp to the injured man. He couldn’t be sure which brother was working to calm the team, but there was no time for formalities or niceties. Rurik quickly grabbed hold of Bogart Krause’s arm and pulled him away from the flailing hooves.
    By now the Krause brothers were gathered around, and they lifted their moaning father and pointed to the wagon Rurik had been driving.
    “Let’s get him in the wagon and back to the house,” Leo instructed.
    Again the men worked as a team, each instinctively knowing what needed to be done. The exception was the one busy with the now-calmer team, leading the two large beasts to an area away from the other horses.
    Leo continued barking out orders. “Rurik, you ride in the wagon with my father. Tobe, Flynn—help Merrill get the teams in. Zadoc, you come with me. I’ll probably need your help carrying Father into the house.”
    No one questioned the man, but went quickly to work. Bogart Krause moaned from his injuries, but attempted to protest that he was fine as they made their way back to the house.
    “I’m sure it’s just sore ribs and such,” he said through gritted teeth. “Nothing feels broken.”
    “Just the same, it’s best that you get back and let the doctor look you over,” Rurik countered.
    Inside the house, Rurik helped Leo and Zadoc make their father more comfortable. With great care he unlaced the older man’s boots and pulled them from his feet while Leo checked his father for broken bones. It wasn’t long before the last of the brothers joined them, the one Leo had called Merrill.
    Rurik was stunned, as this one began to shed layers of protective garments, to discover that this sibling was not a man at all, but a woman. A beautiful woman with soulful eyes that held great concern for her wounded father. She gave Rurik a brief nod and pulled a knit cap from her head. Long, dark curls fell about her shoulders and down her back. Rurik had a strange urge to run his fingers down the wild mane, but of course did nothing of the kind. Merrill didn’t seem to notice the effect she had on him.
    “Father, how are you feeling?” she asked, bending over him.
    “I’m all right, daughter. You’re all making too much of a fuss.”
    “I’d wager your body is saying otherwise.” She raised his shirt and carefully began to run her fingers over the man’s chest and ribs. “Are you breathing all right? Does anything feel broken?”
    “Nothing’s damaged but my pride,” the older man muttered. “Now stop fussing.” He struggled to sit up, but gasped and laid down again. “It’s . . . my back,” he said, looking at Merrill with a bewildered