Tracie Peterson by A Place to Belong

Doc teased Dottie as if she were a young schoolgirl, and Maggie noticed Dottie blushing on more than one occasion. It must be wonderful to love each other so much after so many years of marriage, Maggie thought.
    Eager to be up and around, Maggie talked Doc into letting her get out of bed at the end of the first week. As the end of the second week neared, she and Garrett began talking about the trip back to Newton.
    “With the horse I bought in Newton, we can make it back to town in a matter of hours,” Garrett began, as he and Maggie strolled along the outside of the dugout. The sky threatened rain any minute, and Garrett wouldn’t allow them a longer walk. “Or Doc could drive us in his buckboard. I thought I could leave him the horse as partial payment for all he and Dottie have done. They don’t have a good saddle horse.”
    Maggie remembered her unsuccessful search for a horse.
    “How did you ever find a horse to buy in Newton?”
    Garrett’s eyes danced with amusement. “I take it you tried and failed?”
    “Yes, as a matter of fact, but—” Maggie’s words were lost in the rumble of thunder.
    “I think we should get inside,” Garrett suggested.
    “I agree. I’ve been in one too many storms already,” Maggie said, turning toward the dugout steps.
    The storm roared across the prairie. The roof of the dugout leaked, and it swayed in the gusty winds. Maggie had to light the lamp twice because of the draft from the storm.
    “We’ll be lucky if there isn’t hail,” Garrett stated as he cracked open the door and looked out. “I’m glad Dottie went to town with Doc this morning.”
    “Do you think it will get much worse?” Maggie asked, paling at the thought.
    “I don’t know. The rain’s letting up some, and the wind is dying down. Maybe the worst is past. I’m going to take a look,” Garrett replied and opened the door. “You stay put.”
    Maggie watched Garrett’s booted feet disappear up the stairs. Curious about what was happening, she followed him. He seemed intent on something to the south, and when Maggie made it to the top of the stairs, she found out why. She gasped as she caught sight of a large tornado heading toward them.
    “I told you to stay down there!” Garrett yelled, pointing to the dugout.
    “Dear God,” Maggie breathed her prayer. “Deliver us.”
    The twister played out its energy on the open prairie, darting from side to side as if in some frenzied dance. Maggie could see bits of dirt and debris flying up in the air as the storm approached. The tornado was enormous, and its path still headed directly toward the dugout.
    “Let’s take cover,” Garrett said.
    “Where?” Maggie asked fearfully, running down the stairs in front of him. There were tears in her eyes.
    Garrett took everything off the table and pushed it against the wall of the dugout.
    “Here. Get under the table.” He pulled the mattress and blankets off the bed.
    “Take these,” he said, thrusting the blankets at Maggie’s huddled frame. He crawled under the table and pulled the mattress in with him, securing it around them to shield them from any debris.
    “Give me those blankets,” he instructed.
    Maggie started to hand the blankets over when the roaring of the wind caught her attention. It had started as a dull, constant noise in the background. Now it sounded as if a train were nearly upon them. Maggie caught Garrett’s expression and knew instinctively it was the tornado.
    Garrett grabbed the blankets and pulled them over their heads. He wrapped his arms around Maggie as the door to the dugout burst open, and the roof began to give way.
    Above the roar of the Kansas twister, Garrett began to pray. “Dear Father, protect us from the destruction of this storm and give us shelter in Your watchful care. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
    “Amen,” Maggie murmured in agreement. Warmth washed over her and her fears abated even though the storm continued to roar. Was this the peace of