Leo blinked through his tears, his breath trembling. "You... you won't throw us out into the snow?"
Dutch slowly dropped to one knee, bringing his massive frame down to eye level with the young boy. He reached out a broad, calloused hand, palm open in a universal gesture of safety and brotherhood.
"Come inside, son," Dutch said gently.
From behind him, the other four riders were already in motion. One pulled a thick woolen blanket from behind the bar, another heated a pot of fresh soup, and a third stirred warm milk for the baby.
Leo took a hesitant step forward, placing his small, freezing hand into Dutch’s open palm. As the heavy doors remained locked against the raging blizzard outside, the boy and his sister were wrapped in warmth, knowing they would never have to wander through the cold alone again.