I'll be eternally grateful." Dale straightened as he looked at her.

His glance was intent, piercing.
He seemed to be receiving a strange or unusual portent.

No need for him to say he had never before been spoken to like that! "You may have to stay here with me--for weeks--maybe months--if we've the bad luck to get snowed in," he said, slowly, as if startled at this deduction.

"You're safe here.

No sheep-thief could ever find this camp.
I'll take risks to get you safe into Al's hands.