Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
"It took what little fight she had left," I finish up. I can feel her watching me, and I can’t bring myself to look at her, not yet.
"That was the end for her, whether she’d have admitted it or not," I go on. "And I know that if she could have stayed, to be here for our daughter, she would."
"Boone, I’m so sorry-"
"I’m not tellin’ you this because I want for you to feel sorry for me," I reply bluntly. "I’m telling you because this world is a cruel damn place. And no matter how hard you try, sometimes, it’s not enough to stop the worst from happening. I know that. And I know you did everything you could to keep that woman’s child alive. I trust that about you, Cora."
As soon as I finish up, her face crumples once more – she sinks from the seat into my arms, Woodrow nuzzling at her arm worriedly. I pull her into an embrace and hold her there for a long moment in silence, unable to let go, unable to even consider it. Her body is wracked with sobs, and all I can do is hold her there on the floor, and pray that I am strong enough to help her through this.
Because, as I hold her to my chest, all I can think of is how breakable she is.
And just how broken I will be if she slips through my fingers.
CHAPTER 9
Cora
We just received word from a passing merchant that Elias’ wife, the woman who appeared out of nowhere, is in labor – and it’s not going well. Elias had gone to the merchant in the village to bring them supplies, but the local midwife recently moved. There is no one here to help. It sounds as though the mother has been at it for hours, and laboring that long can leave her in danger of infection – or worse.
The thought of her out there, with nobody to help her, it makes me sick to my stomach. I took an oath to do all that I was capable of to help people, and if I fail that now, I will never be able to look myself in the eye again.
"I’m telling you, I’m not staying here while that woman needs me!”
I stab my finger in the air, making sure he knows that I am not about to let him ruin this. I get that he’s worried, but there is a woman out there who needs my help - and God only knows how much I need the redemption.
"You walk out that door, don’t bother coming back," Boone snarls, as he rounds on me, his eyes blazing with a mixture of fury and something else entirely. I doubt he’d admit to it, but I can recognize is as fear. He doesn’t want me to leave because he’s worried that I won’t come back. And, after what happened to his wife, I can’t say I blame him.
I stuff a few more things in a satchel – rags, some water, a few herbs I’ve gathered from the surrounding area – and toss it over my shoulder.
"Fine," I spit back in return. "I’m not going to stand by and do nothing. If you want to, that’s your business, but I’m not letting another woman die in childbirth when I know I could make a difference!”
My voice is harsher than I intended it to be, but shit, it’s not as though I have reason to hold back. Time is of the essence here, and Boone is wasting it with every passing word.
"Which direction is the cabin?” I demand, as I stride for the door. He wouldn’t tell me bother, but God, if this isn’t enough to convince him that we’re in a race against time, I don’t know what will be. He hesitates a moment before he answers, and I pat my leg, calling Woodward to me.
"Hey, buddy," I murmur, scratching him behind the ears. "You can show me, right?"
I glance up at Boone.
"Unless you’ve got a problem with him leaving, too."
He strides to the door, standing before it, cutting me off from leaving.
"You go out there, you’ll get lost."
"Not with the dog."
"Or cold."
"I’ve got your jacket," I point out, patting my arm, which is covered with the beat-up leather of the jacket he was wearing the day I met him. "I’m going to be fine. But she might not."
"By the time you get there-"
"By the time I get there it might be too late," I finish up for him. "But that doesn’t mean that I should just leave her to face it alone, should I? I can do what I can. I might be able to help her, or the baby, or-"
"Cora, you don’t know what you’re walking into. Not with the kind of man Elias is."