Page 182 of Conveniently Wed
She cut away more of Gideon’s shirts, removing the bloody parts entirely. She thought about cutting the garments off at the arms, but they might help to warm him for now. When he felt better later, he could change into clean clothing.
Miriam appeared at Leah’s side again with a handful of dried leaves. “Here’s some Juniper. If you put it under his bandages, it will help with the healing. I always keep some on hand, just never thought I’d need it for this.”
A faint memory flitted through her mind of Gideon putting leaves under her own bandages when she’d broken her leg. She nodded.
When it was time to apply the bandages, she hesitated. What was the best way to wrap the fabric around his body while he lay flat?
“Gideon?” she called softly.
His eyes opened into slits. His breathing had deepened again—a good sign.
“Do you think you can sit up if I help you? I need to wrap bandages around you.”
His chin bobbed once, and Leah released a breath. She moved to his shoulders and helped to push him up as he groaned and slowly raised himself. He stopped midway, his elbows propping him, while his measured breathing pumped in her ears.
“That’s far enough.” She worked quickly to wrap the long bandages around his abdomen, covering the juniper leaves she had spread over the gashes.
“Tighter.” He ground the words through clinched teeth.
Leah’s gaze shot to his face. Really?
“My ribs…broken. Tighter will help.”
She wasn’t sure of that, but obeyed, pulling the wraps a little more snuggly.
“Tighter.”
This time he barked the word and Leah obeyed, pulling the cloth as tight as she dared. As soon as she was finished, she helped him lay back. When he was flat on the floor again, he released a slow breath.
Leah did the same. She reached up to brush the hair from his forehead. The lines around his mouth had softened some.
Miriam appeared at her side again. When Leah turned, the girl held out a mug to her.
“Willow tea for his pain.” This girl who normally chattered like a magpie now wore such a bleak expression. And she’d taken on her brother’s succinct manner of talking.
Leah tried to offer an encouraging look. “Thank you, Miri. How’s Drifter?”
Miriam’s gaze had turned to Gideon, and her eyes roamed his form while she spoke. “I think he’ll be fine. Has a big claw mark down his side, but it should heal if it doesn’t get infected.”
“Good.” With her concern over Gideon, it hadn’t really occurred to Leah that Drifter’s wounds could be life-threatening. “Why don’t you go on to bed now? I’ll help Gideon drink this tea, then he’ll need to rest too.”
Miriam turned frightened eyes on her. “But what if he needs me?”
Leah reached to take Miri’s cold hand. “I’ll sleep in the chair tonight. If either of them needs anything, I’ll be right here.”
Miriam continued to stare at her. What images were flashing behind those green eyes? “You’ll come and get me if I can do anything?”
“Absolutely. But rest is what they both need for now.” And it could only help Miriam too.
“All right.” Miriam rose and trudged toward the bedroom, turning when she reached the door, like a child asking whether she really had to go to bed. Leah offered another encouraging smile, and Miriam continued into her room, closing the door behind her.
Leah released a breath. Was the girl afraid something dire would happen to her brother during the night? Or just afraid to be alone? Either way, the poor thing needed sleep to help her recover from the evening’s events. She needed to make sure she checked on Miriam in a bit.
She turned back to Gideon. His teeth were quivering again. She took a blanket from the stack Miriam had brought and spread it across him. She added another and another, finishing with a small lap quilt—the last in the stack.
Now to get some of this warm drink into him. That would help most of all, both with the cold and the pain.
“Gideon,” she murmured. “I’m going to spoon tea into your mouth. Do you think you can drink it?”
