Page 184 of Conveniently Wed
She nodded, releasing a long breath. “You were late for dinner, so we went looking for you. We found you in a cave, near a…a dead…bear.” Her voice cracked on the last word, and she paused.
But when she spoke again, her tone was strong. “You had some scratches on your front and left side, and a bump on your head, but I think you’ll heal completely.”
Her pretty forehead scrunched, as if she had a thought that worried her. “You said something about a broken rib too. I cleaned the wounds with garlic water and wrapped them with juniper leaves under the bandages. I hope that was enough. I didn’t know what else to do.”
She bit her bottom lip, and his fingers itched to smooth the furrow in her brow. When he started to move though, his ribs and chest screamed. He would have to settle for words. “You did fine. That’s all you can do for broken ribs. Just wrap them tight.”
Speaking took so much effort, and he had to catch his breath after just that little bit. Leah stroked his forehead again, and his eyes slid shut against his control.
“Sleep now.” The angel’s voice drifted to him across a wide chasm.
27
Leah watched the rise and fall of the blankets across Gideon’s chest while he slept. The steady rhythm soothed her nerves. Surely that was a sign he was resting well and regaining strength.
She pulled the quilt tighter around her shoulders, and leaned her head back against the wall. To stay close should Gideon need her, she was sitting on the floor, nestled into the corner of the wall and the bricks that lined the fireplace. The warmth permeating through the clay was calming.
For the first time, she allowed her mind to drift back through the surreal images of traipsing through the snow, finding the cave, Gideon lying so still, his skin as cold as a mountain stream. The bear with glassy eyes lying in the pool of blood, Gideon’s bulk in the saddle in front of her, his body convulsing from the cold.
What had he been doing on that mountain? Did he know the cave was there? Maybe he’d been out hunting and stopped to eat a bite, or build a fire to get warm. Had the bear surprised him? And where was his horse?
If God hadn’t led them to Drifter, they never would have found Gideon before he froze to death. She sent another prayer of thanks to her Heavenly Father.
And, Lord, please heal his wounds quickly. Help him not to be in too much pain.And then, as if by rote, her heart spoke its mantra.Lord, please soften his heart. Help him to heal and to forgive.
Leah stayed in that attitude of prayer for a few more moments, praising her Father for His mercies. At last, the fire beside her had died to a small flame. She released the blanket from her shoulders and moved to place more logs on the coals.
A stirring sounded behind her, and she turned to find Gideon’s eyes open. The slits were a bit wider than the last time he’d awakened, and he seemed more aware.
“How’re you feeling?” She moved forward to touch his forehead. He’d been a little feverish during the night, but his skin didn’t feel as hot now.
His eyes opened a little more, enough to show a faint twinkle as he spoke. “Like I had a fight with a bear.”
A rush of relief washed through her. He was feeling strong enough to joke. She stroked a stubborn lock of hair from his forehead as her mouth found its own smile. “At least you won.”
Her eyes wandered to his face and found his green gaze like a homing pigeon. There was pain there, to be sure, but also an intensity that kept her from moving.
“You didn’t tell me you were an angel.”
Her heart did a little flip at those words, and her gaze lost its hold, sliding down to notice the rakish tilt of his mouth before she looked away. What did she say to that?
He released a chuckle before a wince cut it short.
Her attention jerked back to his face. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just hurts to laugh or breathe.”
She reached for the kettle from the hearth, and poured another mug of willow bark tea. “Drink more of this.”
She began to spoon it into his mouth as before, but he shook his head.
“If you’ll lift my head, I can drink it.”
Was that a good idea? But she did as he asked, lifting his head just inches from the floor while she held the cup to his lips.
He was able to down most of the stuff before slumping back in exhaustion. He kept his eyes open, though. Maybe this would be a good opportunity to get some questions answered.
“Have you been able to remember how you came to be in that cave with the bear?”
