Page 17 of To Heal a Broken Earl
Emma and Michael looked at each other, exchanging a smile at the child’s admission.
“Are you hurt, princess?” Michael asked.
Katie shook her head. “Polly got a little squished, but she’s all right now.”
“Polly is as strong as you are,” Michael said.
“Doris falls asleep really fast, Auntie,” Katie said, clutching her aunt’s dress. “She didn’t even wake up when I did. I tried to get her to wake up, but she just rolled over, and that’s when I fell off the bed.”
Michael wondered if there was more to the mishap. “Katie, did you by chance have a bad dream?” he asked.
She nodded. “The bad man from the fire was chasing me and Polly. I yelled for Auntie Emma, but she wasn’t there. No matter how much I yelled for help, no one came,” Katie whispered, her lips trembling. She hugged Polly closer.
“Aww, little one,” Michael said, reaching out to touch her cheek gently with the back of his hand. “Dreams can be scary, but talking about the bad ones helps make you feel better.”
“I do feel better,” Katie said, bobbing her head up and down, seeming to reflect on the advice.
“Good girl. And just so you know, that bad man is far away, and Lord Wright and I are right here—just outside the cabin, making sure no one bothers you,” Michael said.
“That’s right, sweetness,” Wright added. “You have many protectors, like knights in shining armor.”
“Really?” Katie said, her eyes wide. “Are you really a knight?”
“Kind of,” Wright said softly, tapping the tip of her nose.
“See? You have lots of protectors, including me,” Emma added.
Katie smiled and tucked her head on her aunt’s shoulder.
“Try to get some more sleep,” Michael suggested. “Wright and I will be right here, just a few feet away, keeping watch.”
“Just like knights in shining armor?” Katie asked, a hint of mischievousness in her voice.
“Just like knights in shining armor,” Michael said with a smile.
Emma placed her finger under Katie’s chin. “Are we ready for our adventure?”
“I’m ready, Auntie,” Katie said.
“Let’s say goodnight to our brave knights.”
“Goodnight, brave knights,” Katie said with a little wave.
“Thank you,” Emma said softly to Michael and Wright, then turned and carried her niece back to the cabin.
“What an enchanting child,” Wright said.
Michael heaved a deep sigh. “That she is.”
“Have faith, man. If anyone can track down this arsonist, it’s Armstrong.”
“Yes, I know,” Michael said. “I’ll be relieved when we get them to the estate, where they’ll be safe.”
“I understand,” Wright said. “And we’ll do everything in our power to catch that bastard.”
Michael nodded. So far, their journey had been successful, with no mishaps. Once they arrived at his estate, he would ensure that both Emma and Katie felt completely safe and protected. Even though he believed they had done everything to confuse the arsonist as to where they were headed, he wouldn’t rest easy until the bastard was caught and hanged for his crimes.
~*~
