Page 27 of A Healer for the Ruthless Highlander
Kenneth ran out of the room before she had finished speaking, his heart pounding with fear, dark thoughts racing through his mind.
The only thing that surprised him, perhaps, was that Leana ran faster than him, as if she understood the urgency of the situation.
As if, for a single moment, their hearts beat in tandem such that she felt his fear as keenly as if it were her own.
CHAPTER 10
Modesty issecondary when it comes to someone’s life.
Those words kept bouncing around in Leana’s mind as she ran, holding the hem of her skirt so she wouldn’t trip over it on her way to Hunter’s room.
Being a woman could be so uncomfortable sometimes! At times like this, she would have given anything to be able to wear pants. But right now, she was in no mood for lamenting, for she was filled with worry about little Hunter’s health.
It seemed that everyone was equally concerned about Hunter's welfare, as Kenneth soon caught up with Leana. It was evident that concern was pushing the Laird to hurry, for he was soon in front of Leana, opening the door for her, and as the healer hurried into the warm room.
A maid stood beside Hunter, tending to him during a coughing fit that seemed to never end. She anxiously held a handkerchiefover his mouth to prevent drool or vomit from staining his clothes.
Leana hurried over to him. “Hello, ye,” she said, smiling as she sat down beside him.
Her expression changed to one of complete calm, almost as if there was nothing to worry about. Not because there was, but because experience had taught her that one had to be careful with children.
She preferred to show Hunter that she was calm so that he would be calm.
If she seemed scared or worried, the boy would be worried too.
“Hello, Miss Healer,” Hunter muttered, but then he began to cough again. Dark circles rimmed his eyes, and his skin was a pale, milky shade, as if he hadn’t slept at all the night before. “Have ye come to play with me?”
“That depends.” Leana smiled, gently taking his wrist and holding it. “What games do ye have to offer?”
While they were talking, Brenda and Valerie burst into the room.
“Me little bairn! Me little Hunter!” Brenda cried, approaching the bed. She took the handkerchief from the maid and wiped her son’s face with the dry part. “What has happened, me darlin’? Are ye feelin’ very ill?”
“I’m fine,” Hunter promised.
But Leana could detect the lie in his words, as well as his smile.
Twisting around, she saw that Kenneth was still standing in the doorway, having not let go of the handle yet. His knuckles were white from the pressure he was applying.
“Could ye bring me some clean, dry towels, a bucket of hot water, and some mint-and-honey tea?” Leana asked the maid, who immediately nodded and hurried out.
Valerie came over and stood beside her. “Do ye ken what ailment me cousin is sufferin’ from?” she whispered, her brow furrowed in concern.
“Nae yet. But we’ll find out,” Leana replied calmly.
She took a deep breath and focused on Hunter, giving him another smile without letting go of his wrist.
“So, did ye say we should play a guessin’ game? I like it. Ye and I have a mystery to solve.”
“Oh, really?” Hunter looked curious. Beyond the discomfort, he still possessed the innocence and curiosity of a child.
Good. That’s a good sign.
“Of course. We need to find out what’s wrong with ye,” Leana replied, winking at him.
“Well… But I warn ye, that’s a tricky one. Nay one’s been able to figure it out yet,” Hunter muttered before he started coughing again.
Leana immediately put a hand on his chest. She felt all eyes on her, following her movements, but she didn’t care. She had to find out what was affecting his health so badly.
