Aunt Mary opened her eyes and smiled at the child. “A little.”
Blossom touched Aunt Mary’s arm. “You get better?”
“Yes, I shall.”
Bruce watched his aunt. Was he imagining that this little breath of a girl had eased her suffering? He shook his head. How was that possible? And yet as the girl continued to stroke Aunt Mary’s arm, his aunt drew in a long inhalation…one without a shudder.
Mrs. Norwood entered again, carrying snow-white bandages, a brown bottle, and a stubby jar. “Blossom. I wondered where you had gone. I hope she’s not being a bother.”
“Not at all,” Bruce said at the same time as his aunt.
“She usually keeps her distance from strangers.” She pulled a chair to the sofa, easing Blossom to the side, putting her closer to Bruce’s knees.
Blossom looked up at him, her blue eyes as calm and still as a deep mountain lake.
“Mrs. Kinsley is occupied at the moment. She’ll come as soon as she can to make sure the leg is properly set, but she has told me how to tend this burn.” She paused. “Perhaps you’d like to step outside while I do so.”
Bruce was on his feet immediately. Of course, he didn’t want to be there while his aunt’s leg was exposed. Not that he hadn’t already seen it when he put out the fire but still, she would be embarrassed. Though likely not any more than he. He hoped his face was tanned enough to hide the heat rushing to his cheeks.
“Come on, kids. Let’s wait in the hall.”
Blossom took his hand, making him feel like he’d been offered a special prize. Donny skipped ahead of them, waited for them to reach the hall, then he pulled the door closed.
“Ma will fix your aunt,” Donny said with complete certainty.
Bruce knew the burns couldn’t be fixed with the application of ointment. They required time and care to heal. Her leg would take time to heal as well.
He thought this journey would solve most of his problems. Instead, it had added to them. Or at least, given him a new set.
For his aunt’s safety, he’d ripped her from the home she’d lived in most of her life. Her predicament was entirely his fault. All that mattered now was getting her to a safe place, away from the malicious gossip and threats they had faced back home. Her sister in Washington Territory offered his aunt a home with her. Bruce had promised to take her there. But how was he to provide the care his aunt needed as they crossed the mountains?
How was he to keep his promise to his aunt to get her to a home like the one she’d had to abandon because of him?
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Copyright © 2019 by Linda Ford
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