Lori Connelly Read Online Free PDF

his uninjured shoulder, soft. He reacted with a low moan. She tried again in a more forceful tone. “Please, Ben, wake up. Open your eyes.”
    His eyelids fluttered a few seconds then stilled. Evie picked up a blanket and covered him to the waist. She dug out some towels, scissors and an old sheet then tossed most of the supplies onto the table, impatient. Fear raced along her nerves as she returned to sit on the edge of the bed. She put a folded towel over the weeping hole in his shoulder.
    “He was attacked?”
    “Yes ma’am.”
    John returned, set the pail on the floor beside her. Evie got up, filled a pot with water to heat. While the men unasked built a fire, she cut a few long strips from faded cotton, her usually nimble fingers clumsy.
    “Who?”
    “Ma’am?”
    “Who did it?” With a handful of just made bandages, some washcloths and a bowl, Evie returned to her husband’s side.
    “I don’t know.”
    Her gaze drifted over Ben. The rise and fall of his chest offered small comfort. Evie reached over, brushed back matted hair and found a good-sized lump near his right temple. Tears stung her eyes. She half filled the bowl with water, started to wash the blood off his face.
    Anger snapped along strained nerves. Evie shot a glance over at the sheriff. “What do you know?”
    “Your husband is a lucky man.”
    “Lucky?” Her gaze became a glare.
    “One of your neighbors found his mare, if he hadn’t I doubt we’d have found Ben in time.”
    “Neighbor? Mr. Talbert?”
    He shook his head, “Thomas Sullivan.”
    “Was he the one who hurt Ben?”
    “No ma’am.” Sheriff Green straightened from his crouched position. He hung the pot she’d filled over flames that danced along sticks.
    “But he knew where Ben was?”
    “Tom showed us where he found the horse. Ben was near there, at the bottom of a small ravine.”
    “How did you know to look there?”
    “Just like chasing down a wounded animal, we followed the blood trail.”
    Evie turned to stare at John with wide eyes, horrified at the images those words invoked, “You what?”
    “I think you’ve helped enough, go on home now.”
    John had the grace to mumble an apology as she watched him take his leave. A hand touched her upper arm. “You all right?”
    Evie started, looked up at the sheriff, “I’m fine.”
    “You look-”
    “Tired? Scared out of my mind?” Her voice, thin, strained despite her desire to sound calm, “I’ll survive.” Evie got up, walked outside, tossed fouled water out of her bowl. “When will the doctor get here?”
    “Soon I’m sure.”
    All of a sudden, Ben groaned. Evie spun at the sound and hurried to her husband’s side. His eyes open, he stared up at her. Pain etched deep lines on his face.
    Her fingers lightly touched his, “Ben.”
    His lips moved in a sad attempt at a smile. “Hey. Pretty. Lady.” He drew in a breath between each word as his gaze swept the room. “Where am I?”

Chapter Three
    “You’re home.”
    Ben looked up at her. His eyebrows drew together, “Home?”
    “Yes.”
    “I,” His eyelids fell shut. “Don’t … ”
    “Ben? Ben?”
    Only silence answered. Evie stared down at her husband for a moment longer. He didn’t move or make a sound. Her shoulders drooped. Concern knotted her stomach as she moved over to the fireplace and filled her bowl from the kettle.
    Without a word, she strode back to Ben’s side. Evie lifted the blood soaked towel from his shoulder then dropped it on the floor. Nerves stretched taut, she dipped a fresh cloth in the hot water and started to clean around the wound.
    “Mrs. Rolfe,” The sheriff paused. Evie glanced up. The tall man pulled up a chair near her, sat down. With a cautious expression and a gentle, careful tone, he asked. “Do you know who’d want to hurt your husband?”
    Evie looked back down at Ben. Her eyes burned but she refused to cry. She scrubbed off the last bits of dried blood and dirt, “Ah … ” Her task finished,