Shifted By The Winds Read Online Free PDF Page B

confusion, his voice harsh with fury.
    “The rest of them women are right behind her,” another called in a taunting voice. “Let’s teach them all a lesson.”
    Carrie shuddered at the cold, deliberate rage in their voices and eyes. She tensed her body and prepared to run. She was relieved this time when she felt a firm hand grab her arm again. She knew without looking that it was the same man who had stopped her before.  In just a few moments, he had transformed from a strange man into their savior.
    “I told you we had to get out of here,” her rescuer growled.
    “Lead the way,” Carrie managed to say steadily.
    The man pulled hard on her arm and waved to her housemates to follow him. They melted back into shadows that had suddenly lost their menacing look and become a sanctuary. They had only run a half-block when the man pulled her to the left, up some stairs, and through a door that was flung open from inside. She had no time to think before she and the rest were standing in a large parlor, breathing hard to regain some degree of composure as they stared around. Heavy furniture and rich, brocade fabrics barely registered in her mind.
    “What took you so long, Ardan?”
    Carrie swung her head around and saw a tiny, wrinkled woman sitting in the corner. She was instantly mesmerized by the musical Irish brogue and compassionate blue eyes glittering up at them.
    “They wouldn’t come with me, Granny,” Ardan replied. His face was set in a scowl, but his voice was respectful as he tilted his head toward Carrie. “I had to stop this one from running back to the hospital.”
    “Is that right?” The old lady studied Carrie for a long moment.
    Carrie knew she was being examined and evaluated. It was suddenly important to her that this tiny woman approved of her. “Thank you for sending Ardan out to rescue us,” she murmured.
    “Are you always so stubborn?”
    Carrie managed a smile. “So I’m told,” she admitted, suddenly relaxing. This woman had nothing but kindness in her eyes. In spite of the woman’s silvery hair, blue eyes, and creamy, white skin, she reminded her of Sarah.
    “Who are you, girl?”
    “My name is Carrie Borden.”
    “You’re from the South.”
    Carrie nodded. “Virginia. My friends and I are students at the Female College of Medicine.”
    The woman’s eyes sharpened as her gaze swept over all of them. “You’re all going to be doctors?”
    “That’s the plan,” Carrie replied as fatigue pressed down on her. Now that the danger seemed to be over, the weariness from a long day gripped her. She tried unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn. “And who do we have to thank for saving us?”
    “The name would be Biddy Flannagan,” the woman replied with a soft smile. “Welcome to my home.”
    Elizabeth gasped. “You’re Biddy Flannagan?”
    “Ever since I woke up this morning,” the old woman responded, latching her eyes onto Elizabeth. “Who is asking?”
    Elizabeth grinned and stepped forward. “Elizabeth Gilbert. I’m—”
    A broad smile broke out on Biddy’s face. “You would be Matilda Gilbert’s oldest girl,” she finished, her voice ripe with disbelief. “Girl, what are you doing down here in this sorry excuse of a neighborhood?”
    “Granny!” Ardan protested.
    Biddy raised her hand. “You know it’s true, boy. It’s me home, but there’s no reason in making it seem better than it is.” Her gaze swung back to Elizabeth. “You’re every bit as lovely as your mother.”
    Elizabeth sank down on one knee in front of her and grasped her hands. “Thank you for saving us. I was frightened half to death out there.”
    “As well you should have been. Your mama would be beside herself with worry if she knew what you were doing,” Biddy snapped. She softened her voice as she shook her head sadly. “They’re not all bad lads, but life seems to have sucked the goodness out of too many of them.” She latched her eyes on Ardan. “Who did this?”
    Ardan frowned