A Walk in Heaven by Marie Higgins

Author:Marie Higgins [Higgins, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Family Saga, Romance, Historical, Victorian, Teen & Young Adult, Sagas, Historical Romance
ISBN: 1475222548
Amazon: B0067F68FS
Publisher: Canyonland Press
Published: 2011-11-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Joshua lay awake listening to Careen’s coughs echo through the house. Why had he insisted on speaking with her last night? Guilt ate at him each time he heard her rattled-breathes.

He had woken his mother and then carried Careen back to her bedroom. Ma and Betsy had been in there since last night.

During the day while he worked on the ranch, he couldn’t stop thinking about the letter and about when he’d finally get some answers. Although Careen’s health worried him, he knew his Ma would make Careen well. His mother had a gift for healing.

The grandfather clock down the hall chimed one in the morning. Joshua groaned and rolled out of bed. He’d be better off sleeping in the stable. At least he’d be with his own kind, since he’d been acting like an animal’s hind-end lately. Was it so much to ask that the ones he loved were honest with him?

He threw on his trousers and boots, then stomped out of the room. Just then the door to Careen’s room opened and out limped Peter.

Anger and jealousy reared it’s ugly head and ran amuck inside Joshua. What’s Peter doing in her room?

Peter stopped suddenly when his gaze rested on Joshua. His younger brother’s eyes widened with curiosity. Rage grew inside Joshua as the seconds passed by in silence and it was all he could do not to grab his brother and shake him senseless. Peter didn’t even have the gall to appear embarrassed.

Two long strides later, Joshua stood nose-to-nose with his brother and grasped the front of his shirt. “What were you doing in Careen’s room?” he growled, battling irritation.

Peter scowled and yanked free, pushing Joshua back. “Down boy – and stop baring your teeth, or I’ll mistake you for a rabid dog.” He straightened his shirt, rolling his eyes. “I’m helping Ma and Betsy.”

Another one of Careen’s coughing fits came from inside the room.

Peter motioned his head toward the door. “Careen has pneumonia.”

“Are you sure it’s pneumonia?”

“Yes. Ma just confirmed it. She’ll send for a doctor once the sun is up. Until then, she and Betsy are in there applying Ma’s poultices. She asked me to fetch more water. That is why I was in her room.”

Worry pitched inside of Joshua, battling with his conscience. He couldn’t be upset at her when she was this sick, could he? Emma’s betrayal burned deep within him, burning the logic he tried so desperately to grasp when someone’s honesty was in question.

Joshua nodded. “Forgive me for snapping at you. I’m tired.”

“No kidding. Next time try not to be so obvious.” Peter brushed by Joshua as he hobbled on his crutch down the hall.

After Peter disappeared into his room, Joshua paced the floor in front of Careen’s door. Her coughing grew louder, heavier, and he scolded himself for thinking inappropriate thoughts when Peter came out of her room. Then again, since the first day of meeting her, Joshua hasn’t been acting himself.

The door squeaked open and he jumped. Ma stepped out carrying her herbal concoctions.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.