Blackwater Burning by Elle Marlow

Author:Elle Marlow [Marlow, Elle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-06-19T04:00:00+00:00

Sophia opened her eyes straight into sunshine streaming through a window. She inhaled the aroma of rubbing alcohol and strangely, beef stew. It took her a moment to figure out that she was tucked into a bed inside a small sanitorium. A light cough echoed off the walls and she turned her head to see Sheriff Cooper Blackwater sitting in a chair, reading a paper with a cup of something in his hand.

Suddenly, she remembered he was going to arrest her, but her stomach clenched. She hadn’t eaten since the Mexican barkeep offered her dried corn. The smell of food made her mouth water.

The corner of the paper folded down and she was met with a sparkly green eye. “Good morning,” he said, a tad cheerful.

She tried working her mouth, but her tongue felt stiff, unable to move.

“Here,” he offered, getting up and reaching for a glass of water placed by the bed. Sophia tried lifting her head to be able to drink, but realized she hadn’t much strength.

He moved right beside her, sliding a large hand behind her head to help her lift it. The other hand held the glass to her lips where she drank all the liquid. He carefully lowered her head, and as he stood over her, they locked gazes.

“How do you feel?”

“Better now. My head only hurts a little. Did you say good morning? How can that be? Morning was hours ago.”

“Well, that’s because you’ve been in this bed for three days. It’s Sunday morning now.”

As if to prove his point, bells from the mission began to chime far off in the distance. Sophia touched the bandage listening. When she’d fallen, it was only Thursday afternoon. If it was now Sunday, then she was as good as dead. No doubt, Crow was already sneaking around Tucson trying to find her.

“Sunday?” she asked again.

He sat back down. “Do you feel like talking?”

Sophia gripped the mattress under the sheet. Now what was she going to do? How truthful should she be with the sheriff? Considering her dire circumstances, what would she really have to lose in being completely forthcoming? Could this sheriff help? Maybe being arrested and behind bars would keep Crow away, if only for a few more days.

Just when she felt ready to talk, Crow’s maimed face flashed before her, angry and determined. Fear boiled up inside her chest, birthing an overwhelming sensation close to panic.

“I need to go. I need to get back home,” she said trying to sit up. The room took a horrifying spin and Cooper was there in an instant to put a hand on her upper arm to steady her.

“I think you’re going to be in that bed a few more days,” he told her.

“I can’t.”

“Why? What’s more important than your health?”

“Nothing. I’m expected somewhere, and If I don’t get back…”

“Sophia.”

The way he said her name stopped her cold. She turned to look at him. His expression settled into straight and serious lines.

“Your baby is fine.”

“Baby? I don’t have a baby.

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