Elinor by Shannon McNear

Author:Shannon McNear [McNear, Shannon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781643529561
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2021-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

It was foolish to worry so for her, when she’d only gone a-walking, but Ananias could not help it. The hollow ache in his chest when he’d returned briefly to their house merely to share a bit of news, only to find Ginny weeping inconsolably and a shrug from Mushaniq on which way Elinor might have gone, would not be denied.

And he could only fling the most inarticulate prayers at the heavens for her safety.

Down the sound-side path he ran, through the old town site and beyond. Of all he met coming or going, none had seen her. He stopped and stared out at the gently rippling waters of the sound. Had she succumbed to some dark thought and walked out into those waves, determined never to return? Or—his gaze eagerly traced the horizon for canoes—had she been stolen, or—worse? He dreaded as nothing else the finding of her lifeless body in the reeds, as they had found Master Howe. That afternoon ever haunted him.

He breathed in deeply, held it, then breathed out. God forbid any of those thoughts.

Another breath or two, and he felt an inner nudge to turn back.

Georgie met him halfway between the old town and the new, face flushed and sweating despite the chill breeze. “Found her! She’s a’ home now.”

“Thank God,” he exclaimed, and broke into a run.

Surely enough, she was there, seated and cuddling Ginny as the child nursed for comfort, the closed eyes and dewy cheek and hair testament to how long she’d wept. Elinor looked up with a smile as Ananias stopped, yanking off his hat and leaning in the doorway to regard them both. He huffed, part relief and part exertion. Her hair appeared mussed as from a stiff wind, but as comely as ever in its wildness.

Her smile faded a little. “I was but out for a walk,” she murmured in a tone he was sure she meant as soothing. But distress clogged his throat, preventing any reply. He simply crossed the floor and took the hand she stretched out to him. Her blue-grey eyes shone in the dimness. “I would not willingly leave you, if that was your thought.”

He shook his head. “Nay. But there are so many out there who wish us ill—” He swallowed and tried again. “I merely had a bit of news. We’ve been asked to join the Cora settlement. If not now, then later this year, p’raps.”

Elinor tucked her chin and simply looked at him.

“I know how much you long for a permanent house.…”

“Aye. And I’d hoped this would be it.” Gingerly she rose, Ginny having long since fallen full asleep, and carried the child to the cot standing against one wall. After settling Ginny onto the pallet and tucking a cover about her, she returned and slipped her arms about Ananias’s waist. “I’d be happy enough here, with the Croatoan. But I’ll follow where you lead. You know this.”

“Aye.” He pulled her close and laid his cheek against her hair, and she snugged in against his chest.

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