Faith in the Mountain Valley by Misty M. Beller

Author:Misty M. Beller [Beller, Misty M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Misty M. Beller Books, Inc.

Chapter 15

Sleep still weighed heavily on Colette, stealing the strength from her muscles. But she forced herself to sit upright.

They’d made it back to camp. Clearly they had, for she was sitting on her own bedroll in the area beside the cliff wall. But the ride here was so hazy in her mind, she couldn't recall more than vague impressions. The security of Jean-Jacques's arms around her as she leaned back against him. The desperate thirst that assaulted her as they rode. The way her belly constantly grumbled for food. More meat. Did the baby really require so much? She might have to use up all her time simply eating and drinking. All her energy too.

Even now, her middle grumbled, and other needs made themselves known too. Better start with the food though, lest the nausea raise its voice again.

Jean-Jacques must have placed the leather-wrapped bundle of meat beside her blankets. If only he'd left her canteen there too. A glance at her pack showed it laid on top, so she only had to reach for it.

That simple stretch left her breathing harder. She sat upright and gave herself the leisure of eating and drinking as much as her body needed while she gathered strength to stand.

Once her insides had finally stopped complaining—except for that other need which was becoming more urgent—she corked the canteen and set the food aside. Now she had to summon the energy to retreat to her private spot.

She worked herself up to standing. But then the darkness closed in, blocking out her vision. She threw out her arms for balance, but everything around her spun. Don't let me fall, Lord.

She was falling—backward. But maybe that was a trick of her senses?

She bent forward to shift her balance and right herself, but her vision darkened even more. Panic washed through her, and she tensed for impact, flailing her arms to stop herself no matter which way she toppled.

A hand clenched her upper arm, and another supported her back. Catching her. Lifting her.

She reached out for the arm, for something secure to grab onto. Her hand closed around solid buckskin. Jean-Jacques must have saved her again. She grabbed hold with both hands as she squeezed her eyes shut, willing her body to settle.

Finally, the sensation of spinning stilled, and she eased open her eyes.

The face studying her was not Jean-Jacques's dear one, but another she'd come to appreciate too. "Hawk Wing."

She was clutching him tight, and maybe her weakness would expose the fact she was a woman. But her vision hadn't quite stabilized. If she let go, she might topple again. At least this time she could aim better toward her sleeping pallet.

After a few breaths, her vision brightened to normal, and her spinning head settled. Now if she could only hide the embarrassment flooding her neck. She eased away from him and tried to tame her blush with a solemn expression. "Thank you. I guess I'm still weak from the sickness."

He was studying her, scrutinizing, but his face gave no hint of his thoughts.

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