Pursued in the Wilderness by Loretta Eidson

Author:Loretta Eidson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-07-18T20:25:42+00:00

Chapter Eight

Brooke curled up on the cool, hard ground and held her belly. Her body shivered. She slapped at every itch, praying an insect hadn’t found her. She’d never dreamed of being in this predicament. Contractions kept her restless into the night. How much longer before Josiah’s arrival? How much longer until morning?

The roar of the waterfall reminded her of the hum of a fan at her grandparents’ house. The constant sound always lulled her to sleep on the pillow top mattress. It was cozy and warm, not like now, lying on the dirty floor of a ripped tent, becoming bait to any varmint lurking. Her imagination went wild and turned into a nightmare.

She bolted upright, sucking in the damp air. Chills of the night air swept over her. Blackness all around except for the fire outside the tent’s doorway. Rex’s head shot up and looked at her. He and Trent slept by the fire, and a small pile of limbs sat beside them. She’d seen him with the sticks earlier, but wondered if he’d left her alone at any point during the night. Her insides coiled with fear. She longed for home.

With no signs of daylight, she lay back down and stared at the crackling fire. I’m worried. Keep us safe, please.

Trent stirred. He dropped another small log on the fire and looked her direction. “You should be sleeping.” His caring tone warmed her.

“How could you tell I was awake?”

“Your eyes are open.” He lifted his arm and a small blue glow appeared on his wrist. “Three in the morning. We still have a couple more hours before sunrise. Rest as much as you can. How are the pains?” He unzipped the backpack and pulled out the jacket she’d worn last night, but returned it this morning when the sun warmed her up, and tossed it to her. “Should have thought of this sooner. I’m by the fire, but you must be cold with this mist from the waterfall and the lower night temperatures.”

She sat up and slid her arms into the lightweight jacket. Why hadn’t she thought to ask for it?

“Pains are about the same. They seem to have slowed, but I’m not sure. My entire body aches. Some of it is probably from the fall and from hiking.” She rubbed her abdomen. “He hasn’t moved since the fall. Makes me worry about him.” Images of cradling Josiah in her arms warmed her.

Trent’s eyebrows lowered as worry flashed across his face. “We’ll have to stay put until Josiah is born. This spot is more secure for now. You should try getting some rest.” He lay back down.

She stared at him and wondered what would have happened to her if he hadn’t been camping last night. He was a good man. Tomorrow, she’d tell him so. Her eyes closed and she drifted into a restless sleep.

A thud jerked her awake. Clumps of dirt from the overhanging tree roots dropped through the ripped roof and onto the floor. She sat up and scooted toward the door.

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