Reclaiming Her Heart by Allison Merritt

Author:Allison Merritt [Merritt, Allison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

The creak of the barn door jerked Ben out of sleep. Groggy, he pressed his hands to his eyes. Cobwebby dreams clung in his head.

“Ben, you up?” John’s voice was a rough whisper.

Ben squinted against the glare of the lantern his friend held. He pushed himself up on his elbows. It was almost pitch black inside the barn where the lantern light didn’t reach. “What’s wrong?”

“Paralee’s burning up with fever. Susanna thinks you ought to fetch Doc Roy.” The old man shuffled farther into the barn. “I’m worried about her. Never seen her shake so hard, but kick the blankets away claiming she’s too hot. Doc Roy said she’d be fine, didn’t he? I can’t think why she’s so sick.”

“I’ll bring him back. Tell Susanna not to worry.” His hands shook while he pulled on his boots. He threw a jacket over his shirt, and brushed past John on his way to get his saddle.

Scout dozed with the other horses and didn’t open his eyes until Ben unlatched the corral gate. The gelding stood still while Ben saddled him.

John paced outside the corral. The lantern swung in his hand.

“What should I tell Doc when I get there? Besides fever, what’s wrong with her?” He slipped the bit between Scout’s jaws then stroked the horse’s nose while he mouthed the metal piece.

“Sore throat, she says, and a light cough. It’s dry, not bringing up a thing. Aches and pains. She’s worn herself out, getting ready for Susanna’s arrival. I knew I shouldn’t have let her out of bed when she insisted on it.” John ran his hand through his already disheveled hair. “Hurry, will you?”

Ben checked the girth one more time then swung into the saddle. “I’ll be along shortly. Take care of her.”

John nodded and passed him the lantern.

Ben turned Scout down the drive and urged the horse into a slow lope. The twelve miles to town and back would be some of the longest of his life. Doc Roy might be out helping another patient as easily as he could be in bed.

Scout’s hooves clattered along the path. The horse was always ready to run, a lucky win in a poker game from his time in St. Louis. The man he’d won Scout from had lost a treasure after the game.

Despite the cool night air coming off the creek, sweat gathered on Ben’s brow and chest. What if they arrived too late to help her? His stomach clenched. John was right—they should have paid more attention. She’d been sick enough not to protest a mid-afternoon nap, which should have given him a clue about how unwell she felt.

As they approached town, Ben let Scout have his head. The horse’s senses were sharper than his and they didn’t run afoul of any danger. He was almost sick with relief when he rode up to Doc Roy’s door. Scout obediently stopped in the yard and remained motionless except for the flick of his ears when Ben dismounted.

He raced to the door and pounded it with his fist.

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