Heart on the Line (Ladies of Harper's Station Book #2) by Karen Witemeyer

Author:Karen Witemeyer [Witemeyer, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC042040, FIC027050, FIC042030, Historical Romance
ISBN: 9781441269430
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2017-06-05T18:00:00+00:00

20

You won’t find her,” the stranger growled, his eyes feral as he strained against the restraints.

Helen’s heart tripped over itself. She’d tied him like an animal and then left him. Surely she could have come up with some other way to ensure he didn’t leave. Why hadn’t she—

“Even if you flay the skin from my back, I won’t tell you.” He glared his defiance at Claire, his mouth drawn in a tight line, his face red from anger and fever. “You might be bigger, but my mind is stronger. You’ll never touch her again.”

Claire glanced at Helen, the fear that had held her frozen relaxing a little. “The poor man is clearly out of his head,” she whispered. “Whisht!” She chuckled softly and looked down at herself, holding her arms wide at her sides. “He thinks me bigger than himself!”

Helen smiled a little at the ludicrous idea of the young nurse being anything but diminutive when compared to the long, lean stranger. Yet she couldn’t summon more than a slight upturn of her lips. Not when her heart ached.

He was speaking of his sister again. Protecting her from a man who would restrain him and whip him to try to gain information.

Helen strode forward. She had to get him out of those bonds. No doubt they were fueling his fever-induced memories. No one should be locked in such an ugly, cruel past. His body would never heal if his mind stayed focused on the source of his greatest hurt.

“Wait, Helen.” Claire grabbed for her arm, but Helen sidestepped her. “He could strike ye. A man in the grip o’ fever is unpredictable. It might be better to leave him tied.”

“I can’t. It’s hurting him.” She crossed the few steps to the bed and immediately reached for the closest restraint.

“No, it isna,” Claire said from behind her, making no move to follow. “Ye did a fine job with the cotton. ’Tis barely tight enough to hold him.”

“It’s not his arms I’m worried about,” she murmured. It was his mind.

Her stranger continued glaring at Claire, barely paying Helen any heed until she started tugging on the knot at his right wrist.

He turned his head then, and in a flash his defiance melted under a wave of confusion and fear. “Rachel!” His frantic whisper broke Helen’s heart. “You’ve got to run. Hurry. Before he sees you.” He bucked his hips and increased his struggles against his bindings, tearing the knot from her fingertips. His movements were so violent, she feared he’d damage his leg with all his flailing. “He’s got me tied up again. I won’t be able to stop him this time. Please. You’ve got to run!” His voice broke, and his eyes misted.

Helen nearly crumpled to the floor. What this man had endured. And some of it was at her hand. Well, no more!

“Shh,” she pleaded as she reached out to stroke his face. “It’s all right. We’re safe. No one’s going to hurt either of us. It’s just a memory. He can’t hurt us anymore.

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