Page 83 of True North

“Hmmm. Let me try.”

I pull the cutlery drawer open and grab up a teaspoon. Diving it into the sauce, I take a small portion and blow on it as it steams. I take a tentative taste, the hot liquid touching the tip of my tongue. Something is missing...

“Maybe a little more paprika. Just a touch. Otherwise, it’s delicious.”

She offers a soft smile, swiping at the paprika and dousing the bubbling liquid with a few shakes. I stir in it for her with the large wooden spoon. The aroma wafts through the kitchen, and now it smells perfect. Rosie takes a fresh teaspoon, repeating the tasting procedure. She takes a small taste, and her eyes light up for the first time today. “You’re right. My gosh, Louisa, this is deli?—”

Her face crumples, twisting in pain.

I discard the stirring and still. Something like dread curls in my gut. I could tell she was off from the moment I arrived.

The spoon falls from her hand, clattering on the wood floor.

She falters and slumps against the counter. I grab for her.

“Rosie!”

Her eyes are strained and fixed on my face. Her mouth opens to speak.

She gasps, clawing at my arm as I lower her to the floor.

No.

No. No. No.

God above, please no.

One hand falls away from my arm, then her palm pushes into her chest. She slams it over her heart, like that will dislodge the pain. Her face and neck are now reddened with strain.

I look around.

Harry is long gone.

I can’t leave her.

“Harry!” I shout toward the window as I sink to my knees, trying to hold her up as I desperately hunt for something to help her. The phone is on the other side of the kitchen. The Lewistown ambulance is at least an hour away.

I cup her face in my hands as tears burn my eyes. “I’m going to get Harry, okay? Just stay here and breathe slow, deep breaths.”

She nods, a shallow movement that fades out my last bit of hope. I take off through the house and burst through the front door. The truck is here, he can’t be too far.

I sprint for the barn. “HARRY!”

I fly into the dim, hay-littered space.

It’s empty.

No Harry.

“HARRY!”

I take off toward the old yards. Tears stream down my face, blurring my vision. This is not happening!

Shit, not now. Not when they just made a fresh start.

I stumble over the uneven ground in my house shoes as I cut through the field to the yards.

“Harry, where are you?!”

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