Page 19 of Burning Escape

The feeling is mutual, buddy.

FOUR

Tori and Orionwalked back to the cabin. As soon as they were out of earshot, Tori whispered, “Are we prisoners?”

A muscle in Orion’s jaw ticked. He shut the door and faced her. “We’re at their mercy for the moment. We’ll need to wait a day or two until we heal, but we’ll get out of here one way or another. Even if we have to sneak out.”

“Maybe we can ask around to see if anyone knows where this homestead is.”

“Good idea.”

They were interrupted by a knock on the door.

Hannah stood on their porch. “I know you’re hurt, but you, young lady, can still shell peas and help prepare the evening meal. If your husband can help you over to the dining hall, the other women will show you what to do.”

“Is there anything I can help with?” Orion wasn’t sure he wanted to leave Tori exposed and without backup.

“You’re no good to me with that shoulder and a head injury.”

“I can shell peas, at the very least.”

“We don’t believe in a married man, and a stranger no less, mixing with a group of women, many of whom areunmarried.” Hannah’s scowl did soften a bit. “But it says something that you offer.”

“He could haul water one-handed.” Mara came in through the open door, apparently having heard the last bit of conversation.

“I suppose he could do that.” Hannah sighed. “You here to check on them?”

“Yes, ma’am. I just came from the Hoffs’ place. I wanted to make sure the bleeding has stopped on that head wound and wrap Victoria’s ankle.”

“And the babe?” Hannah asked.

Mara’s brows pinched. “He’s not gaining weight. Joann is distraught.”

“We’ll continue to pray and trust the Lord. I’ll go sit with her a spell.” Hannah turned to the door. “After these two are checked over, take the woman to the dining hall and show the man to the older boys and have them haul water to boil.”

With a nod she was gone.

Mara had a much softer countenance. Hopefully she would be more receptive. Orion and Tori needed an ally here.

“So, what’s the matter with the baby?” Orion asked Mara as she removed the cloth bandage from around his head.

“The baby was born with a…gap, I guess you could call it, in his lip. I’ve never seen it before, and I’ve been at all the births here since I was twelve, but Hannah said she has, in her time before they came here and started our community.”

“A cleft lip?” Tori asked.

“Yes, that’s what Hannah called it. We’ve tried to help Joann feed him, but I don’t think he’s getting enough milk.” Mara studied Orion’s gash. “This is looking better. The bleeding stopped at least.”

Tori sat down on the chair Mara indicated. “Does the baby have a cleft palate too? A gap in the roof of his mouth?”

Mara nodded. She kneeled and removed Tori’s stocking. “We tried expressing milk and feeding it to him through a bottle, but he’s not growing.”

“They have specialty bottles for babies with facial differences. My friend’s daughter was born with a cleft lip and palate. There’s even a surgery that can close the cleft when the child gets older, around eighteen months.”

“Really?” Mara looked up from the ankle. “There’s a certain kind of bottle for it now? He’s only a few weeks old.”

“Yeah, they’re designed especially for them. Basically, with that cleft in the roof of the mouth, the baby can’t create a vacuum for the suction to work like it would for nursing or typical bottles. But the specialty bottles use a one-way valve, so the baby just needs to use the tongue to press against the nipple and drink. There are specialists who she can see. They can help teach?—”

“We don’t leave the Refuge. I’m the only one with any kind of medical training, but I only know the basics.” Mara wrapped the ankle in an ACE bandage.

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