Page 36 of A Redemption Mountain Christmas

“Eliza, do you have a moment?”

She glanced over her shoulder to see Clay and Drake standing a few feet away on the boardwalk. “Excuse me, Spencer.”

The three doctors huddled together, talking in low voices. As they spoke, Spencer spotted two men rushing toward them.

Deputies Tucker Nolan and Zeke Boudreaux rushed to where the doctors stood. Both wore grave expressions.

“We have a situation at the clinic,” Zeke said. “Tucker and I found two children huddled behind the general store about an hour ago. Cold clear through. We took them to the clinic, and Tucker fetched Carrie. Griff is with her. She wants one of you to examine them.”

Eliza thought of Carrie MacKenzie, a nurse at the clinic. Dax had mentioned Carrie and her husband, Griffin, hadn’t appeared at the benefit. Now she knew why.

Clay and Drake excused themselves, turning toward the clinic.

“I’d like to come with you,” Eliza called after them.

“I’ll let Dax know,” Spencer told her.

The doctors made their way to the clinic, escorted by Zeke and Tucker. Eliza thought of the children, her mind filled with questions. Were they hurt? Sick? Abandoned?

At the clinic, they found Carrie and Griffin in an exam room with a young boy and girl, both scared and hollow-eyed. Eliza’s heart broke at the sight. She stepped in front of them.

“Hello. My name is Doctor Eliza. Let’s take a look at you and see how we can help.”

With Clay and Drake observing, Eliza examined the children. She learned Tommy was nine and Sherilyn was six. Though frightened and exhausted, neither appeared injured or ill.

“You’ve been through quite an ordeal, it seems. Are you hungry?”

At the mention of food, both children’s eyes lit up. Carrie fetched them some bread and preserves, which they devoured.

As they ate, Spencer arrived, concern etched on his face. “Are they all right?”

Eliza nodded, then relayed what little she knew so far. “We need to find their family.” Everyone agreed. Zeke said he’d speak with Gabe at first light before he and Tucker left.

Moving before Tommy and Sherilyn again, Eliza asked gently, “Can you tell us where your mother and father are?”

Tommy’s lip quivered. “They died,” he whispered. “Our uncle didn’t come get us…” His voice trailed off. He fought to keep his eyes open.

“They need sleep.” Eliza looked at Clay and Drake. “I can stay here with them tonight.”

“I’ll stay with you,” Spencer offered.

“If you’re sure?” Clay asked.

“I am.”

“All right,” Clay said. “I’ll be in early, and Carrie is due to be here at nine.”

Eliza nodded at him, though her heart broke as everyone left for the night. It seemed the children were all alone. She exchanged an anguished look with Spencer.

As if reading her thoughts, Spencer placed a hand on her arm. “We should speak to Martha Santori about taking them in. For now, they need sleep and so do you. There will be time to sort everything out later.”

The children, exhausted from their ordeal, had already slipped into a deep slumber on the same clinic bed. Eliza tucked the blankets around them. Gazing at their peaceful faces, she was reminded of the resilience of the human spirit.

Chapter Seventeen

Eliza awoke to a gentle shaking of her shoulder. Blinking away the last remnants of sleep, she saw Spencer leaning over her, his hair tousled from slumber.

“Rise and shine,” he said, his voice a soft rumble. “We’ve got a full day ahead.”

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