Page 180 of Conveniently Wed
A strangled cry sounded from behind her. She whirled to find Miriam, a look of sheer terror on her face.
“He’s alive.” Leah forced a measure of calm into her voice, fighting her own rapid-fire heartbeat. Miriam’s eyes appeared almost crazy in the lamplight, like she would turn and run any moment.
“He’s dead…” she moaned, dropping to her knees a few feet away.
Leah crawled to her friend, wrapping both arms around her shoulders. “He’s not dead. His pulse is strong, but he’s cold. Can you go get blankets from the saddle bags? He’s going to be fine, but we need to get him warm.”
Miriam nodded numbly, then rose to her feet and stumbled toward the cave entrance. Leah watched her go for only a second, praying the words she’d spoken would be true.God, you have to keep Gideon alive. Please.
She turned back to the injured man and held the lantern over his body. Most of the blood seemed to be around his abdomen. His buckskin was ripped, exposing cloth, pale skin, and bloody gashes under the leather. His legs seemed to be in better condition, and she cautiously straightened them, watching for irregular angles that might signal a break.
When her eyes traveled back up to his face, he wore a tortured look, and she couldn’t help but brush the hair from his forehead. His skin was icy. They had to get him warm soon.
For the first time, she looked around the cave. What animal did this to him? Was it still around? She’d left her rifle tucked in the scabbard on her saddle. If the animal was still in the cave, she and Gideon both were in danger.
A scuffle sounded behind her, and Miriam appeared with a handful of blankets.
Leah focused again on Gideon and began to cocoon him in the quilts, careful not to move his head. He released another low moan when she touched the side of his abdomen.
“I’m sorry.” Her chest ached at the obvious pain before her.
Should they get him back to the cabin, or try to warm him here? Was there still danger in the area? As if to answer her question, a shrill howl sounded in the distance. Not too close, but loud enough to raise bumps on her arms.Thank you, Lord, for guidance.
Another strangled cry came from her right where Miriam had wandered to the far side of the cavern.
“What is it?” She rose and moved with her lantern to where Miri stood. The huge brown mass of a grizzly bear lay face up on the cave floor, its glazed eyes staring vacantly into the darkness. A pool of blood had puddled next to it, and the fur around its chest and neck appeared damp and mangled.
Leah fought the bile in her throat, and turned to see Miriam hugging her arms, her entire body shuddering. Leah reached for the girl’s shoulders and turned her into a tight embrace.
A bear. That was the way Abel had died. Miriam’s body wracked in her arms, great sobs shaking them both, while Leah held tightly and rocked from side to side.
“I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry…” It was all Leah could think to say. Curled in her embrace, Miriam seemed no more thanher sixteen years. Not the strong, capable woman she usually impersonated, but the scared adolescent she really was. Leah’s heart ached with love for this girl.
As her sobbing relaxed a bit, Leah pulled back and took Miriam’s face in her hands. She infused all the certainty she could muster into her tone. “Gideon is not going to die like Abel did. Do you understand? We need to get him back to the cabin, though, to get him warm and doctored.” She searched her mind for a job to occupy Miriam. “Can you help me put him on my horse? Then, I’ll need you to lead the way back out of here.”
Miriam nodded, her sniff echoing in the cave.
Then Leah remembered the injured dog. “Where is Drifter?”
“Wrapped in a blanket on the ground outside.” Miriam’s voice quivered, but at least she was talking.
Leah kept one arm draped around the girl’s shoulders as she directed her back toward Gideon. At his side, Leah released her and knelt to check Gideon’s pulse again. His skin was still cold, but his pulse strong.
She stroked his forehead and the thick locks that fell over it. How could they get him over to the horses and actually up on one of them? Could two women lift this tall, strapping man without wounding him more? They would have to try.
“Let’s see if we can lay him on a blanket. That may be easier to move without hurting him.” After spreading the largest quilt next to Gideon, Leah slipped her arm under his shoulders, supporting his head with her body, while Miriam moved his legs. As they shifted him, Gideon moaned and his eyes fluttered.
Once he was on the quilt, Leah draped the other blankets back over him, covering everything except his face.
“Leah…” His voice rasped and his eyes stayed closed, but he’d spoken. Her heart gave a little leap.
“I’m here.” She stroked his good cheek, her eyes wandering over every strong line of his face. Pain had etched grooves around his eyes.
“Prayed…you’d…come.” His words reached into her chest where her heart resided and squeezed.
“I’m here, Gideon. We’re going to get you home where it’s warm.”
Between the two of them, they half-dragged, half-carried Gideon to the edge of the cave. Miriam untied Leah’s mount and led the mare to the opening.
