Page 133 of A Curse On Black Lake
“This should help you heal quickly,” she mutters.
“I’m sure it will.”
“You have that much confidence in me?” she asks.
“Of course I do,” I tell her.
Eliana grabs a piece of cotton, resting it over the gashes. “This will need to be changed tomorrow,” she says, her hair falling into her face again.
“Alright,” I say, pushing her hair back behind her ear. “But I think I’m going to need you to show me how.”
She huffs. “I’m sure you do.” She tapes the sides of the cloth down and stands up straight.
I grab her hand and kiss her knuckles. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” she sighs and takes a breath. “I can’t stay here, can I?” she asks, nervously looking around the house like someone is about to jump out at her. She’s trying to hide it, but her shaking hands betray her. It could be adrenaline, but her rapidly blinking eyes tell me differently.
“Sorry, darlin’, no.”
She blinks a few times, and that glossy eye look falls over her like a veil. “The Spirits aren’t happy,” she says.
“Why now?”
“They told me I need to stay with you,” she says.
“Well, tell them I won’t let you out of my sight.”
“But what if he comes back?” she asks.
I don’t know what to tell her. The only way to protect her land is to call Wyatt, and we already decided that won’t work.
“Then we deal with it. Plants can grow back. But you cannot. I won’t risk you, Eliana,” I tell her, resolute.
“But—” Her words cut off, and she squeezes her eyes shut.
“Okay, okay, I’ll go. But you can’t blame me for wanting to protect it,” she says. “You really need to stop doing that. My head hurts enough as it is. I hear you.”
Her eyes open, and she looks up at me. “Fine, I’ll go, but draw the curtains. I’ll tuck some things away. All we can do is pray he doesn’t come back.”
I go around the house checking windows and closing curtains. When we’re done, Eliana hands me a bag full of things.
“Can you drive the truck? I want to ride Daisy,” she says.
“It’s pitch black outside. It’s not safe.”
She lifts a shoulder. “After everything we’ve been through in the past six hours, riding Daisy with you behind me won’t make it worse. Plus, driving your truck terrifies me. I’m afraid I’m going to crash it.”
I chuckle. “Fine, I’ll go get her.”
“I’ll come with you,” she says quickly.
Tossing her bag in the truck, we collect Daisy and bring her to the front porch. Eliana is still wearing a dress, but she doesn’t seem to care as she lifts her foot the stirrup to get on. I take my hat off quickly, covering her backside, and she settles onto the saddle.
“Good?” I ask her.
She nods and adjusts her dress. I get in my truck, and she’s already started off down the street. I glance at the house onemore time and hope to God that nothing else happens. I don’t know if she can take the hit.
Catching up to Eliana, I drive slowly behind her as she picks Daisy up to a light jog. It takes us an extra thirty minutes, but Eliana seems to cherish the ride. And I didn’t mind watching her enjoy it in the moonlight.
