by Karen Kirst
Denial pulsed in the gray depths of Theo’s eyes. “You’ll tell him that yourself.”
She saw the glint of a knife blade and squeezed her eyes tight.
A small, gloved hand enclosed hers. “Squeeze my hand, okay?” Vivian hovered on her other side.
All Caroline could manage was a tiny nod. Then Theo clamped down on her leg, and she screamed again. Blessed darkness crept over her, her final thoughts of Duncan’s beloved face.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Where was Caroline? Duncan left the barn and walked to Tammy’s pen to greet her, all the while surveying the property. He’d gone to the main house first, fully expecting to find her there. Albert had informed him that she’d been staying in the cabin since his departure. He hadn’t expected that. It gave him hope that she’d come to cherish their life as much as he had. Anxious to see her, he’d stopped in the stables in the hopes of finding her in her art room. He’d encountered Wendell instead, who’d been none too pleased with him.
Duncan had promised to endure his lecture later. First he had to find his wife.
She wasn’t at the pond. Had she decided to visit one of her friends?
He crouched at the goat’s pen. “Hey there, Tammy. Looks like Caroline’s been taking good care of you.”
“McKenna!”
Duncan automatically reached for his gun. Theo Marsh had no business here, especially in the wooded area behind the cabin—
The sight of Caroline’s unconscious form stopped him cold. Theo carried her in his arms, and the man’s energy seemed to be faltering. Duncan vaulted toward them.
“What happened?” he yelled. “What’s wrong with her?”
“She needs a doctor.” Theo was panting and sweating profusely. “She was bitten by a copperhead.”
Fear seized him. “Give her to me.”
Theo obeyed. Caroline was a deadweight, her head lolling back and her arms limp. God, please don’t take her. Praying as he never had before, he bore her toward the cabin.
“How long ago did this happen?” he called over his shoulder.
There was no answer. Turning, he saw Theo on his knees in the grass, expelling the contents of his stomach. Vivian tripped out of the tree line, her eyes as huge as saucers.
“Theo!” Rushing up to him, she laid a hand on his back. “You shouldn’t have sucked the venom out. I told you it was dangerous.”
He waved her away. “I’m okay.” His gaze flickered to Caroline. “Had to be done.”
A mass of emotions pummeling Duncan, he pushed out, “You will tell me exactly what you were doing with my wife and how this happened. But first, one of you needs to fetch the doctor.”
“I’ll go.” Vivian started then stopped. “Sylvia’s still up there. She’s armed.”
“Sylvia the maid?”
Theo struggled to stand. “I’ll get the sheriff.”
“Just hurry,” he commanded. “Take my horse.”
Inside, he gently laid her on his bed. Her complete lack of color scared him.
Duncan framed her cheeks. “I didnae come home to watch you die. Fight, Caroline. You have to fight this. Do it for me. For us.”
She didn’t respond. Her breathing was rapid and shallow, her hair damp with sweat.
With a muttered oath, he peeled back her muddy skirts and got his first glimpse of the wound. He sucked in a sharp breath. The skin around the punctures was discolored, and the limb itself appeared slightly swollen. Theo had removed her shoes and wrapped a wide strip of material several inches above the bite. Duncan tested it to be sure it wasn’t too constricting. He hadn’t witnessed a venomous bite before, but he guessed this was to slow the venom’s spread through her body.
She groaned. Lashes fluttering, she curled onto her side. “Sick,” she whispered. “Going to be sick.”
Duncan dashed to the kitchen for a pail. He returned to her side and, squatting beside the bed, gingerly caressed her hair. “It’s all right, lass. I’m here.”
“Duncan?” Her navy gaze hazy with discomfort searched his face. “Am I dreaming?”
“I’m really here, lass.”
Her lids glided closed. “I’m sorry I lied. Sylvia. The money...” Grimacing, she sucked in a ragged breath.
“None of that matters. What matters is that you pull through this. I cannae lose you.”
The wait for the doctor seemed interminable. Caroline slipped in and out of consciousness. Duncan remained by her side, praying she’d be strong enough to fight this. At long last, he saw Doc Owens riding into the yard through the open door.
“Doc’s here, Caroline. He’s going to examine you.”
She lifted her hand. “Don’t leave me.”
He enfolded her fingers in his and lightly squeezed. “You dinnae have to worry about that. I’m never leaving you again.”
Doc Owens shuffled inside, his black bag in hand.
“I hear you’ve suffered a grievous injury, young lady.” He strode over, his probing gaze revealing nothing. “I thought you knew better than to tangle with a copperhead.”
There was no response. In his grasp, Duncan felt her hand go limp.
His heart stuttered. “She’s going to be okay, right?”
“Fetch me clean water and soap. This wound needs cleaning.”
Aware he hadn’t answered his question, Duncan gathered cloths and a bowl of water. When the doctor ordered him outside, he balked. “I promised I widnae leave her.”
“I’m not asking you to. But her parents need to be informed, do they not? You can deliver the news and come straight back.” His gaze was steady, his manner matter-of-fact. “It’s unlikely she’ll wake in the few minutes you’re gone.”
Torn, Duncan studied her wan features for long moments before brushing a kiss on her brow. “I’ll be right back.”
Not looking at the doctor, he strode outside into what looked like a normal day. Birds sang their merry tunes, the honeysuckle-scented breeze teased his skin, butterflies flitted along the fence line. It was odd, being surrounded by sun-drenched beauty. He’d entered a nightmare cloaked in normalcy. Because his world was in chaos, the rest of the world was supposed to follow suit.
Duncan had journeyed home intending to ask his wife’s forgiveness. He’d planned the perfect speech. He was going to confess the depths of his feelings and ask for a true marriage. Now he may be denied that chance. Because she’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time. If he hadn’t postponed his return, she might not be battling for her life.
Fear coiled tight inside him. Pausing on the top step, he fought to maintain composure. Have You given her to me only to take her away, Lord? Are You trying to teach me a lesson? He hung his head. I’m sorry, Father. I’m desperate here. Please spare her.
Forcing his feet into motion, he walked the familiar route to the Turners’ home. A distracted Albert admitted him.
“No one knows where that mousy maid disappeared to.” He started to return to his study. “What can I do for you, Duncan?”
“I dinnae know how to tell you this.” At the tremor in his voice, Albert turned with furrowed brow. “Caroline has met with an accident. She, ah, sustained a bite from a venomous snake.”
The man paled. “How bad is it?”
“I dinnae know. Bad. Theo was there when it happened. He made incisions at the wound site to drain the venom and apparently tried to draw the rest out with his mouth.”
“Barring death, she could lose a limb.”
Seized with grief, Duncan blocked those thoughts. “Is your wife here?”
“No, she’s at the mercantile. I’ll go to her and explain the situation.”
Nodding, he made for the exit. “I’ll see you at the cabin.”
“Actually, I think it best if we stay away. You’ll
keep us apprised of her condition?”
“You’re not going to see her?”
At Duncan’s incredulous tone, Albert’s gaze slid away. “Louise is a delicate person. Besides, our presence won’t change the outcome.”
“She’s your daughter.”
“We’ll say a prayer for her. And of course, you can count on Cook for meals. As soon as she’s up to visitors, we’ll stop by.”
Temples pounding, he clamped his jaws closed and stalked out. Colder, more callous people he’d never met. No wonder his wife had trouble reaching out to others. She’d been rejected by her own parents in subtle ways. To compound matters, Duncan had rejected her, too, in the beginning. Regret hounded him. He needed to make things right, yearned for a chance to treat her as the precious, valuable woman that she was.
The thundering of hooves alerted him to visitors. The sheriff rode into the yard, followed by Theo and Vivian riding double on a second horse.
When he’d dismounted, Shane clasped Duncan’s shoulder. “How is she?”
“No’ good.”
“I’m so sorry, Duncan.”
Unable to stomach the other man’s grave expression, he shook him off. “Dinnae act like she’s already gone.”
“That’s not what I intended—”
Duncan pushed past him and advanced on the pair. “What were you doing with my wife?”
Shane wedged in front of him and, ordering Theo to remain in the saddle, prevented Duncan from closing the gap. “Let him have his say. You need to hear the whole story.”
“Spit it out,” he growled.
Theo swallowed hard. “Vivian and I met Sylvia last summer in Charleston. Vivian came to visit us—our mothers are sisters—and I got her a position in one of Albert’s flower-making shops.”
“We didn’t know until after I started working there that the employees were suffering from a variety of ailments.” Vivian removed her gloves, exposing her ravaged hands. “We learned later that the green dye contains arsenic. I quit that very day. Others, like Sylvia’s mother, depended on the income. She waited until her health had deteriorated to the point of being bedridden to quit.”
“What’s this got to do with Caroline?”
“Sylvia and Vivian had struck up an acquaintance,” Theo said. “She came to us with a plan. She and her mother would move here and find a way to get close to Albert. Then she was going to blackmail him. Her mother’s health couldn’t be regained, so she was going to go after his money.”
“The idea of revenge sounded good to me,” Vivian confessed. “My hands are permanently damaged. Looking back, I would’ve made a different decision.”
“She decided to target Caroline, didn’t she?” Duncan said, his gut roiling. He’d accused her of spending the money on clothes when in fact, she’d been protecting her father. “Why?”
“Albert intimidated her. Caroline was an easier mark.” Shame cloaked Theo’s sickly visage. “I’d heard rumblings of trouble at Albert’s soap factories. Sylvia asked me to do some digging. I discovered that the supposedly pricey ingredients in his exclusive soaps were actually common, everyday ones. That was all the proof we needed to spur Caroline to act.”
Spots danced before his eyes. He could literally feel his blood pressure rising. Straining against the sheriff’s hands, he said through clenched teeth, “How long? How long did you torment her?”
“Since January.”
In a quiet voice, Vivian related the day’s events, as well as Sylvia’s terrifying plan of kidnapping Caroline.
Spinning on his heel, Duncan buried his face in his hands. His wife had been shouldering a horrendous burden for months, doing everything possible to preserve her father’s reputation. Albert didn’t deserve such a sacrifice.
“Ben and some of the locals have formed a search party for Sylvia,” Shane told him. “I’m going to keep these two in custody until I can figure out what to do. Go be with your wife, Duncan.”
* * *
Time ceased to make sense for Caroline. Hours or days could’ve passed since that ordeal at the stream, she couldn’t determine. She drifted in and out of consciousness. During those times when she was aware of her surroundings, there were two constants—pain and Duncan. She still had trouble accepting that he was here and not merely a figment of her imagination.
Raised voices brought her to wakefulness. Lanterns set around the room dispelled the shadows.
“Why isn’t she getting better?” Duncan moved into her line of vision. He looked haggard. “You said the willow bark would break her fever.”
“You have to give it time to work.”
“It’s been two days!” He tunneled his hands through his hair. “Try something else.”
“I’m doing everything I know to do.”
“Then I’ll send for another doctor. I’ll do whatever it takes...” His gaze fell on her and widened. “Caroline!”
In an instant, he was at her side, his large palm cupping her cheek. “You’re awake,” he breathed, his gaze devouring her. There were shadows under his eyes. Brow furrowing, he shifted on the mattress. “She’s still hot.”
Doc Owens loomed behind Duncan. “How do you feel, Caroline?”
Her mouth felt sawdust dry. “My leg hurts. And my head. Can I have water?”
While the doctor went to fetch it, she reached up and stroked Duncan’s jaw. The bristles tickled her skin. “You look exhausted.”
Capturing her hand, he kissed her knuckles. His lips were cool. “I kept my promise. I havnae left your side.”
That made her smile. He helped support her upper body while she sipped the water. Nestled against the pillows once more, she closed her eyes for what felt like a minute. When she came to, however, it was morning.
She blinked up at the rafters, relieved to discover her vision was no longer fuzzy. The nightgown skimming her body felt crisp and clean, as did the sheet beneath her. A soft snore disturbed the quiet hush enveloping the cabin. Duncan was slumped over the bed, his arms a cushion for his head.
She tested the softness of his hair. “Duncan?”
He stirred. “Hmm?”
Caroline rested her fingers on the column of his neck. He was warm and solid. Here, with her. Not in Boston.
“Why did you come back?”
He opened his eyes and focused on her. Sleep’s hold on him loosened. Lifting his head, he slowly sat up and stretched, a cautious smile tipping his lips. “You’re awake again,” he said huskily. “For how long this time?”
“I feel different.”
Moving to sit beside her, he tested her forehead. “Fever’s gone. Praise the Lord.” The worry clouding his eyes lessened but didn’t completely dissipate. “Is your leg paining you?”
“It’s not as bad as it was. My head isn’t aching anymore.” She glanced around. “Where’s Doc Owens?”
“He left last night to see to another patient.” He started to get up. “Do you want me to get him?”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
Today marked the first time she felt alert since finding herself flat on her back on the stream bank, staring up at the summer sky and convinced she wasn’t going to see Duncan again. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for bringing me through the worst of it. And for bringing my husband home.
He helped her sit up, propping more pillows behind her back and rearranging the coverlet. He treated her as if she were made of the finest porcelain. She couldn’t tear her gaze away. His shirt was wrinkled and half untucked from his waistband. He probably hadn’t slept or shaved or changed clothes since she’d wound up in this bed. She didn’t know what had brought him back to Tennessee. She didn’t have to know, but she did have to tell him how precious he was to her. Her brush with death had taught her the importance of being honest.
“I have to
tell you something.”
“I know about Sylvia and what she’s been doing to you.” Frowning, he resumed his spot beside her. “She’s no longer a threat. She’s in jail awaiting transport to Knoxville. Ben guessed she’d come home to check on her mother. He was right. As for Theo and Vivian, they are being held until Shane decides what punishment to mete out.”
The events at the stream came rushing back. “They helped me. If not for Theo...”
His eyes darkened. “I know. Shane said he’d take that into consideration. Theo admitted to stealing the horse as a device to get you alone. Seems he does have feelings for you, as twisted as they are.”
“I didn’t realize how mixed up his thinking had become.”
“I’m just grateful he brought you to me. He could’ve left you up there.”
“Are you willing to forgive me? I should’ve told you what was going on.”
His expression grew fierce. “There’s nothing to forgive. You did what you had to do to protect your father. I’m sorry you didnae feel that you could share your burdens with me. My behavior didn’t inspire your confidence.” He took her hand, his thumb rubbing a slow pattern across her skin. “I was convinced my way was the only way. I’m sorry for that.”
“We’ve both made mistakes. It’s understandable. One minute we were strangers at odds, the next we were pledging to love, honor and obey each other.” She gathered her courage once more. “Why did you come back?”
“I regretted leaving you every second I was away. Then I got your letter. I tried to honor your wishes, but I was weak. I needed you too much.”
“I didn’t want to give you up, Duncan. I wrote that letter because my greatest desire was for you to be happy. I thought you’d be happy in Boston.” Her heart began to pound. Revealing her deepest feelings didn’t come naturally. “To be honest, I prayed the letter would get misplaced. I love you. I want you here with me, every day for the rest of our lives, teaching me new things, giving me goats—”
“Hold on.” Scooting closer, he cupped her cheek, his eyes suddenly sparkling. “Did you say you love me, Caroline Turner McKenna?”
