Guilt surged through her again. The knife twisted in her chest.
Why had she treated him so badly? If only she could take it back!
But you could,a voice whispered.You can take it back by being alive.
Her mouth fell open at that thought.
She wanted to live! Her heart hurt as she remembered what she’d almost done to Esther.
Thank you, Jesus, for saving me from myself!
She wiggled her toes. Her feet were still in her stockings. Her mouth was dry—thick, stringy saliva coating her tongue. She didn’t even have enough moisture to clear her throat. She needed water.
She needed to find her Esther and get back home.
Who was that man? She didn’t recognize him and wondered if he lived in town. She would at least like to thank him for saving her and the baby.
She lifted herself up as best she could and peered around the dark room. There was no light to be had, apart from a faint light peeking underneath the door. Shadows blocked the light, then reappeared. There was someone standing outside the door.
Before she could call out, the door flew open, and light poured into the room. Lauren squinted her eyes so she could see, but all she could make out was a shadowy figure approaching the bed.
“Lauren!” Something heavy dropped on the bed near her knees. “I was so worried when I heard,” a soft voice said. A chair scraped along the floor and the figure sat down, leaning a cool hand on Lauren’s head.
“W-w-water,” she choked out.
“Of course.” The dark shadow called out the door before leaning over and raised the wick on the lamp, casting soft light into the room. A woman with blonde hair, a pert nose and rosy cheeks leaned back over her. “Let’s loosen these blankets, shall we?”
Heather Blanton was the town midwife. Besides helping with babies, she provided general medicine and advice surrounding women’s health issue. She was indispensable in helping Lauren during her pregnancy.
Another person entered the room. Lauren’s eyes flew open as she recognized the angel’s cousin.
Dried mud clung to his shirt and pants. Small flakes fell like dark snow as he walked. Now that her delirium had passed, she got a better look at him. He was very tall with broad shoulders. His hair was blond and curled around his ears.
“How’s the patient?” he asked softly, handing Heather the glass of water.
Heather put the glass down on the side table and tugged at the blankets covering Lauren. “I’m not sure yet. I need to get these covers off her.” She tugged once more, and Lauren felt herself rolling to the side. Heather put a hand on her shoulder to steady her. “Who wrapped her up so tight?”
That was when she realized she was cold and wet.
The man smirked. “That was the pastor, I believe. He had his sister wrap her up, so no one was tempted.”
“Tempted?” Heather snorted. “She looks like a drowned rat.”
“I’m right here, Heather,” Lauren choked out. “My ears are still working.”
With one more tug, Lauren’s arm was free. Heather patted it like comforting a child. “I didn’t mean it that way. You were just very wet.”
Lauren lifted her free arm and rubbed her nose. “I’ll take that water now,” she said, shaking off the blanket and lifting herself up on her elbows. Heather handed her the glass and Lauren drank it in one gulp before handing it back to Heather. “Thank you,” she said.
Heather handed the glass to the man and shooed him towards the door. “Let me talk to her.”
Lauren’s eyes watched as the man backed from the room. He left the door open, and Lauren saw Pastor Collins and Bea walking by the door.
Was she at the parish house?
She needed to get home.
She yanked the cover and tried to swing her legs over the side of the bed.
