Anna's Heart (Wilderness Brides Book 2) by Peggy L Henderson Read Free Book Online

back.”
    Cora took the pouch Aimee handed her. The healer returned her attention to Ethan. “I can give you some laudanum for pain when I stich up the hand.”
    Ethan looked at her. He shook his head. “No need,” he grumbled, perfectly aware that everyone’s eyes were on him. If he showed any weakness by asking for something to dull the searing pain, he’d never live it down with his brothers. His eyes involuntarily drifted to Anna, who stood the furthest away. The muscles along his shoulders stiffened. If it hadn’t been for her coming out of the cabin when she did and caught his eye, he wouldn’t have sliced his hand open.
    “Suit yourself.” Aimee shook her head and threw him an indulgent smile, as if she’d received the same answer countless times before. She leaned forward, and whispered so only he could hear, “No need to prove anything to anyone here, Ethan. You won’t lose the respect of your family if you choose not to be in pain.”
    “I’ll be fine,” he said between gritted teeth. Aimee nodded and straightened, no doubt knowing that his answer wouldn’t change.
    She inspected his wound, unwrapping the blood-soaked handkerchief from his hand. The sugar had dissolved into a runny, red substance, and dripped from his hand to the ground, revealing a gaping slice in his palm. Cora returned with a tin cup, a bowl, and a pitcher steaming with hot water, and a bottle of Harley’s whiskey. Aimee poured some of the alcohol into the cup, then raised it to Ethan’s hand.
    “This is going to sting,” she said. Before he could react, she poured the contents over his palm.
    Ethan hissed, trying to pull his hand back, but Aimee held tight. She smiled. “Told you it would sting. Just trying to get it clean before I sew it up.” She brought his hand closer to her face, inspecting the wound. “I can’t tell, but it doesn’t look like you sliced through any tendons. Can you stretch and bend your fingers?”
    Ethan tentatively moved his fingers to fully open his palm. The pain intensified, as if hot needles stabbed at him repeatedly. He clenched his jaw. Aimee nodded in satisfaction.
    “You may not want laudanum for when I sew you up, but you will drink some willow bark tea. It’ll help with any pain later.” Her stern look dared him to decline, so he simply nodded.
    “Can someone brew some willow bark tea?” Aimee asked no one in particular.
    “I’ll do it.”
    Ethan’s eyes narrowed when Anna stepped forward. She looked his way for a fraction of a second, then turned her gaze on Aimee.
    “I have several satchels of herbs in my bag. Willow bark looks like dark wood shavings. Steep about a spoonful in a cup of hot water.” She offered a smile to Anna, who nodded and reached for the leather pouch at Aimee’s feet.
    Without looking at Ethan, she rushed to the cabin. Ethan’s eyes lingered on her retreating form. Why would she offer to help? He glanced around. Harley and Daniel sat at the table, along with Travis, who stared longingly at the food in front of him. Josie sat by herself at the far end of the table, not looking at anyone in particular.
    When Cora returned with Aimee’s sewing materials, Trevor and Caroline hovered around her. Aimee rinsed her hands, then glanced at Trevor.
    “Pour some whiskey over my hands, please,” she said, holding her needle and thread.
    “Whatcha wastin’ my good whiskey fer?” Harley called from the table. He looked as if an entire year’s cache of animal furs had gone up in flames as he watched his whiskey drip to the ground.
    Ethan grimaced, and perspiration beaded on his forehead when Aimee began to stich the wound together, but he forced his hand to remain quiet while she worked. Thankfully, she was quick and efficient. When she was done, she wrapped a bandage around his hand and wrist.
    “You won’t have use of your hand for about a week,” she said, rinsing the blood from her own hands. “Daniel and I won’t be here, but Trevor can take the