Healing Hearts (Easton Series #2) by Anna Murray Read Free Book Online

me
everything he knew, and I continued with formal training as I grew.”
       “Lucky you.”
       “Sawing off limbs in the war
wasn’t lucky,” he spit out impulsively. Checking his outburst, he set his jaw,
and himself, back on course: “I imagine it wasn’t easy for you to get into
medical college.”
       Hannah peered into his blue eyes.
“It wasn’t, but my father fought that battle right along with me. It was us-against-them,
and we never quit.” Her tone was reverential and resolute as she continued, “I
understand your work during the war was truly difficult, and I greatly admire
your courage in persevering.”
       He bristled under the praise. He hadn’t shown courage. What was there to
say without revealing deeply distressing images and emotions? Better not to
think about it, much less talk about it.
       “Tell me about Nelda Rose Hawkins.”
      “Ah, Nelda Rose,” he sighed, relieved to
move back onto firmer footing, “she’s pregnant again, and everyone prays for
the best for her and John.”
       “She grew up here?”
       “No. John came out to work as a
cowpuncher, years ago. When his father died he came into an inheritance, and he
bought the hotel. He sent for Nelda Rose, his cousin, to marry.”
       “She’s his first cousin?”
       “No. Second cousin and removed. If
you’re thinking –“
       “I was, but it should be of no
consequence,” Hannah stated firmly.
       “I agree.”
       “She’s asked me to birth her
child,” Hannah confessed, “and I couldn’t bring myself to tell her you want me
to leave next week. Couldn’t I stay another month? I think she needs me, if
only to give her some peace of mind.”
       They halted at the door to Jed’s
house, and his hands dove into his pockets. He wrapped his fingers around the
small scalpel still hidden there. Jed wasn’t a man easily offended, and he
understood Nelda’s need to believe in a new savior. It made perfect sense; like
it or not, his presence would be a reminder of her past birthing tragedies.
       “Jed?” She turned to face him,
holding her breath. “I think Nelda Rose should have her say in this matter.”
       He shifted his gaze down to
Hannah’s lovely, inquisitive gray eyes, and he gave a long slow nod. “Until the
baby comes.”
       Hannah exhaled and threw her arms
around his broad shoulders. Her excitement was simple and heartfelt, and her
hug was warm and penetrated him more deeply than he could afford.

 
    Chapter 6

       H e
cried out in the night.
       Hannah bolted up in the bed. Was it an animal howling outside her window?
       Then a deep voice shouted out a
slurring, rapid-fire bark. The words weren’t decipherable, but the tone was
clearly fearful. A warning.
       Oh my God , she thought, the house
must be on fire! Struggling to force the past back into the recesses of her
mind, Hannah threw off the covers, shoved her bare feet into her shoes, and
flew down the stairs, guided by the light of a half-moon shining through the
windows.
       She made her way to the kitchen.
Thank goodness she didn’t smell smoke or see anything ablaze. Yet, as one
apprehension melted away, another, nearly as terrifying, reached out to assault
her. Rutherford was shaking and coughing atop the small cot, his night terror
permeating the air. Hannah mustered every muscle and bone she possessed to
suppress the instinct to flee from a wild man in the dark.
       His arms had thrown off the
blankets, and now they flailed like two windmills. “Get down! Sharpshooters!” He
struck her soundly across the cheek as she leaned down to calm him.
       The blow threw Hannah to the hard floor.
Shuddering, she pulled herself up and pressed her hands into fists. Next time
he smacked her she’d fight back.
       “Doctor, you’re having a
nightmare,” she shouted over his ranting. Bent over the cot once more, she
ignored the pain stabbing the left side of her face.
       Jed seized her