The Healer by Allison Butler Read Free Book Online Page B

for her, to discover exactly what it was about her that made him want to slide his fingers over her skin, press his lips against her flesh.
    Enough!
    The sooner they reached Closeburn, the better. It suddenly became imperative rather than an inner, desperate longing.
    Leaning over his brother, he gently scooped him into his arms. Edan held silent, but William noted the thinning of his lips. Even with his careful handling, he’d caused his brother pain.
    ‘Hold tight, lad.’ Cradling Edan to his chest, William carried him into the trees.
    ***
    Lynelle hobbled along beside Donald as quickly as her stiff, aching legs allowed. The older man had offered his arm in support, but she’d declined the caring gesture. Having spent the morning atop the huge horse in such close proximity with William, she needed to distance herself from human contact for a time.
    After giving her a moment alone, Donald had escorted her to the stream where she’d splashed her face with cool water to restore her muddled senses. But the skin about her middle still tingled with the heat William’s hands had left behind.
    She glanced up and watched him lift his injured brother into his arms. The strained look upon each of their faces told her of the younger one’s physical pain and the elder’s anguish.
    Lynelle looked down as they passed by, her heart thrumming in her chest. It was time. Time for her to do what she’d promised in return for Thomas’ release.
    A wave of giddiness washed over her. She stumbled, but quickly righted her footing.
    ‘A few days in the saddle and you’ll become accustomed to it, lass.’
    ‘Yes,’ she said, glad Donald believed her misstep was due to riding for the first time and not from the fear threatening to send her to her knees.
    Keith led the three horses to the water’s edge to drink and came back the short distance with a bowl of water for the mount laden with the supplies and the litter.
    She eyed the sack containing her belongings and the satchel of herbs she’d brought. A fit of panic would not aid her and it certainly wouldn’t help ease Edan’s suffering. With slow, deep breaths, she calmed her racing heart and searched her memory for everything she’d learned about healing from Ada.
    This was her chance to make a difference and be part of the living, instead of sitting on the fringes and watching her life go by.
    Saints above, please help me do it right .
    ‘I need my things if I am to tend Edan,’ she said, approaching the horse-drawn pallet.
    ‘Sit yourself down, lass. I’ll fetch what you need.’
    Gritting her teeth, she gratefully sank to her knees beside the litter, not daring to touch the hard ground with her tender buttocks.
    ‘Thank you,’ she said as Donald delivered her sack to her. Untying the leather cord securing the top, she rummaged for the satchel of herbs and ran familiar fingers over the worn hide.
    Guide me Ada , she silently prayed.
    Lynelle opened the satchel and as she studied the dried stems, leaves and flowers, it was as if Ada sat nearby, reminding her of their uses.
    Yarrow leaves pressed to a wound will slow the bleeding. Betony juice mixed with honey and gargled, eases an aching tooth. Wormwood aids unsettled stomachs. Sorrel leaves make a poultice for wounds and boils. Feverfew, with its strong, aromatic smell, could reduce inflammation and relieve an ache of the head. It also acted as a mild calmative.
    Lost in her thoughts, Lynelle jumped as Edan was carefully deposited on the pallet next to her. His damp hair was brushed back from his pale face and she saw small furrows bracketing his mouth. Eyes closed, brow creased, he was clearly in pain.
    She glanced up at the man towering over her. Dark hair, wet and mussed as if he’d dragged impatient fingers through it, hung about his face. Beads of water dotted his forehead and ran in rivulets along his unshaven jaw to pool and drop from his chin. His eyes, like a storm-tossed sky, rested on his brother, and then his