“Perhaps when she wakes, you can show me where the creek is,” Vera said. “It would be nice to cool off.” Even in the shade, the Mortisian heat was overwhelming. That wasn’t exactly why she wanted to get the children to the creek, however. They needed to bathe. But something told her that it would hurt Finn’s feelings if she said it. She didn’t want him to think he hadn’t done enough for his sisters, because fates knew he’d done more than any eight-year-old boy should have to.
“That sounds good,” Finn said. His eyes drifted to one of the packs Venn had left behind.
“Would you like more to eat?” she asked gently.
Finn swallowed. “Only if there’s enough.”
“There’s plenty,” she assured him. And Venn would bring back more.
The boy reached for the pack, and Vera watched him eat another roll. Soon after he’d finished, Sarah woke. She also wanted food, and Vera let the children eat for a while before she brought up the idea of going to play in the water.
Sarah was delighted by the idea, and Vera quickly gathered a few things—including a bar of soap—and then Finn led the way to the nearby creek. She held the baby while Finn and Sarah played in the water, and only after both children had relaxed did Vera offer them the soap. Finn and Sarah didn’t remove their clothes, but they used the soap on their arms, faces, and legs. The day was hot enough that they’d dry soon enough.
Vera offered to help them wash their hair, and she gently set aside the baby so she could. When that was done, she carefully bathed the baby with a rag. The infant barely stirred, she was so weak with hunger. Vera washed her as gently as possible, and she covered her small face with kisses and whispered reassurances, all the while praying Venn would be quick.
Once the children were clean, they returned to the campsite, and Sarah soon fell back asleep. Finn stayed awake this time, and when she asked him about his home, he talked a little. She learned his father’s name was David Holm, and that his mother had been called Rebecca.
After he’d shared this, Finn looked at the sleeping baby. “Maybe we should call her Rebecca? At least until Father names her.”
“I think that’s a lovely idea,” Vera said, settling a calming hand against the babe’s chest as she squirmed. Small fingers curled around her thumb and pinky. While the grip was surprisingly tenacious, there was a desperation that tugged Vera’s heart.
Finn bit his lower lip. “She’s dying, isn’t she? Because she didn’t have milk?”
“She’s going to be all right.” Perhaps it was a promise she shouldn’t make, but she was determined to save all three of these children.
The sun was starting to set when a horse snorted.
At the sound, Finn snatched up his blade and jumped in front of them all—Vera included.
His shoulders dropped in relief when he saw it was Venn. Vera’s own tension faded as well.
Venn shot Finn a reassuring smile, then focused on Vera. “How is she?”
“She’s barely stirred. Did you find milk?”
Venn nodded and reached into the pack. “A very old and kind woman let me milk her goat, and she also had some dried milk in her shed.” At her curious look, he shrugged. “Apparently, it’s something Mortisian sailors learned to do.Kahsik, I think she called it. It should last us fairly well.” He grabbed a glass bottle and filled it with the goat’s milk, then attached a fitted lid.
Vera hesitated as he held out the bottle. “I’ve never fed a baby before. What if I do it wrong?”
“It’s easy enough.” Still, he easily scooped the baby from Vera’s arms, and everything in his face softened as he peered down at the infant.
Vera stared. There was a flutter low in her belly, and she wasn’t sure why the sight of this strong man holding a fragile baby impacted her so deeply, but she couldn’t look away.
“There, there, little one,” he murmured, gently rocking her. “Milk, as promised.” He fitted the bottle into her mouth, and she slowly started to drink.
Venn seemed wholly unaware of Vera’s attention as he glanced at Finn. “In the pack you’ll find a jar of cooked rice, along with some fresh fruit and vegetables. Help yourselves.”
The boy’s eyes lit up, and he darted for the pack.
“Any trouble while I was gone?” Venn asked quietly.
She mentally shook herself so she could focus on his question—and not the fact that he held Rebecca so effortlessly and protectively. “No, there was no trouble.” She told him the few things she’d learned from Finn, including their father’s name. Then she lowered her voice further. “Do you think this is a safe enough place to stay for a few days?”
“I don’t know that we have a better option. It will give the children time to get stronger, and it might help Finn feel better about moving on.”
“Do you really think we’ll find their father at this refugee camp?”
“I’m doubtful, but we have to try.” His forehead creased. “I can’t decide if he chose to abandon them, or if maybe something happened to him on the road. Either way, I don’t think we’ll find any sign of David Holm.”
