Within a few minutes, the cry sounded. Searchers from all over swarmed down to the base of the mountain—at least fifteen people. Brielle was among them, of course, but Evan didn’t seem to be with them this time. The sound of voices drifted up to her, but she couldn’t make out any words.
Then a hush settled over the area. They must have found Leonard’s body. Tears burned her eyes, swelling her throat. He hadn’t deserved to die this way. No man did, but Leonard was so young. So much of his life lay ahead.
And what of Gina? The two had been betrothed, though she’d recently broken it off. She would be devastated to learn the news. The two had known each other since infancy and been sweethearts these past two years. Audrey had always suspected that Leonard had harbored affection long before that.
A shout drifted from below—angry, as though vowing to take revenge on the man who did this to one of their own.
Another voice sounded, Brielle’s this time, using the official tone she took on when speaking as Le Commandant. For a few minutes, Brielle’s voice was interspersed with the deeper tones of men. Then the sounds ceased.
A moment later, a handful of men—four of them—appeared through a gap in the rocks. They seemed to be marching with purpose in the direction of Laurent. Maybe returning to let the rest of the village know what had happened. She could imagine the grief that would well up. Would this cause the people to revert fully to their former fear of strangers? With Evan’s coming, they’d made such great strides in considering the good of opening trade with the outside world. She had a feeling much of that progress would be undone now.
The four men could be seen clearly traipsing across the base of the other mountain. Four men wouldn’t be needed simply to spread the news. They must be planning something else as well.
She waited a few more minutes, and as some of the searchers seemed to resume looking for Levi near the base of the mountain, she retreated back into the cave.
At least Leonard’s body had distracted the search party. Her focus now had to be on the man who desperately needed help for his injuries.
He needs your healing touch, Lord. Now more than ever.
16
Audrey didn’t dare start a fire until night fell and she was certain the searchers were long gone. She’d used a candle when she needed light to tend Levi, but otherwise, she sat in the curve of the cave where she could see both the opening blocked by the juniper tree and Levi’s sleeping body. She’d done everything she could for him, except brew the tea that would help cleanse his blood and ease his pain. That required a fire.
When darkness spread over the mountain and she was sure the last of the searchers had gone, she reached for the tinderbox. She managed to start a small blaze with the kindling left from before, then moved to Levi’s side. “Levi, are you awake?” She kept her voice to a whisper. She didn’t actually want to wake him, only let him know where she was going if he was already conscious.
His eyelids flicked open, and after a moment, his gaze honed on her. Even through the tension that had hovered in the cave all day, a smile tugged at her mouth. He was so handsome, and when he turned those intense eyes on her ... the rest of their troubles faded. At least for a moment.
She forced her mind to what she needed to tell him. “It’s dark now, so I’m going out to get firewood. I’ll prepare a meal for us when I return.” He’d only eaten a few bites of meat at midday, so he should be hungry.
His eyes opened more fully, then he lifted his head. “I can help.”
She pressed a hand to his shoulder. “No. You need to keep that hip still at least another day so the joint can set. After that, you can sit up, but I still don’t want you walking.” His face took on a look of horror, so she softened both her voice and her touch, smoothing her fingers over his coat. “Stay here. I’ll be back soon.”
She didn’t give him a chance to argue, just stood and turned toward the cave entrance. Using the easier trail down the mountain, she crept in the darkness to the trees where she’d have the best chance of finding firewood. She needed to make several trips to stock up, just in case she wasn’t able to leave the cave later.
By the time she hauled her third armload of sticks and logs up the mountain, she struggled to catch her breath. The stitch in her side told her she’d better rest awhile before making a fourth trip.
Levi was obeying her order to remain still, but his mouth formed a thin line as he watched her each time she brought in a load. After adding another log to the fire and adjusting the kettle she’d placed to warm, she glanced around the room. She needed to bring up a pot of snow to melt. She could make a broth for Levi from the smoked meat, which might settle better than solid food in his weakened condition.
At last, she turned to the man. She’d done her best to keep her attentions clinical, to think of him as only a patient—notthe handsome man who stirred her longings in a way no one else ever had.
He’d closed his eyes, and for just a moment, she let her gaze roam his face. Pain still etched lines across his brow and around his eyes. The scruff that had grown over his jaw defined his strong features and gave him a bit of a roguish look. In so many ways it didn’t match his character, as he’d proven to be a gentleman. But the look added to his appeal. In truth, could anything detract from the masterpiece God created in him?
He shifted, and his eyelids parted to thin cracks.
She worked for a smile. “Does light hurt your eyes?”
“Some.”
She scooted close enough to touch his face. “You must have bumped your head when you fell. Is there a place that hurts, maybe tender to the touch?”
She reached out but hesitated before her fingers brushed his thick hair.Clinical. She had to shift her thinking back to that of a healer working with her patient, discerning injuries.
Levi must have thought she paused to wait for his answer, for he parted his lips and seemed to struggle to speak. “I don’t know.” His entire head must ache, then.
She forced her hands to do their work, slipping her fingers through his hair and moving methodically around his head, seeking out bumps or scratches.
“Helps.”
