As he nudged Chaucer forward, he barely kept a grip on the stub of rope he had to use to guide the horse. From this position, he’d have so little control.
Lord, it’s up to you. Take us where you would have us go. And he meant that more than just in the final stretch of this journey to Laurent.
A rustling crept into Levi’s awareness. Audrey must be moving around the cave. He forced his eyes open, but the brightness that met his gaze made him squint. She must have built the fire larger than usual. No wonder the cave finally felt warm.
“Levi.” Her voice washed over him with its soothing comfort.
His eyes drifted shut as relief enveloped him. Then her hand brushed across his forehead. One day, if he ever had strength to manage a conversation again, he would tell her how much her gentle touches meant to him. The carewrapped in the act soothed something much deeper within him. Lord willing, he would have the chance to thank her.
Forcing his eyes open, he did his best to focus. The faint firelight illuminated Audrey so she shone just like the angel she was.
She began speaking, but he couldn’t take in the words. Not when her beauty overwhelmed him. He’d been afraid he might never see her again, but God had granted him one more blessing.
“Levi, can you hear me?” She brushed her thumb across his cheek.
He tried to manage a word, but his throat ached too much to allow sound. His chest felt as though a bear sat atop him, burning with every breath. He struggled to nod. Her words were registering now, though he couldn’t bring forth anything she’d said before.
“Can you lift your head to drink this?” Her hand slipped behind his head and raised him as she held a cup to his lips. Though her movements stayed slow and gentle, the shift sent a searing burn through his chest. A cough rose up, forcing its way up his throat and leaving a path of fire in its wake.
His entire body shook with the spasms racking through him. He leaned away from Audrey as they continued, and her small hands gripped his shoulder as though to keep him from tumbling over.
When the final cough ended, he sank back against the fur, his body completely spent. He didn’t even have the strength to open his eyes.
“I’m going to spoon the tea into you. It will help clear your lungs. I’m not sure how long you were out there in thestorm, but you were nearly frozen when Wesley found you and the horse.”
When Wesley found...?His mind ached as he tried to bring up a memory of what she described ...you and the horse.
The image finally formed. A new throbbing made itself known in his hip, but it was not the same searing pain as before. Audrey must have worked the joint back into place.
Thank you, Lord, for Audrey.
With that final prayer taking root in his heart, he let himself succumb to the darkness.
23
Audrey poured another spoonful of the new tea she’d brewed into Levi’s parted mouth. His throat worked in a swallow, but it seemed more reflex than intentional action. He’d only regained consciousness once since he’d been discovered slumped over Chaucer’s back outside the gates of Laurent.
Chief Durand had allowed Levi to be placed in her apartment so she could offer the nursing care he needed. In addition to his hip being out of joint, the cold had taken root in his lungs, and he’d been locked in a feverish haze for over a day now.
She’d not left his side except to make a few quick trips to the necessary, but nothing she’d done seemed to allay the fever or the racking cough that shook his entire body. She’d used every herb she knew of. Surely something would take effect soon.
Lord, heal his body. Remove the poison in his lungs and heal the hip so thoroughly it can’t dislocate again. Show me what to do to help him.
Though she’d prayed the prayer more times than she couldcount, her spirit lifted up the words in earnest beseeching.Give me wisdom and understanding.
After three more spoonfuls, she’d emptied the cup, so she dipped the rags in cool water, wrung out most of the liquid, then placed them on his head and neck.
What else could be done to lower the fever?
In the distance, the sound of hammer on chisel drummed a steady beat, as had been the case during most of the waking hours since she’d returned. Evan was building a new apartment for Brielle for the start of their married life. Audrey hadn’t been to see it yet, but from the sound of things, they must be making progress. The pounding seemed to be beating a rhythm in her head. Might it be hindering Levi’s healing?
During a rare lull in the noise, the creaking of her father’s chair lifted her focus as he shuffled toward her. He’d remained in their apartment most of the time since she’d arrived home, though staying in this room wasn’t unusual for him.
He’d stayed mostly quiet, too—which also wasn’t unusual. But his gaze had been ever watchful while she worked. At first, the constant scrutiny had unnerved her. Did Papa wonder if more existed between her and Levi than the relationship between healer and patient? She always poured her heart into caring for those who were sick or injured, and she did no less with Levi now.
Yet she couldn’t deny him the gentle touches that might be more than she offered others—combing her fingers through his hair or massaging his face—for she knew how much relief those acts had given him before. Any relief she could offer, he desperately needed.
Now, as Papa came to stand over the man, he kept his silence for long minutes.
