Page 62 of Ghost of the Ton

“Of course not!”

The girl let out a soft moan and Mia placed a hand on her cheek. Sweet Lord! Her skin was freezing.

“Hush, sweetheart,” she said. “Can you tell me your name?”

The girl’s eyelids fluttered, then she let out a whimper.

“I must get her inside,” Mia said. “It’s too cold out here to do anything, and she’ll catch a chill if she remains out here any longer.” She shivered, her breath misting in the air. Then she placed her hands on the girl’s body and ran them along her form. Her stomach clenched as she reached the girl’s shoulders. The child’s arms were twisted at an unusual angle, and when Mia touched her shoulder, she let out a cry. “I’m sorry, little one,” Mia said. “But you’ll be safe, as soon as I get you inside.”

“Ada,” a voice said, and Mia glanced up to see that the boy had climbed off the rock and was standing a few feet away, hands thrust into his pockets. “Her name’s Ada.”

“And you’re Jamie, is that right?”

The boy nodded. “Aye. Jamie Sutherland.”

“Sutherland?” Mia said. “Not MacLennan?”

“Aye, the minister’s my da.”

“Then, Jamie Sutherland, would you like to be a brave, strong boy, unlike your friends, and help me with Ada?”

The boy sniffed, then nodded.

“Come here, then,” Mia said. “Ada’s been hurt, but it’s too cold for me to tend to her here. I must carry her to Riverside Cottage. Would you help me pick her up?”

The boy approached. Bright blue eyes glistened as they stared at the girl and a tear splashed onto his cheek.

“Here,” Mia said crisply, adopting the tone that Dr. McIver said spurred onlookers into action, “I need you to help lift Ada into my arms, then I can carry her. You lift her there, under the knees.”

“What if I hurt her?”

“Her legs aren’t broken,” Mia said, “so it shouldn’t hurt. But I think she’s injured her shoulder, so she may cry out as we lift her, but you mustn’t stop. Can you be brave?”

Jamie nodded.

“Say it.”

“Y-yes, ma’am. I can be brave.”

“Good lad.” Mia smiled encouragement, and the boy stopped sniffing and gave her a watery smile in return. Then, as she directed, he tucked his arms under the girl’s knees as Mia slipped an arm under her torso, and together they lifted her until she was in Mia’s arms.

Mia made her way back toward the path. The child weighed little more than a laden basket, but Mia’s pace was hampered by the uneven ground. Footsteps followed, and she turned to see the boy carrying her basket.

“Sh-shall I come with ye, ma’am?”

Mia nodded, then continued along the path. Though the ache in her arms increased with each step, she maintained the pace until, at last, Riverview Cottage came into view. The little girl in her arms stirred occasionally, and let out a low groan each time Mia stumbled, but she did not open her eyes.

“Is that where ye live?” Jamie said, pointing to the cottage.

“Yes.”

“That’s the witch’s house. She used to fly over the moors at night. Billy says she’ll eat ye if she catches ye out on the moors on yer own.”

“Do you believe everything Billy tells you?”

“Billy says that he’s the biggest and the eldest of us, so we have to believe him.”

“You can’t think for yourself?”