Rescued by a Highlander(64)

Maddie gave Emma a little squeeze, thankful both girls were alive, but she knew Jennie was not out of danger as head injuries could be very serious. She glanced up toward the opening. There was no way she could get them out without a rope. It was too steep to climb, and there was little to grab onto. Her arm was broken and probably useless. There really was nothing she could do but wait for help. Had Robbie’s men returned with the rope yet? She hoped they would hurry.

Bits and pieces of conversations drifted down to her, but she couldn’t discern one voice from another. She yelled, but didn’t know if they could hear her. Emma continued to cry on and off, latching onto Maddie.

Maddie picked Emma up with her right arm to shift her and put her head on her shoulder. She tried to sooth her with soft words and a back rub. After a few minutes, she quieted. Listening again, she could hear voices, but words were still unclear.

When all was quiet from above, she covered Emma’s ears the best she could and shouted, “Hurry with the rope!”

She knew there was nothing else she could do but wait.

***

Alex rode toward the keep when the riders sent by Robbie appeared in his vision. A strange foreboding hit him square in the gut. He slowed to greet them.

“Laird, there has been an accident,” the guard shouted.

Alex’s insides lurched. “Who?” he shouted. “Who?”

“Jennie and wee Emma, they fell in a hole and their injuries are unknown.”

Alex never heard the rest of the explanation. He spurred his horse on, frantically heading for his keep.

He had never driven his horse so hard and so fast. Fortunately, he rode Midnight, any other horse would not have been able to handle what Alex demanded of him. Approaching the keep, he found the small crowd of people and dismounted, Brodie directly behind him. Everyone shouted at once.

“Good thing you are here, Laird!”

“We need you, Laird!”

“Help our lasses, Chief! Get them out!”

“Your lass sure is a brave one, Chief!”

“Never seen anything like it, Laird! Your lass just ran up and jumped in!”

Alex’s heart slammed into panic mode. Maddie? He never went into panic mode. What was happening to him? He always remained calm, regardless of circumstance.

He stared at his brother, “Robbie?”

“The wee ones were playing and a hole opened up in the meadow. It seems to be deep. We can hear Emma, but Jennie has not answered. The opening is very narrow. I turned my back and your betrothed jumped into the hole. She shared with me her idea previously, but I prohibited her involvement. Obviously, she didn’t listen to me. A few minutes ago, we thought we heard Maddie yell, but we could not understand her clearly. There are too many conflicting sounds.”

Alex rushed over to the hole to make his own assessment.

Robbie continued with Alex, “I sent a man back to the keep for rope. I think it best if we throw it down and pull them out. Maddie can hold each bairn as we pull them up, if she is all right.”

Alex turned to the crowd and bellowed. “Quiet!” His clan members hushed instantly. He shouted into the hole, “Maddie!”

He listened. He motioned for everyone to be quiet again. He listened again. Nothing. He yelled again. Nothing.

“MADDIE!” he roared.

“Alex?”

Alex twisted so he could shove his massive body as far into the hole as he could, but he didn’t get far.

“Maddie, are you all right?”

“Emma and I are all right. But Jennie won’t wake up, she needs tending, Alex.”

Alex turned around and motioned to Brenna. “I think she said Emma is all right, but Jennie needs tending.”

Brenna gasped. She turned and sent Fiona back to prepare Jennie’s chamber with the necessary supplies. “Alex, what about Maddie? Is she all right?”

“I think so. Get what you need for Jennie. The ropes are here. We will bring them up now.”

Robbie issued instructions to retrieve the lasses. Brodie moved everyone back and helped Moira to her feet to wait for Emma’s arrival.

Alex yelled to Maddie.“Catch the rope!”

Maddie held on to Emma while she listened. Emma, still awake, silently sucked her thumb while she clung to Maddie. Standing without much difficulty, she grabbed for the rope above her head.

“More, Alex. I cannot reach it.”

He let more out.

“More!” she shouted.

“All right, I have it now.”

“Tie it around your waist, Maddie.”

Maddie tugged a little more and set Emma down.

“Just for a moment, sweeting, I will get you to mama.” She clumsily tied it around her waist and picked Emma back up with her right arm. There was no other way. Her left arm was dangling at an odd angle.