Rescued by a Highlander(68)

Brenna lifted Maddie’s arm and asked Brodie to hold it still for her. As soon as Brenna touched the arm, Maddie jolted awake.

“Maddie, I have to feel your bones to see exactly where the break is so I know how to fix it. I hope there is only one break, but I must check for more. It will hurt, scream if you must.” Brenna kissed her cheek before she began her task. “Thank you, lass, for saving our wee ones.”

Brenna started probing at Maddie’s fingertips and worked her way up her arm. They waited for the screaming to start, but heard nothing. Maddie turned her face into Alex’s chest, but did not flinch. Her breathing was erratic, but she kept her arm completely still for Brenna.

“How does she do it, Alex? I have never seen a lass that can bear so much!” Brodie stared at Maddie in wonder. “How would you ever know she was in pain?”

Alex pointed to her face. “I am starting to learn more about my betrothed. I know when she is in pain. I could see it in her eyes when she was in the hole, and I can see it in the sweat on her brow. You are all right, sweeting?” he whispered.

Maddie nodded, but kept her eyes closed.

Alex pointed to her right hand. It was clenched into a tight fist.

Brenna finished her probing and said, “I think there is only one break in your forearm, Maddie. That is the good news. But I am going to have to pull and twist it to get it back in place. That is the bad news. Can you wiggle your fingers for me?”

Maddie wiggled all her fingers slowly, but not painlessly.

“Good. Now I will do this as fast as I can, but this will be painful.” Brenna showed Brodie what she wanted him to do.

Maddie grabbed Alex’s hand with her right one. She took a deep breath and nodded at Brenna.

Brenna nodded at Alex and Brodie, then tugged on Madeline’s arm, pushing and twisting the bone back into place. Maddie’s body arched off the bed. She trembled as Brenna checked her work, but she never made a sound. Tears flowed down her cheeks as Alex held her. Brodie never needed to hold her legs.

“There, I am done, I think it will heal straight. I just want to get it wrapped. You will not be able to use it for at least a fortnight.” Brenna wrapped her linen strips around the board. She motioned to Brodie to give Alex the rest of the sleeping potion for Maddie.

Maddie was able to move all her fingers. They had been so numb she feared she would lose the use of them permanently. As she drank the mixture, Madeline smiled weakly. “Thank you, Brenna. That was not so bad. You are very gentle.”

Brenna raised her eyebrows and glanced at both brothers before she left the room.





CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR




When Maddie opened her eyes, she stared at everything in confusion. Darkness enveloped the room. She attempted to push herself up, but pain immediately shot down her left arm. Memories of the fall in the hole came back to her slowly. The contraption on her arm must have been created by Brenna. She glanced down further and started at the arm across her waist and a long hairy leg draped over her leg.

She couldn’t stop herself from disturbing Alex, “What are you doing?”

“I was trying to sleep, sweeting, what are you doing?” he retorted.

“Alex, you are in my bed! ‘Tis not proper!”

“Nay, you are in my bed, and I know it is no’ proper, but you are staying.” He peeked out of one eye at her with a slight grin on his face. “How is your arm?”

“My arm is fine. But I am not trying to be amusing, this is not proper! I am going back to my bed and my chamber! What have you done?” Maddie sat up quickly and then groaned as her body responded. She fell back against the pillow.

“Maddie, we are to be married in a sennight. I promised your maid that I would not ravish you. But you cannot sleep alone. ‘Tis no’ safe for you.”

“But your clan already thinks I am a whore because of the Comming, what will they think now?”

“What are you talking about? My clan does not think of you as a whore. Do not say that in front of me again!” His voice grew to a dull roar.

“Aye, they do, Alex. Ever since Niles told everyone he took my maidenhead, many of your people have stopped talking to me. Many turn the other way when they see me coming. That is why the storytelling stopped.” Maddie turned away from Alex.

“I do not think my clan will be treating you like that anymore. If they do, I will take care of it. You belong with me, I want to take care of you,” he whispered, turning her face back so he could kiss her brow.

Maddie sighed, nestling her head on Alex’s shoulder. “I am too tired to argue now.” She promptly fell back asleep.

***

The next time she awakened, she was being carried down the passageway to her chamber.