Lost and Found

Chapter Twenty-Two

"You sure you're feelin' all right, Charlie?" Freddie touched her face, concern in his eyes as he took in her pallid complexion. "I can go see if Doc or Mrs. Richardson can come to take a look at you."

There was no denying that he was worried. She'd been sicker than a dog the last few weeks, throwing up everything she managed to choke down. Worried he'd seen blood in her vomit, Freddie had made some broth last night, but it hadn't stayed in her longer than a minute before making a hasty reappearance on the floor. He was at a complete loss as to what else he could do that he hadn't tried already.

With Sawyer gone and having to make sure Lillian and the kids were taken care of, along with watching over Charlie—he didn't know how much more he could take.

She'd prohibited him from getting Doc, stating it was normal for her to be sick the first few months and that she'd already talked about it with Doc, and he'd assured her it was expected, but she looked awful, and he knew she felt just as bad.

Charlie gave a tired nod, brought his hand to her lips, and kissed it. Lips that were usually soft and pliable were chapped and rough against his skin, heightening Freddie's anxiety. Charlie was really in trouble, and if he didn't do something quick, there was a real possibility he would lose her.

"I'll hurry and check on Lily and the kids, and then I'll be right back." He bent and pressed a kiss to her clammy brow. "Try to get some rest."

Whether Charlie liked it or not, he would be bringing Doc, and he'd keep bringing him until she was better. She'd have to get over any irritation towards him disregarding her irrational order. He would not let her stubbornness lead to her death. He was bigger and stronger than her and more stubborn when he put his mind to it.

Anger and fear swirled in his belly as he cursed Sawyer for being gone. If he didn't have to go out and check in on Lily, he'd be over beating down Doc's door and dragging him here to make Charlie better.

He stormed from the house and readied his chestnut stallion, then jumped in the saddle and kicked the horse to a steady gallop. He rode toward Sawyer's place as fast as he could, but worry over Charlie ate at him until he was sure he'd vomit. The longer he thought about her, how badly she had gotten, the more he knew he needed Doc.

Hauling back on the reins, he wheeled his horse around and raced toward town. He'd find Doc and check on Lily and the kids later. They could wait a little longer to see him. Lily and Sawyer would understand and forgive his need to make sure Charlie was only suffering from typical pregnancy maladies.

Hoping the bad man and lady would think he was still passed out, Paul waited to follow them and find out where they were taking Kitty. He'd seen them go in the house ten minutes ago, heard a terrible clattering from inside, but had yet to see them come back outside.

Carefully, he crawled over to Ma and put his head on her back, praying he'd find her alive. A sob caught in his throat at the steady beat of her heart that greeted his ears.

He'd never been so scared in his life as he was seeing that man pick up Kitty and make her scream so bad. To see him handle his Ma so roughly, bloodying up her face when he kicked her—he'd wanted to attack him like a wild animal. But, he wouldn't be able to help either one of them if he got killed or hurt even worse than he already was.

A loud crash from inside the house made him jump. Seconds later, the front door swung wide open, and the man and woman exited the house. Carefully, Paul laid back down, hoping they wouldn't notice that he'd moved.

The man held Kitty in one arm, her hands were bound, and a wide strip of cloth covered her mouth, and he held a quilt tied into a bag in the other as they walked down the porch, glancing Paul's way as they trekked across the yard.