Daniel's Desire Read Free

mouth.
    “What’s your mama’s name?” Although the woman would be far better off if she didn’t awaken, he’d like to use her name if she did. Cutting away the ineffective stitches and dead skin, cleaning a festering wound, and then sewing it up was enough to fell a large man. What would the process do to the delicate woman in the next room? If he didn’t, however, she would lose her leg, and most likely her life.
    Amelia removed her fingers from her mouth and furrowed her brows in such a way Daniel almost chuckled. “Mama’s name is Mama.”
    Chandler entered the room. “Her real name is Rosemarie. Rosemarie Wilson.” He held up a worn petticoat. “Mama’s skirt is all I could find to make bandages.”
    “That’s fine. See if you can tear it into strips for me.”
    Daniel poured a portion of the heated water into a large bowl next to the sink. He scooped out soft soap from the container next to the water pump, and using the bowl of hot water and soap, scrubbed his hands, then rinsed them with cool water from the pump.
    He turned, shaking his wet hands. Three young faces all stared at him, wide-eyed and terrified.
    Dear God. She’s their only parent.
    Taking a deep breath, he smiled at Amelia. “Stay here with your brother. And remember to say some prayers while we’re gone.”
    She ran to Daniel and clutched his leg. “I’m scared. I don’t want Mama to die.” Then she burst into tears.
    He reached down and lifted her in his arms. “Remember when we talked about you being really brave for your brother?”
    She nodded and wiped the tears from her cheeks with the heels of her hands.
    “Now is when you have to do that. All right?”
    Amelia bit her lower lip and ducked her head. He set her back on her feet and nudged her toward the parlor. “Take Jace in there. We’ll call you when we’re done, and you can come see your mama.”
    The little girl stiffened her slender shoulders and took her brother by the hand. “Come on, Jace. We’ll say prayers like Mama taught us.”
    Daniel returned to the sink and again washed his hands. Then picking up the supplies, he handed a few to a very pale Chandler. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Two
    Time spent as a prison medic, viewing limbs cut off, and men dying miserable deaths had not prepared Daniel for bending over Mrs. Wilson’s bed as she writhed in agony while he worked on her leg.
    Chandler left the room twice to empty his stomach, and again Daniel regretted the need to have the child in the room, watching his mother in such pain. Several times his own stomach rebelled to such a degree he almost joined the boy outside.
    What in heaven’s name would he do if the woman died? He couldn’t walk away from three small orphans. On the other hand, Union soldiers were mostly likely searching for him right now. He pushed that thought from his mind and concentrated on his patient.
    If he had some chloroform, he could spare her the torture of cutting away dead skin and dousing the cut with whiskey. She refused the liquor he wanted her to drink, but snapped in two a piece of wood he gave her to hold between her teeth. Rosemarie Wilson was one damn strong woman. Mercifully, she passed out as he put in the first stitch.
    Once the wound was sewn up and Mrs. Wilson comfortable as possible under the circumstances, Daniel left the stuffy room and headed to the front door. He ran his sleeve over his forehead and lowered his aching body to the porch. His lungs expanded, taking in large gulps of fresh air, his nostrils breathing in the scent of Indiana dirt in winter. A fresh and clean odor, mixed with the scent of manure and hay.
    Goose bumps rose on his skin as cold air blew against his sweat-soaked shirt. He shivered, but kept his place on the porch. The refreshing air wafting over him took away some of the sour smell still surrounding him.
    Indiana air, the sharpness so different from the sultry breezes of Virginia. A place he wasn’t entirely sure he’d ever live in again.