Divine Deception Read Free Page B

her. She smiled in response. “You’ve had a rough time of it, I understand.” Fallon nodded. “Well, you’re fine now. A day of rest and good meals will perk you right up. I’ll come by and check on you in a few days, all right?”
    Fallon nodded. As the doctor stepped back from the bed, she noticed the towering, dark form of Trader Donavon behind him. “I’ll leave her in your care, Trader,” Doctor Smithers said, nodding at the hooded figure. “Mrs. Townsen is quite capable, but do feel free to send for me at any time.”
    “ Thank you,” Trader Donavon replied, shaking the doctor’s outstretched hand.
    “ Goodbye, Fallon. You do what Mrs. Townsen says,” Doctor Smithers instructed Fallon before leaving the room.
    “ Well, for crying out loud, Trader. This girl needs a drink of water!” The feminine voice was so completely foreign to Fallon’s ears, she jumped, entirely startled by the sound of it. She turned her head to find a small, frail-looking woman standing on the other side of her bed holding a glass of water. “Lift her head for me, boy!” The woman nearly barked the order at Trader Donavon. Trader Donavon slid his gloved hand beneath Fallon’s head and lifted it as the woman brought the glass to her lips. “Little sips, dear, little sips,” the woman cooed. “That’s it.” Then she lowered her voice and spoke to Trader Donavon, obviously assuming Fallon would be unable to hear. “I can’t believe this, Trader! What kind of a brute would—”
    “ We’ll discuss it later, Patty,” Trader Donavon interrupted firmly.
    The woman rolled her eyes. She smiled sweetly and returned her attention to Fallon. As she tenderly caressed the girl’s forehead with a lavender-scented hand, she whispered, “You’ll be fine now, dear. Try to rest. I’ll be right here if you need anything at all. Now, close your eyes, and get some rest.” The woman’s gentle caress and soothing voice instantly lulled a fatigued Fallon back to sleep.
    
    Fallon slept deeply. She awoke lazily, the delectable scent of frying bacon and eggs greeting her senses. She smiled, thinking she must still be sleeping and only enjoying her dreams. It had been months and months since she had breathed such a delightful aroma.
    “ Good morning!” Patty happily chirped as she entered the room. Fallon smiled at the maternal-looking woman who stood at the foot of her bed. She held a tray heaping with food. “Smells good enough to eat, doesn’t it?” Patty sighed, smiling. She walked to the side of the bed and set the tray on a tiny table. “Now, first things first. Let’s get some food into that starving little body of yours. You look like a cat that hasn’t been fed in a month,” Patty chattered.
    Fallon struggled to sit up, but her body was indeed weak with hunger and exhaustion. “I’m sorry,” she apologized as Patty helped her to a sitting position. “I guess it’s just been so long since I rested deeply.”
    “ Whatever are you apologizing for?” Patty asked. “Now, let’s get you fed.”
    Fallon struggled to raise a spoon to her mouth. She was so weak that her hand trembled uncontrollably as she raised it to take the food. “I don’t think I can,” she whispered.
    “ Well, of course not! You are weaker than…anyway, I’ll feed you myself,” Patty said, smiling as she brushed the hair from Fallon’s forehead.
    The first bite of bacon was unlike anything Fallon had known. Never had food tasted so good.
    Instantly Patty began to chatter. “My, my, my. That little Trader. I never know what he’s going to be up to next!”
    “ Little Trader?” Fallon asked.
    Patty laughed. “Trader! I’ve known him for simply years. I’ve always called him ‘little Trader’ and saw no reason to change just because he got a might taller.”
    Fallon took another bite as it was offered to her.
    “ How do you feel? Better?” Patty asked.
    “ Yes. I think I do,” Fallon answered.
    “ Well, after breakfast I’ll