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A muffled female voice met their ears. “It’s Becky, I have the stuff for—well, the items I told you I was bringing.”
Eva felt Cillian relax at the woman’s words and kept her voice low as she said, “Who is it?”
He smiled at her as he moved to the door. “It’s Becky, the healer. She wanted to bring you something for your ankle and some clothes.”
The corner of her lip twitched up as she exhaled a breath. “Oh, t-that is nice of her.”
She didn’t know why she was surprised. Maybe she just expected everyone in Stone Haven to dislike her.
After Cillian unlatched the lock and opened the cabin door, a tall, slender woman who looked like she was in her late forties walked into the room. She held a bag in front of her, and two were slung over her shoulder.
“Wow, it’s really starting to come down out there. I was hoping the snow would hold off another month. Oh well, wishful thinking.” Becky blew her brown bangs out of her eyes and spun to face Eva. “I’m Becky! It’s so good to see you up. You had quite the knock to the head.”
Cillian approached her. “Here, let me take some of your bags.”
Axel danced at Becky’s feet, begging for attention from their new guest. The corner of Becky’s eyes crinkled as a smile spread across her face. “Hello, Axel, cute as ever, I see,” she said as she passed Cillian the bag she was holding, then moved to place the other two on the bed. “It’s not much, and I’m not sure if I guessed your size correctly, but I think you will be much more comfortable.”
Eva’s eyes widened. “This is all for me?”
“Of course,” Becky said, then motioned for Eva to sit on the bed.
Eva looked to Cillian, who nodded in agreement. He returned to the kitchen and started peeling the potatoes again. “Becky, will you stay for some lunch?”
“That would be great. Thank you.”
With gentle and slow steps, Eva eased herself onto the bed.
Becky kneeled in front of her. “It’s the left ankle?”
Eva leaned back on her forearms, extending her leg. “Yes.”
Becky smiled, and her warmth radiated off her tall frame, along with the distinctive smell of eucalyptus. She took Eva’s foot in her lap, removed a small glass jar from her bag, and applied the salve on Eva’s skin. “This should help any pain you have.”
Afterward, she returned the container, then pulled out material and some type of shoe, and began to wrap her ankle. “You are in luck. I was able to find a walking cast. This should help you get around and heal faster.”
Eva studied the enhanced footwear. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Becky smiled as she eased the shoe on her foot and secured it with the Velcro straps. “Most likely before your time.”
Becky stood, eyeing Eva’s head bandage. “Now, let’s take a look at your head.”
Eva leaned forward as Becky untied the bandage. After waking from her nap, her headache had eased considerably. “I’d really like the ingredients to the salve you applied to my ankle. My mom was a healer, and I-I learned a lot from her.”
“I’d love for you to come by the clinic sometime. I could use some help running it, if you are interested?”
Eva nodded. “I’d like that. Thank you, Becky, for... all this.”
“Of course. Now, tilt your head to the side.”
Becky shifted Eva’s hair out of the way. The skin was sensitive—she was going to have a bruised skull for a while.
“I don’t see any new blood. I think it’s healing nicely. I’m sure you know this, but I will tell you anyway, you will need to take it easy—at least a week. Two would be better.”
Cillian had moved to the fireplace, Axel hot on his heels as he set a grill over the flame, then placed the pan of food on top of it. Once he was satisfied with the setup, he turned to face them. “Oh, she will rest the full two weeks.”
Eva opened her mouth to protest, but he held up his hand. “You can’t help anyone if you are injured, Angel.”
Eva felt heat rush to her face. Cillian hadn’t addressed her as “Angel” in front of anyone before, but as heat coiled in her belly, she decided she liked it.And as much as she wanted to argue, he was right. If she was going to face the general and the Others, she needed to be at full strength.
