Page 64 of Ghost of the Ton

The girl lifted her head, then fell back with a cry.

“Och, Ada, I’m sorry!” the boy said. “I didnae want Billy to push ye.”

“Then why did ye not stop him?”

“I…” He glanced at Mia. “I was afraid.”

“I-I thought ye were my friend.” The girl started to cry, her body shaking, then let out a whimper. “It hurts so much!”

“Keep still,” Mia said. “Let me give you something for the pain, then I can make you better. You’ve hurt your collarbone.”

“M-my what?”

Mia placed a light hand on the distended bone and the girl winced. “This is it,” she said. “It’s in the wrong place—brought about by your fall. I must move it back.”

The girl’s sobs increased and Jamie took her hand.

“Dinnae cry, Ada,” he said. “This lady will make ye better.” He turned to Mia. “Ye will, won’t ye?”

“I’ll do everything I can,” Mia said. “Keep holding Ada’s hand, and I’ll fetch something for the pain.”

The boy nodded, and Mia approached the shelves and reached for a jar containing long, thin shavings. She picked one out of the jar and held it up before the girl.

“Chew on this, Ada,” she said.

“Wh-what is it?”

“Willow bark. It tastes bitter, but it’ll help with the pain and the swelling.”

“I-I dinnae know…”

“Go on, Ada,” Jamie said. “If ye do, I’ll not let Billy push ye again.”

“Promise?”

Hope flared in the little girl’s eyes despite the pain she must be feeling, then she opened her mouth and Mia placed the sliver of bark on her tongue.

“Eugh! It tastes horrid!”

“I’ll make you some sweet tea afterward,” Mia said, smiling. “Now, keep chewing, and try to stay still. Will you do that for me?”

Jamie squeezed Ada’s hand. “Hold my hand,” he said. “Squeeze it ever so tight when it hurts.” He glanced at Mia. “That’s right, isn’t it?”

Before Mia could reply, she heard a loud knock on the door.

“Ada!” a deep voice cried. “Where are ye, lass?”

“Da!” Ada sat up, then let out a scream. The door burst open and a man entered. His eyes widened as he caught sight of the child on the table, and dark-blue eyes flashed with fury at Mia.

“What the fuck do ye think ye’re doing with my child?”

Chapter Seventeen

“Allan!” another voice cried, and a woman appeared.

“Ma!” Ada sobbed. “It hurts!”

“Sir, madam,” Mia began, “your daughter is—Oh!”