Page 67 of Ghost of the Ton

The man nodded, then as soon as he left, closing the door behind him, Hamish touched Mia’s arm.

“What must I do?”

“Hold Ada’s shoulders to prevent her from moving,” Mia said. “Don’t press them too hard, or it’ll hurt. Just hold them still.”

He nodded, moved to the end of the table, and leaned over Ada’s head. “Now, young Ada, lass, will ye be a brave girl for yer ma?”

Ada nodded, her eyes glazed with pain. Then Hamish met Mia’s gaze and gave her a smile.

“On ye go, Mia, love.”

Mia, love…

Tempering the traitorous pulse of hope, Mia turned her attention to the child. She placed her hand on the girl’s chest where the distended bone protruded. The skin stretched over the bone, darkening in color where a bruise was already beginning to form. With her fingertips she explored the ridge of the bone, determining the exact position. She’d seen Dr. McIver perform the procedure only once before, but he was an experienced surgeon. Performing the task herself was not the same as watching and taking a few notes. But it needed to be done.

Remember, lass—swift and firm. A sound bone always wants to sit in its rightful place. Ye only need help it on its way.

Ready? she mouthed, placing her hand over the bone.

Hamish nodded.

Mia closed her eyes, then focused on her breathing to temper the tremors in her body.

On the count of three… One, two…

Three!

She pushed against the bone, inward and upward. It gave way and, with a dull crack, moved forward. Ada let out a scream, the piece of bark falling from her lips, but Hamish held her firm while she fought to break free. Then, a heartbeat later, she lay still.

The girl’s mother sobbed and clung to her hand. Shortly after, Ada’s eyes fluttered open and she drew in a shuddering breath.

“Ma!”

“I’m here, wee one,” her mother said.

Mia ran her fingertips over the girl’s chest, lightening her touch as she traced the line of the collarbone. Hamish raised his eyebrows, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead, and she nodded.

“It’s worked,” she said. “How are you feeling, Ada?”

The girl inhaled then let out a sigh. “I-it’s hurting, b-but not as much as before.” She tried to move, then cried out.

“Careful, sweet one,” Mia said. “Your shoulder will be sore for a while. I’ll need to bind it to let it heal. Mrs. MacLennan, your husband can come back in now.”

The woman nodded and slipped outside. She returned so quickly with her husband and Jamie that they must have been listening outside—a conclusion that was confirmed when Mia saw the boy’s stricken face. Jamie curled his fingers around the white blooms in his hand.

“Ada…” he cried, and Hamish placed a hand on his shoulder.

“She’s well, Jamie, lad.” He turned to Mia. “Have ye bandages?”

“Top drawer in the cabinet.”

He nodded and fetched a roll of bandages from the drawer, then he helped Ada to sit and turned her little body so her legs were swinging over the edge of the table. Mia wound the bandage around the child’s chest and shoulder, then she fashioned another strip of linen into a sling and looped it over Ada’s body, fixing her arm in place.

“You’ll need to rest your arm for a fortnight,” she said. “Keep it in this position when you’re not in bed.”

“A fortnight?” the girl’s mother said. “Oh my, I—”

“I can send Elspeth to help ye in the house, Mrs. MacLennan, if ye need it,” Hamish said.