high. His teeth clacked together as he shivered with cold. Grasped by the moving water, his tunic fell from his shoulder and floated away. Exasperated, Bryce reached to grab the floating fabric. Each time his fingertips brushed the water-logged cloth, the moving waters jerked it away before he could retrieve it.
Without thought, Bryce followed it further and further in. As he approached the middle of the river, his foot slipped. His feet flew out from under him and the water swept him underneath its surface, surprising Bryce with its fierceness.
Life flashed before his eyes. The brevity of time depressed him even as the water sucked him under once again. Thoughts rankled. A life ending without Crissy by his side, without having had his children, or raising his sheep, thoughts of dying over a stupid tunic.
White water rushed around and over him. When his head rose above the caps, he quickly sucked in a breath. Less and less Bryce came up for air as the water tumbled him head over heel, over and over. Death was close at hand. Now there was one more regret to add to his long list. No one would know what had happened to him.
His chest burned as his wet wool clothing dragged his body down one last time.
Chapter Two
Lucille Lombard walked the well-trodden path, her thick tongue stuck to the roof of her dry mouth. She had emptied her water container hours before. Lucille searched for water but to no avail.
Two weeks of long, dark nights spent shivering in the cold, listening to crickets chirp and animals scurry, and feeling her heart race with fear at the thought of highwaymen hiding in the bushes. Now her feet burned and her back ached. Would the torment never be over?
Anger over her situation filled her mind. She muttered loudly under her breath, which took the sound of the river longer to penetrate. When the roar of running water pervaded her mind, Lucille lifted her skirts and took off at a run. It was a struggle to remain upright as she stumbled over raised roots, was flicked by wayward branches, and attempted to avoid pointy rocks.
“Stupid tree,” muttered Lucille as a limb snapped back, popping her in the face.
Once past the trees, Lucille faced a wide river. The water moved quickly, rushing over rocks. With caution, she knelt and filled her container. Once the cloth holder was full, she shaped her hand like a cup and dipped into the water several times until she drank her fill.
She pulled a rag from her bag, wet it, and rubbed her neck vigorously, then lifted her head to look at the land on the opposite shore. A flash of color caught her eye. Squinting against the light, Lucille saw something float by. Further inspection caused her to gasp.
Lucille didn’t think, heading out into the rushing water. Foot braced, she grasped what she knew was a body. Her hand filled with hair and when she tugged, a man’s face came into view. She tried to lift him and his eyelids fluttered. He was alive! She grabbed again, searching for a better hold.
But no matter where she reached, she came up empty-handed. The man’s flesh was slick and his clothing was hard to spot. Frustration mounting, Lucille stumbled alongside the floating body, reaching and clasping.
What was she going to do? She couldn’t leave him. With one final attempt, Lucille shot her hand forward. Rewarded with the feel of a heavy fabric, Lucille held tightly and heaved.
With teeth gritted, she pulled. Muscles straining with effort, Lucille tugged the man to the riverbank.
They reached the edge and Lucille collapsed, struggling to regain her breath. Had the man died while she’d fought to bring him ashore? Or had he survived?
With strength returning, she leaned over him. His skin was ashen, his lips blue. She placed her hand upon his bare chest. His chest, covered in chill bumps, rose and fell with unsteady breath.
Lucille fell back, a smile upon her lips. The rescue was a success.
****
The sun warmed Bryce’s chilled skin. His eyelids fluttered open. Where was he? A cool breeze blew, causing him to shiver. Suddenly, memories assailed him. He’d been seeking a bath when his tunic floated away. Retrieving the article had led to his situation.
Certain death had awaited. Then someone had been there. Instead of helping him, they had held him down, keeping him from catching his breath.
“Oh, you are awake.”
The voice took him off guard. Bryce sat up, coughing. Water spewed from his