Rebecca (Angel Creek Christmas Brides #15) - Lily Graison Page 0,47

them. The moment the shack came into view, he jumped off the horse before it came to a complete stop.

He lifted the lantern higher as he opened the door and stepped inside. His pulse raced as he turned in a full circle, his heart skipping a beat when he spotted a bulky shape in the corner. “Diana?”

Caleb’s booted feet hitting the floorboards was loud and hard enough the wood creaked under his weight. He dropped to one knee and set the lantern down when he reached the corner.

The blanket was cold as he folded it back and he sagged in relief when he saw her. “Diana.” He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. Her face brushed against his cheek and icy fear clenched his gut. Her skin was so cold. Too cold.

Caleb shifted her enough to see her face. He pushed the blanket away and held his palm against her chest until he felt it move. “Diana.” He said her name again, even though he knew it was wrong. He shook her, trying to get her to wake and gave up a moment later.

After placing a kiss to her forehead, he wrapped the blanket around her again, put an arm under her legs, and stood. He had no idea who she really was and as cold and lifeless as she felt, he feared he may never find out.

The sound of voices woke her. Rebecca blinked an eye open and could barely make out moving shapes not far away. She hurt. Every limb and joint ached. Her head felt full of cotton and it was hard to breathe. But she was warm. So warm, her skin felt slick with perspiration.

Her eyes closed again. It took too much effort to keep them open, and the voices faded in and out. She had no idea how long she laid there or how long she slept but every time she woke, she felt the presence of someone.

Long hours later—or had it been days?—she was able to keep her eyes open. A lone figure sat near her. They were slumped over in a chair, their head bowed. She must have made a noise. They sat up, the movement taking her a moment to track but when her vision cleared, she saw Caleb.

He looked haggard as he stared down at her. His expression shifted to one of relief as their eyes met. “Thank God,” he said, shuffling out of the chair to sit on the side of the bed. “I didn’t think you were ever going to wake up.”

Rebecca licked her dry lips. “Water.”

He nodded and rushed out of the room. She heard multiple voices, then the sound of little feet hitting the floor. Amanda stuck her head around the door a moment later, her eyes wide.

Her shoulders slumped as she met her gaze. The girl ran across the room and flung herself at her and squeezed her tight. “I thought you were going to die like my other momma did.” She lifted her head, her lip thrust out into a pout. “You’re not going to die, are you?”

Amanda was the happiest child she’d ever known but at the moment she looked terrified. She smiled best she could. “I don’t plan on it.”

Her voice was scratchy. Caleb walked back into the room, a large glass of water in his hand.

Amanda scurried off the bed as he came toward her. He sat down again and helped her sit up enough to take a drink. The water was cool and quenched her parched throat but Caleb pulled the glass away too quickly.

“Not too fast. You’ll make yourself sick.”

He looked worn down. Lines creased his face and his chin and jaw were covered in whiskers. “Amanda, go grab a bowl of the broth your grandmother made. Not much. Just a spoonful or two.”

She hurried out of the room. Caleb brought the glass to her lips again. She drank as he stared at her and she could almost see the questions in his eyes.

When he pulled the glass away, he helped her get settled again, tucking the blankets in around her shoulders. The silence grew uncomfortable enough she had to look away.

“Who are you?”

The question came as no surprise. Why he’d brought her back to his home did.

“I know you’re not Diana Hale, so who are you?”

“No one.” She couldn’t look at him and ended up shrugging her shoulders.

“You’re someone to me.”

His quiet statement felt like a kick to the chest. She looked up, her eyes burning.

Caleb brushed