Page 6 of The Best of Madeline Grant

Maddie gave Emma a little squeeze, thankful both lasses were alive, but head injuries could be very serious. Jennie was not out of danger. She glanced up toward the opening. There was no way she could get them out without a rope. It was too steep to climb, and there was nothing she could use for traction. Her arm was broken and probably useless. There really was nothing she could do but wait for help. Had Robbie’s men returned with the rope yet? She hoped they would hurry.

Bits and pieces of conversations drifted down to her, but she couldn’t discern one voice from another. She yelled, but it was impossible to tell if they could hear her. Emma continued to cry on and off, latching onto Maddie.

Maddie picked the lass up with her right arm, shifting her so that her head was cradled against her shoulder. She tried to soothe her with soft words and a back rub. After a few minutes, she quieted.

When all was quiet from above, she covered Emma’s ears as best she could and shouted, “Hurry with the rope!”

She knew there was nothing she could do now but wait.

And later in Chapter Twenty-Two

The rope was finally dangling above them. Emma, still awake, silently sucked her thumb as she clung to Maddie. Standing without much difficulty, Maddie grabbed for the rope above her head, but she could not reach it with Emma.

“More, Alex,” she shouted. “I cannot reach it.”

He let more of it down.

“More!” she shouted. Finally, it reached her. “All right, I have it now.”

“Tie it around your waist, Maddie.”

Maddie tugged it a little more and set Emma down. “Just for a moment, sweeting. We are going to get you to your mama.” She clumsily tied it around her waist and picked Emma back up with her right arm, holding her tight. There was no other way. Her left arm was dangling at an odd angle.

She tugged on the rope and yelled to Alex. “Ready, Alex!”

As soon as Maddie’s feet left the ground, her entire body swayed. The movement made Emma wail and Maddie was forced to grab the rope with her left hand to help steady them. Stabbing pain gripped her, but she refused to let go.Just a little pain, she chanted in her mind. She could bear it until Emma was safe. They continued to move up slowly, the pain in her arm relentless.

An image of her mother singing helped her focus, but it was blurry. She switched to Alex, recalling the warm comfort of being in his arms. She pictured his face and thought of everything she loved about him. Hearing her name again, she snapped to attention—they were almost at the top.

“Stop, Alex, stop!” she yelled. “We will not be able to fit through together.”

“Hand her up and I will grab her,” he shouted.

She found a wedge for her foot and pushed with all her strength. Alex reached in and plucked the bairn from her. Hehanded her out as the crowd cheered. Moira rushed over and grabbed the lassie, sobbing as she rocked Emma back and forth.

When Alex turned to Maddie, his eyes landed on her arm.

“Maddie, your arm,” he whispered.

“I know, Alex. I think ‘tis broken.”

“It must pain you. How will you hold Jennie? She is much heavier.”

“I know, but I can do it. We have no choice.”

He turned to Robbie. “Pull her out!”

“Nay,” she yelled. She wedged her foot solidly into the side of the hole.

Alex held his hand up to motion for the men to stop.

“Maddie, I cannot allow you to do this. We will dig the hole wider.”

“And the dirt could bury Jennie. We have no choice. You clearly cannot fit in here. If you do not agree, I will let go of the rope and jump down again, but then I would risk breaking my other arm. I have to get Jennie out. She needs to see Brenna!”

They glared at each other until Alex turned and motioned for the men to lower her down.

“What is it, Alex?” Maddie recognized Robbie’s voice.