Kentucky Rich Read Online Free Page B

but Maud held her down.
    â€œWhat is it, child?”
    â€œI need . . .”
    â€œShhhh,” Maud hushed her. “It’s right here.” She lifted the bucket for Nealy to see.
    â€œThank you, ma’am.” And then she was asleep.

2
    Nealy’s eyes snapped open. She struggled to move. Where was Emmie? More to the point, where was she? Then she remembered. She let out a small hoarse cry as she felt a wet tongue on her cheek. “You’re not Emmie, you’re a dog!” she said, her eyes wide with awe.
    Nealy stroked the dog’s silky fur as she looked around. It was a pretty room, with flowered wallpaper and sheer curtains at the window. It looked like a girl’s room. The bed she was lying on was narrow and comfortable, almost like the small bed she’d had back home. She looked down at the black dog lying on top of a double-ring wedding quilt. He licked her hand. “Are you my guardian?” she whispered as she scratched him gently behind the ears.
    She saw her then, in the shadows of the room. The lady with the gentle hands, the one who’d reached out for Emmie. She was holding Emmie, rocking her on the rocker, and it sounded like she was singing.
    The dog barked.
    â€œShhh, Molly, you’ll wake the little one. How are you feeling, Nealy?”
    â€œI’m not sure, ma’am. How long have I been here? Am I going to die? Is Emmie all right?”
    â€œMercy, child, so many questions. I guess you must be feeling better. You’ve been with us for eleven days. No, you aren’t going to die, but it was touch-and-go there for a little while. You had pneumonia. Emmie is fine. Jess and I have been taking care of her. Molly stayed with you the whole time. She’d come and fetch us those first few days when you couldn’t breathe.”
    Nealy continued to stroke the silky dog as she digested the information. “Emmie has never been away from me before. Did she cry? Did she miss me?”
    â€œOf course she missed you. She whimpered from time to time, but Jess could always make her smile. We’d bring her in here so she could see you. I’d rock her to sleep. She’s a beautiful little girl. She looks like her mama. Right now you look a tad bony and hollow-eyed, but we’ll fix that as soon as you can get up.”
    â€œI can pay you for my keep, ma’am. I can’t be beholden to you. When I’m well, I can work. I’m good with horses. Do you think you might have some work for me? I can cook and clean, too. I can do most anything if you give me the chance.”
    â€œWe can talk about all that later. First we have to get you on your feet.”
    â€œMa’am, I need to know. I need to know there’s a place for me and Emmie. I can’t be having that hanging over our heads. It’s going to be getting cold soon. I have to take care of her. There’s no one but me to do that. I need to hear the words, ma’am.”
    â€œHoney, you and this sweet baby have a home here for as long as you want. If you want to work for me, I’ll hire you. I’ll pay you a decent wage. This can be your room if you want it. We have a room right next door for Emmie. Jess fetched a crib from town, but the tyke doesn’t care for it. Likes to crawl in and out, so we set her up a real bed and got her some toys. Molly plays ball with her. She’s happy. I’m going to put her in her bed now and get you something to eat. It’s been a long time since you had real food. What would you like?”
    â€œI’d like to see my daughter so I can kiss her good night. She was sick when we got here. Did you tend to her, too?”
    â€œWe did. The doctor came by twice a day. This little one did well on the medicine. She’s fine now.”
    Tears blurred Nealy’s eyes when she reached out to stroke her daughter’s tangled curls. “She’s not a half-wit, ma’am, she’s not!” she said