Lily of the Valley in May Read Online Free Page B

Auntie Grace’s sister and looks a little like her, but her hair is blonde.”
    He took a deep breath, his mind filling with images of Faith. “She’s a very nice lady, and she’s very good at drawing.” He closed his fingers gently around the bandages. “Uncle Elliott said he’ll come and visit tomorrow, when you’re feeling a little better.”
    Joel took a deep breath. “Would you like to hear the new story? I memorized it for you.” He adopted a fake Scottish accent as he began the story of Angus and the Loch Ness Monster.
    Tears trickled down his face as he remembered how Bradley would fall about laughing at the voices he used. His voice wavered and finally broke.
    Joel buried his face in his hands and sobbed.
    Lord God, he’s a child, this isn’t his fault. Why is he the one paying the price for something that was no one’s fault? He shouldn’t have to suffer like this. Please, Lord, intervene here. I don’t want to lose him, but I can’t stand to watch him hurt like this. I’m not asking for an instant cure here or a miracle. The doctors and nurses are great and doing their best, but... I wish it had been me, not him. I thank You that he’s not conscious.
    I’m not mad at You for this or Caroline. Maybe I was a little at first, but my anger and grief won’t heal Bradley. Only You can do that. Please, Lord, let him wake. Or if it’s Your will to take him to be with You, then take him soon. Don’t let him suffer any more .
    Joel looked up, wiping his face on his sleeve. “I’m sorry, buddy. I didn’t mean to cry all over you. Daddy’s having a bad day. Here, I brought you the picture she drew.” He reached under the gown and pulled out Faith’s sketch. He held it over the motionless figure. “There’s Nessie and Angus just as I imagined them.”
    He took a deep breath, not sure what else to say. He couldn’t tell him what he’d done today; at least not about the funeral. Had it really only been that morning that he’d met Faith? It seemed so much longer ago than that. “I hope you’re being a good boy for the nurses. I know all your tricks to avoid doing stuff you hate, remember.” He leaned over and kissed the bandages over his son’s forehead. I love you.”
    He sat still, desperately hoping for Bradley to open his eyes and give him the usual reply. Or to hear him beg for one more story, a few more minutes, or one more drink. But it didn’t come. He didn’t want to acknowledge that it never would.
    Shaking his head, he pushed back in the chair. He’d stay here with Bradley for as long as he could.
    ~*~
    Completely freaked didn’t even begin to cover the feelings running rampant within her. Faith ran to the house as soon as Grace parked and let herself in. Was she safe here? If Joel worked out where she was from, then maybe someone else would.
    I wish Dirk Shepherd really did exist. I could really do with someone coming to rescue me.
    Patches ran to greet her, licking her hands.
    “Are you hungry? Come on, then.” Flicking on the lights and pulling curtains as she went, she walked down the hallway and into the kitchen, the dog at her heels. She fed him and then jumped as Grace came in.
    “You OK, sis?”
    “He knows where I’m from—”
    “Who knows?”
    “Joel.”
    “You’re my sister. Of course he does.”
    “You don’t understand.” Faith wrung her hands. “Rick said I couldn’t tell you, but everything is such a mess, and I don’t want to keep secrets anymore.”
    Grace crossed to her side. “OK, start from the beginning. And don’t leave anything out. You didn’t leave Damien because he hit you and hurt your shoulder, did you? Because I know he’s been hitting you for months, and you’ve stayed out of some idea that you love him.”
    Faith swallowed. “I was scared. No; make that terrified of him. He said if I left he’d find me and kill me.” The words tumbled from her as the dam opened. “Damien did something and several people were killed. He said