“Esther. What happened?” Lenna asked as she knelt next to her. She had not missed the concern written all over the other woman’s face. Lost in the moment, she had not even hear the others coming up. Lenna didn’t waste any time and Obadiah’s shirt open even more and poured whiskey over the wound.
Obadiah cursed, his eyes flew open and narrowed in Esther’s direction. “Crazy white woman, what are you doing?”
Of course, he’d blame her for this. “I’ll have you know it wasn’t me. You did not answer me and I was concerned. I see you're alive so, I’ll go.”
Lenna smacked him in the head which caused him to turn in her direction. Lenna and Obadiah had an odd relationship thought Esther. She didn’t act the same way as other women, thought Esther. While out in the woods previously, Esther had heard her curse and say some cross words to her husband as well as the other men. It would have never been accepted in the home she and Ruth had grown up in. They were told to be soft, meek and act like the women God intended them to be.
“I swear Lenna, if you do that again…”
“You’ll what? Now, tell me what happened so I can help.”
Eric and James had rushed to their side by this time. Eric ripped open his first aid kit. Bev stood back, her face pale as she looked at the slash on Obadiah’s chest. She pressed a hand to her lips, turning away from them. Esther wanted to run to her and offer some help, but her husband needed her more now. Her skin crawled as James bent at her side, putting a hand on her back. She tried hard not to flinch.
“A grizzly bear attacked us and Obadiah fought it off.” She’d never be able to repay him for this, but she’d tried hard to be the best wife she could. They couldn’t go back to civilization and let the marriage dissolve. She owned him and he owned her.
“Oh dear, come with me.” James lifted her to her feet before she had time to protest, and led her away from her husband.
“I need to be with him.”
“Let Lenna handle him. She is a healer and knows what she’s doing.”
Esther tugged away from his touch as he moved in front of her and did not let her go back to her husband. She folded her arms and looked around to see a way to get away from him. The other two men were busy at Obadiah’s side, assisting Lenna. She caught Obadiah’s eyes. They softened a touch when he looked at her, but then turned to stone as he saw James with his hand on her. His nostrils flared, a tick showed in his cheek. He tried to get up, but the others pushed him back down.
James didn’t notice the commotion going on around them. He acted like it did not matter to him. Why did he lead her away? The sight of blood did not make her weak. She had sewn him up and wanted to make sure he didn’t develop any problems.
“I need to get back to him.” Esther jerked her arm away from his hold and ran back to her husband’s side. She had to get away from this man and back to her spouse whom she trusted with her life. Blast it all, he fought a bear off for her protection. He would protect her from this man or anything else. This much she knew keep inside. She did not notice as James yelled her name.
“Please tell me you’re okay?” She begged her husband as he drank something from a cup Lenna held to his lips.
He swallowed, cupping her cheek as he turned to her. His calloused hands, rough against her smooth skin. She enjoyed the touch and the way his eyes lit up when he looked at her. A deeper part of the feelings frightened her. Would he later brush her away?
“Don’t worry.” He brushed her cheek with his thumb. She did not think, just leaned down and pressed her lips to his cheek.
“You saved me. I’m sorry I didn’t listen.”
“Always. I’ll always protect you. Next time, try not to anger a bear.” He winked as he laughed. This amazing man was already joking about what happened to them. She tried hard to be mad and couldn’t, and a smile formed on her lips. She shrugged her shoulders.
“I’ll try and make sure it is smaller next time.”
The other men talked with him and helped him to his feet. She stood off to the side with Lenna and Bev and hugged the two of them. This pull toward her spouse was new and something she couldn’t describe. Why? She fought feelings of flight down and stood next to the women and did as she should and not what she wanted. There was a reason they had others with different talents on this expedition and luckily, one was good with medical emergencies.
“So, how did you handle the bear?” Bev asked, took Esther’s hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. Lenna offered a smile in her direction as she turned to make sure Obadiah could get up. Pain stabbed in Esther’s chest as she watched another woman look at her husband. She needed to relax. There’s no need to worry. They grew up together. That’s all...
“Not well. That’s how he got hurt.”
“I’m not sure many of us would have handled it well.”
Esther closed her eyes, remembering how she shook at stick at the beast. One of the many mistakes she made today. It had not mattered very much before if she erred, but now, her actions always mattered. She had almost gotten someone killed. She would never been able to live with herself if this happened. Never. “I should have listened.
