Page 94 of Magnolia Summer

He sighed. “All right. But I want you to know it’s not serious. The bullet went all the way through, and that’s a good thing.”

All the way through.Celia swallowed and tried to breathe.I will not faint. I will not faint . . .

“It missed all the organs. God was looking out for me.”

Celia still wasn’t sure where his wound was located, but she reached for the clasp on his cloak and got it unfastened. She swept off the black cape. A bright red stain made a large blotch on his undershirt at his lower left side.

Her stomach lurched.I will not get upset. I will not faint.She should pray.Oh, dear God, you won’t let him die, will you? I trust you, God. Truett is yours. Keep him alive.

Truett needed her. She would be strong and capable—for him. Her voice squeaked out of her tight throat, “Not serious, you say?”

“Now, Celia, if you start to feel faint—”

“No, I’m fine. What do I do?”

“We have to wrap it around, tight, to stop the bleeding. Here, I’ll hold it while you wrap.”

She placed the end of the roll of fabric against his bloody side. She concentrated on breathing in and out, and forced herself not to think about the warm, sticky blood on her fingers or the pain in his face. He placed his blood-covered hand over the end of the bandage and held it in place while she wrapped the bandage roll around his middle and his back. She had to lean over him, almost in his lap to get the bandage all the way around.

“Make sure it’s tight.”

Celia pulled it taut.

“Tighter.”

She pulled harder. Truett moved his hand so she could keep it as tight as possible. She kept winding carefully until she came around the wound again. He sucked in a breath through his teeth.

“I’m hurting you.”

“No, no, it needs to be tight.”

She continued winding the bandage across his stomach and around his back. A tear dripped off each cheek.Please let him not notice.She bit her lower lip to stop it from trembling.

She continued wrapping the bandage. He bit his lip, too. As she leaned toward him to get the bandage around his back, more tears dripped from her eyes onto his chest.

“Why are you crying?” His voice was strained.

She ducked her head and kept on with her task.

His fingers slipped under her chin and lifted her face, forcing her to stop. He gave her an intense, searching look.

“I love you, Truett.” Her voice broke. She knew her chin was quivering but she didn’t care. “I love you and I’m sorry if I caused you pain. I’m sorry for being such a fool.”

“You’re not a fool, Celia. I’d never think that about you.” He put his arm around her and pulled her against his chest. She didn’t even mind his sweat and laid her head against his shoulder. Her arms were already around his waist as she held the bandage behind his back.

“I should have accepted your marriage proposal. I’m so sorry for letting my fear stop me.”

“Are you saying you will marry me?”

“Yes, that’s what I’m saying.”

“You’re not afraid I’ll die on you?”

“I am still afraid.” Her voice hitched but she continued. “Almira said love was better than fear, and I know she’s right.” She lifted her face to his and kissed him.

She sat up and continued with the bandaging. Her tears had dried and she was now much more aware of his state of undress and her closeness to him. Her heart fluttered as she tried to avert her eyes from his chest.

When she came to the end of the bandage, she pinned it down. “I hope it’s tight enough.”