Page 44 of The Temptation of Roan Island

“She did, but there’s a lot to attend to.” Before I realize what he’s doing, Shemaiah scoops me up and cradles me in his arms.

“What are you doing?”

“Keeping you from twisting an ankle.”

Mrs. Darning is well ahead of us, already at the door, but Shemaiah doesn’t rush his steps.

I huff, but don’t complain. Truthfully, I’m tired, and the crushing disappointment of not being reunited with my son only adds to the fatigue. My eyes sting with tears threatening to drown me, my body heavy with illness and despair. I need to leave the island and find my boy myself, but I know none of the Roans will want me to do that. And traveling feels so daunting and unwieldy.

I should rest first.

Despite all the uncertainty, disappointment, and worry, I feel safe in Shemaiah’s arms. A dangerous feeling. But I tighten my hold around his neck, wanting to take whatever comfort I can, while I can.

He promised to help me find Tobias. It’ll take a bit of convincing to get him to let me go, but I trust him to help in whatever way he can. Usually I would avoid relying on someone else, but for the moment, resting in this partnership with Shemaiah offers me the support I need. I’m so tired of holding myself up all on my own. So tired.

He adjusts me in his arms, and I rest my head on his chest as his steps slow, almost like he isn’t ready to reach the house and let go. Or maybe I’m just not ready for it. Some part of me wants to stay right here forever. But now that I know Tobias isn’t coming, I know what I have to do. I need to leave Roan Island and find my son.

19

SHEMAIAH

Pippa always seems fragile due to her illness, but that’s even more true when she’s asleep. After carrying her to her room and setting her in bed, I couldn’t bring myself to leave. I pulled the curtains closed so the light wouldn’t disturb her, lit candles so she wouldn’t wake in the dark, tucked the blankets around her twice, adjusting them when she’d kicked one off. Now, there’s nothing left to do. I know I should leave, but I stay.

I like taking care of her.

Sitting on the couch near her bed, I pick up the book she left there. The weight of it rests in my fingers while my eyes drift to the woman on the bed. She’s on her side, her hands nestled under her cheek. Her mouth is closed, which makes me wonder how deeply she’s under. Dark lashes flutter against her lightly freckled cheek. Her hair is mussed, and I resist the urge to go to her, to smooth it with my palm, to feel the silkiness of it again.

I’m not sure how long I stare before she rolls over and opens her eyes. A sleepy smile graces her lips when she sees me, and something inside me does a little flip in response.

“You’re here,” she murmurs, lazy from sleep.

“I didn’t want to leave.” The truth spills out of me without thought. Pippa always makes me want to share more than I should. I clear my throat. “I wanted to make sure you’re alright. You seemed particularly weak, and after Tobias wasn’t on the boat…”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

Something unfurls in my chest. We stare at each other for a beat longer than necessary.

“I’m okay, though,” she says. “If you need to go…”

“There’s nowhere I need to be.” I set down the book. “But Noah said he wanted to know when you woke. He’d like to take another sample of your blood.” I stand and walk to the window, suddenly needing to move. “If that’s alright with you.”

She chews her lip and carefully sits, giving me an excuse to go to her side and help her adjust the pillows.

“Yes, that’s fine, but…” She fiddles with her blankets. “Would you stay while he does it?”

A warm glow settles between my ribs. “Of course. Let me just go tell Noah. Will you be alright on your own for a few minutes?”

“Yes.” She offers a quiet laugh. “I’m perfectly capable of being left alone. I just… don’t like needles and blood.”

I nod, wondering about that fear. Does she feel repulsed by the way my siblings and I indulge ourselves, or is it just needles that alarm her? After all the poking and prodding she experienced at The Sanatorium, it would be understandable.

“There’s water if you’re thirsty.” I point to a glass on the bedside table. “I won’t be long.”

Not wanting to leave her, especially after she asked me to stay, I race out of the room, anxious to return. The realization grabs hold of my hearts, and their beats trip in my chest with an uncomfortable pinch. Since when am I in a hurry to be anywhere?

I don’t want to ponder that. Pippa needs me.

Noah said he’d be in his laboratory, so I don’t waste time, going straight down to the Gate House and the sterile room where he does his experiments. He and Ruby are bent over a microscope together.