Read Online Captive Eden by Brenda Williamson - Free Book Online Page A

ranch for a glimpse of your return, I took stuff.
After your father died, I worried you would never return.”
    “You sent me the telegram, didn’t you?”
    “Yes.”
    “Thank you.” She tipped her head back as Brant’s mouth
descended toward her.
    Then Charlie’s heart-stopping scream surrounded them.
    Brant ran to Charlie as she spun around. She saw Charlie
falling, a snake at his feet. Brant plunged his knife so hard into the back of
the snake’s head he pinned the reptile to the ground.
    Eden rushed to them and stared in disbelief as Brant tore
Charlie’s pant leg open. He cut into the flesh and sucked at the wound. He spit
and blood spattered the dirt.
    “We have to get him back to the village.” Brant rose and
shook her. “Do you hear me, Eden?”
    She nodded and watched him pick up her son. Charlie dangled
like a limp rag in Brant’s arms. He appeared small and frail.
    “He’s going to die.” The words tumbled from her. She had
seen rattlers kill men.
    Brant’s hurried and determined strides were longer than
hers. She felt numb and slow. She almost lost sight of him until he stopped,
slung Charlie over his shoulder and came back to take her arm and drag her
along to the camp.
    “Sully, get our mother. Charlie’s been snake bit.” He let go
of Eden’s arm and ducked inside his lodge.
    Eden felt shut out, alone and terrified. Then Brant emerged,
snatched her wrist and pulled her into the dimly lit area. She didn’t want to
watch her son die.
    Lucy entered a moment later. She knelt next to Charlie and
quickly layered a paste and leaves over the wound. For a long time, Charlie lay
completely still. Eden tried to convince herself he was sleeping while the
horrifying fear he was dead and no one noticed danced in and out of her
thoughts.
    Several times, she reached out to touch him. But drew it
back, too afraid to find out the truth. Charlie was the most precious thing in
her life. If he died, she’d die too. Unable to sit still, she paced the small
area.
    “I should have stayed in Boston. He was safe there,” she
muttered, reprimanding herself.
    “Eden.” Brant grabbed her arm.
    She flashed a panicked look at Charlie.
    “He needs you.” Brant led her to the pallet of furs.
    “There’s nothing else to do but wait.” Lucy patted her
shoulder and left.
    Eden tried to wipe the tears blurring her vision. It seemed
useless as the steady flow continued.
    Brant eased her down next to Charlie and laid her hand on
Charlie’s arm. “Be strong for him.”
    “This is your fault,” she blurted out.
    “Eden.” He tried to hold her.
    “No, get away from us.” Lying down next to Charlie, she
hugged her son’s lifeless body, praying that God not punish her child for her
mistakes.

Chapter Five
     
    Brant watched for two days as Charlie shook with a fever,
his little body fighting the venom poisoning him. Eden barely ate what his
mother brought to her. She hadn’t spoken and refused to look at him the whole
time. When she finally passed out from exhaustion, he bowed his head and wept.
Closing his eyes, he prayed to Charlie and Eden’s God. Eden had told him her
God was a generous one and he’d not care that Indian blood flowed in Charlie’s
veins.
    When Charlie cried in his sleep, Brant lifted him up and
held him tight. He buried his face against the boy’s neck and prayed harder to
every God and spirit who ever existed. If Charlie died, he wouldn’t need Eden’s
hate to destroy him. He’d never survive losing his son and the woman who gave
his life meaning.
    “Mama,” Charlie mumbled. “Mama, make him stop.”
    “Get away from him.” Eden crawled over and put her hands out
for Charlie.
    Brant loosened his grip, realizing how tightly he hugged the
boy.
    “Get out and leave me alone with my son.” Eden demanded. “If
he dies, it’ll be your fault and no one will ever hate you the way I will.”
    “Eden.” He released Charlie to her. “Eden I—”
    Brant rose and left the lodge