Read Online The Rose Legacy by Kristen Heitzmann - Free Book Online Page A

time she reached the first outbuildings, her neck was a burning probe down to her lowest back, and her legs could barely keep from buckling. Instead of going down the main street like a gypsy peddler, she cut off toward Mae’s, every stumble on the rough ground a torment.
    She reached the boardinghouse steps but could not climb them. A single lamp shone from inside, and Carina focused on that as she bent and slid the load off her shoulders. The pain of bending was so extreme, she almost cried out. Pulling herself up by the railing, she made it to the door. With the side of her fist, she banged and waited. It wasn’t long, but it felt like forever.
    “Door’s open. I always keep it open.” Mae pulled it wide, and the light sprang from the hall, silhouetting her enormous shape. “What in the name of thunder’s happened to you?”
    Carina swung a weary arm toward the sheet, then felt her knees buckle as they had threatened to all day. This time the chasm was only as deep as the floor.

    Carina blinked against the light. A man’s face swam into view, and Mae’s, like a round moon, behind him.
    “Here she comes, now.” He smiled, removed the spectacles from his nose, and slid them into his vest pocket. “Well, young lady. It appears you overtaxed yourself.”
    Carina glanced around the room, papered in soft cream and beige. There was a photograph of a blockish man on the wall before her, and wilting flowers adorned a painted vase on the table.
    “Is she all right?” Mae’s tone was surprisingly warm.
    “I think so. Pushed herself too hard, especially being new to the elevation.”
    Carina stared at him, trying to piece together where she was and why. “Where’s Dom?” Her voice sounded as thin as whey.
    “Dom?” Mae cocked her head. “My mule.”
    “Tied up out back.”
    Carina closed her eyes. Had she ever been so tired? She forced the lids to rise again. “Alan Tavish … he’ll know what to do for him….”
    The doctor stood. “I’ll see him to the livery on my way.”
    Carina’s eyes closed of themselves, and she gave in to the warmth and the darkness.

    Like a great mother hen, Mae swooped upon Carina the next morning. “You’ll not budge from that couch until I say so.” She swung a tray with broth and brown bread spread with apple butter onto Carina’s lap. “You’re gaunt as a ghost. When’s the last time you ate?”
    Carina thought about it. “The night I came in. I should have been back for supper with Mr. Beck, but Dom …”
    “I thought as much. Don’t you know board comes with the room?”
    Carina nodded, feeling foolish now for not eating with the men. The motion sent a fresh wave of dizziness. “My head …”
    “Ten thousand feet, child. Ten thousand feet above the sea. Think about that.”
    Carina did think. Could that have affected Dom as well? She suddenly pushed herself up. “I must see to my mule.”
    “Doc took him to the livery. Old Tavish’ll see to him.”
    Carina believed that, but there was more she must do. “Mr. Beck is expecting me.”
    Mae shoved her gently into the cushions, then settled into the horsehair wing chair across from her. “As you’ve mentioned him, I’ll tell you. He was here twice last evening asking for you.”
    “I was supposed to meet him for supper.”
    “Well, he’ll get by that.” Mae winked, and the folds of skin scrunched up around her violet eyes.
    The innuendo was clear and annoying. Did Mae think she had come all this way to find a husband? And that she would jump at the first man who offered a hand in her plight? Carina sipped broth from the bowl. The bread she couldn’t stomach yet. “I’m to be his assistant.”
    “Oh? Well, he’ll hardly expect you, being that it’s Sunday, and I have specific orders not to let you out of the house today. Dr. Felden’s orders.” Carina sighed. The relief she felt shamed her. This weakness of body was foreign and frightening. Crystal was not a place to be weak. She’d seen that