Homespun Bride

Jillian Hart15you two try to make as little movement as possible. I’mgoing to get you out one at a time. Don’t worry, you’llbe safe.”Safe? Noelle gulped. Did that mean they were stillin danger? She could tell they were tipped at an oddangle, but her hearing had failed her. Her ears seemedto be ignoring everything, save for the man’s voice. Itwas strange, as was the feeling that she ought to knowhim, and how could that be? If he wasn’t a stranger,then Henrietta would have called him by name.“D-dear hea-vens!” Her aunt sounded quite strained.“A-are you q-quite sure that we’re not about to plungeinto the river?”The river? That took her thoughts off their rescuer.Fear shivered down her spine. Only then did she realizethere was another sound above the raging howl of thewind—the rush of the fast-moving river.How close were they to the edge? She tried tobreathe but her lungs felt heavy and the air in them likemud. As her senses settled, she could better hear thehungry rush of the river alarmingly close.“Let me help you, miss.”His voice seemed to move through her spirit and,confused, she didn’t realize that he was taking her handuntil suddenly his fingers closed around hers. His touchwas strong and as steady as granite. Every fear withinher stilled. It seemed impossible to be afraid as hisother hand gripped her elbow.Stunned, she could feel the faint wind shadow as hetowered over her. She knew he was tall, wide-shoulderedand built like steel. She knew, somehow, withoutseeing him. It was as if she was familiar with his touch.How could that possibly be?