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Page 301
He laughed grimly inside. He would accept anything now, even such a wild story, if it would heal her. Hadn't he already begun to accept it, after reading her notes, speaking with Will?
"Let's mix some of this stuff in water," Holly said. Thorn pitched in, making a paste. Holly unwrapped the bandages, glancing at Thorn and René. Thorn realized that she was trying to preserve what modesty of Mariah's she could with the two men in the room. No matter. As lovely as her body might be to Thorn, he wanted only for it to heal.
He drew in his breath sorrowfully as Holly bared the bullet wounds. They looked ugly, red and sore, with ridges of pus under the skin at the edges. There was a bad odor about them.
Mariah's moan of pain as Holly bathed her injuries made Thorn rise and begin pacing. He had done this to her. He had not protected her. And now she suffered.
Holly put the ill-smelling paste upon the wounds, covering them again with bandages. "Are you sure that will help her?" René sounded doubtful as Thorn helped him gently lower Mariah back to the bed. She was as limp as a rag doll.
"It'll work." Thorn made his voice ring with conviction. It was what Mariah had said to do. It had to work.
Holly added more water to the paste so it was runny. She put it in some broth. "Here, dearie. Medicine." She took a little in a spoon and guided it to Mariah's closed mouth. She was asleep again, or maybe passed out from the pain.
"I'll do it." Thorn sat on the bed, propping Mariah in his arms as though she were a weaning babe, then took the spoon. Mariah groaned and moved, but he was gently forceful, making her open her mouth so he could pour in the mixture. He rubbed her poor, smooth throat till she swallowed.
He got several bites down her. He felt some satisfaction, at least, for that. "You two get some rest," he said to the others. "I'll stay with her."
He paid no attention to their leaving. He cradled Mariah against him, resting his face on her damp, uncombed waves of hair, and closed his eyes.

 
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