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skirt, ran the wooden comb from her satchel of belongings through her hair and wondered what she looked like. Mirrors probably existed in these times, though perhaps they were luxuries that hadn't yet hit the wilderness. |
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Preparing to hurry to the kitchen, she peeked into the room next doorand found her charge out of bed, peering out the window. |
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"Holly!" Her exclamation erupted at her delight at seeing the woman conscious and moving. "How are you feeling?" |
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Holly turned. There was color in her cheeks now that wasn't just caused by bruising. Her pale hair, nearly clean, framed her round face, and her close-set hazel eyes were wide open and smiling. She still wore the man's shirt she'd slept in. "I'm fine, Miss Mariah. Feeling quite fit, in fact, and ready to pay back them who's helped me." |
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"Pay . . . ?" Mariah hesitated, not wanting to embarrass Holly. |
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Holly laughed. "No, I haven't got a bit o' coin or tradin' goods with me. But Frenchie told me this here's an inn. I did a bit of serving back east before . . . before, and I can help out till I'm on my way again." |
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"But you need to get your strength back," Mariah protested. |
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"Oh, I'll not be doing any more than I can stand." She hesitated for a moment. "Only problem is that I can't find my clothes." |
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"They were pretty well destroyed." Mariah surveyed the woman. She was shorter but much curvier. "I'm not sure anything I have will fit you. Let's see." |
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She pulled her sparse wardrobe from the neat pile she'd made in one corner. |
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"Oh, this is your room?" Holly sounded upset. "You didn't need to put yourself out on my account." |
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"No problem at all," Mariah said. "I just slept next door last night." |
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"Well, we'll switch, then, tonight." |
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"Sure." But Mariah wondered whether Thorn would put Holly up for another night. He had to; he couldn't turn her out if she had no place to go. |
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