Free Reverie (Hollow Hearts Book 1) by Christina Yother

her even if she wasn’t conscious. Both of them were covered in dirt and sawdust. Hetty wasn’t sure what else she could do until help arrived. “Please, Lord. Please bring someone to help,” Hetty prayed aloud. What was taking so long?
    Just then the door to the barn burst open and Isaac and Elias came running through. Both men rushed to their mother’s side, nearly pushing Hetty out of the way.
    “What happened?” Elias asked, fear hanging on his words.
    “I think she fainted. She said she wasn’t feeling well and then she started to fall.”
    Both men firmly yet gently lifted their mother from the ground and off Hetty’s lap.
    “Let’s get her in the house,” Isaac said. As quickly as they arrived, both men disappeared out the barn door leaving Hetty alone, still on the ground, and covered in dirt.
    She rose, brushed herself off, and immediately followed after them. When the house came into view she saw Lottie sitting on the porch crying, her arms wrapped around Jasper’s neck. The men rushed past her and entered the house. Hetty couldn’t bear to see the child so scared and alone. She hurried up the steps, rushed to the child’s side, and threw her arms around her. “Shhh, it’s going to be okay, Lottie. Why don’t we go inside and see what we can do to help your uncle and your daddy?” The little girl said nothing, but allowed Hetty to pick her up and carry her inside the door.
    They entered the house and found the downstairs silent. Hetty hurried up the stairs with Lottie still in her arms and found the brothers in Elizabeth’s room. Hetty hadn’t seen the room yet, and the brightness of the room with its yellow quilt, white walls, and fresh flowers comforted her despite the terrifying situation. She set Lottie down and rushed to the side of the bed.
    “I’m going for the doctor,” Elias said. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He headed out the door, pausing momentarily to kiss Lottie on the forehead.
    “Isaac, what can I do?” Hetty asked.
    “Will you please bring me a damp cloth for her head? I think she’s running a fever.” He didn’t meet her eyes when he spoke. His attention was entirely on his mother.
    Hetty turned and reached for Lottie’s hand. “Lottie, would you like to help me?”
    The little girl nodded, still not speaking. They headed downstairs together. In the kitchen Hetty quickly poured Lottie a glass of milk and found a few cookies. “Why don’t you sit here and have a little snack while I get something for Uncle Isaac?”
    Lottie moved to her seat and looked down at the table. Hetty knew she was scared. She was so young, so unaware of life’s sometimes unpleasant moments. But until they knew what had happened to Elizabeth, Hetty didn’t want the girl to be exposed to too much. She felt the need to protect her, comfort her. She placed the cookies and milk in front of Lottie. “I’ll be right back, sweetie.” She found a towel, quickly wet it and wrung it out, and headed upstairs to help Isaac.
    When she entered the room, Elizabeth lay just as still as when she’d left. Isaac sat next to her bed, his head bowed. Was he praying? I should offer up my own prayer. Hetty folded her hands and bowed her head. Lord, this isn’t my family. But they are wonderful people. Please be with them. Show them your love and comfort and help me to be what they need.
    “Isaac...,” Hetty whispered.
    He looked up at her, his eyes filled with exhaustion and fear. In that moment he didn’t look like the strong man who used his hands to create heirloom pieces for homes. He didn’t look like the kind man who’d listened so intently to her story just that morning over breakfast. He looked like a little boy. A scared little boy. She could see tears welling in the corner of his eyes as he reached to grip his mother’s hand. He was trying so hard to be strong, yet Hetty could see every piece of him wanted to break. He was afraid he was losing his mother.
    Hetty moved to the side