Page 141 (1/2)

"Go ahead, then"

Selena forced her wobbly legs to move At his bedside, she pulled out a chair and sat down "Elliot, can you hear me?"

The doctor shuffled over to the bed and stood on the opposite side "He can't hear anything, Sister He's been sleeping on and off for alht away, but there wasn't nothing I could do except dig out the bullet There's already a hint of inflammation He's in God's hands now"

"God's hands" She repeated the words dully, leaning over Elliot He lay as still as she i shallow and labored

"I'et me some buttermilk Would you like some?"

"No"

The doctor stood by her for a minute, then turned and shuffled away

>

She stared down at Elliot, knowing he could hear her in there Praying he could She began talking to hi voice She had no idea what the

333

wordsat all She just talked

Finally he stirred

She scooted forward, grabbed his big, scarred hand, and pressed it to her cold, wet cheek "Elliot?"

His eyes fluttered open, his breath released in a ragged sigh "Agnes"

Her relief was so sharp, so poignant, that she almost cried out She leaned toward him, tenderly brushed the messy hair from his face, and stared into his watery, bloodshot eyes