by Jolene Faye
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The low bay of the cows and Jed's scent comforted her as she shivered and turned in his small bed pulling the blankets up over her shoulder. Though the mix of emotions attacked her over the last few hours, Sybil still sobbed quietly against Jed's pillow. Cursing herself lowly for not having the strength or courage to face him, anger swelled inside of her thinking of Cole sleeping in the warmth of her cabin. He was somewhat awake as she hauled him back into the bed and she could have faced him then. She should have stayed inside and taken care of him. He'd done too much too fast, it was no surprise he'd collapsed. After she'd settled him in the bed and made sure he was warm, she couldn't stand the confinement of the cabin. Sybil couldn't be there with him, so she made her way to Jed's small room. She couldn't figure out what his words meant, but she knew the tone was meant to hurt her and that it did. The feelings she'd felt growing over the past couple weeks toward Cole now twisted and turned in her stomach as she fought the memory of his breath on her lips and the coldness of his words in her ears. She hadn't told Cole much about Rose but obviously he heard something that made him think she was involved with Rose's father. That was impossible! Even if he had asked around town about her, everyone knew of Rose and how Sybil came to adopt her. It made no sense to her at all. Sybil flipped roughly in the small bed again turning her back toward the door as the creaking of the bed mingled with the torment of her thoughts and emotions.
"Sybil, wake up," his voice floated amongst her tortured dreams. The warmth of his touch mingled with the passion of the kiss they had shared, "Sybil wake up! It's your daughter." "Rose," she whispered as she opened her eyes against the confusion of his voice in her dreams. "Sybil, get up my love. Your daughter is sick and she needs you." Jumping at the force of his hand pushing against her shoulder, Sybil spun quickly in the small bed and focused her eyes on the deep concern in the green pools of his eyes. "Come on, a man and an Indian woman brought her inside and sent me after you," he whispered softly as he pulled her from the bed and held the blankets around her tightly. "Rose," she half yelled as he slipped his arm under her legs lifting her and running toward the cabin. Jumping out of his arms as they entered the cabin, Sybil pushed past her two friends and fell beside the bed wrapping her arms around the sweat soaked frame of her daughter. "The doctor was right behind us Sybil. Daniel went to fetch him when she first starting being sick and crying for you. Her crying broke my heart and I started this way before Daniel and Dr. Brown could catch up. I knew you'd want her here at home," the soft worry filled voice of the young Indian woman floated behind her as the woman's arms wrapped around Sybil's shoulders. "How long has she been sick Dancing Moon," Sybil stuttered between sobs as she pressed kisses to the fevered forehead of the little girl. "Just today," the old friend assured, "but she slept a lot yesterday. Daniel and I thought she was just tired after Charlie and his family left." As the soft knock on the door vibrated in the small cabin, the little girl opened her hazed eyes, "Mama," she cried as she lifted her arms and Sybil pulled her into a tight hug. "Shh Rose, Mama is here. You are home and Dr. Brown is here to make you feel all better. I love you baby," Sybil sobbed as the doctor bowed his head, waiting as Sybil moved and sat slowly on the edge of the bed. Dancing Moon pulled Sybil into a hug as she stepped away from the bed. As worry over her daughter brought on a steady river of tears, Sybil stared over her friend's shoulder at Cole who hung his head and turned, quietly slipping out the front door.