Bring the rain

Chapter one

  Adalynn slowly became aware that she was wrapped in blankets and laying on a small bed next to a fire. She could hear voices coming from behind her. It seemed to be a man and a women and they were talking about her. " Oh, Bessie do you think the girl will heal?" she heard the man ask. "I think her wounds will heal but not the ones deep inside Fergus." Adalynn heard the concern in her voice. " You saw all her injuries and some are not easily healed from." Adalynn shuddered she knew which ones the woman talked about. Her husband had used her thoroughly and left no part of her body unscathed. the man slammed his hands on the table making Adalynn jump. " Who would do such a thing to a person?' the man shouted Adalynn could hear his outrage  and fear gripped her body would he hurt her too. "Fergus shut your mouth your scaring the girl." came the woman's voice  from next to Adalynn. Adalynn stiffened and slowly turned to see who was next to her. The woman had long grey hair pilled upon her head in a bun. Her face was weathered and wrinkled from years working in the sun. Her eyes a light grey color and showed compassion and worry. She had a bowl in her hand as she knelled next to the bed. " I have some broth for you dear." She held the bowl to Adalynn's dry lips and let the liquid drip down her throat. It was warm and felt wonderful on her dry throat and empty stomach. " I am Bessie and that is my husband Fergus." Adalynn looked at the older man. His skin dark and his hair was white and thinning on top. He had kind blue eyes and seemed to be filled with worry and anger all at the same time. "We will not hurt you girl." He said as he saw Adalynn flinch. His eyes softened and he smiled at her, " Can you talk girl?" He asked as he stood behind his wife. Adalynn shook her head no. She wasn't ready to talk and she was tired once more. She drifted to sleep back to the nightmares of her husband. For days she slept and fought a few times strong arms would hold her and rock her as she struggled against her dreams. On the sixth day she awoke to Fergus rushing inside the house. " We need to hide the girl. Men in the village looking for a girl like her." Adalynn felt all the blood escape her body. Fergus glanced at her pale face. " Do not worry girl I have a plan and I will not let them hurt you." Adalynn could see the determination in his face. "Hurry girl hide down here." he said as he pulled the floor boards up to show a crawl space. Bessie helped Adalynn up and in to the small space. Fergus closed it up and Adalynn held her breath. Her heart raced had Angus finally found her was she going to get this old couple killed? She lay there quite listening. then she heard the horse hoofs outside the small cottage. boots hit the floor above her and Adalynn wondered if they could hear her heart pounding out of her chest. "Oh good day to you sirs," came Bessie's voice. "What can I do for you? Would you like some tea?" she asked them as they stood above Adalynn. "No thank you." came one man's voice. "Have you seen a girl? She might have washed up a few days back?" came another male voice. "Oh that poor girl, my Fergus found her on the beach dead and stiff." Adalynn felt like she was going to pass out. This woman was faking her death. " Did you bury the girl?" came an all to familiar voice it was Angus Campbell. Adalynn froze and held her breath.  "Oh yes sir.' came Fergus voice from outside the doorway. "I can show you if you want for her families sake." She heard the men's boots walk outside to follow Fergus to a grave she was not in. They waited for awhile longer after the had left to help her out. Adalynn was in tears as Bessie  helped her out of the space. "Thank you." she said as she held on to Bessie. "She finally speaks." said Fergus as he stood a bit away smiling. "Well now that your dead girl you need a new name and a new family." said Fergus as he sat down watching the two women holding each other on the floor. Bessie pulled Adalynn's hair out of her face. "You will be my niece from now on and you must come up with your own name." She helped Adalynn to the chair by the fireplace. "I know some herbs that will darken your blonde hair so no one will know." Adalynn's mind was overwhelmed and she was tired from all the excitement of the last hour. Bessie smiled and helped her to the bed where she fell in to a deep sleep. She ate dinner with the couple and laughed at the way they were together it was clear to see that Fergus and his wife loved each other and that they were good people. Adalynn knew then this was her new home and that this couple would help her heal from her past.