Chapter 20

“Garrison, she’s crying for you. She’s had those awful dreams again and is screaming out murder! I’ve tried hot tea, I’ve tried salves. Samuel is sitting by her reading the bible, but we can’t stop her pain,” she said with tears falling out of her eyes. “The fever is bad, and it won’t break. I sent for Miz Bertha, but she probably won’t make it until tomorrow morn.”

Victoria took charge. “Mrs. Anne, tell John to take a sheet and soak it in cold water. We have to strip her of her clothes to break the fever,” she said, beating them to the door. They both stood and looked as if they were confused. She turned back to them and shouted. “Let’s move!” And then ran all the way back to the house.

Breaking the fever was harder than she thought. Five hours later, everyone was exhausted and cranky. They attempted to slip cat naps in shifts, but that was exactly what they were. They all prayed and took turns soaking sheets and wrapping the child as if she were a newborn. Saya slipped