Eli – 1763

Caleb drops something furry on the table and the woman scurries over to pick it up, heading outside without saying a word.

If I had any hope at all of her standing between me and Caleb, I guess I can let that go now.

Caleb has moved over to the fire smoldering in the hearth, a big iron pot suspended over it. He peers inside and pokes a finger in at the contents, drawing it out and jamming it in his mouth.

I continue to work the loose knots holding my wrist, one half of my attention on Caleb, the other half on the fact that the knots on my left hand, the one closest to the wall, appear to be loosening slightly.

Caleb turns and walks toward me, drawing a stool close to the foot of the bed and straddling it, dropping down and fixing his eyes on mine.<...

Please subscribe to keep reading.