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'twould be best." Mother patted her arm.
     
Another fit. Serena didn't dare question her faith aloud. It would distress her mother, who had tried so hard to build Serena's faith, but there were days when she couldn't help wondering why God would ignore her prayers for healing. If so many people thought her condition evil, why wouldn't God help her? Mother chose to blame ignorant people, but she questioned God since the Lord was the one who created her and seemed to be the one in control of everything.
     
"Ye've a visitor." Mother gestured toward the foot of the bed.
     
Feet slid across the dirt floor. Serena strained to make out the features of the person in the shadows. Her heart beat fiercely as she clutched the handwoven covers lying over her, waiting. Cara, her best friend appeared in the candlelight.
     
"Serena, I came as soon as I heard. We're all praying for a quick recovery." Cara held out her hands with each sliding step until her knees pressed against the box bed.
     
"Careful. Ye don't want to bruise yer legs," Serena said. "I'm so glad ye came."
     
"What a pair we make. Me, running into things with my blindness and bruising myself, and ye cracking yer skull with yer fits." She smiled, but Serena heard the sorrow in her voice.
     
"At least we have each other," Serena said. "As close as two sisters could ever be."
     
"True." Her bottom lip trembled as she brushed a wave of brown hair from her face. "How are ye feeling?"
     
"A wee bit tired is all."
     
"Are ye hungry?" Mother asked. "Gunna made a fire pit outside for some stew. Since it's a nice day out, we didn't want to smoke up the house or make it too hot in here."
     
"Aye," Serena said, glancing up at her mother. "My stomach isn't rumbling, but I believe a little nourishment will help build my strength."
     
"I agree," Tomas smiled. "That's the hearty spirit I want to hear from ye."
     
"If I canna go out, please open the door so I can at least see some light. I wish we had a window like the ones at Braigh Castle." She loved the long halls and chambers layered with windows that opened to the beauty and splendor of the outdoors.
     
"I'll take care of it," Cara offered, heading toward the wooden door. She splayed her hands across it and felt for the latch. With both hands she swung it open. Light poured in like golden rays of varying shades. Dust stirred, swirling in the air like snow flurries. It was a welcome sight compared to the contrasting darkness.
     
"We've company comin'. Looks like that fella was here earlier." Gunna's cheerful voice carried through the threshold.
     
Serena tensed. "What fellow?"
     
"After yer fall some men happened upon us on their way to Braigh Castle. They helped me bring ye home." Mother
     
touched her arm in support. "Don't worry. They don't know about yer fits— only the fall and the injury to yer head." She pressed her palm to her forehead. "Oh dear, I believe I sent Gavin on a merry chase looking for ye, Tomas." She stood to her feet. "I hope he isn't angry with me."
     
She rushed outside to greet their guest.
     
Serena pushed herself up with Cara's help and brushed her fingers through her long hair, hoping to improve her unkempt image. She adjusted how her dress lay across her shoulders and took a deep breath.
     
"None of the villagers will say aught," Cara said. "Yer secret is safe."
     
"Aye, but now he must think me a blunderin' fool to fall off a wagon." Fear wound inside her nervous chest. It wasn't often she got the chance to meet new people. She could only imagine the impression she must have made. Her skin prickled as a small shiver raced up her spine and crawled around her neck.
     
"Stop fretting. I'm sure he's quite nice," Cara whispered. "He must be of excellent character to perform the deed he did for both ye and yer mother." Father Tomas bent toward her. His bald head glistened from the angle of the light. "Indeed, I'm looking forward to meeting him."
     
"Evelina, I'm sorry," a man's voice spoke