Read Susanna's Dream: The Lost Sisters of Pleasant Valley, Book Two for Free Online

to feel for a pulse. “Dora, say something.”
    Dora’s eyelids fluttered, as if she was trying to respond and couldn’t.
    What should she do? Stay with her? Run for help? If she left—
    The bell jangled. Feet rushed across the shop toward them, and then Chloe was kneeling next to her.
    “What happened?” She was already pulling a cell phone from her bag. “I’ll call 911.”
    “No.” Dora’s voice was a thready whisper, but her eyes were open. “No ambulance.”
    Susanna exchanged looks with Chloe. Do it anyway? Chloe seemed to wait for her to make the decision.
    “Call her son,” she said. “There’s a phone at his store.” She gave the number quickly, and then turned to Dora, patting her hand. Nathaniel would know what to do.
    “It’s going to be all right,” she said, trying to sound more positive than she felt. “Chloe’s calling Nathaniel. He’ll be here in a few minutes, I know.”
    Dora shook her head slowly, frowning as if trying to concentrate. “Nate will fuss,” she murmured.
    “Only because he loves you,” she said. “Just lie still. I’ll get a pillow for your head.”
    Almost before she got the words out, Chloe was handing her one of the quilted pillows from the display.
    “He’s on his way,” Chloe said softly. “He said he’d bring a car and driver. I tried to tell him I’d be glad to drive, but he didn’t listen.”
    Susanna suspected that listening wasn’t one of Nate’s strong points, but of course he almost always had a driver available, because he had several Englischers who did deliveries for him. “Denke, Chloe. I mean, thank you. That’s kind of you.”
    Chloe’s smile flickered, and she patted Susanna’s shoulder. “I do know what it means. What about a blanket? Dora, are you chilly?”
    “A little,” Dora muttered. “What am I doing on the floor?”
    “You fainted. You’ll be better soon.” Susanna’s heart ached at the confusion in Dora’s face, and she murmured a silent prayer.
    “Here.” Chloe knelt with a woven throw in her hands, draping it over Dora’s body. “This will keep you more comfortable.”
    “I should get up. What if a customer comes in?” Dora’s voice was stronger, and she attempted to raise herself.
    “No, no.” Susanna eased her back down. “You might get dizzy. Just rest for a few more minutes.” Hopefully Nate would be there by then.
    “I feel so foolish,” Dora muttered, sounding more like herself every moment.
    Before Susanna could answer, the door flew open with such force that the bell nearly jangled off its hook. Nathaniel surged into the shop, seeming to fill the room with his physical presence.
    “Mamm, are you all right?” He glared at Susanna. “Why is she lying on the floor? She’ll get chilled.”
    She couldn’t take offense at his tone, not when she knew it came from his fear for his mother.
    “We were afraid she’d be dizzy again if she tried to get upright,” she said, keeping her voice low. “Best not to move her suddenly.”
    He frowned, but nodded. “I should get the emergency squad—”
    “No.” Dora’s tone was decided. “I’m not going to let them cart me out of here on a stretcher. I’m fine.” Some of the color was back in her face, and she seemed to be improving every moment.
    “The hospital, then. I have a car and driver outside. We’ll take you straight there.”
    “So I can sit in an emergency room for an hour? No, thank you. Just take me home. A nap is all I need.” She managed to get up onto her elbows, not seeming to feel any ill effects, and frowned at her son.
    “Don’t be ferhoodled.” He frowned back, the two of them looking remarkably alike in expression. “The hospital—”
    “Why don’t you take her to her own doctor?” Susanna suggested. “If this is a reaction to her new medicine, he’ll know best what to do. We can call ahead so he expects her.”
    Nate stood, apparently for the sole purpose of frowning down at her. “I know best for my