Mystic Mountains

breath as another bout of coughing racked her frail frame.
    "If I can, love. " The awful constriction in Isabella’s throat almost choked her. How would she live without this woman who'd become the best friend she'd ever had or hoped to have?
    "Stay with Tiger."
    "I don't think I can do that." Isabella shook her head and Thelma clicked her tongue.
    "The man 's as proud and stubborn as you. You're a pair well suited. He'll never give an inch, and you won't budge once you're set on a path. But he cares for you more than any of those other women back in Sydney Town, and I'm certain he's been faithful to you for quite a while, Bella."
    Isabella laughed weakly, running a thumb over the almost transparent skin of the hand cradled in hers. "Oh, Thelma, don 't make me laugh. He's only been faithful since we left town because there's no one here for him except Lily, and he wouldn't sully his hands on her. He wouldn't look at me with lust in his eyes if there were other women hereabouts he could get to warm his bed, and you know it."
    "That 's not true." Thelma dragged in a long breath, her body shaking while she tried to get enough air into her lungs.
    "No? Then why was it he never so much as looked my way for years back in Sydney, when he had his mistress to run to for satisfaction?"
    "Humph. You're a sensible woman, but a bit of a dope where men are concerned. He's always looked at you with longing in his eyes."
    "That 's not true, Thelma," Isabella contradicted tartly. "Most of the time he looked as if he could strangle me."
    "That 's only because you always argued with him. He never touched you while Dougal was alive, did he?"
    "No? He only sedu ced me on my wedding day. If he'd left me alone I might have had a chance with Dougal. But Dougal saw us together. What man can forgive such a thing? I can't blame him for growing to despise me."
    Thelma closed her eyes as she moved her head on the pillow. "That 's another thing you're wrong about. Dougal was just eaten up with jealousy, he never hated you."
    "Ah well, too late now for crying over what can 't be changed."
    Thelma dragged in air, her chest making frightening wheezing sounds. She looked so pale and shrunken, a shell of her former self. When her hand went slack in hers Isabella thought she must be sleeping. Quietly she went to the doorway and was about to go out when Thelma said something. She went back.
    "What is it?" she asked, brushing strands of damp grey hair back from the pain-ravaged face.
    "I think you . . ." Thelma paused to catch her breath. "You should fetch Gillie." She lifted a hand an inch off the bedcover and Isabella clutched it gently. "Sorry I won't be here to see this little one," she said, so low Isabella had to bend to hear the words.
    A shaft of pain sliced through Isabella, making her tremble. "Don 't talk daft," she chided. "I need you to help me, Thelma. You can't think of not being around for me." Tears streamed down her cheeks and she brushed at them absently.
    Thelma gave a ghost of a smile, then closed h er eyes again. Her breathing became labored, as if she fought for each breath.
    "I 'll be just a minute." Isabella dashed from the hut, calling Agnes.
    The girl came at a run, wiping her hands on her apron, Tim trailing her.
    "Fetch Gillie, an' tell him to hurry, for God's sake."
    The girl 's face went pale and her mouth dropped open. "Aye, missus."
    Isabella twisted her hands together as she watched Agnes race off, her skirts hitched high.
    "What's wrong?" Tim clutched at Isabella's hand, staring at her tear-streaked face. His lower lip trembled.
    Isabella bent to cup his small chin in a palm, her enormous belly getting in the way. " 'Tis Thelma, Tim, she's mighty sick. I want you to be very quiet and not upset her. All right?"
    "Yes, Mama," he agreed solemnly, sitting cross -legged on the ground as Isabella went back inside the hut, tears falling as she said a silent prayer—useless, for she knew it would not be answered.
    Gillie came within ten minutes. He'd been working near the house, expecting this call he'd been dreading. Thelma had been getting weaker for days and although no one mentioned it they'd all known it was only a matter of time.
    An hour later Thelma slipped quietly into the endless slumber.
    They laid her to rest on a gentle slope overlooking the spot where Tiger had promised to build her a brick house.
    As the mournful group walked from the graveside Isabella felt the first pain. She stopped and dragged in a deep