Chapter 19

Out of breath from running, Samantha gasped, "Oh Catherine isn't it a miracle?! Just when we can use him the most, Dr. Alcott comes to visit! I am going to get him!"

"He is here because I sent for him," Catherine admitted. "What has happened?!"

Samantha looked confused. "If you don't know what happened then why did you send for Dr. Alcott?" she asked.

"Because I sensed something was wrong through the Bond Vincent and I share. Now will you please tell me what happened?!"

The child gulped at having to be the one to deliver bad news, but replied, "There was a cave in."

"Vincent?!" Catherine gasped.

"No, Devin was trapped. Vincent tried to hold up the beam while the work crew got out, but only Kanin and Stephen made it before Vincent couldn't hold any longer."

"Was he badly hurt?!" Catherine needed to know.

"I only know that Father wanted him to go to the hospital chamber, but Vincent wouldn't go while Devin was trapped."

"Okay, Samantha you go and get Peter, but tell me where the cave in was first."

"You probably shouldn't go there what with the baby and all," she said, nodding at Catherine's tummy.

"I have to see Vincent!" Catherine insisted.

With a shrug, Samantha told her where to go and then hurried off to get Peter.

Catherine arrived at the site a short while later with the pain burning in her shoulders increasing with every step. She knew that she needed to get Vincent to stop before he caused himself permanent damage.

Her relief at seeing Vincent working to clear heavy rocks from the filled passageway was so tangible that even through all that was going on he must have felt her emotions through the Bond.

Looking up, he saw her standing there, fear and concern written on her face. His mouth formed her name and she could hear it in her mind as clearly as if he had shouted it above the noise in the passageway. Before all she had even gotten through the Bond had been feelings, but at that moment it was as clear as day in her head, "I'm fine, but Devin is trapped."

Catherine nodded her understanding and Vincent quickly turned back to the work of freeing his brother. She turned to the person nearest her and asked what she could do to help. Sarah looked down at Catherine's belly and suggested that she help William in the kitchen. The workers needed to keep up their strength so the kitchen staff was providing a steady supply of fluids as well as sandwiches.

She looked around and knew Sarah was right. The work being done was too heavy for someone in her condition. So, with another nod, she took herself off to offer her services where they could actually be put to use.

It was three hours later when word rang out on the pipes that Devin had been freed. He was alive, but unconscious so would be taken directly to the hospital chamber where Father and Peter were waiting. Catherine excused herself from William's team after explaining that Vincent had been hurt too and she wanted to be sure that he was okay. William shooed her off and as she left he called two of his helpers to take trays to the hospital chamber in case anyone needed food or drink.

Arriving at the hospital chamber, Catherine found that it was a hive of activity. She almost felt that she should be a patient as well. The ache in her shoulders was so intense that it was almost made her want to throw up. Added to that she was weary from a full day of work at the DA's office followed by hours in the kitchen making sure the rescue teams were well fed. Catherine couldn't even remember feeling more weary in her life.

She entered the chamber and her eyes went immediately to Vincent who was sitting on an exam table staring intently at a screened off portion of the room. Rebecca was trying to get him to remove his vest and shirt so she could treat his wounds.

Approaching her husband, it wasn't until she stood right in front of him, blocking his view of the screen that he looked up to see that she was there. "Catherine! Are you alright?! I feel that you are in pain!"

To be continued…..