Abner knelt next to her just as Sam rushed in behind him.

“I don’t care what you say, Abner. I’m not staying out there.” His voice shook with anger. “I love her, and that’s my baby. I deserve to be in here.” Sam’s eyes were lit with anger.

Abner sprang back up from Bekah’s bed. “I told you to stay outside until it was finished.”

Sam lifted his chin in defiance. “I don’t care what you said.”

Abner’s eyes narrowed to slits. “I said go.” He pointed to the exit. “And the Lord commands that today if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart in rebellion.”

Sam stepped toward Abner until they stood chest to chest. “I’m staying in this room. Period. That’s what my God would want me to do.”

Abner shoved him, and he went flying backward. Sam sprang up and charged Abner. Margo and I jumped up.

“Stop it!” Margo screamed as we stretched our bodies between them. Sam’s chest pounded against mine. “Stop acting like idiots and help Bekah.”

The fight left Sam at the mention of her name, and he rushed to her bedside. I breathed a sigh of relief as Abner angrily stomped out of the tent. Sam would pay for it later—probably Margo too—but at least it was over for the moment.

Sam hovered over the bed. “What’s happening?”

“The pain is too much for her. The baby is still twisted the wrong way inside her,” I whispered. If Bekah could hear me in whatever space she was in, I didn’t want her to hear me say it again. The last time I’d told her what was happening, she’d clung to me sobbing and begged me to let her go.

Pain filled his eyes. “Nothing has changed?”

I shook my head.

“Oh my God.” He ran his hands through his hair. “What about the baby? Is the baby okay up there? I mean . . .”

Margo laid her hand on his shoulder. “I think we’re losing them both.”

“We have to save them, I mean, one of them. They can’t both die. Jesus, Margo. They can’t both die.” He moved in anxious circles. “What was I thinking? What was I ever thinking?”

“Calm down, Sam,” Margo said in her most soothing voice. “Just calm down. Maybe you should step outside to get some fresh air.”

As if on cue, the tent opened, and Abner burst in, holding his gun and pointing it directly at Sam.

“What are you doing?” Margo shrieked.

“Inflaming fire and inflicting vengeance upon those who do not obey.” Abner took a step closer to Sam. “It is my duty to obey the word.”

Sam moved closer to him. “What are you going to do? Shoot me?” He gave him a cocky smile. “You’re going to shoot me now, Abner?”