Montana Sky: Slater's Bride (Kindle Worlds)

by Patricia Thayer

  Hector rode next to Paul. “If you get tired, then I can take her.”

  “Thank you for the offer, but I can do this.”

  It took nearly three hours before they reached Morgan’s Crossing, and mostly, Letty remained unconscious as they rode up to the miner’s cabin that had recently been added onto and turned into Doctor Rye Rawlins’ office.

  Hector dismounted first.

  Paul handed her over to the big man as he climbed down then took Letty back and hurried her up the steps of the house.

  Michael was there to open the cabin door. “Come inside,” he said. “Missouri has a bed made up in back, and Doc is waiting there.”

  Paul carried Letty through the cabin.

  Doc Rawlins appeared in the examination room doorway. “In here. Bring her in here.”

  Paul followed him inside the small room and laid her down on the narrow bed. He bent over her and touched her face. “Letty, it’s going to be all right. You’re in good hands with Doc. He’s pretty good at patching up people. Turns out he was a fancy doctor in San Francisco. He’ll take good care of you.” He glanced at the man who could save Letty.

  Doc was washing his hands in a basin. Then Missouri came into the room.

  He felt better that Letty would have another woman with her.

  “Paul, you need to leave so Rye can work on her wound,” Missouri said as she touched his arm. “Please, there’s no time to waste.”

  Paul kissed Letty’s sweet face, then let go of her hand. “I’ll be right outside, darlin’.” He went out and heard the door click shut behind him. Immediately, he wanted to go back inside. He ended up in the main room of the cabin. He paced the log house that held little furniture. He was intrigued, finding the walls and rafters were filled with dried herbs, and there were rows of shelves lined with tinctures and other medicines.

  Mrs. Tisdale and Prudence came through the door.

  “I just heard about Letty,” Prudence said. “Come, Paul. We’ll sit with you.”

  “I’m fine.” He turned to see Hector standing there. “I’d appreciate it if you’d take Duke down to the livery stable and make sure Howard gives him extra feed.” He pulled some money out of his pocket and handed it to man for the bill.

  The older man nodded then left the house.

  Paul sank into one of the chairs and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. Why hadn’t he come home earlier? He’d left Letty alone all day. He couldn’t stand the temptation of being around her, and not being able to touch her, kiss her. He didn’t want to tell her his true feelings. He told Johnny he’d take care of her while he was in Chicago, but he le him down.

  He let Letty down. What sort of a husband walks out on his wife when things get difficult? He stood and began to pace, thinking about his life without Letty. He didn’t know if he could bear it.

  He felt a nudge against his arm.

  “Paul, wake up.”

  Paul raised his head from the table and saw Rye standing beside the chair. “Doc.” He sat straighter, noticing it was daytime. “How is my wife?” He didn’t like seeing Rye’s somber look. This guy was a kidder, always smiling. Not now. His eyes were dark and unreadable.

  “I removed the bullet, Paul. The good thing is, no vital organs were hit. She’s lucky in that regard, but she’s lost a lot of blood, and there’s always a chance for infection. So far, she is holding her own.”

  Paul felt tears sting his eyes. He was grateful that this man was here to help her. “Give it to me straight out, Doc. What are Letty’s chances?”

  “It’s in God’s hands, now. We’ll watch her closely through the next twenty-four hours, and hopefully there’ll be signs of improvement. Sorry, I wish I could offer you more. It’s up to your wife, now.”

  Just then, Michael came through the door. “How is Letty?”

  Rye left the room, and Paul went over what the doctor had told him.

  Michael cursed. “I hate that we wasted so much time before we could go after Jensen. Maybe we need a sheriff here in Morgan’s Crossing.”

  Paul agreed, but he truly didn’t care at this point. Nothing mattered until Letty got better.

  “I sent off a telegraph to the U.S. Marshall. He needs to know what happened.” Michael put his hand on Paul’s shoulder. “There’s nothing to worry about. Hank Jensen kidnapped Letty. Besides, he had his gun drawn on you. You shot in self-defense.”

  “I’m not worried about that. I’d kill that bastard, no matter what.” He looked Michael in the eyes. “Did you hear Letty say that Henry killed her father?”

  Michael nodded. “He was one evil bastard. I sent two men and a wagon to the miner’s shack to get the body and take to the undertaker in Sweetwater Springs. Do you want me to notify Letty’s family in Chicago? I could send a telegraph.”

  “Could you hold off a little while? I want to wait a few hours to see how Letty is doing. Hopefully, we’ll have good news.”

  Missouri came into the room. The pretty redhead smiled sweetly. “Paul, would you like to go sit with your wife for a little while? Sometimes the sound of a person’s voice helps bring them back to us.”

  Paul wasn’t sure if Letty wanted him there, but he would try anything. “Yes, I would.” He thanked Michael for all his help then he walked into Letty’s makeshift bedroom.

  Inside, he found Letty’s still body lying in a bed. Thanks to Mrs. Tisdale and Missouri, she was dressed in a white nightgown and a sheet covered her. She looked peaceful, too peaceful. Paul walked over to her and touched her blond braid. Then he got a good look at her face, seeing bruises and scrapes marring her flawless skin. He tensed, wanting to kill Jensen all over again, this time more slowly and painfully.

  “I’m so sorry, Letty.” He took her lifeless hand in his. “I know you had to be scared. I should have been there with you,” he whispered, his throat tight with emotion. “I’m here now.”

  Suddenly, he felt the slight movement of her fingers against his palm. Oh, God. “That’s it, Letty. Open those big brown eyes, my love. You are my love. I just didn’t want to admit it. Then when I came home and found you gone…” His legs suddenly too weak to hold him up, he sank into the wooden chair beside the bed. “Don’t ever leave me again. I need you, Letty. I know I pushed you away…” He searched her face for any kind of response, but there was none. “You see I gave my heart to someone once before, and I guess I was too scared to try love again.” He gently stroked her hair.

  “I came here, and Johnny helped me get my life turned around. We became partners in the ranch and I began to dream again.” He touched her hair. “Then you showed up one day. I was afraid if I gave you my heart…and you left to go back home...Now, I realize that you stole my heart the moment I first saw you on the train.” Tears formed in his eyes. “Please, wake up, Letty. I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  A week since he arrived in Chicago, Johnny strolled through the wrought iron gate that surrounded the Drennan estate. He climbed the steps to the large wraparound porch of his parents’ stone home. He reached for the brass handle to the heavy oak door.

  Suddenly it opened, and the butler, Charles, greeted him.

  The tall, thin man who’d once worked for his father, now worked for him. “Hello, sir,” Charles said. “I hope your business meeting went well this morning.”

  “Yes, it went exceptionally well, Charles. Soon Drennan Meat Packing should be back to normal.”

  The older man smiled. “Your father would be proud, sir. May I also say, we’re happy to have you home.”

  “Yes, you may again.” He’d gotten the same greeting in the past week since his return. “And I’m also happy to be home.” He was grateful, more than he ever thought possible. After only a few days, he’d already set the changes at the plant in motion. His first order of business had been to take the operation of the meat packing plant back from Henry Jensen.

  The man hadn’t been happy with Johnny’s sudden appearance
. He’d threatened to sue him and destroy the Drennan name. Let him try.

  Johnny stepped into the grand entry with the high-gloss marble floors, the tall ceilings and dark oak wainscoting along the walls. It felt good to be home. As Maggie had all week, he found the housekeeper waiting for him.

  “Good day, Mr. Drennan,” she said.

  Johnny frowned. “Again, Maggie, please, both you and Charlie should call me Johnny.”

  The gray-haired woman exchanged a look with Charles. “It doesn’t seem right, sir.”

  “You changed my soiled drawers as a baby.” He hugged her close. “You are like a second mother to me.”

  “And you are like my own lad,” she whispered, emotion laced in her voice. “It is so wonderful to have you home again.”

  “And thanks to you, I arrived in time.”

  Johnny knew it could have been a different outcome. With the help of Robert Kendrick, the Chicago lawyer Roger Jacobs suggested they hire, they’d held an emergency stockholders meeting two days ago. With nearly an unanimous vote, Johnny had been installed as the new head of the company, just as his father had wanted.

  Henry Jensen tried to fight it, but with help from Elisabeth Drennan’s appearance at the meeting, he was booted out. His mother also began the legal steps to start divorce proceedings. “Is Mother awake?”

  Maggie nodded. “Yes, and she has been asking for you.”

  Johnny was very happy that his mother was in better health since the drugging had stopped, and the doctor was being questioned as to how he was involved. “I should go up and see her then.”

  Johnny smiled as he started up the wide, dark oak staircase that led to the second floor. The steps were carpeted in a rich burgundy design. At the landing, he turned to the left, the direction to his parents’ wing and their bedroom suite.

  Johnny knew he could remain bitter over what transpired between he and his mother five years ago, but what would that accomplish? All he wanted was his family back together. His father would want that, too. He hurried down the long hall, and then knocked on his mother’s door.

  “Come in,” his mother said.

  He walked inside, into the grand room with the soft blue walls and heavy gold-hued brocade drapes. The coffered ceilings were high, and the rich hardwood floors covered by a maroon and blue Persian carpet. A huge four-poster bed sat high off the floor and was adorned with a blue silk comforter and dozens of pillows.

  Propped up against the hand-carved headboard like a queen was Elisabeth McCreary Drennan. Still beautiful with her flaxen hair streaked discreetly with gray, but her big blue eyes were her best feature. Although she was still on the thin side from the effects of the drugs, she looked lovely in a navy robe covering a lighter blue gown. She did love her blue.

  “Johnny, you’re finally home.”

  He walked to the bed and hugged her. When he’d first returned and saw her, any anger for her had quickly melted away. She had been through enough, and he couldn’t hold a grudge. “Are you all right, Mother?”

  “Oh, yes.” She smiled. “In fact, a messenger just brought the papers about my divorce. Henry can’t touch this house, or any assets that your father left to me in his will. Isn't that wonderful?” Suddenly, the merriment on her face disappeared.

  “Then why don’t you seem happy about it?” Please, don’t be having second thoughts about kicking the bastard out.

  She sighed. “I’ve made so many mistakes.” Her gaze met his. “There is nothing I can say to express how sorry I am for what I put you and Loretta through.”

  “Mother.” He sat on the edge of the bed. “I've said this before. We aren’t going back, only forward, to the future.”

  “Yes, but I can’t stop worrying about what Henry and Hank will do after being publicly humiliated. No one can even find Hank. What if he is plotting his revenge?”

  Johnny patted her hand. He would be ready for anything the Jensens tried to do. “I told you not to worry. Legally, they can’t come near us, or the plant. I have men standing guard.”

  Elisabeth looked at him and smiled. “When you left here, you were still a boy. And now, you’ve grown into such a handsome man. Your father would be so proud of how you turned out. And now, with your ideas to expand the plant, you can bring the company back to what it once was, and more.”

  “My goodness, Mother, I didn’t realize you’ve become so business-minded.”

  “After I married Henry, I stumbled onto some of his questionable business dealings, so I began to question him. He didn’t like that, and he began to watch me closely until I could barely leave the house at all.”

  He saw the worry on her face. “Don’t think about those times any longer, Mother. Never again will you be kept a prisoner in your own home.”

  She brightened again and touched his cheek. “I won’t, now that you’re here.”

  “Good. That makes me happy.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “I hope you’ll be happy when I want to contribute to your plans for the company. I was your father’s biggest confidante, and I might recall a few of his ideas.”

  Johnny couldn’t help but smile, but before he could answer, there was knock on the door.

  Maggie peeked her head in. “Ma’am, this telegram just arrived by messenger.”

  Johnny took it. “Thank you, Maggie.” After Maggie left, he opened it, hoping there was news from Letty. “It’s from Paul.”

  “That nice young man who owns the ranch with you and married Loretta?”

  Johnny nodded as he opened the telegram and began to read.

  ‘Hank kidnapped Letty. Hank is dead. Letty shot. Her condition grave. Paul.

  Johnny’s heart pounded in his chest. “We now know where Hank went. To Montana. He’s dead, but Letty was wounded.”

  Elisabeth took the paper from him to read herself. “Oh, dear God in heaven. My baby.”

  “I have to go to Montana immediately, Mother.”

  “Of course, you do. And I’m going with you. Please send Maggie up to help me pack.”

  He stood.

  His mother climbed out of the bed and went straight to the closet. “Mother, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  She turned around and he saw her fear. “She’s my daughter. It’s time that I be there for her.”

  Johnny understood. He wasn’t changing her mind. “I’ll have Charles get us train tickets.”

  ***

  Two days later, Letty was still unconscious.

  Paul’s bedside vigil had only been interrupted by necessity. He’d taken time to eat and return to the ranch to feed the animals. Other than that, and thanks to Rye putting up with him, he lived by his wife’s bedside, spoon-feeding her broth, and water. He listened to her rumblings, but nothing more. Watching her still body, he continued to worry. Why hadn’t she awakened?

  With each sunrise, he hoped her condition would improve and she’d open her eyes. He walked into the room, sat down next to her bed and took her hand in his. “Good morning, Letty,” he began the conversation. “I fed your chickens this morning,” he told her. “And I found a half dozen eggs.”

  Nothing.

  “I don’t know what to do with all the eggs. I bet you could probably sell them. I’d rather you make some of your delicious egg salad. I was glad that the day of the party there were some sandwiches left over for me. They were so delicious. Next time you make them, I have one request, that you make them bigger.” He chuckled then brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Looking back, it seems most of our meals together have consisted of eggs. That’s all right because I love eggs—fried, boiled and deviled. You make them, I’ll eat them.”

  The door opened, and Doc walked in. He smiled. “How is she this morning?”

  Paul stood. “The same.” He stepped out, knowing that Rye would want to change the bandage. He needed some air anyway. He walked out of the room and out the back door. Squinting against the bright sun, he let his tired body soak up the warmth. Suddenly, a fear hit him, an
d he began to tremble so badly he had to sit down onto the step.

  He bent his head and began to pray. “Dear God, I know I’m not your most loyal servant, and I’m not asking for me, but for my wife. She didn’t deserve this fate. She was only trying to do some good and help her family. I’ll do whatever you want. Just don’t take her from me. Amen.”

  He opened his eyes and found Prudence standing close by. She was wearing one of her fine dresses and carrying a matching parasol. She wore a pretty hat adorned with flowers, reminding him of when he first saw Letty on the train.

  Shyly, she stepped closer. “I apologize for interrupting you, Paul.”

  “Never apologize, Prudence.” He stood. “You and Michael have been gracious to us, especially befriending Letty.”

  “I consider Letty a friend. I would do whatever it took to help her.”

  Paul nodded. “And she feels close to you, too.”

  Prudence brushed away a tear. “I want you to know the entire town is praying for her recovery. Father Fredrick will be saying a Mass this morning, too.”

  Paul knew the man of God made a special trip back here. “The priest stopped by yesterday. He prayed and blessed Letty.” He was terrified that his wife had received the sacrament of Extreme Unction. Last Rites. “Thank you…and thank everyone for their prayers.”

  The mayor’s wife stepped closer. “If there is anything you need, Paul. I would offer you a good meal, but I doubt you can stomach much these days.” She forced a smile. “I’m sure Letty will give us a good tongue-lashing because we didn’t see that you were fed.” She blinked back tears. “I welcome that day.”

  Suddenly, Paul burst out with laughter. It didn’t take long for his emotions to turn, and he began to sob, deep mournful sounds that he couldn’t stop. He sank down on the stoop.

  Prudence’s hand squeezed his shoulder.

  The gesture giving him support and comfort. He raised his head and looked at her. “I don’t know what to do without her.”