Desperate In Delaware

by Caroline Clemmons

  Mina looked toward the door. “What’s that commotion?”

  “I imagine Dusty and Chico are bringing in the spare bunkhouse beds.”

  She held out her hand. “I asked Spuds before I made the arrangement. He guaranteed the beds are not being used. They’re for fall roundup and spring branding times. I’ll check to see how things are progressing.”

  Leave it to her cousin to organize things. Having her here eased Mina’s mind and her job as the owner’s wife. As long as Cindy didn’t do anything to upset Spuds or the other men, she could make any arrangements she wished. Provided she didn’t try to get Mina to leave Austin’s side.

  Dusty and Chico set up one of the bunks in the master bedroom. Cindy sent them back to the kitchen or bunkhouse, wherever they wished. She made up the bed with fresh sheets and pillow case and clean blankets.

  “Spuds loaned me a lamp for the bedroom I’m using. Your trunk makes a fine bedside table.”

  “Oh, Cindy, you’re so nice to do this. You really are like my sister.” Mina spoke quietly. “I planned to use some of the money I have left to get guest room furniture.”

  “I don’t know much about Austin’s family. Do you expect them to visit?”

  “Austin’s brother in California probably won’t visit. His parents and sister and her husband live in Austin. The mother’s chest is delicate and Austin doesn’t believe the trip would be good for her. His sister and brother-in-law might want to visit though and reassure his parents.”

  “I hear the train is coming as far as Millsap soon. That will shorten the stage trip by at least fifty miles. Then the trip won’t be so exhausting. Perhaps his parents can visit then.”

  “That’s what he hopes. Lily and her family might even come someday.”

  Cindy smiled at her. “I know you miss them. I hope they will come.”

  Cindy sat with her into the night. They talked about trivial things but her cousin helped her survive the hours. Every few minutes, Mina checked Austin’s skin to bathe him and see if he had fever.

  Mina caught her cousin yawning. “That does it, you need to go to bed. Right now, young lady.”

  Cindy yawned again. “I will if you will.”

  “All right. Since you have everything arranged for comfort, I will. I have to sleep in my clothes, though, because you kept my decent nightgown.”

  Cindy gave her a sly grin. “Aren’t you glad I did?”

  Mina couldn’t lie. “Now I am but I was peeved with you when I opened my valise. I admit I could picture you giggling as you exchanged the nightwear.”

  “I did.” Cindy giggled and hugged her again. “Good night, dear cousin. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  When Cindy had left, Mina checked Austin’s skin for fever once more. He was too warm so she bathed him again with cool water. Then she sat in the chair, took off her shoes, and held his hand.

  She didn’t know if he could understand what she said, but she talked to him. She hoped the sound of her voice reached inside him, wherever he’d gone. He appeared to sleep soundly with no movement.

  His pocket watch was on the table by the lamp. She checked the time and found it was after three o’clock in the morning. With a sigh, she sat on the bunk bed.

  She was afraid to sleep. What if Austin ran a fever? He needed her to be vigilant.

  Spuds came in with fresh water. “I figured the other wasn’t still cold by now.”

  “Thank you. So far, he hasn’t had a high fever, but his skin’s a little too warm. I’d guess a degree.”

  “You go to sleep and I’ll watch him.” He sat in the chair.

  “You look pretty tired.”

  He touched Austin’s forehead. “I wasn’t having any luck sleeping. Might as well help you.”

  Unable to glance away from him, she edged toward the smaller bed. “I was afraid to fall asleep before in case his fever climbed. I’ll feel safe with you watching him.” She reclined on the mattress and put her head on the pillow and settled her body.

  Stretching out relieved her exhaustion. Perhaps sleep would restore her energy. Only Austin waking and being all right would relieve her worry. She said another prayer and fell asleep.

  When she woke, Cindy was bathing Austin.

  Mina sat up and swung her legs out of bed. “Has his fever climbed?”

  Cindy looked up. “A little, but not much. He appears to be holding his own.”

  Mina brushed her hair and smoothed her hands down her dress. “Sleeping in my clothes saves time in the morning. How long have you been up?” She checked Austin’s skin for fever, relieved to find his skin wasn’t hot to the touch.

  “I’m used to getting up at seven so I woke up then. Since I came in here, Spuds left to cook breakfast. I offered but he wanted to prepare the meal. I got the feeling he didn’t want anyone else messing around in his kitchen.”

  “That’s true. All he’s let me do is set the table. He’s a good cook, though, so that’s all right with me. I’m going to can vegetables when the garden produce is ready.”

  “I remember the wonderful garden you and Lily used to have.”

  “She still has one. She’ll have to can by herself this year.” She wondered how her sister was doing without help.

  Cindy smiled at her. “I imagine she misses you as much or more than you miss her.”

  Dusty and Chico each carried a plate and a cup of coffee.

  Dusty set his near Mina. “We come bearing a late breakfast and to check on the boss.”

  Mina inhaled the scent of ham, eggs, fried potatoes, and coffee. “Thank you for delivering our food.”

  Chico stopped to stare at Austin. “He looks like he’s just sleeping normally.” He set his breakfast plate and cup for Cindy.

  Dusty took cutlery from his shirt pocket. Chico carried a couple of napkins.

  Chico shook his head. “Don’t seem right. You let us know if there’s anything we can do to help and we’ll do it.”

  Mina smiled at the two men. “If you can keep Spuds from overworking, that would help. I don’t think he slept any last night.”

  Dusty nodded. “He looks pretty rough at that. You know he thinks of Austin as the son he never had. While it’s hard for us to see him like this, it must be worse for him. And for you, of course.”

  “Seeing him helpless is horrid. I’m not leaving this room until Austin is awake and out of danger.”

  “We’ll get busy with the ranch chores. We should hear from Buck soon about the posse’s results.”

  Mina ate her breakfast. “I didn’t think I could eat anything until I saw and smelled the plate of food. The coffee might help make me alert.”

  Cindy swallowed a bite of her biscuit. “This is a good meal and I was hungry. Everyone is off schedule today, even Spuds.”

  When they’d finished eating, Cindy stacked their plates to take to the kitchen. “I’ll make Spuds rest or know the reason why not.”

  Cindy returned a half hour later accompanied by Bert and Spuds. Bert—who had always looked neat and well dressed—was covered in dust. His shirt hung partially out from his waistband. His pants were torn at the knee.

  Bert said, “I asked Spuds to come with me so I only have to tell this one time.”

  Mina asked, “What happened?”

  Bert shook his head. “Both the miners are dead. They used that monitor at full blast but they didn’t know anything about mining. They were inside the cave and it collapsed on them. Don’t know how long they’d been trapped. We dug them out but they were both dead.”

  Mina tried to take in the news. “I’m stunned by the outcome. I expected a gunfight. I’m glad that was avoided.”

  “Sheriff Cornelius telegraphed the sheriff in Houston to arrest Bailey for fraud and anything else he can think of. He’d like to add manslaughter but isn’t sure it would stick. Frankly, I don’t think it would.”

  Cindy gestured toward Austin. “But it’s over except for Austin recovering?”

  Bert put his arm around her waist
. “He may need to testify if Bailey goes to trial. Sheriff Cornelius plans to go to Houston and bring him back here.”

  Mina frowned. “I thought Mr. Bailey was an elderly man.”

  “Not as old as he pretended. He thought he had a way to have someone pay for him to take a permanent vacation. I expect Huntsville prison will take care of that now.”

  Spuds put his hands on his hips. “All this trouble because Bailey is a lazy polecat and those two miners were greedy. In my opinion they got what they deserved. I’d like to get my hands on Bailey. I’d teach him a thing or two.”

  Bert clapped Spuds on the shoulder. “Sheriff Cornelius will take care of those lessons. He’s pretty mad at Bailey. Hey, the reason I came was to check on Austin and my wife. I see that both are being cared for and I’m not needed here. Since I’m tired and filthy, I’m heading home.”

  Cindy took him by the hand. “I’ll walk you to the door.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Mina worried about their cook. He looked ready to pass out. “Spuds, if you’ll take a nap on this bunkhouse bed, I give you my word I’ll wake you if there’s a change either way in Austin.”

  “I have things I need to do.”

  Mina shook her head. “Nothing simply has to get done today. Lay down on that bed and sleep if you can. If you can’t sleep, at least you can rest. Consider how the ranch would suffer if you make yourself ill. We depend on you for a lot of things.”

  He looked at the bed but didn’t move.

  She gestured to the bed. “Go on, stretch out on that bed.”

  He flexed his shoulders. “I might rest a bit. Muscle spasm in my back’s bothering me.”

  “Aha! Get on that bed right now.”

  He surprised her by stretching out on the mattress. “If I was to drop off to sleep, you promise to wake me up if there’s a change?”

  She put her hand over her heart. “I promise.”

  “I’ll hold you to it. And I’m not taking off my boots.”

  Soon soft snores came from Spuds. Cindy peeked in the door then withdrew quietly. She must have warned Dr. Ross because he entered quietly some time later.

  The doctor checked Austin’s wounds and temperature. Dr. Ross motioned for Mina’s help with a fresh bandage. At least today she could help without crying.

  She followed the doctor to the hall but didn’t leave Austin’s room.

  Dr. Ross gave her an encouraging smile and spoke quietly, “He’s sleeping naturally now. I expect he’ll wake in a few hours. He’s a strong man, but I told you he needs to stay in bed for several weeks. Let me know if there’s a change for the worse. Otherwise, I’ll be back in a few days.”

  Mina returned to the chair beside Austin. He was such a fine man. She thought he was far more perfect than Bert, no matter what Cindy said.

  She bathed his skin once again. Afterward, she sat holding her husband’s hand. She was so tired but knowing the doctor was pleased encouraged her.

  Time passed slowly. Cindy quietly brought her a sandwich and fresh coffee.

  For a little while, she’d rest her head on the bed. Surely that would be all right. Holding his hand would let her know if he woke or if his fever climbed.

  Bent forward, her head could rest on the bed beside Austin. Except for Spuds soft snores, the house was quiet. She wondered what Cindy was doing. Maybe she was resting, too.

  Mina woke because someone stroked her hair. When she looked up, Austin gazed at her.

  She rose enough to kiss him. “Thank heavens, you’re conscious. I promised I’d let Spuds know. It’s the only way I could get him to rest.”

  After turning, she gently woke Spuds. “He’s awake.”

  Spuds gave a wide smile and came to stand by the bed. “Your wife was real worried about you. Wouldn’t leave this room until she knew you were all right. I figured you were too ornery to let a bullet hole stop you.”

  Mina held Austin’s head so he could sip a glass of water. “We’ve all been worried about you. Cindy’s here. Bert was but he went home. He’d ridden with the posse and so did Buck.”

  He pushed away the glass. “Ferguson?” His voice was raspy.

  She set the glass on the table. “Dead. They were using that monitor thing inside the cave and the cave collapsed on them. The posse dug them out but they were both dead. The miners hadn’t added a chemical and were using plain water.”

  “So, it’s over… and they… won’t be able… to poison the creek or river.”

  Spuds crossed his arms over his chest. “Sheriff Cornelius wants to arrest Bailey for fraud. He sent a wire to Houston’s sheriff.”

  “Bailey started… the whole thing.” His voice sounded slightly better the more he spoke.

  Mina gestured to a bottle. “I have laudanum here if you’re in pain. Spuds made you beef broth as the doctor requested. Spuds had already started it before the doctor came, though.”

  Spuds uncrossed his arms. “I’ll be back in few minutes with a cup of broth. You need it to build up your blood.” Spuds hurried from the room.

  Mina held Austin’s hand. “You lost so much blood. I was afraid you were bleeding to death. Buck went for the doctor but we had no way of knowing when Dr. Ross would come. Spuds told me what to do and I sewed up your wounds. Dusty and Chico held you down for me.”

  Austin frowned. “You sewed me?”

  “I did and the doctor didn’t change the stitches. He’s been here twice.” She grinned at him, elated he was awake, and brushed her hand across his brow. “Dr. Ross admired the rosebuds I stitched on your back.”

  His mouth tipped upward slightly in a grin. “I’ll bet.”

  “He said it’s better than a tattoo.” Unable to resist, she laid her head on his pillow. “Oh, Austin, I was so worried. Even with your tan you were pale. You have to promise me we’ll grow old together.”

  “That’s my plan.”

  Spuds returned with the broth in a mug and coffee for Mina. “This ought to help you. Reckon I’ll go on to bed now for a spell. Mrs. Kennedy said she’d make a meal when it’s time.”

  “Sleep well, Spuds.”

  Mina helped Austin drink the broth.

  Doing so appeared to tire him. He lay back on the pillow, slightly rolled to his uninjured side.

  “Tell me what hurts besides the bullet hole.”

  He grimaced. “Everything.”

  “You need to take a dose of laudanum. Dr. Ross left two herbal tinctures for me to give you but that can wait until you wake again.”

  Cindy came in with a cup of coffee. “This should help you, Mina.”

  “Thank you, Cindy.”

  Austin asked, “What time is it?”

  She reached for his pocket watch on the table. “Five o’clock in the evening.” After uncorking the laudanum bottle, she poured the liquid into a spoon. “Open wide.”

  He did and swallowed the medicine but then looked into her eyes. “How old do you think I am?”

  She gasped. “Oh, I’m sorry. Guess that sounded the way I coaxed when I gave medicine to my niece and nephew, didn’t it? I know how old you are because you told me you’re twenty-nine.”

  “Not up to it now but when I wake up, we need to talk.” His eyes closed. Soon he was sleeping.

  Mina worried. What would the subject of their talk be? Surely he wasn’t upset with her. He said he planned for them to grow old together. He could have that plan and still be angry, couldn’t he?

  She stretched out on the bunk bed and fell asleep.

  When she woke, Cindy stood on the opposite side of the bed helping Austin drink broth.

  Mina sat up and rubbed her eyes before she reached for the pocket watch. “Our days are upside down. I slept during the day. Now it’s midnight and I’m awake.”

  Cindy looked at her. “Spuds is still asleep. I laced his coffee with laudanum so he’d rest. He thought he had to take care of everyone and just couldn’t give in and relax.”

  Mina stood, wondering if she should go check on him. “I h
ope he’s all right.”

  Cindy nodded. “I’ve checked on him but don’t tell him any of this. That poor man was worn out.”

  Austin pushed the mug away. “If I drink any more broth I’ll start mooing.”

  Cindy raised her eyebrows at Mina. “Then I’ll put this in the kitchen, check on Spuds, and go to bed. Good night.”

  Mina called, “Cindy, thank you for all your help.”

  She caressed her husband’s hand. “You must be feeling a bit better if you can complain.”

  “I’m mad as all get out. I didn’t ride with the posse. Instead I was laid up here while others took care of the problem.”

  “You’re forgetting that your being shot was why the posse rode in the first place. No telling when those men would have been discovered.”

  “Aw, I’m just out of sorts from being laid up like this.”

  “You’ll be even more out of sorts when you learn the doctor said the bullet punctured the top of your lung and you need to stay in bed at least three weeks.”

  He pointed at her. “Now that is not going to happen. I have a ranch to run.”

  Mina put her hands on her hips. “Oh, do you? Suppose you get up and around and that lung starts bleeding. You could drown in your own blood before anything can be done to help you. Is that what you want?”

  He glared at her and clamped his mouth shut.

  “You had better stay in bed until the doctor says otherwise. If I have to, I’ll get rope and tie you to that bed. Don’t doubt me for a second, Austin Wright.”

  “I don’t doubt you’d try.”

  “Your men think a lot of you. They’ll help me protect you.”

  “If you expect me to stay in bed you’d better lie beside me instead of in that bed over there.”

  She shook her head. “I could hurt you if I moved wrong.”

  “You won’t. Just let me curl up to you. I’m sure I’ll sleep better.”

  “I need to make up a tincture to give you.”

  He made a grim face. “Cindy gave me some awful concoctions. I’m sure one was poisonous.”

  “Since Dr. Ross left them, I don’t think so. I must have really been sound asleep.”

  “I suspect your cousin dosed your last cup of coffee.”