Julia approached him with a stoic expression. “I’m going to pull you up from under your arms, Mister Gentry. Don’t get any ideas.” She gave him a serious stare until he nodded and then straddled him. Julia slipped her arms under his arms and pulled him up. With his face smashed between her breasts, Grant couldn’t help but inhale. She smelled fresh, of green meadow and sunshine. Miss Lucille was behind him and with surprising strength both women lifted him up to a sitting position. Any pleasure of being held against a woman’s bosoms disappeared when a stinging ache traveled across his body. “Ugh!”
Once he gained his ability to breathe normally, he drank the coffee and was fed another bowl of stew and piece of bread.
Miss Lucille gave him a satisfied smile. “Doctor Cole, from Alder Gulch, will be here soon. Let’s get a look at your wounds. She’ll be mad if we didn’t keep them cleaned properly. I’m sure she saved your life. We were lucky to find she was nearby and could come on short notice when you were brought here.”
Grant was helped to lie back down and the bandages were removed. He lifted his head and looked to see how bad his injuries were. Angry stitched together slashes crisscrossed his stomach. Thankfully, the blood seeping from between stitches ran clear. No infection. Long strings of crusted blood lined the wounds. They would have to be cleaned.
Miss Lucille brought a pan of hot water and Julia held a stack of clean cloths. The older woman’s troubled eyes met his. “I’m sorry honey, this is going to hurt.”
An understatement. He came close to passing out by the time they finished.
Chapter Two
Julia walked outside and tossed the bloody water onto the dirt and then placed the bowl on the wooden flooring of the porch. The second step creaked when she descended the stairs. Although clouds covered the sun, it was still warm, the cool breeze barely blowing. With the door opened, hopefully enough air would get into the otherwise stuffy house. It had proved a mistake to hold Grant Gentry so close.
The handsome man brought out stirrings she’d never felt before. Her entire body remained heated from it. After watching the handsome man slumber for days, she’d had unseemly dreams of them together. How ridiculous to do so, especially since she’d sworn away from any relationship unless it was with a meek, gentle man. One look at Grant Gentry and it was obvious he was quite the opposite.
After cleaning his wounds, the odor of sickness filled the room. The house needed to be ventilated. She’d opened the windows to allow fresh air to remove the smell of blood and illness. Grant Gentry was very ill. Although he’d survived the attack, she wondered if he’d recover fully.
No…She had no doubt. He would be fine. The man was strong, had a good chance unless infection set in. They’d know soon enough when the doctor came.
She walked to the small corral beside the house where two horses grazed, their tails swishing from side to side. A pair of cows in the next enclosure looked over to her, their lazy eyes unconcerned since they had enough to eat. Several chickens scampered out of her way as she trudged to check on the trough to ensure it was filled with water.
The Sullivans’ home was just enough for the women. Not too much work, and sustainable. Someday she’d have a place of her own just like this. A home. How she’d accomplish it had yet to be determined. With no family in Montana and lack of income, it seemed improbable it would happen anytime soon unless she married. And that, marrying, was just as unlikely.
The sisters, Lucille and Mary, had been more than kind in allowing her to live there. In exchange for the room and board, she worked at the tiny farm nonstop. Helped with the horses, milked the cows and aided the elderly sisters with odd chores around the house mainly outside. Not a good cook or disliking being indoors for long, she enjoyed being outdoors.
The sisters assured her repeatedly she didn’t have to work so hard. Insisted they enjoyed her company and she was welcome to remain as long as she wanted. However, Julia who loved them and appreciated a home didn’t want to take advantage of their kindness.
A buggy appeared at the end of the road and Julia shielded her eyes to get a better view of who approached. It looked to be Doctor Olivia Cole. A smile tugged the corners of her mouth. Julia liked Olivia. The young doctor’s no-nonsense ways and honesty were a refreshing combination. Although they were not friends, they had met several times and always found common things to discuss. It was Olivia who’d cared for Julia upon her arrival to the Sullivans’ home.
Julia looked toward the house and wondered if Grant was still awake. In her mind she pictured the attractive man. He had heavily lashed coffee colored eyes, his chiseled face softened by dimples in his cheeks. It was unfortunate she’d only noticed the dimples when he grimaced in pain. She wondered if they also deepened when he smiled.
She huffed out loud. Why was her mind going in that particular direction? Of course she’d noticed how handsome Grant Gentry was, and the fact he was tall and well-built did not help matters. But just the thought of finding him attractive made her heart beat erratically. She placed her palm flat against her breastbone and took a deep breath. It was best not to allow her mind to wander into the territory of relationships of any kind with him or any man right now. After what she’d been through, her foolish heart should know better.
Olivia Cole brought her buggy to a stop in front of the house and climbed down. She reached for her medical bag and then gave Julia a bright smile. “Hello Julia, I’m so glad to see you. I’ve been meaning to come and visit, but between helping my father at the clinic and seeing about the twins, I barely have a free moment.” The blonde woman wore a serviceable long sleeved brown calico dress, which was cinched at the waist. On her head, she wore a brown bonnet with a green ribbon that brought out the color of her eyes.
Thoughts of the pair of young boys with bright blue eyes made Julia smile. “How are Jace and Chase doing?” Julia asked holding the door open for the young doctor. “I bet they’re getting big.”
“Oh they are, and full of energy,” Olivia replied, her eyes shining with pride. “Today they’re spending the day with Bronson who has decided it was time for then to learn to ride.” She shuddered. “I’m glad to be gone. If one of them gets hurt, I’m going to kill my husband.” Her smile told otherwise. It was obvious she trusted her husband.
They entered the house and Miss Lucille greeted the doctor with obvious delight. “Come in, let’s get you something cool to drink before you see our patient.” She ushered the doctor toward the kitchen table. “Mary is not here, she went to the quilting guild meeting. I bet your mother is there as well.”
Olivia Cole nodded. “Probably so. My mother loves it. Rarely misses a meeting.”
They informed Olivia of Grant’s identity and continued chatting while the doctor washed her hands. She settled onto the short stool next to where Grant lay sleeping soundly. Julia stood near in case she required assistance.
His tanned skin contrasted with the light color of the linens, his broad shoulders filling the entire pallet. Grant looked peaceful in his sleep. The shine of fever no longer present on his face.
Olivia shook his shoulder. “Grant? Wake up Grant.” She pried one of his eyelids open and he batted her hand away clumsily. “I’m here to examine you. Can you open your eyes for me please?”
It took a few tries of his eyes opening and closing until finally he managed to train them on her. “Hey Doc. I’m really havin’ a hard time stayin’ awake.” His words were slurred.
Olivia chuckled. “I can see that. It’s natural. Your body is trying to heal itself and the more rest you get, the better.”
“I gave him a dose of laudanum earlier to help him with pain.” Miss Lucille told the doctor. “Let me know if you need anything.” She walked out of the room.
Julia helped Olivia undress the wound, feeling self-conscious when his gaze stayed on her the entire time.
“I’d like some hot water please.” Olivia looked to Julia.
“I’ll get it.” She went to the kitchen to al
low them privacy.
Miss Lucille was already sitting at the table, a cup of coffee in front of her. “He’s a strong young man. Before you know it, he’ll be hightailing it home.”
“You think so?” Julia wanted to believe her. Grant seemed to be a good man. He deserved to recover fully and live a long life. She wondered how he’d react if his brother had been killed during the attack. She sighed, aching for him. “He’s having a hard time staying awake, it’s almost as if he gets weaker after waking for a few minutes.”
“Yes, but he’s staying awake longer each time. When recovering from so many injuries, I imagine it takes time.” Miss Lucille lifted the cup and turned to the doorway. “I’ll go check on Olivia and see if she needs help. Bring the pot of water in once it’s boiled.”
By the time Olivia was done, Grant’s face was drenched in perspiration. He’d withstood her examination without protest and only an occasional grunt. Miss Lucille settled beside his pallet and placed a wet cloth on his brow and Julia followed Olivia outside.
The pretty blonde placed her bag on the floorboard and turned to look at her. “He’s a very sick man, but there are no signs of infection. There is no way for me to know how his internal injuries are faring. Yet I am hopeful he will recover.”
“But he may not?”
“Time will tell.” Olivia kept her answer neutral. “I think it’s best if he remains in bed for another week at least. I’ll stop by to check on him in a couple days.” She climbed up onto the bench. “Oh I almost forgot. Please come to the boys’ birthday party. It will be out at the big ranch next Sunday. She referred to her in-laws, the Coles’, ranch, about a two hours ride away. “I can’t believe my babies will be one already.”
Julia remained outside as the young doctor rode away. How fortunate Olivia Cole was to have a purpose. Not just as a wife and mother, but a fulfilling calling in medicine. A full life. It was hard not to be envious, although Julia was happy for Olivia.
She could hardly aspire for a life as such.
* * * *
A week, Grant stirred awake. The bed creaked when he shifted and swung his feet to the floor. He’d moved to the bedroom just the three days before, leaving it only when absolutely necessary. But he felt more energy on this morning and decided today was the day he’d walk out of the house. He needed to breathe fresh air, feel the sun on his skin.
Two long weeks and he’d yet to spend time outdoors. The pain, although still present, was more manageable than the day before and he waited a few seconds for the throbbing to ebb. He let out a breath and pushed to stand. Once again he had to wait before taking a first wobbly step.
“What are you doing?” Julia rushed into the room and took his right elbow. “Get back to the bed. If my aunts find out you got up on your own while I’m watching you, they’re gonna raise hell.”
He ground his teeth together to keep from snapping. “I can’t abide another day in bed, or inside for that matter. I’m going outside with or without your help.”
After a loud exhalation, she relented. “Very well, how about I help you and we sit you in a chair out on the porch.”
She wrapped her arm around his waist careful to avoid his injuries and lifted his arm to place it over her shoulders. It was not lost on him how well she fit against him and he was not bothered at all by their slow progress. It took a long time, several times he had to stop to catch his breath, but determination won and finally they made it across the threshold to the front porch.
Once outside, she helped lower him to a large rocker. It was then he noticed the sheen of perspiration on her upper lip. Evidently, the trip had cost them both. “Thank you for helping me.”
She shrugged. “I understand. Can’t stand being cooped up either. It’s a beautiful day out.” They looked at each other in awkward silence, from which she recovered first. “I’ll go fetch you a glass of water and a blanket for your lap. It’s early and a bit chilly yet.” Julia hurried back inside.
The ladies’ house faced an open field with a view of snowcapped mountains. A horse pranced and Grant noted two cows in compact corrals. Several chickens scurried about, not paying him any mind. The Sullivan sisters were smart in their use of the small parcel of land. The animals were well cared for and had plenty of space to move about, even if their corrals were smaller than average but large enough for the animals to move about. To the left of the house he spied a well-tended garden replete with vegetables.
A warm blanket was placed over his lap. When Julia smoothed it, he covered her hand with his. Immediately her wide blue eyes lifted to his. At close inspection he realized they were a mixture of blue with golden specks. Grant cleared his throat. “You are kind to allow me to remain here and provide care for so long.”
She didn’t move her hand, but instead lifted the other to his jaw. Her full lips lifted to a soft smile. “It is not really my home, my aunts are the ones you should thank. I’m glad we could help. Why didn’t your father want to come see about you?”
If not for the question, he would have closed his eyes and leaned into her palm. “My father and I had a disagreement about a situation regarding my younger brother. Sometimes he’s unbending and stubborn.”
“In that you are like him then. Seems to me you set your mind to coming outside and would have done it with or without my help.” She was right; he’d been accused of being hardheaded more than once. When he raised an eyebrow and locked gazes with her, Julia became flustered and pulled both hands away. “I’ll leave you for a bit. I need to check on things.” He followed her progress toward a small barn then watched as she fed the chickens, carried buckets of water into troughs and later passed by with a wheelbarrow full of hay.
Entranced by her graceful movements in the midst of common chores, Grant couldn’t help but admire the striking woman. She worked hard and steadily and impressed him by managing to remain on task while looking over to him on occasion to assure he was well. It begged the question of why a beautiful, hardworking woman had not gotten his or any other man’s attention yet.
By the time she finished the chores and helped him back inside, the Sullivan sisters returned from town. After supper Grant was exhausted and went to bed earlier than usual.
Shots fired. Screams. Horses’ hooves. The burning, the tearing… “Wake up.” Grant jerked and lifted up to sit on the bed, ignoring his aching side. He panted and searched in the darkness for who’d woken him.
Julia stood over him in her flannel gown, her hair cascading past her shoulders. “You were having a nightmare,” she explained when he stared wide-eyed at her. Indeed his chest was heaving and he was wet with perspiration.
“I was…not sure if it was just a dream or a memory of what happened. What happened when we were held up is not so clear in my mind.” He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and took a deep breath while attempting to regain control of his erratic breathing. “I’m sorry to have woken you.”
“I wasn’t asleep.” She looked away to the darkness. “Sometimes I can’t sleep or wake up and walk around the house until I get sleepy.”
He studied the beauty and recognized the haunted shadows in her eyes. He wondered what kept her from sleeping. “You have them too don’t you? What are your nightmares about?”
She pulled his blankets up to cover his bare chest. “You should rest, Mr. Gentry.”
Grant took her wrist. “Tell me.”
A myriad of emotions crossed her features before she closed her eyes and swallowed.
“I used to dream about what brought me here. Having to flee for my life.” She shrugged. “It’s in the past now. Now I’m just restless.”
He had a feeling she was lying. The way her eyes had widened at his question told him she hated he’d seen her fears.
* * * *
Julia couldn’t believe how much she wanted to tell him about her bad dreams. In truth she’d made a habit of waking in the middle of the night to check on Grant. To ensure he was still breathing or not burning up with fever. More
than anything she wanted to do something worthwhile besides dream of either escaping her captor or of the man in front of her. Although the preferred the last, it was not useful.
For some reason the opportunity to help this man survive had become like an obsession.
Several times she’d found him in the throes of nightmares. But this night it had been worse, his body arching as if in pain, and she’d been compelled to wake him.
He watched her with unmasked curiosity. Was she so transparent? That he knew she had nightmares was one thing, but for anyone to know what haunted her. Her fears. It could prove a big mistake, one that could cost her life.
“I hate it when I dream of my past.” She told him honestly, taking in how large his hand was in comparison to hers, his fingers easily circling her wrist. Without thinking she spread her fingers until her palm rested flat against his hard chest. The skin under her palm was warm, soft. The pounding of his heart a subtle rhythm of thumps. She’d kept her distance in the days since she’d helped him walk outside, only nearing him when absolutely necessary. And now she worried at how hard it would be to move away.
Her attraction to Grant Gentry was undeniable. She’d never felt like this about any man before, the feeling both alarming and exciting at the same time.
Grant’s eyes never left her face. “It must be a terrible past for it to haunt you so.” The corners of his lips lifted. “I don’t expect you to watch over me, Miss Julia. But tonight I’m glad you did.” His other hand cupped the back of her head and he pulled her closer. Her breath hitched, she wanted him to kiss her more than anything.
His lips were gentle when pressed against hers and she gave in hungry for him.
He planted kisses across her mouth and Julia closed her eyes at the waves of heat slamming through her entire body, knocking every single sense whirling.
Much better than in any of her daydreams, Grant was a prolific kisser, suckling, nipping and hot. His mouth claimed hers with the unspoken demand she reciprocate. Julia parted her lips, welcoming his probing tongue and slid her arms up and around his broad shoulders, up the back of his neck, until her fingers threaded through his thick soft hair.
Gentrys of Montana: Gentrys of Montana Page 2