by Jenna Brandt
Levi wanted to believe him, but he was starting to breathe heavy and sweat profusely. Both were bad signs that the wound was deep and only getting worse. Just as he thought his feet would give out, the back door of the house opened and Abigail rushed from the house.
“I was sitting by the window reading when I saw you approaching.” With a concerned voice, she inquired, “What happened?”
“There was a stampede, and a bull grazed Levi,” Phillip explained.
“Is your father or brother here?” Billy asked.
Abigail shook her head as another woman joined them on the back porch.
“They both rode into Woody to take care of some business at the bank,” Abigail explained. She must have realized Levi needed to be off his feet because she quickly added, “Bring him inside the house.”
The men complied and helped Levi to the parlor where Abigail gestured for them to place him on the sofa.
“Is this a good idea, Abigail?” the brunette woman inquired with a mixture of distaste and irritation in her tone. “Wouldn’t it be better for them to take him to the bunkhouse where he belongs?”
Out of the corner of his eye, Levi noticed Abigail gave the other woman a withering glare before replying. “No, Ada, it wouldn’t be best. I need to tend to his wound until the doctor gets here, and I can’t very well do that from the men’s bunkhouse.”
Abigail turned her attention to Phillip and ordered, “Fetch Dr. Ramsey. Tell him it’s urgent. Then stop by the post office and wire a message to the bank to inform my father of what’s happened.”
Phillip leaned down and spoke to Levi before leaving. “I’m going for help. Just hold on, Levi.”
“Ada, have Wilma get me some clean cloth for bandages and a basin of fresh water,” Abigail directed.
The brunette woman didn’t seem happy about the situation, but left the room, Levi assumed to do Abigail’s bidding.
Abigail knelt beside him, then reached out and peeled back both Levi’s duster jacket and outer shirt. A gasp escaped her lips as she pushed up his final layer to reveal the severity of his injury. As her hand touched the edges of his wound, the room spun and darkness enveloped Levi.
Ten
Gingerly, Abigail placed the final bandage over the wound on Levi’s side and waited for the doctor to arrive. She was worried about Levi, and more than simply as a compassionate Christian would be. She felt something for him stirring inside her that swelled every time she saw him. Considering her situation and his lifestyle, it wasn’t a good idea, yet she couldn’t keep the feelings at bay. Instead, they grew each time she was with him.
“Miss Larsen, I need to leave to make sure the herd is secure before nightfall,” Mr. Dalton explained. “I also should let the other men know what is going on with Levi. I’ll be back in two hours to check on him.”
Quietly, Mr. Dalton exited the room.
A few moments later, Wilma asked from where she stood nearby, “Do you need anything else, miss?”
Abigail shook her head. “I can manage until the doctor gets here. You should make sure everything is ready for the evening meal. Despite the accident, everyone will be hungry when they get back. Thank you for your help with Mr. Emerson.”
Levi stirred and mumbled under his breath. She placed her hand on the side of his cheek and whispered, “It’s all right Mr. Emerson. Just rest. The doctor should be here soon to help you.”
He continued to thrash around, and suddenly his eyes flew open, then darted side-to-side. “Where am I? What’s goin’ on?” he inquired as his hand fumbled at his holster. “Where’s my gun?”
“I removed it for the time being and placed it out of the way,” Abigail answered. “You are in my home at the Larsen Ranch. You were injured while working. Do you remember?”
Slowly, Levi nodded. “I forgot for a few moments.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Like I got ran over by a bull,” he chuckled, then grimaced. “I need to remind myself it’s not in my best interest to laugh right now.”
“So no jokes?” she asked with a smirk. “And here I thought I would try out a few new ones to make the time pass.”
He looked at her with all seriousness. “You don’t seem the joking type.”
“I’m not. Not great at telling them although I enjoy laughing at a good one as much as the next person.”
“Remind me later to tell you a couple when I’m mended.” He gave her a devastating smile. “I’ve got a few belly wrenching ones tucked away for special occasions.”
“I just might do that—once you’re healed that is. I sent Phillip to go fetch the doctor. He'll fix up that wound much better than I was able. He’ll also have something for the pain.”
“It’s not too bad. The injury was little more than a scratch. I should return to the pens to help—” Levi didn’t finish his sentence. Despite his best effort of trying to sit up, he immediately fell back into his spot on the sofa.
“You were saying?”
“Perhaps, I need to rest a bit longer.” He looked over at Abigail and probed, “Why did you hurry off the other night?” It shouldn't matter, but he wanted to know.
“I thought you were different from the other cowboys around here. When I realized you were just like them—that you enjoyed saloons and all that entails—there didn't seem to be a point in us talking further.”
“I don’t care for saloons,” Levi confessed. “Rarely do I frequent them since becoming a Christian a year ago. I only went to the Long Reach because I needed to gain the men’s trust. My life depends on it.” He gestured to his wound and added, “This accident is a good example of why. If Billy Dalton hadn’t knocked me out the way of that chargin’ bull, I’d be dead right now rather than just wounded.”
Abigail felt foolish for jumping to the wrong conclusion about Levi. It seemed her first impression of him had been correct. But that didn’t make her situation any easier since she shouldn’t care.
“Thank you for telling me. Not many men think they need to explain themselves to a woman.”
“It’s important in any relationship that both people are equal,” he declared as he placed his hand on hers that rested beside him on the couch. “I’d want to have someone explain their reasons for doing something, so I’ll always do the same.”
A warmth spread through her from where their hands touched. She should pull away—proper social etiquette would dictate so—but no one was around and she liked the way his larger hand encompassed her own.
Abigail inhaled sharply as the feelings swelled in her chest. Levi had used the word relationship about them. Was that what was forming between them? Could three encounters be the start to something more? Did she want it to be?
Before she could respond, there was a noise behind them as Dr. Ramsey came scurrying into the room. He was carrying his medical bag in one hand, and pushing up his glasses that rested on the edge of his nose with the other.
Abigail yanked her hand free from under Levi’s and stood to her feet. She was embarrassed to be caught in such familiar proximity with a man not her family. Quickly, she moved across the room to greet the doctor, hoping he hadn’t noticed her interaction with Levi.
“Good evening, Dr. Ramsey. Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
“Good evening, Miss Larsen. One of your hired hands came over to the office and insisted I come with him, sputtering something about a cowboy getting trampled in a stampede. The young man was lucky he caught me as I had plans to head out of town for business.”
“It’s not as bad as Phillip says,” Levi defended.
Abigail stopped Levi with her hand, then clarified, “His injury also isn't as minor as he would lead you to believe. I will give you some time to examine the wound.”
Once outside the room and down the hall, Abigail leaned against the wall and thought about what just happened. Why did Levi Emerson get to her so easily? Not that he was the first man to pay her attention; there had been plenty in Boston. Something
else drew her to him, something she didn't know how to explain.
Lord, what is it about Levi Emerson that makes me want to spend more time with him? I need your guidance in what to do. I want to do my father’s bidding and accept his choice in a husband for me, but my heart keeps pulling me towards another. Show me what to do.
“What’s wrong?” she heard Ada inquire from the down the hall. “Did that man die? If he did, his ghost will haunt this house. I told you he needed to go out to the bunkhouse, but you wouldn’t listen. I can’t live in a place where someone died, let alone with a ghost. You wait until Charlie hears about this—”
“Wait until I hear about what?”
With a haughty attitude, Ada stated, “Your sister took it upon herself to have an injured worker take up residence in the parlor. I told her it would be better if he was out in the bunkhouse, but she was stubborn, as usual. Now, he has gone and died, which means we'll have a ghost in the house. Not even sure how we can live—”
Tired of hearing her sister-in-law prattle on, Abigail cut her off. “He’s not dead. Dr. Ramsey is seeing him currently.”
Abigail’s father joined them in the hallway with an irritated look on his face. “Why are we all standing out here in the hall? Isn’t there a better blasted place in this giant house I had built?”
“We should just go in the parlor and find out from the doctor what is happening,” Charlie suggested.
“Shouldn’t we give them privacy until Dr. Ramsey comes and gets us?” Abigail questioned, hoping to avoid upsetting Levi in his condition.
“This is my house. I can go where I please,” Bradford stated as he turned on his heel and barreled down the hallway to the parlor.
A few seconds later, the Larsen family paraded into the room where the doctor was putting away his supplies. He looked up from his bag. His eyes snapped to Abigail’s father. “Good evening, Mr. Larsen.”
“What’s the status with my newest worker?” Bradford asked matter-of-factly.
“He’s very lucky that the bull’s horn missed his vital organs. I stitched it up, and with a few days rest he should make a full recovery.”
“I’ll have one of the workers help him back to the bunkhouse,” Charlie stated.
“I should have explained. The wound will heal, but only if it's kept clean, and the bandage changed regularly. Otherwise, he risks infection. Additionally, he shouldn’t move much which means he'll need someone to care for him.”
Abigail realized immediately what the doctor was trying to suggest. “Would it be best if he stayed in one of our guest rooms?”
Dr. Ramsey nodded, then noticing the displeased looks from the other members of the Larsen family, he inquired, “Unless he has family nearby?”
Levi shook his head. “I have no family to speak of.” Levi gave no other information, and when no one took it upon themselves to ask why, the subject passed without further discussion.
“I’ll go get George and have him help Mr. Emerson to a guest room in the east wing,” Charlie stated, leaving the parlor to go find the servant.
As everyone was getting accommodations ready for Levi to stay in the main house, Abigail had to hide her excitement over the turn of events. If her father knew of her reaction, he would find some other way to take care of Levi which didn’t involve him being in proximity to her.
As Abigail watched George and Levi disappear into the hallway, she wondered if she could keep her distance from the handsome cowboy, even if it would be best for them both.
Eleven
Abigail was antsy all the way through dinner. Her mind kept drifting to the handsome cowboy and how enticing his bare skin had felt underneath her fingertips. It had been a struggle to keep her mind focused on cleaning his wound with his muscled chest just mere inches from her face.
Though he was being well taken care of by the staff, she was looking for an excuse to ask how he was doing. She figured it wouldn’t seem odd if she asked if there was anything else he needed before everyone turned in for the evening.
Abigail rapped on the door of the guest room and waited for a response.
“Come in,” Levi's deep voice answered from the other side.
She came over to the side of his bed and stopped only a few feet away. “How are you fairing, Mr. Emerson? Is the medicine Dr. Ramsey gave you working for the pain?”
Levi nodded. “I'm fine, all things considered, and after today, you can call me Levi.”
Abigail gave him a warm smile. “Then you should call me Abigail as well.”
“Did I mention I’m rather partial to the name Abigail? The first time I read it in the Bible, I realized what a lucky man King David was to have such a wife. She was renowned for her beauty and wisdom.” His head tilted as he looked at her for a moment in silence. “Come to think of it, your name fits you. The same can be said for you.”
A blush flashed across Abigail’s body at the compliment. She averted her eyes and whispered, “Not a lot of men appreciate a woman thinking for herself. It’s not considered an asset here in Texas.”
“Well, those men are fools. There isn’t anythin’ more appealin’ than a woman who knows what she wants and speaks it freely.”
Her eyes darted up and met Levi’s. She could see the admiration reflected in them, and her stomach did a somersault as her heart raced.
“Never would I have thought to hear such a confession from a man.”
He chuckled. “Haven’t you figured out by now, I’m not like other men you’ve known?”
She joined him in the laughter, then said, “It seems you’ve made it your mission to make that clear.”
“As long as you know there’s a man who sees you for who you are and appreciates it, I count my mission a success.”
For a moment, she let his fond attention fill her heart, but then the realization his admiration could never manifest further than friendship took hold. “Your kind regard does me honor. I know it’s rare in this world. I highly doubt Andy Wilson views a woman’s place in the same manner.”
The mirth disappeared from Levi’s eyes as he shook his head. “Your unique virtues shouldn’t be wasted on one such as him. From the way people speak about Mr. Wilson, you marryin’ him would be like castin’ pearls before swine.”
“Thank you, but my father doesn't see it that way.” Uncomfortable focusing on a future she had no control over, Abigail changed the subject. “My purpose for coming here—beyond checking on your welfare—was to see if I can get you anything? A book to read, perhaps?”
“I wouldn’t mind havin’ a copy of the Bible to read. Mine’s back in the bunkhouse, but the night is rather late for anyone to be venturin’ out to fetch it.”
She moved towards the door and said over her shoulder, “I have a solution. I’ll be right back.”
Abigail made her way through the hallways of the house to her own room where she grabbed her own copy of the Bible. She returned to the guest room and handed her Bible to him. “This is my Bible. The pastor’s wife at the church I attended in Boston gave it to me. You can use it while you stay here.”
“Thank you, but what’ll you do without your Bible?”
She smiled at him. “If you would like, I can come by each morning and read from my Bible until you are ready to return to work?”
“I’d rather enjoy that.” Glancing down at the book, he held it out to her and asked, “Do you mind startin’ our arrangement early? I’d love to hear a bit of scripture tonight before I go to sleep.”
Taking the book from him, she sat down at a chair near the bed. “I would be happy to do so.” Flipping the book open to Psalms, Abigail read the words of David, and after several minutes, Levi’s eyes drifted shut.
Twelve
A sharp jab of pain coursed through Levi’s body as he sat up in the massive four-poster bed. Though the sleep was luxurious, he needed to prove he had recovered enough to get back to work. Clyde would expect a check-in. Levi hoped word would get around to him at the Long Reach about
what happened, but he didn’t want his partner to think he wasn't doing his share of the work.
Levi figured after two full days of staying off his feet upon Abigail’s insistence, he was ready to prove he could take care of himself. Slinging his feet over the edge of the bed, he looked around the area to find his clothes. Levi noticed the armoire across the room, and pushed himself off the bed, moving towards the wooden furniture that most likely held his belongings.
It was a slow process, but he got to the armoire. As he went to open the double doors, the room swayed. He leaned against the piece of furniture for several seconds before trying to open it again. This time, his efforts were met with success. He gathered his possessions and then headed to a chair to put them on. He slipped his shirt and pants on over his undergarments, then his belt and boots.
Just as Levi approached the door, it opened to reveal Abigail standing on the other side.
“What are you doing?” she questioned. “You shouldn’t be out of bed yet.”
“I need to be gettin’ back to work. I’ve been off my feet long enough.”
Abigail shook her head. “Dr. Ramsey said you needed to rest for at least four days, and we were to make sure the wound has closed up so it won’t infect.”
“The doctor doesn’t know me. I heal faster than most,” Levi explained as he tried to move past her. But before he walked through the doorframe, the room tilted again. He reached out and placed his hand on the frame to brace himself.
“See, this proves my point,” Abigail stated as she took his arm and put it up and over her shoulders. “You can’t even venture out of this room without a need to rest.”
They made their way over to the bed where she helped him lay back down. “What if I make you a deal?” Abigail inquired.
“Depends on what the deal is,” he answered.
“If you promise not to get out of this bed for the entire day, you can come down and have dinner with us.”