“Hello? Who’s there?”
The man had seen him. He thought about what he could do now. Rachel wasn’t here. The man probably had a gun. What if he was trying to make Rachel his woman? The last thing Daryl wanted was to be caught in a jealous love triangle.
He shook his head. The doorknob was turning. He didn’t remember if he’d locked the door. He hadn’t thought about it. The house was so far out from where people were, he didn’t feel like he needed to lock it. And he’d always been able to defend himself.
He looked down at his injured body. Until now…
The door swung open and the man stepped in. He looked directly at Daryl, who was still in the doorway to the kitchen, leaning on the stick. He knew he looked terrible and hoped that would give him an advantage with this man.
“Who are you?” The man took another step toward him.
Without meaning to, Daryl winced. He wasn’t afraid of the man, who had his hand perched on the gun in his belt holster. He winced because pain was shooting through his leg. The man dropped his eyes down and scanned the injury.
“You’re hurt. Where’s Rachel? Is she helping you?”
Daryl felt a sense of relief. This man already knew what kind of woman Rachel was. He finally found his voice. “Yeah. Yes. She’s helping me. I… I had an accident in the storm. Got pretty banged up. Found my way to her place here. She let me in and bandaged me up.” He held his hand out to the man. “Daryl Parker.”
“Adam Collins.” Adam shook Daryl’s hand. “I came by to check on Rachel’s welfare. How did you manage to find this place during the snowstorm? I was only out in it once to check on the livestock and I could barely see my hand in front of my face.”
“She had a lantern sitting in the window.”
“Really?” Adam raised one eyebrow. He came in and sat down, taking his hat off. He gestured to the couch with the hat. “Please sit. You look like you are in pain.”
“I am.”
“You have any bourbon? Whiskey? I find bourbon works best when I’m injured or in pain.”
“I’ve been drinking whiskey. I think I’m permanently immune to the effects now.”
Adam laughed. “That’s a shame. It’s the only remedy for pain I can think of.”
Daryl sat on the couch, pulling his leg up with his hands and stretching it out in front of him.
“I hope you don’t mind if I sit and talk with you for a while.”
Daryl shook his head. “Any friend of Rachel’s is a friend of mine.”
“Did you know Rachel before you came to her home?”
“Nope. Sure didn’t. Just met her when I got lost in the storm.”
“She’s a good woman. I wouldn’t want to see her get hurt.”
Daryl knew where Adam was going with that. He nodded. “I understand, Adam. I have no bad intentions toward her.”
“Why were you traveling this way? Were you headed to Wickenburg for a reason?”
“Yes. I have relatives here.” He smiled at Adam. “Are you the sheriff in town?”
Adam returned the smile. “No, I just know everyone and try to keep peace. Try to meet any new people or strangers, just so that I’m not caught off guard.”
“I see.” Daryl nodded, moving his eyes to the dying fire. He wanted to get up and put more wood on it, but his leg felt like it was on fire. It was getting hard to ignore.
“I thought I might stick around until Rachel comes back if you don’t mind.”
Daryl shook his head. “No, you are welcome to. You know Rachel better than I do, I am assuming. I know who you are.”
“You do?”
“Yes. As I said, I have relatives here. They have written to me about you.”
Adam’s cheeks flushed slightly. “Really.”
“Yes, you have a good reputation, Mr. Collins.”
“Adam, please. You don’t need to call me Mr. Collins. My friends call me Adam and I hope that we can be friends.”
“I’m sure we can. My sister is Rebecca Samuels. She’s married to Charles. They have three children.”
“Oh yes. I know who you are talking about. They are good people.”
“I think so, too. I like my brother-in-law. I think he takes good care of his family. And my sister loves him tremendously.”
“Did Rachel go get them?”
“She went to find Doc Brown or Dr. Campbell. She’s been gone for a few hours. I don’t know when she’ll return.”
“I’m sure she will be back soon. Did she tell you about her brother?”
“Sam, yes.” Daryl nodded. “I am looking forward to meeting him. He sounds like a good man to know. Rachel says he’s wise and real smart.”
“He is. He’s also a good friend of mine. And he will not hesitate to protect his sister.”
Daryl gave Adam a wide smile. “I know. I’m not sure she needs protecting. She seems to take good care of herself on her own.”
“You have seen it?”
“I’ve seen enough to let me know she doesn’t need a man to survive.”
Adam nodded. “That’s true. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t desire one.”
Daryl looked toward the door, wondering when she would return. He would be that man if she really wanted one.
“Smells like you’ve got something cooking in there?”
“Yeah, I thought I would make her a roast. I mean, it’s her meat and potatoes and vegetables. But I haven’t done anything yet to repay her for her kindness toward me. I thought a nice dinner would do the trick.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you.”
“It doesn’t compare to her thoughtfulness. I don’t know if I can ever repay her. She saved my life. She saved my toes and my… my leg.” He looked down at his broken leg, thinking about her running joke that he might lose it.
The way it was burning at that moment made him think he might be better off without it.
“You are in a lot of pain,” Adam remarked. Daryl looked up at him.
“You can tell?”
“Yes. And I’ve never seen you before. Your face is very drawn in. I wish there was something I could do for you.”
“You can take that pistol at your side and put me out of my misery like a lame horse,” Daryl said, his voice weaker than he intended it to be.
Adam stood up. “Your face is turning pale. Lie back. Lie back.”
Daryl was only too glad to oblige. He felt like if he didn’t lie back, he was probably going to fall back onto the pillows anyway.
“You need to be in a bed. Does Rachel have an extra bed?” Adam’s voice sounded urgent.
Through the fog of his mind, Daryl heard the question and responded by nodding. “In the back,” he murmured.
Adam looked over his shoulder and spied the room. “All right, I’m gonna take you back there. You’re gonna have to help. You’re a big man and I can’t carry your weight. I will if I have to, but you won’t like it. Can you help?”
Daryl forced himself to focus. He swung his legs out in front of him, crying out in pain when his left leg filled with blood and touched the floor softly. Adam was by his side in moments, wrapping one strong arm around the man’s waist. Daryl put one arm around Adam’s shoulders and they moved to the back room as quickly as possible. Daryl grunted and cried out in pain the whole way.
Adam helped him onto the bed. Daryl closed his eyes and tried to ignore the agony.
“I’ll be right back.”
Adam disappeared from the room. Daryl didn’t know how long it was before he returned. It seemed like an eternity, but could have only been a few minutes. The amount of pain he was in made seconds feel like years. He felt it when Adam touched his leg. His eyes flew open and he looked down. “What are you doing?”
“There’s something oozing out of this bandage, Daryl. When is the last time it was checked?”
Daryl shook his head. “I… I don’t know. This morning or last night.”
“Did the pain start getting worse today while Rachel was
gone?”
Daryl nodded. “Yes. Yes.”
“I think you have an infection.”
“Oh no,” Daryl groaned. “I might lose my leg.”
“Dr. Campbell does some amazing work. You might not. You actually might have a chance with him taking care of you.”
“What if she brings Doc Brown?”
Adam shook his head. “She won’t. Doc Brown is delivering a baby today.”
“Oh.” He cried out in pain when Adam shifted his leg slightly. “I have to take off this bandage.”
“Do you know how to treat a wound like that?”
“It’s very close to the break in your leg. That might be making the break worse. Or the pain worse. But I have to rebandage this and clean it out. The sooner it’s cleaned out, the better. And it’s going to hurt. You got any more liquor?”
“In the cabinet above the icebox,” Daryl said. “There’s a couple bottles of whiskey and brandy in there. If they’re gone, I’ve got some more out in my wagon. It’s in the barn.”
Adam nodded. “I’ll be right back.”
He came back almost immediately bearing a tall bottle of dark whiskey. He handed the bottle to Daryl. “Take a few shots now. You don’t want to feel this pain.”
“I’m gonna lose my leg,” Daryl moaned, taking two long swallows of the whiskey. “I’m gonna lose my leg.” He wanted to cry, but he didn’t dare in front of Adam. He wasn’t going to cry in front of anyone. Whether he lost his leg or not. But it wasn’t funny anymore. The joke wasn’t funny anymore.
He braced himself ten minutes later when Adam prepared to clean the wound. He took a piece of wood Adam handed to him and placed it between his teeth.
When he was ready, he nodded to Adam. Adam splashed some of the whiskey over the open wound near the break in Daryl’s leg. Daryl screamed in pain.
As quickly as he could, Adam cleaned the wound and pressed a new bandage on it, covering the inside of the bandage with a salve from Rachel’s medicine bags. As soon as he pushed the salve against the wound, the pain dissolved. Daryl removed the piece of wood from his mouth and looked down at the bandage in amazement. “What is in that salve? I don’t feel any more pain.”
“You would have to ask Rachel. I took it from her medicines. It was labeled ‘infection and pain’.”
“Well, if it works that good on pain, I’m sure prayin’ it works that good on the infection. I don’t wanna lose my leg.”
“I know you don’t, my friend. I can only imagine how tragic that would be.”
“It would be for me. I need my legs. I can’t work without my legs.”
“There are ways to get around even if you don’t have both legs.”
Daryl shook his head. “I don’t want to be crippled. I got too much to do. I don’t have time for that.”
Adam laughed. “I don’t think you’re going to lose your leg, so let’s not jump to the worst possible outcome.”
“I like your way,” Daryl nodded. “Stay positive. Gotta stay positive.”
“Yes.” Adam nodded back.
“Positive I’m gonna lose this leg,” Daryl mumbled.
Adam laughed again. “You are funny. I bet Rachel likes that in you, doesn’t she?”
“She’s only known me a short time. But yes, I think she does.”
Adam leaned over and grabbed a clean length of cloth. He lifted Daryl’s leg and slowly wrapped the fabric around it. “I’m sure the Doc will be here soon to check my work,” Adam said.
“I’m glad you were here to help me, Adam,” Daryl said, leaning forward and extending his hand. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been here.”
Adam shook his hand firmly. “I’m glad I was here to help, Daryl. When do you expect the Samuels to come visit? Will you be going to stay with them?”
“I think Rachel has given me permission to use her room here until I’m ‘on my feet again’.” He grinned. “Literally. Do you think her brother will approve?”
Adam shrugged, looking amused. “I don’t know, but I don’t think Rachel would be seeking his approval. She has a mind of her own and does what she wants.”
Daryl nodded. “I’ve noticed that. She’s quite a woman.”
“Yes. Yes, she is.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
FRESH AIR
FRESH AIR
As soon as the wagon came to a stop, Dr. Campbell jumped down and grabbed his bag from the back. He looked up at Rachel.
“Go on in, doctor.”
He nodded. Sam got down and held his hand up to help his sister. “That’s Adam Collins’s wagon, isn’t it?” Sam asked, gesturing to the wagon with his head.
Rachel nodded. “I think so. But I don’t recognize one from another very well. I don’t know how you do.”
Sam laughed. “I’ve seen them going down the street and waved hello enough times to see the subtle differences. Let’s get inside. I haven’t seen Adam for more than a week.”
The two of them followed the doctor into the house.
Adam stood as soon as the door opened.
“Miss O’Connell,” Adam put out his hand. She took it for a moment. “I nearly shot your visitor.”
“Oh my,” Rachel smiled. “Where is he?”
Adam crooked his finger at them and they followed him to the bedroom. Daryl was sitting up in the bed, a book on his lap, when they entered.
“Here you are,” Daryl said. “I nearly got shot, you know.”
Rachel rushed to the bed and sat on the edge, patting his hand. “That would have been a terrible thing. I’m glad you are still with us. Adam is a quick shot.”
“Not a quick shot,” Adam shook his head. “I’m a straight shot. I always think for at least a moment before I use a gun on a man. I don’t want to take a life for no reason.”
“You don’t have to kill every man you shoot, Adam,” Dr. Campbell said, his voice gruff and firm.
“I don’t. You know I don’t,” Adam protested.
“I have cleaned up enough of your messes to know that you don’t,” the doctor replied. “I’m just stating a fact.”
Daryl watched their interaction with amusement. The doctor couldn’t have been much older than Adam, but their relationship was almost like father and son. When the doctor turned to him, he realized that George Campbell was probably gruff like that with everyone.
“So what did you do to yourself, young man?” Dr. Campbell turned to him, pulling out a stethoscope and putting in the ear pieces. “I heard you got in a terrible brawl and beat up twenty men?”
Daryl laughed. “Yeah, it was terrible. You should see what they look like.”
Rachel and Sam moved around them while they spoke. Rachel knelt at the end of the couch, placing one hand on the arm rest. She had been about to put it on his foot when she thought better of that.
Sam took Rachel’s usual chair and leaned forward to watch the doctor examine Daryl’s injuries. They were all quiet, letting the doctor look under the bandage on his arm, the one on his leg and the bone that was broken.
“Your leg is not looking good, my friend,” the doctor murmured.
“I’m not going to lose it, am I?” Daryl felt a jolt of fear slice through him.
Dr. Campbell looked up at him. “No, of course not. What would make you think that? We don’t cut people’s legs off anymore. Well, we try not to, anyway. Sometimes it’s necessary, but… no, not you. You just need some medicine, an herbal pack and lots of fluids. The bone will not heal back correctly because I was not here to set it when it happened. But you will be able to walk on it. It will be fragile, so you may break it again in the future if you aren’t careful.”
Daryl nodded.
“What about that cut next to the break, George?” Rachel said. “I tried to do what I could, but… it looked infected. It was seeping puss and I cleaned it out the best I could.”
“That must have been painful,” Sam muttered. Rachel shot him a look and he shrugged. “What? It was painful when sh
e was doing that, wasn’t it, Daryl?”
Daryl looked at him. “Yeah. It was.”
Sam turned his eyes back to Rachel. “See?”
She shook her head, closing her eyes for a moment.
“How does it look, George?”
Dr. Campbell slowly peeled back the bandage and looked underneath it. His eyebrows shot up and he glanced at Rachel. “I may need an assistant or a nurse at some point. Would you like the job?”
Rachel smiled at him. “I appreciate the offer, but I like what I’m doing now.”
“You did an excellent job here, Rachel. I’m impressed. I think you cleared it of infection. Have you been giving him herbal teas?”
“Yes. The remedy you gave me the last time I got a bad cut. I stocked up so if it happened again, I’d be prepared.”
“Good thinking,” the doctor nodded.
“I think I’m gonna get some fresh air,” Adam said, plopping his hat back on his head and moving toward the door.
“I’m gonna join you.” Sam stood up. “I’ll be right outside if you need me, Rachel.”
She laughed. “I can’t possibly imagine what might happen to me.”
Sam and Adam stepped out onto the porch. Both men squinted immediately as a cold breeze passed over their faces.
“It’s so much warmer inside,” Sam remarked.
Adam laughed. “Yes, but I’m certain Rachel doesn’t want me smoking a pipe in there, especially with open wounds all over that man’s body.”
Sam shook his head. “He got pretty banged up. Did he tell you what happened?”
“Nope. We didn’t get around to it. I haven’t been here very long. Once I found out who he was, I fixed the fire for him, helped him chop some onions and potatoes for his dinner for Rachel and…”
“What? He’s making dinner for Rachel?” Sam looked over his shoulder through the window at the back of Daryl’s head. “That’s a pretty nice thing to do.”
Adam nodded. “I thought so, too. He sings her praises, Sam. I think he’s gonna be stickin’ around for a while.”
The Cripple’s Bride Page 10