“I cannot hold him much longer,” Manny said.
Dog howled when Jake hoisted him up off the ground. He struggled as he rose with the wiggling mutt. I’m gonna drop this fool animal. “Boy, you’re gonna be fine.”
Loud whines replaced the growls.
Juliet touched her pet. “Be brave. It’ll be okay.” Dog whimpered, his eyes fixed on Juliet.
Once inside, the animal tried to wiggle free.
“Now, now,” Juliet cooed. Dog calmed at her voice.
Jake, Manny, and Cookie held the animal on the table as he growled and whined. Jake turned to Manny. “Take Juliet outside.”
“No, I want to help,” the girl protested.
“Let her stay.” Evangeline’s hands held the girl’s shoulders.
“She’s a child,” Jake snapped.
“It’s her dog.” Evangeline matched his tone. Her next words were softer. “I think Dog needs her. He trusts her.”
“It’s gonna be fine. Don’t worry.” Juliet stroked the mutt’s massive head, and his growls reduced to whimpers.
Once Dog was positioned securely on the table, Evangeline poured chloroform on a rag.
“Juliet, take this cloth and place it on Dog’s nose.”
Juliet lovingly rubbed the animal’s fur as the medication took effect. After a few sniffs, he stilled and the men released their grip.
“Is he dead?” Manny asked.
“Course not,” Juliet snapped, turning to Evangeline. “Right? He ain’t dead.”
“No, the chloroform put him to sleep.” She paid close attention to the animal’s breathing. “I suggest everyone pray.”
Cookie took her cue. “Father, we commit this here surgery into your hands. And this fine dog as well. We trust you to make things go well. We ask this in Jesus’ name.” A chorus of amens ended the prayer.
“I have never operated on an animal before, and I have no idea if I gave him the correct amount of chloroform.” Evangeline ran her hands down her apron. “Juliet, I want you to keep an eye on him. If he looks like he’s waking up, give him more chloroform.”
Juliet’s face was etched with determination. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Selena, are the instruments sterilized?”
“Sí.” Selena handed the pan to her and slipped out of the room.
Jake’s stomach lurched as he waited for instructions. The chloroform reminded him of field hospitals.
Evangeline used tongs to arrange all the instruments on the table. “Cookie, you hand me the instruments when I signal you. They are laid out in the order I will need them.”
Cookie agreed, his face a little ashen.
Evangeline handed a blanket to Manny. “Hold this up between Juliet and me.” Manny went around to the other side of the table out of Evangeline’s way but close to Dog’s head.
“Jake, talk to Juliet. Ask her about our visit to Miss Woods.”
One look at Juliet confirmed to Jake the wisdom in Evangeline’s words. She looked so tiny and helpless petting Dog’s nose. She needed her focus away from the surgery. He hoped he could keep her talking. He’d rather be anywhere else at this moment himself. He exhaled and tried to give his best smile to his niece.
“Darlin’, tell me about Bertha Woods. Your aunt told me she had great cookies.”
“Yes, sir.” Her voice was weak.
“Heard you had six.”
“Did not.” Juliet looked up at her uncle, defiance in her tone. “I only had three. It would be piggy to have six.”
“She a good cook?”
“Yes, sir.” She stopped talking and stared at Dog.
“Tell me more.”
“What do you wanna know?” Juliet’s voice was barely audible.
Jake looked at Evangeline for help.
“Tell him about her house and the story she told you.” Evangeline motioned for Cookie to hand her the saw.
Jake wished he could remain as calm as Cookie. Sweat formed on his back as his eyes fell on Manny’s youthful face. The boy was obviously mesmerized by Evangeline’s actions as his white knuckles gripped the blanket.
Jake turned his attention back to Juliet and touched her cheek. “Tell me about her home.”
Juliet described the house just as Evangeline had the night before. She had not mentioned, however, the ram’s head over the mantle. Jake wondered if Evangeline left out that detail just to give Juliet the joy of sharing it. He only wished it were under more pleasant circumstances.
“Did Mr. Woods shoot the ram?” Jake realized his poor choice of words, but it was too late to take them back. Fortunately, Juliet didn’t make the connection.
“Oh, no, Mr. Ram was a pet.” Juliet gave him her full attention.
“A pet?” Jake could hear the saw. His muscles tensed.
Juliet’s voice quickened at the sound. “Yes, Bertha told me. She said to call her Bertha, so I did. That was okay, wasn’t it? Should I have called her Miss Woods?”
“That’s fine, honey.” Jake again touched her cheek.
Juliet rambled even faster. “She said when she was a child that Mr. Ram was her only friend. Her pa had raised him from a baby ’cause his momma didn’t want him. Her pa gave him into her care. Mr. Ram didn’t like nobody but her.” Juliet grew quiet as she stared at her unconscious pet. As the blanket fluttered near her head, she turned from it and continued her story, stroking Dog with more vigor.
“She told me somethin’ funny ’bout how he used to butt people who came too close to her. I don’t remember it right now, but it sure was funny.” A tear trickled down her cheek. “He was the papa to most of their flock. When Mr. Ram died, Bertha’s pa had his head stuffed and hung over the mantle.”
“What did you think of that?” Jake asked. He had to keep his mind on Juliet’s words. The smell of chloroform and blood made his stomach queasy, bringing back unwanted battlefield memories. He reached for her still hand. Together, they stroked Dog’s head. He tried his best to encourage the frightened girl while battling his rumbling stomach.
Juliet broke the momentary silence. “I thought it a bit peculiar, but Bertha’s pretty peculiar herself. She repeats herself a lot. But she’s real smart.” The girl took a cleansing breath and fixed her eyes on him. “Uncle Jake, she can tell you what the weather was like on any day. She asked me when I was born. When I told her, she said it be a Tuesday and the day rainy and cold. Then she said the moon be full that night. Seems pretty smart, don’t you think?”
“Yes, I do.”
“And we are done.” Evangeline’s words drew a collective cheer from the group.
Juliet kissed Dog’s nose. The large animal’s upper torso was bandaged.
“Señor Dog’s bed is ready.” Selena pointed toward the hall.
Cookie and Jake lifted Dog from the table and took him to a pallet on the floor in Juliet’s room. His niece arranged the blankets around him.
Jake hugged her tight. “You’re such a brave young lady. I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m gonna sit right here and be his nurse,” Juliet said from her place on the floor.
Jake ruffled her hair and left the room. He found his wife putting her instruments in boiling water. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me too soon. He could still die. I took the whole leg off to be sure there was clean flesh. Otherwise, there is a chance of gangrene. I have no idea what to give a dog for pain.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
“Your confidence is appreciated. But I’m not an animal doctor. I’m afraid if Dog dies, I am only delaying her sorrow.” Evangeline scrubbed the table thoroughly with carbolic acid. “This table wasn’t the best place to perform surgery. If I had been thinking, we could have set up something in the barn. I need to scrub it a few more times.”
“If you say so. Thanks again for what you done for Juliet.”
“You’re welcome.” Evangeline kept her eyes on the task at hand. “You did a great job yourself. I couldn’t have done it alone.”
“I think you could do anything you set your mind to.”
As he turned to leave, Evangeline spoke. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
Evangeline laid down her rag and pushed stray hairs out of her face. “For not arguing with me. For having confidence in me.”
Jake shrugged. “One look at Juliet, I couldn’t say no.”
Besides, he was finding it hard to say no to Evangeline about anything.
CHAPTER 16
Bart was not in the stable, so Jake headed toward the back door of the bunkhouse. He needed to explain a few things to the man. Warn him to rein in his surliness. Jake’s mind filled with visions of what might have happened if Bart hadn’t been stopped. Through the open window, he saw Bart sitting at the table working his way through a whiskey bottle. Pete sat quietly in the corner whittling on a piece of wood.
“Dumbest thing I ever saw—savin’ a dog. Shoulda shot ‘em.”
“Bart, shhh. Not so loud. You’re in enough trouble,” Bo whispered from across the table.
Bart raised his head and took another swig. “Who cares who hears me? Looks like that woman wears the pants ‘round here now.”
Jake’s muscles twitched as the interaction unfolded before him. Alcohol was contraband on the Double M. He fisted his irritation and remained silent.
“You need to stop now!” Bo knocked his chair over as he stood and lunged for the bottle. Bart slapped his hand away, and Pete shot out the door.
Leaning closer, Bo flayed his hand toward the bottle until his fingertips touched it. Bart jerked it away and rose up, punching Bo in the face.
The front door opened just as Bo’s head bounced off the wall. Duke and Artie rushed in with Pete on their heels. Artie knelt beside his friend. “Bo, what happened?”
Bart glared at him. “Come any closer, and you’ll get the same.”
Artie was trembling but returned the glare before turning back to the injured man. “Your lip’s split open. How’s your head?”
“I feel a mite faint.”
“Here, let me help you to your bunk.” Artie and Pete lifted Bo as he whimpered in pain.
“Quit your cry-babyin’. You ain’t hurt that bad,” Bart snarled through slurred speech.
Duke stepped forward, fists clenched. “Shut your mouth and put the bottle away.”
Bart drank the rest of the whiskey and turned the bottle upside down. “None for you.”
Artie spoke up as Duke moved toward the drunk. “Hey, Duke, he ain’t worth losin’ your job over. He can’t get no drunker. Leave him be.”
Jake moved from the shadows. The voices grew louder as he headed toward the door.
“Yeah, this cow pie ain’t worth losin’ my job over.” Duke smirked as he straightened his stance and turned his back.
Bart growled.
“Watch out!” Artie screeched.
Jake stepped in the back door just as Bart smashed the empty bottle on Duke’s head. One of the shards caught Artie on the cheek. Bart stormed out the front door without giving Jake a second glance. The sound of Artie’s high-pitched wails filled the room.
***
Before Jake could take any action, Manny, Tony, and Solomon appeared.
Duke sat in a pool of blood. Solomon grabbed a sheet off the nearest bunk and applied pressure to Duke’s head. Tony led Artie to a chair. Pete stood in the corner and remained silent.
Artie drew himself up to his full height. “I’m gonna kill Bart.”
“Hold on there, gringo.” Tony grabbed his arm.
Jake’s boots crunched broken glass as he offered Duke a hand and helped him to a chair.
Evangeline appeared in the doorway with her medical bag. “What happened?”
“Bart slammed Bo against the wall.” Artie’s voice trembled.
“I got me a split lip,” Bo said. “Bart didn’t mean nothin’. It was the whiskey done it.”
Artie glowered at Bo. “The whiskey didn’t bust a bottle over Duke’s head and almost kill him. Bart done it on purpose.”
“Hey, kid, your face is bleedin’,” Jake said as he pointed toward Artie.
Artie touched his face. He tried to stand but turned white as his legs wobbled.
Jake helped him sit back in the chair. “Evangeline can see to it.”
Walters rushed in. “Bart lit out on his horse. You want me to go after him, Boss?”
“We’ll deal with him if he bothers to show his face ‘round here again.” Jake wondered if anything else would happen before the sun went down. “Boys, clean up the mess in here.”
Evangeline picked glass shards out of Duke’s head. He moaned, his eyes closed and his hands gripping the chair.
“How can I help?’ Jake asked.
“You could clean Bo’s and Artie’s cuts. I can stitch them after I’m done here.”
“I’d rather you do it, Miss Evangeline,” Artie said.
Jake disliked the familiar way Artie addressed his wife. He scowled as he cleaned Bo’s split lip. Bo winced from the sting.
Still scowling, Jake moved on to Artie. The young man lowered his eyes, avoiding Jake’s scrutiny. Jake grabbed his jaw, causing Artie to grimace and jerk away.
“Sit still.” Jake’s tone was harsh as tears glistened in the kid’s eyes. “Buck up, boy.”
“Jake needs to see if there is any glass in your face,” Evangeline said.
Artie let Jake clean his wound. Jake saw no glass but derived a measure of satisfaction from dabbing the man’s cheek one more time. Artie grimaced from the sting of the antiseptic.
Evangeline wrapped Duke’s head in a bandage, reminding Jake of his first night with her. A smile replaced his frown as she deftly stitched Bo’s lip.
“Two should do it. Don’t suck on your lip, and it will heal nicely.”
Next, she moved to Artie. She touched his face tenderly, running her finger down his cheek. Jake’s scowl returned.
“Will it leave a scar?” Artie asked.
“Maybe a little one. I’ll try sewing it so there is little scarring when it’s healed.” Her voice was gentle as she spoke. “We can pray for the Lord to heal it nicely so your face is handsome for Miss Lily.”
Artie tried not to laugh while being stitched.
“Stay still.” Evangeline touched the tip of his nose.
“Stop sayin’ things to make me laugh.”
Jake wadded the damp disinfectant cloth tightly in his hand as he saw the look that passed between them.
“Sorry.” Evangeline giggled as she moved in closer again.
Jake slammed the door on his way out.
***
Jake turned the dirty straw over and over with the pitchfork before depositing it onto a pile. His mind was filled with thoughts of Nora and Robert. Seeing them together after she had implied Jake was her choice. Drinking to chase away the pain. Memories long since buried, yet oh-so-fresh now. His heartache rekindled. I should never have sent for Evangeline. Jake stabbed the soiled straw with a vengeance. How stupid I am.
He turned toward the stable door as it creaked open.
“There you are.” Evangeline looked flushed, a tendril of burgundy hair falling down her cheek. “You left so suddenly I was afraid there might have been another fight.”
Jake kept his back to her.
“What’s wrong?”
The thick silence lingered as he filled another pitchfork and emptied it. “How long you been carryin’ on with Artie?”
“What?” Evangeline’s voice trembled.
He felt bile rise in his throat. “I ain’t blind. I saw you flirtin’ with him in there.”
“With Artie? Please, Jake, I—”
“Don’t play games with me. I know flirtin’ when I see it.” Jake looked her full in the face. The tight muscles in his neck began to throb.
“Jake, you don’t understand.”
“Oh, I understand. There was your flirty smile, and the laughin’ all close-like.” Jake waited for the familiar. He ste
eled himself. This was when Nora would laugh at his jealousy. Her coquettish smile would wrap itself around his heart, and he would believe anything she said. Not this time. I’ll not play the fool twice.
Evangeline walked away a few steps before turning back. Her eyes were sorrowful. “Please believe me when I say I have had no experience with flirting.” A single tear trickled down her cheek. The quiet that followed, unnerved Jake as she looked at him.
He turned away, confused by this unexpected response. Can I trust her?
She came closer and took the pitchfork out of his hand, leaning it up against the wall. Her words came out slowly. “Jacob Marcum, I am married to you. I made a commitment before God to be your wife.” Her fingers caressed his face.
Her touch stirred him. Jake saw the sincerity in her eyes. As relief replaced anger, he drew her to him, encircling her with his arms. She looked up at him—tears still pooled in her eyes. No words came. Instead, his lips covered hers, and she relaxed in his arms.
After a moment, Jake released her.
Evangeline seemed to be searching for words before speaking. “Artie is like … like a sister to me.”
“A sister?”
“Did I say sister? I meant brother. You make me say the strangest things.” She backed away. “Sometimes, Mr. Marcum, you don’t see the truth when it’s standing right in front of you.”
CHAPTER 17
Before daybreak, with her hair in a long braid and still dressed in her nightgown and robe, Evangeline puttered around the kitchen. Her dreams had turned to nightmares, caused by the excitement of the previous day. Her subconscious had transformed the wounded animal into a dying man. Stitches became bloody battlefield injuries, and jealous words brought back her own hurt feelings from an unfaithful fiancé. Throughout the nightmares, memories of a soft kiss and firm caress kept her from entering into deeper despair. Perhaps Fiona’s vision was from the Lord, and shame could be replaced with love.
Evangeline’s mind struggled to find a place to bury the past. Comforting Scripture lay dormant somewhere in her fatigued brain.
The dawn brought Jake, rumpled and unshaven, to the kitchen. In his presence, Evangeline felt peace flow through her. She was becoming accustomed to his admiring gaze.
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