“How bad is he, girl?” her grandfather asked, hoisting himself out of the driver’s seat.
“It’s not good, Grandpa,” she answered, ignoring John’s question and not looking toward Tanner. Sensing his exasperation was enough. Other men climbed off horses, and she started giving orders, explaining how carefully they had to carry Fred and his mattress at the same time, not moving his leg any more than necessary, which she insisted was not at all.
The fact they’d brought a wagon equipped with sleigh rails, which would make the ride to the ranch smoother than wooden wheels added to her relief.
Once Fred was loaded and Anna was satisfied the covers were tucked tightly around him, she climbed out of the wagon and walked toward Thunder. “Take it slow, Grandpa, but not too slow. We have to get him home.”
“Anna, darling, you ride here in the wagon with us,” John said, gesturing toward the seat.
Tanner was already handing over the reins to her mount, and she couldn’t help but glance up, meet his gaze. Anna couldn’t say it was pride glistening in his eyes, but there was enough understanding that her confidence remained intact. She swung into the saddle and steered Thunder about. “Get in the wagon, John. We don’t have time to spare.”
The ride home was long, and everyone, sensing the urgency, remained quiet. By the time the house came into view, Anna’s stomach was churning. Fred was part of it, but the patronizing glares John kept delivering were the main reason. She kneed Thunder to trot around the wagon and made a beeline for the front porch, where Merilee stood wringing her hands in her long white apron.
Anna had barely arrived at the other woman’s side when Tanner stepped up beside them.
“Where do you want him?” he asked.
“I have the backroom ready,” Merilee answered.
Anna froze. She hadn’t been in that room—the small bedroom off the side of the kitchen—since the death of her mother. Feeling eyes on her, she lifted her gaze to see Tanner watching her, waiting for her reaction—or maybe her answer. There was more in his gaze—understanding—and it penetrated, had her confidence flaring to life again.
“The backroom is perfect,” she said.
“What else do you need?” Tanner asked.
Perhaps it wasn’t her confidence she felt but his, his confidence in her. Anna spun about and started spewing out the list she’d mentally created to Merilee, ending with, “Water, lots of boiled water.”
“Already have some cooling and more boiling,” the woman answered.
“Go get the supplies,” Tanner said. “We’ll carry Fred in.”
Everyone had a job to do and set to it, except John, who followed her as she gathered items and carried them into the room. “What do you think you’re doing?” he asked several times. “You’re not a doctor.”
Anna was doing her best to ignore him but it was hard. He’d never irritated her the way he was now and she wasn’t sure what to do about it. Her silence must have worked, because eventually he quit asking questions and disappeared.
Fred had been settled on the bed and Anna was laying everything she’d need on a table that had been set up nearby, when her grandfather entered the room. “What do you think you’re doing, girl?”
Tanner couldn’t say what snapped inside him, but he’d had enough. Moments ago he’d heard John grumbling to Walter about Anna and her abilities, or lack thereof. The way she’d taken over back at the cabin and rattled off what needed to be done had been enough to convince him she knew what she was talking about.
“She’s about to save Fred’s life,” Tanner said.
“I sent Willy to town for Doc,” Walter said. “He’ll be here soon.”
“He can assist Anna once he arrives,” Tanner said, blocking Walter from moving closer to the bed. “Until then, she has a lot to do, and you need to leave her to do it.”
“Who do you think you are?” Walter bellowed.
“The man who’s going to make sure Fred’s injury is seen to.” He and Walter had gone head-to-head before and Tanner had no qualms about doing so again, especially when the life of one of his men was at stake. He waved a hand toward John. “Take him with you and shut the door behind you.”
Walter’s face was red and his eyes narrowed, but in the end he spun around and gestured for John to leave the room ahead of him.
The air took on a stilled silence as the door clicked shut, and Tanner had to wonder about the outcome of what he’d just done. A decision, one he’d stood by despite Walter’s opinion, had never included the man’s granddaughter before. He’d always made sure of that.
“Thank you.”
Tanner turned, and the apprehension glistening in Anna’s eyes led him to believe whatever happened tomorrow had no bearing on today. “What do you need me to do?”
She held out a pair of scissors. “You can cut off his clothes. Start with the shirt. I have to soak his pant leg, get it to let loose of his leg before we can remove it.”
Removing the old man’s layers, right down to his skivvies, didn’t take long, but the task of removing his left pant leg was a tedious one. Every time Anna swapped out the warm, wet towels, the water in the basin turned red, showing just how much dried blood crusted the leg.
Merilee kept switching basins, keeping the water clean as Anna instructed, and Tanner, somewhat awed by all she seemed to know, listened carefully when she gave him a task to complete. Her hands were steady, her attention fixed as she worked, and he sensed his admiration rising, as well as his hope for Fred.
“Tanner, help me roll him on his side,” Anna said. “The cut goes all the way down the back of his leg.”
He did so, rolled Fred and then helped Merilee prop pillows to keep the man from moving. The inside of his left leg appeared to be ripped open from knee to ankle.
As soon as the pants were cut completely away, Anna examined the large gash meticulously. “It’s deep, but he didn’t nick the bone. That’s a good thing.”
Tanner had seen a lot in his days, but he found it hard to look at the damaged, swollen and oozing flesh. “What do we do now?”
“I’m going to sterilize the wound with some whiskey, and then stitch it up.” The way her smile wobbled belied the confidence in her voice.
Words couldn’t seem to form in his mind. Instead, Tanner was thinking about kissing her again. Not with youthful lust like years ago; just a comforting one, for encouragement. He couldn’t do that, though, so he reached over and squeezed her hand. “I’m glad you’re here, Anna, and I know Fred is, too.”
Chapter Six
Tanner stayed close as Anna worked. It made sense that he hadn’t recognized her at the station. He’d been expecting the Anna he used to know. The girl who wore britches more often than dresses and had forever been riding off in one direction or another. He remembered, too, how Fred had often been at her side. That had been before her mother died. Snake bite. Walking along the stream where she’d stumbled upon a den of rattlers.
He hadn’t been at the homestead when it had happened, couldn’t recall all the details, but clearly remembered the day he’d returned from branding cows on the north end of the ranch and heard the news. He’d come across Anna sitting in the barn, tears trickling down her face. It was a poignant memory, in part because it had evoked others. Made him recall the day his mother had passed away in the back of a saloon down in a Colorado mining town. He’d been eight, and pretty much on his own until the judge brought him home six years later.
Those years had been lonely and cold. His father, a man he’d never met, had died a hero before Tanner was born. That’s the story his mother had told him. They’d been in love, she’d said, but her father had refused to allow them to marry. Said she was needed at home, until he learned she was pregnant. Then he’d turned her out. She’d cried, too, on her death, at how hate had distorted he
r life. Even then, as young as he’d been, Tanner hadn’t considered finding his grandfather. He’d lived with one of the other dance-hall women, her kids anyway, in a shack on the edge of town for a couple years, until she’d married a miner. Invited to tag along, he’d spent the winter in a cave with eight others. He’d learned a lot about life that year, at the ripe old age of eleven, whether he’d wanted to or not.
Fred groaned, and Tanner, glad to leave the past behind him, stepped forward to rest a hand on the man’s shoulder.
“Wipe his brow with a cool cloth,” Anna said. “I’m sure he’s feeling each stitch I make.”
Merilee reached the basin first and wrung out a rag. As she went to Fred, Tanner squeezed the water out of another cloth and walked up beside Anna. Then, careful not to obstruct her view, he wiped at the sweat beaded on her temples. He could only imagine the stamina it took for her to sew up Fred’s leg like patching a quilt.
“Thanks,” she said, never turning from her duty.
She had to restring the needle several times with the thread she’d put in a pan of steaming water, and he noted how her hands shook each time, but it wasn’t until she set the needle down that he saw the tears in her eyes.
He couldn’t say why, other than he knew her strength was waning. He didn’t know how to help her, but he stepped forward and folded his arms around her shoulders.
* * *
Anna wrapped her arms around Tanner’s waist and held on. It was exactly what she needed, just as it had been when he’d held her hand at her mother’s funeral. No chastising or belittling, just a comforting outside source of strength to replenish what she’d used up.
Without a word, Tanner held her until her knees stopped wobbling. Then he simply stepped back and asked, “What do you need me to do now?”
It was amazing how a man this sturdy and powerful kept looking to her for directions. Yet, much like his hug, it fueled her. “I have to bandage it,” she answered. “And then we can roll him onto his back, but we’ll have to prop up the leg. I want to keep it moist, too,” she added, thinking aloud. “I don’t want the thread to dry out and tear the skin.”
“All right,” Tanner said. “Just tell me when and what to do.”
“You’ve been a great help.” She glanced up, having almost forgotten the other person in the room. “You, too, Merilee. Thank you, both of you.”
“You’ve done all the work,” Merilee said. “I’m amazed.”
“Me, too,” Tanner said, addressing Merilee. “Although I don’t know why. She’s always accomplished anything she set her mind to.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Merilee replied.
Unfolding a long length of bandage, Anna bit her lips together, both at a smile and the heat streaming into her cheeks. “That’s enough flattery from you two, we still have work to do.”
“Flattery?” Tanner asked. “I was referring to your stubbornness.”
Merilee was the first to laugh, and when Tanner joined in, Anna gave herself permission to giggle slightly. It felt good, and she let go of a bit more tension by laughing harder. The room took on a different ambience then, one of hopefulness. Anna let it fill her as she bandaged Fred’s leg, and with Tanner and Merilee’s help, repositioned the man more comfortably on the bed.
“We need to get some fluids into him,” she said, gently covering Fred with a blanket. “Could you make him some chicken broth, Merilee?”
“Of course,” the woman replied. “As soon as I clean this up, I’ll see to it.”
“I’ll clean up,” Anna assured her.
“I’ll help,” Tanner offered. “You go get the soup started, Merilee.”
It didn’t take long for the room to be set in order, and as Tanner carried the last load of things out the door, Anna couldn’t help but stare at it, wondering where her grandfather was. Surely he’d want to know how Fred was doing. Expectation continued to rise. He’d have to appreciate her abilities, too.
Tanner was the only one who returned. “I’ll sit with him if you want to go change your clothes or something.”
“No,” she said, glancing toward the open doorway. “I’m fine.” She’d long ago removed her heavy coat, as well as the wool jacket that matched her riding skirt. After inspecting the front of her blouse, which was as white as when she’d put it on this morning, she rolled down her sleeves to button the lacy cuffs. “I want to make sure his fever doesn’t spike again.”
Tanner carried the rocking chair from the corner to the side of the bed, and although she sat and thanked him, Anna couldn’t help but glance toward the door again.
“Do you want some coffee or tea or something?” he asked, resting a hand on her shoulder.
“No, I’m fine.” She was about as far from fine as ever, and doctoring Fred had little to do with it. Glancing up, she met Tanner’s tender gaze. There was no one else like him. Never had been and never would be, and understanding that had her rethinking several things.
He leaned down and his lips, warm and firm, pressed against the top of her forehead. “You did a great job. I’m proud of you.”
Her eyes started to burn and she blinked forcibly to make them stop. Changing the subject was the only way to explain the tears, so she said, “Fred’s not out of the water, yet. Gangrene or blood poisoning could set in.”
“I doubt it,” Tanner said as he straightened. “Not on your watch.” He squeezed her shoulder. “I’m going to go find the judge.”
She nodded and watched as he pulled the door closed behind him. He was proud of her. No one had ever said that to her.
Little more than minutes later, the door opened and John, scowling, asked, “What are you doing now?”
It seemed impossible to think yesterday she’d been hugging him and calling him darling. Turning her gaze to the bed, she answered, “Watching my patient.”
“You’re not a doctor, Anna, and this is becoming ridiculous.” He’d arrived at her side and folded one hand around her upper arm. “Now come. You’ve done enough.”
She twisted, but he didn’t release her arm. “I’m not going anywhere. Fred could wake up at any time.”
“And what will you do if he does?”
There was no way for her to know that until it happened. “Give him fluids, ask how he feels,” she suggested.
“Someone else can do that.” He tugged on her arm. “You should go change your clothes. You probably have blood on your dress.”
“No, I don’t. And even if I did, I wouldn’t leave right now.”
“Darling,” he said, his voice now condescendingly soft. “I know Fred is a friend of yours, but you mustn’t wear yourself out.”
A shiver shot along her jaw and down her neck with such intensity her shoulders shuddered. One thing made sense. Why her father had approved so heartily of John. The two were very much alike. Whenever she didn’t immediately mind them, they cajoled her into following orders.
“Come along now.” John tugged on her arm yet again. “You need to eat something. It’s been a long time since breakfast.”
She peered into his face. His eyes were a faded blue, his features well-defined and the blond curls covering his head were cropped short, yet wayward enough they’d always made her smile. Yes, John was handsome, and kind, but why hadn’t he so much as blinked an eye when her father had insisted they become engaged before traveling out here? He couldn’t love her. They’d never discussed that. Actually, in the six months she’d known him, they’d never discussed much of anything. They’d never argued, either. When he was miffed at her, he’d just clam up and look at her with disappointment in his eyes.
Like he had during the ride home.
Like he was now.
Like her father.
The door opened and Merilee bustled in. “Tanner asked me to fix you some tea. I added a touch of ho
ney to it.” The woman skirted around John to pass over the cup and saucer. “Excuse me, Mr. Hampton, I didn’t know you were in here. Would you like some tea, too?”
“No,” John answered. “Thank you.”
There was nothing not to like about John. His reply to Merilee had been gracious, not clipped, and her father raved about his accomplishments. Yet Anna’s stomach churned. Why had he agreed to accompany her? Even after she’d explained she wanted the Double Bar, not marriage.
“Well, I have a fresh pot of coffee done,” Merilee said. “If you’d like some.”
John cast a long look her way before he answered, “Yes, I would.”
As he left the room, Anna wondered if it was him churning her insides. Perhaps not. It could be her. Explaining her false fiancé to her grandfather was not going to be easy. Maybe she should never have come to the ranch. Maybe this was no longer home.
Twisting about, she set the cup and saucer on the table behind her and then stretched forward to place a hand on Fred’s forehead. He was cooler to the touch than earlier, and she ran a hand down his whiskered cheek. If she hadn’t been here, he may have died.
Leaning back, she pushed off the floor with one foot to set the rocking chair into motion. If she hadn’t come home, she’d never have known how it felt to receive a hug, support, at the very moment she needed it, or heard Tanner say he was proud of her. Or, most important, remember the one wish she used to have.
Chapter Seven
The judge was in his office. Tanner had known that’s where the man would be. He took a few minutes to visit the bunkhouse, where he sent Slim out to the line shack to fill in for Fred before visiting the judge. He lived with the man, worked beside him day after day, and this was the first time he’d been apprehensive about talking to him. Because of Anna. It goaded him Walter wasn’t beaming with pride over what she’d done.
“Doc wasn’t in Homer,” Walter said as Tanner entered the room. “He’s gone down to Rawlings to pick up some medicine for Lamont Key’s son.”
Christmas Cowboy Kisses Page 18