by Lori Wick
would have to wait until Zach and Laura were in bed. He
found them flanking Kate on the davenport and listening
as she read. He did not interrupt but sat on Zach's other
side and listened as well.
"Libby will be all right," Laura leaned around her
mother to tell the doctor.
"You're interrupting Mam, Laura," he told her.
Laura looked up at her mother. "She wants Libby to be
all right too."
Duffy didn't try to correct her, and Kate stopped
reading. Maybe it was best to talk about what had happened
and not try to distract the children with a story.
Maybe the time would be better spent in prayer.
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"I think that Libby will be all right too, Laura, but tell
me why you think so."
"Well, she's always been all right before, and we're
going to pray for her/' she offered, her little heart speaking
with great confidence.
Duffy thought about how confident believers could be
in God, even if things didn't turn out exactly as they hoped
for, and for this reason he only smiled at his daughter,
thanked her, and suggested they turn in a little early. Kate
finished reading the story she was on, and Duffy said it
was time to head up.
"Kiss Mam," he ordered, not wanting her to move from
her seat
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The children embraced her warmly, and Kate held
them tight, but she was nothing short of relieved that Duffy
was putting them to bed. Her first thought was to run to
Liberty's side and be with her, but she tried to act as normally
as possible.
472
Rising and putting the book away, she went to the
kitchen. She had not eaten but still wasn't hungry. She
filled a plate for her husband and put it on the stove to stay
warm. Then she started the cleanup, something so routine
that it gave her a chance to pray continuously. She was just
finishing the dirty dishes when the back door opened and
Griffin walked in.
"Hi, Mam," he said, kissing her cheek when he saw
how drained she looked.
"Hello, dear."
"How's Libby?" Griffin asked innocently. She was the
reason he'd come, but not for the reason his mother
thought.
"The bleeding has stopped, and she's resting quietly.
Duffy thinks she'll be fine, but she's awfully--" Kate stumbled
to a halt as she watched her son's face. "Griffin, what
is it?"
"Why is Libby bleeding?"
Kate was stunned. No wonder he hadn't come earlier,
or for that matter, taken her to Duffy's office.
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"She was shot today, Griffin. I had no idea you didn't
know."
"Where is she?" he asked, already moving toward the
door.
"In her room, but Griff--" his mother stopped him,
"Duffy just put the kids down; please don't go rushing up
there and frighten them if they're still awake."
Griffin put his hand up in understanding. He nodded
and took some deep breaths, this time moving slowly to
the stairs. Kate didn't go with him but could tell that he
was walking at a more controlled pace. And indeed she
Every Little Thing About You 269
was right. Griffin's pace was slow, giving complete lie to
the way his heart nearly pounded through his chest
Oh, Father in heaven, Libby's been hit. I didn't know, Lord,
I didn't know. My sister, who I love so much. I can't believe it.
I've wrestled with this whole issue, not really wanting to face it,
and now this has happened. Please help her. Please touch her and
heal her.
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Griffin was at the doorway of Liberty's room now and
found Duffy in the rocking chair by the bed, his Bible open
in his hand and his head turned to catch the soft light of the
lantern. Griffin spoke when the older man looked up.
"I didn't know."
Duffy nodded. He had wondered why Griffin and
Slater had not been around, but his main thought was Liberty.
Griffin came in, his eyes glued to Liberty's colorless
cheeks. He came to the side of the bed and just stood
looking down at her.
"How bad?" he whispered to Duffy without shifting
his gaze.
"It passed clear through. She thought it might have ricocheted."
"Where was she hit?"
"Her left side."
Griffin licked his lips, wishing she would wake up so
he could talk to her. He could count on one hand the
amount of times he had been this upset His father's death
came to mind, as did the night Liberty told him that Tess
thought he might as well be dead. Now his sister lay hurt
475
and vulnerable, and something deep inside Griffin told
him he could have prevented it. His father's death was
beyond his control. When he learned of Tess' feelings, he
had instantly acted. Not so with Liberty. He had been
thinking about her involvement for a long time, and now
he'd waited too long.
Griffin broke from his reverie when he heard movement
at the door. He turned to see his mother enter. The
270 lori wick
fullness under her apron was another reminder of the
many people who were affected. He watched his mother as
she stepped up and joined him. If Liberty's even breathing
was any indication, she was deeply asleep; nevertheless,
they whispered.
"Tell me, Griffin," Kate commented, having recovered
enough to question him, "if you didn't know Libby was
hurt, why did you come?"
He shook his head. "Slater was not at all happy that
Libby came out to the Potters'. He was pretty hard on her."
The words were no more out of his mouth than a thunderstruck
476
look crossed his face.
"Slater!" he whispered in soft dismay.
"He doesn't know?"
"No."
Kate was relieved. She had worried that Slater was
deliberately staying away.
Griffin, still watching Liberty's face, put his hat back
on. He knew how he would feel if he'd been hard on Tess
and she was harmed before he'd made it right. Maybe Liberty
had needed to hear what Slater said, but that wouldn't
change the way he felt when he learned she was hurt and
he'd just ridden away. Much as he knew his deputy would
be upset, Griffin had to tell him. Telling his family he
would be back as soon as he could and to tell Liberty he'd
been there, he left the room, intent on finding Slater and
explaining as gently as he could.
tfwnfo
liberty thought she might be floating. She was warm,
almost hot, and for some time she couldn't tell where she
was. She saw flowers along the creek bank, little yellow
477
ones. They were so pretty and so early for this time of year.
Reaching out with her arm, she bent to pick one but found
herself gasping in pain. Her eyes flew open, and after a
moment, she found herself staring at the ceiling in her own
; bedroom. Her sigh was very soft as memory returned.
I never believed it would come to this. Lord. I never thought
I would not be able to let go. Giving up the job has been hurting
and bothering me for a long time, but I didn't think I was capable
of doing what I did today.
Liberty shuddered with shame as she remembered. It
was as if she had taken leave of her senses, but that hadn't
happened. Completely in her right mind, she'd been desperate
to be involved, sure that no one else could handle it
Arrogant. Just as Slater had said.
Liberty's whole frame shook for a moment She
couldn't think of Slater--not now--not ever. He was sure
to be gone soon. I thought you were the one. I wanted to marry
you. Both statements in the past tense. He might stay until
Griffin could find a replacement, but he'd only come
through town on a whim in the first place. It would just be
478
a matter of time before he went on his way. Liberty knew
she mustn't do anything to stop him. She would make sure
she apologized and thanked him for taking her measure so
correctly, but she must never make him feel that he must
stay.
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But first, she had to see Dakota. Liberty prayed even
now that he was still in town. There was no excuse for the
way she'd treated him, but she would still ask for his forgiveness
and hope that he didn't despise her.
A noise at the door just then carried Liberty's eyes that
way. Duffy came in quietly even when he saw that she was
awake. He laid a hand on her cheek. She was getting warm,
but that might be the covers.
"Are you too warm?" he asked.
"No. My feet are cold."
Duffy took the quilt from the brass footboard and laid
it across her feet and lower legs. He then came back to the
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rocking chair and pulled it even closer so he could talk with
her.
"Griff was here."
"Was I asleep?"
"Yeah. He was pretty shaken."
Liberty looked away.
"What happened out there, Libby, that no one knew of
this?"
Liberty did not answer. She was ashamed of her
actions, but it was more than that. She didn't feel she could
explain yet how blameless the men had been. She thought
that whatever she said, Duffy would think they should
have come to her aid.
"Oh, Libby," Duffy whispered softly. "What's happened
to hurt you so much?"
Liberty's heart broke over the caring in his voice.
"My own sin, mostly, a complete lack of trust. And I
think that's the reason if s so hard for me to talk about it."
"Have you confessed it?"
"Yes."
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"Then there's no reason for you to be ashamed in front
of me,"
Liberty felt as though she had been released. Going slowly, working to gather her thoughts and remember the details, she rilled Duffy in, not surprised that his eyes were
Every Little Thing About You 273
full of compassion even when she admitted to what she
considered reprehensible actions toward the Rawlings
brothers, especially Dakota.
"Slater will want to see you, honey/' Duffy said when
she had finished.
Liberty smiled sadly. "I guess he probably will. Ill have
to find a way to tell him he did the right thing."
Duffy knew this was not the time to argue, but Slater
should have let Liberty speak. The doctor somehow knew
that he would regret that more than anything else.
"I'm going to pray for Slater," Duffy said. "I think he'll
need it."
Liberty nodded. It was just like Duffy to be willing to
walk in the other man's shoes. Had Liberty seen Griffin just
481
then, she'd have also known how timely her stepfather's
prayers would be.
%r
"Could I see you both a moment?" Griffin asked Slater
and Dakota the moment he stepped into the Hathaways'
living room. The men were buried in the newspaper, Mr.
Hathaway as well. Mrs. Hathaway had opened the front
door, looking delighted that "her boys" had company.
"If you need privacy," Mrs. Hathaway said as she
joined mem, "feel free to talk in the kitchen."
"Thank you," Griffin replied as she handed him a
lantern. He went in the direction she pointed and waited
until Slater and Dakota were both inside the door.
"Dakota," Griffin wasted no time in asking, "did you
ride back with Libby today?"
"Yes. She went to Duffy's as soon as she got to town."
Griffin nodded. "She was shot out there today."
Not surprisingly, both men looked thunderstruck.
482
"Where?" Slater asked, his voice hoarse.
"In the side. It's clean, but she's lost some blood. Duffy
says she'll be all right."
274 lori wick
Slater began to move away and turned back. "Is she
home?"
"Yes."
There was no need for other words. Dakota went
through to tell their hosts that they would be out for a
while, and by the time he got bade, Slater had already
jumped onto Arrow's bare back and started down the
street.
Slater had never felt like this. He had not lost anyone
he loved, unusual for a man in his position, and although
he'd been saddened by death many times, his heart had
never been deeply involved. Knowing that Liberty was
hurt and realizing that he hadn't been there for her were
the most painful things he could ever recalL
Arriving on the Petersons' street. Slater rode between
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the two houses. Not bothering to tie Arrow's reins, he
entered the kitchen without knocking. Kate and less were
talking at the table. Slater looked between them and then
toward the door.
"Duffy's up there, Slater," Kate said kindly. "I'm sure it
will be fine if you go up."
"Thank you." The words came automatically as he
moved through the kitchen.
Realizing he wasn't going to know the way, Kate followed
him. She directed him toward the light spilling into
the dark hall and stood back as he filled the doorway.
"I was just thinking of you, Slater," Duffy said. His gaze
swung to Liberty for a moment "She just fell back to
sleep."
Slater tried to speak, but there was no moisture in his
mouth. He moved toward the bed, his heart frozen with
fear. She might not get up again. She might die before he
could tell her how sorry he was and how much he loved
her. They might never have a life together, and he wanted
that so much.
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"Duffy?" Liberty said with her eyes closed.
"I'm right here."
Every little Thing About you 275
"I have to see Dakota. I have to make it right."
"Okay. If he comes, I'll tell him. Would you like to see
Slater?"
Liberty sighed. "He'll just feel bad," she said, her voice
fading. "He shouldn't feel
bad."
"Libby," Slater tried her name, having drawn close, but
Liberty only mumbled and fell back to sleep.
Slater stared at her face, her dark hair in a riot around
her head and on the pillow. She was the prettiest little thing
he'd ever seen. Her dark lashes, always so thick and long,
made little fans on her pale cheeks. Slater felt his breath
catch in his throat. Never had anyone been so precious to
him. It was as if she were already his. It felt as though she'd
been his for all time.
"Sit down," Duffy directed softly, having given up his
chair.
485
Slater obeyed without thought. He stared at Liberty a
time longer and then turned to her stepfather.
"Did she tell you what happened?"
"Just that one of Critter's bullets must have ricocheted."
Slater nodded. "Did she tell you she tried to speak to
me and I wouldn't let her?"
"Yes."
"Was she going to tell me she was hurt or something
else?"
Duffy's silence was answer enough. It was almost more
than the tall blond cowboy could take. His eyes went
upward as they filled with tears.
You left her! You wouldn't even let her speak!
Noise at the door brought both men's heads around.
Griffin was there, Dakota just behind him. They were on
their way into the room when Liberty spoke, her eyes still
dosed.
"Mam?"
"I'm here," Kate said as she came in behind the men,
followed by Tess.
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For a moment she didn't say anything, so Duffy spoke.
"You have quite a bit of company here, Libby."
"Do any of them have any candy? I wish I had a peppermint."
Griffin didn't even try to hold his laughter. Liberty
smiled when she heard it and opened her eyes.
"Here we are/' Griffin began, "scared to death, and you
want candy."
Liberty smiled a little, but her eyes found Dakota, and
her face grew sad.
"I'm sorry," she said to him, her eyes filling. "I was
such a fool Everyone misses, and if I had missed when I
shot at you, I might have hurt or killed you. Please forgive
me, Dakota."
"If s all right, Libby," he said, barely able to speak. She
might not believe him, but he really did understand.
Movement out of the corner of her eye caused her to
look that way. Not until that moment had she seen Slater,
who was by her side near her pillow.
487
"I'm sorry, Libby," were the first words out of his
mouth. "I should have let you talk."