His mother neared and patted Mitch's arm. "She must be feeling better, should have come by and assured me. With me being so worried about your father, all this is making me overly anxious." She made a sweeping motion with her hand across the store. "I'll need you here all day, with the new shipment, people are already spreading the word. My hip has been bothering me, so I can't stand all day..."
She continued prattling and Mitch was forced to wait for her to take a breath. "Ma, what's wrong with Pa?"
"Oh!" Carolyn high-pitched exclamation made several customers turn to her. She waved away any concern, which created more curiosity. Leave it to his mother to make everything about her. "He's been up all night, something about chest pains. Told him he ate too much of that rich stew last night."
"How was he this morning?" Mitch's pulse quickened. "Ma, have you checked on him today?" Not waiting for an answer he spun and raced to the back of the building.
"Mitch, don't you be gone too long," his mother called after him.
His mother would have to make do.
The time it took him to run the two blocks to his house seemed like an eternity, but Mitch finally arrived and burst through the door. "Pa?" He rushed through the kitchen and family room to find them empty. "Pa!" Mitch called out again into the eerily silent home. Heart hammering beneath his chest, he raced up the stairs to his parent's bedroom.
His father lay slumped over, half off the large bed, his coloring absolutely pasty white. Mitch grabbed his arms and pulled him onto the bed before reaching with a shaky hand to the man's throat. "Pa?" he whispered and felt for a pulse.
The beat under his fingers ever so slight Mitch wondered if he'd willed it. "Hang on, Pa, I'm going to fetch Doc Dougherty." He pulled the covers over his pale father and sprinted out the front doorway.
Breath rasped in and out of his mouth when Mitch arrived at the doctor's office another two blocks away. Without preamble, he walked past the empty front area into the back room.
A woman lying on the table gasped and yanked a sheet over herself. Both Olivia and the doctor turned to him with eyebrows high at his trespass. "Mitch Banks, get out of here immediately," Doctor Dougherty snapped. "What in the heck do you mean by bursting in here like this."
"I'm sorry," Mitch said to the woman turning his back. "Doc you gotta come now, I think my pa is dying."
"Father get your bag, I'll stay with Missus Johnson and help her get dressed." Olivia told her father. "Come to the front office please," Olivia took Mitch's arm and led him to the anterior room.
Once in the front office, Mitch began to shake, his eyes jerking from Olivia to the back room. "He has to hurry." In spite of the dire circumstances, he wanted nothing more at the moment than to collapse onto the floor, for it all to be a strange dream that he'd wake from.
"Come on," the doctor's gruff voice pulled him back to the reality that his father could be dying and his sister had gone off somewhere without his protection.
He moved away from Olivia and followed the doctor who stalked out without glancing back to ensure he followed.
They made their way to the house with Mitch arriving before the doctor. His father seemed to be the same, his breathing barely noticeable.
The physician entered the bedroom, he asked Mitch to wait outside while he examined Arthur Banks.
At his parent's front doorway, Mitch scanned the street hoping to spot Nora. Life went on as usual in the town it seemed, people moving about taking care of whatever daily business was needed. Finally he heard footsteps and jerked around at hearing his name.
Doctor Dougherty looked up as Mitch walked into the darkened room. His father remained still, paler if that was possible. The sunken closed eyes did not trouble him as much as the lack of his chest rising with breathing. "Is he all right, Doc?"
"I'm sorry, son. He just died."
"I should have stayed with him," Mitch told the doctor, his eyes locked to his father's face. "What happened to him?"
The doctor pulled the sheet over the dead man's face. "Heart attack, there was nothing that could be done." Doctor Dougherty stood. "I would like to accompany you to speak with your mother."
Unable to pull his eyes from the sheet-covered figure who he'd shared dinner with the night before, Mitch could only nod. A haze surrounded him and he closed the distance between the doctor and the bed. "Are you sure doctor? He is dead?"
Kindness filled the doctor's eyes and Mitch swung away not wanting to see it, not now when he was so close to losing the ability to maintain his composure. He had to stay strong for his mother, who would be devastated. Their father doted upon her, taking care of every little nuance that she came up with. How would she handle the news? What about Nora?
As if separate from his body, his feet moved him behind the doctor and down the stairs to the front door. He wasn't sure how long it took to get to the store, but when they entered the mercantile, he was surprised they'd arrived. The doctor moved toward the counter where Carolyn Banks had just finished handing a bundle to a customer. She directed an angry glare to Mitch, but then smiled at Doctor Dougherty. "How are you Calvin? What can I get for you?"
The click of the lock on the door seemed to echo through the space when Mitch slid the lock into place after closing the doors.
"Oh God, no!" His mother cried out. He turned just as his mother fell onto the floor in a faint, the doctor barely catching her in time.
Mitch went to the back room and retrieved two blankets; one he rolled and placed under her head and the other over her still body.
The doctor looked up. "After she's stabilized, I'll help you take her home. Mitch you have to find Nora before word gets to her."
Chapter Fourteen
Nora dismounted and rushed toward the area where Ashley and Grayson disappeared. There were no sounds or voices coming from the dense brush. Not sure what to do, she moved slowly, her heart pounding hard in her chest, her mouth dry.
"Grayson," she hissed, trying her best to not to make too much noise, she avoided stepping on branches, yet something still managed to crunch under her foot. "Ashley?" Branches blocked her way and she pushed them aside to get a better view, but no one was about. Another step forward, then another. Panic seized her and Nora forced back the fear. "Grayson?"
Rustling sounded from her right and she snapped around to look. Nothing came into view, her heart pounded so hard she doubted the ability to hear much. With a fortifying breath, she continued forward, another two steps.
A twig snapped followed by a cold press of metal to her temple. "Don't move."
It was him. The stranger.
The strangled gasp that sounded from deep in her throat was more animal like than human, Nora refused to turn around. Although she was sure he'd not recognize her, especially after so many years, she never wanted to see his face up close again. Where were Grayson and Ashley? Had he already killed them?
The feeling like that of being dunked in icy water fell over her. She began to shake, her knees threatened to give out.
Everything became eerily silent, not even the sound of a horse, or footsteps. The irony that history could repeat itself was not lost on her, but this time she was not a helpless fifteen year old, this time she'd fight with all her strength.
A hand prodded her back. "Walk slow," the stranger grunted as if the words cost him. "Don't turn around." No problem with that.
They walked back the way she came; all the while she scanned the area for a possible escape and kept her ears open for any sounds of someone else approaching. Hands to her side, her right one brushed against the butt of her gun. She'd totally forgotten about it. Obviously the folds of her skirts hid the holster, but how long before he noticed the belt at her hips.
Rustling sounded and the man groaned and yanked her against him with one arm around her shoulders and swung around holding her in front of him.
Ashley appeared from the brush, behind him Grayson with his hand around his bleeding midsection, both men pointed guns at them.
"You're gonna be okay, Nora." Panic filled Grayson's eyes when they met hers and she wondered if it was the injury or if in actuality he feared for her. He looked past her to the stranger again. "This has nothing to do with her. Release her now and you can have me."
"I'd say you're not in the position to bargain with me. As a matter of fact, why don't I finish what I started and kill you both."
"No." Nora managed to choke out. "Don't you dare hurt him."
"Don't say anything else, Nora." Grayson managed to straighten to his full height. Ashley made to move to his brother when the stranger called out to him.
"Don't move." The gun moved from her temple toward the brothers who remained still, each of them staring straight at death without a flinch.
She would not allow the stranger to take more from her. He would not kill the man she loved.
The man fired and Grayson fell back onto the ground. Ashley threw himself over his brother to protect him from being shot again. The stranger pointed at Ashley.
"No!" Nora shoved from him and pulled the gun with one swift motion from its holster. She swirled around and shot the man in the middle of his chest.
His shocked rounded eyes stared at her, his mouth opened and closed, the only sound a grunt before he crumpled onto the ground.
Nora stumbled back, the gun still in her hand and covered her mouth with the other. "Oh God." With dispassionate eyes, she looked down at the man who lay sprawled on the ground. His mouth opened and closed then his head lulled to the side. Nora let out a slow breath. It was over.
Arms wrapped around her and pulled her away from the man. In silence, she allowed Ashley to lead her where Grayson lay. Ashley then took her gun and placed it back into her holster. "Nora, look at me."
She looked up and the haze lifted.
Ashley placed his hands on her shoulders to keep her attention. "We have to get Grayson to town, he's bleeding something awful." Blue eyes, much darker and somber than Grayson's, searched hers. "Can you help me get him on the horse?"
It was a struggle, but they finally managed to get a sagging Grayson on the horse in front of Ashley who held him up against his chest. Nora mounted and rode alongside with his horse tethered to hers, the entire time her eyes on Grayson whose head flopped forward. Ashley lowered his head every so often and whispered words she could not hear into his ear, as they hurried at a steady pace toward town.
Time crawled for Nora, the reality of what happened in the last hour attempted to settle into her mind, but she pushed it away. "Is he breathing?" she asked looking at Ashley who'd once again spoken into Grayson's ear. "We're almost there," she said hoping Grayson could hear her.
"Yes," Ashley replied and kicked the horse into a faster trot. "Hurry."
Once they arrived in town, several men gathered at seeing the wounded Grayson slumped against his brother, blood now running down his pants leg. While they unloaded him, Nora burst into the doctor's office.
Olivia jerked up from where she sat on the desk, her mouth fell open at seeing Nora and her hand covered her mouth. "Oh God, Nora, are you hurt? You’re covered in blood?"
Nora shook her head as the men carried Grayson in. Olivia sprinted into action leading them to the back room and instructing them to lay the injured man on the long table in the center of the space. She eyed Nora once again and then looked to one of the men who'd helped. "Go to the mercantile and fetch my father. He just went there a few moments ago."
Ignoring the rest of the conversations, Nora reached for Grayson's hand and lifted it to her face. She watched his face for a reaction when Olivia cut away his shirt to expose two gunshot wounds, one on his right pectoral and the other one lower on his left side.
"Get me hot water," Olivia instructed Ashley who hurried to do as she bid. The young woman, obviously used to assisting her father wasted no time; she cleaned away the blood, then took a bundle of clean cloths and put one on the upper chest. "Press down, Nora, hold it in place, I have to stop the bleeding on this lower one."
After a swift glance to ensure Nora did as instructed, Olivia took a long metal set of prongs, held the flesh of the wound open and dug her fingers into Grayson's side. His moan was soft, but the sound gave Nora some reassurance.
"There it is," Olivia pulled out a bloody bullet and pushed another clean cloth into the wound while she turned to gather other instruments.
Ashley returned with a pot of hot water and placed it where she directed. At the same time Sheriff Dawson and his daughter arrived.
"Who shot him?" The sheriff who neared to peer down at Grayson moved back when Olivia motioned with a bloody hand for him to do so.
"The stranger." Ashley's did not look to the sheriff; he was too busy concentrating on his brother.
Brows drawn in concentration, Olivia looked to Ashley. "I am going to stitch him up. If he begins to move, hold him in place. I need someone to hand me instruments. Can you wash your hands and help me, Grace?"
The girl rushed to do as she bid, the water from the pitcher splashing into the basin. She then stood next to the tray of instruments and waited further instruction.
It didn't take long for Olivia to complete stitching the wound and then she retracted the second bullet in Grayson's chest. She declared it cleared anything vital and began to stitch that wound. All the while, Ashley and Grace helped her, the two of them moving with precision, concentrating on whatever Olivia told them.
Nora remained at Grayson's head, she whispered words of encouragement into his ear and held his hand. When he'd stopped reacting to the ministrations and fear crept into her.
"He's passed out that's all," Olivia said, answering her unasked question. "His breathing is steady, don't worry."
"I'll get more clean hot water." Grace took the pot and stepped to the doorway, past her father who remained, watching in silence.
Grace spoke to someone who'd arrived. Nora looked up as Doctor Dougherty who'd taken his time in coming, entered. The tall man eyes going from Grayson, to Olivia and lastly to her. His eyebrows rose and a flicker of concern crossed his face before he looked away from her to the patient. "How is he?" He patted his daughter's shoulder.
Olivia listed what all she'd done, without looking up from stitching the wound. "He's pretty lucky, this bullet was lodged in the muscle, and the one on his left side cleared any organs. To ensure there's no infection, I cleaned the wounds thoroughly. He should recover without any complications." She bit the string and exchanged a look with her father who nodded and gave his daughter a tired smile.
"You're a fine physician, Olivia."
The doctor turned to Nora. "Can I speak to you in the front room."
With reluctance she released Grayson's hand and followed the doctor to the front room. The sheriff walked alongside and touched her arm. "What the hell happened out there?" He put both hands up when the doctor started to interrupt. "Why did that man shoot Grayson? Where is he now?"
"I shot the stranger. He held a gun to my head and was about to shoot Grayson and Ashley." Nora lifted her chin. "He was going to kill me too, I'm sure of it."
The sheriff finally noticed her gun belt and he honed in on it. "Why did you go out there?"
"I was worried about my fiancé." Nora responded without hesitation.
"Sheriff, I must speak to Nora," the doctor said motioning for her to sit. "Can't you wait to ask questions? Give everyone a moment, they just went through a rough time."
"I will. Just one more thing, Nora," Sheriff Dawson persisted. "Are you sure Ashley didn't shoot him?"
"I shot him Sheriff Dawson! Ashley was caring for Grayson who was already wounded and bleeding." Nora yelled and began to tremble. "I killed a man today Sheri
ff Dawson, so just let me be for now, please."
She sank into the chair thankful when the man went through the doorway.
"Nora, I'm afraid I have more bad news." The doctor lowered to the chair next to hers and peered at her, his eyes kind behind the spectacles. "You have to come to your parent’s house with me right now."
"What happened?" Nora couldn't help but look past the doctor towards the back room; she preferred to be there when Grayson woke, to see the bright blue of his eyes when he opened them.
"You father died this morning." Without any inflection in the doctor's voice, she wondered if she heard him right. The words, so flat, yet harsh at the same time sank into her and the room began to tilt.
When the physician reached for her, she pushed his hands away and stood, which made the room swirl faster. Nora fell against the desk, but pushed away from it, this was not the time for vapors or the sort. Surely the doctor was mistaken, her father had worked all day yesterday, not once complaining of any ill feeling. Finding steady feet, she went to the front door and out into the waning sunlight.
The familiar combination of furniture varnish and sweet carnations her mother favored and grew, struck her first when she entered the darkened interior of her parent's house. Quiet mumblings came from the front parlor and she turned to see several women gathered, including the doctor's wife. Her mother sat in the center of the group wiping a dainty handkerchief below her eyes. She looked up to Nora and then proceeded to take in her appearance and gun belt. Disapproval in her flared nostrils and hitch of breath struck Nora as inopportune given the circumstance, yet she neared her mother and kneeled before her. "Is it true?"
"Yes, Nora. Where have you been? What is all over your dress?" Several women gasped and waited for her to reply. Her mother saved her, not one to lose being the center of attention. "Nora, I was alone, with all this happening with only Mitch and thankfully Missus Dougherty and Melinda came right away." She pushed a hand against her ample bosom and let out a sob. "What will I ever do without my Arthur?" Nora reached for her mother's hand, but her mother leaned away into a proffered shoulder and began to cry. Her reddened eyes met Nora's. "I am so angry with you right now. Please just go see about what needs to be done. And for goodness sakes wash up."
A Different Shade of Blue, Shades of Blue, Book 2 Page 10