A Dream Unfolding

by Karen Baney

  Spotting the ashes Covington mentioned, Will focused his attention on his surroundings. Judging from the few remaining ashes, the camp was several days old. Dismounting his horse, he took a closer look. There were signs of boot prints, so it was unlikely the camp was Apache. Looking carefully at the area around the fire remains, he spotted a small piece of bright red fabric. Unless there were settlers in the area with Mexican blankets or throws, he had a gang of Mexican cattle thieves on his hands. They were probably scouting the herd to make plans for when to strike. Will would have to step up the number of men on the outlying areas especially at night.

  Mounting Jackson, he turned the horse toward the ranch. He only went a short distance when something spooked the horse. Seeing the rattlesnake after Jackson, Will was unprepared. His mount reared up suddenly, frightened by the snake which quickly slithered way. Will lost his balance and tumbled backwards over Jackson’s hind quarters. His breath rushed from his lungs as his body hit the ground hard. His head whipped back making contact with something hard. Pain seared through his head. He had to get back on Jackson. As Will tried to stand, his head started spinning and he dropped to the ground, everything going black.

  Ben was getting worried as the sun lowered in the sky and no one heard from Will since the morning. He couldn’t shake the ominous feeling. Something was definitely wrong. He saddled a mare and went to get Owens to ride along.

  Just as he stepped into the yard from the bunkhouse, he saw Jackson loping toward the corral in full gear but missing his rider. Fear gripped Ben as he shouted for all the men to gather. Running from bunkhouse the men saw their boss’s mount and knew he was in trouble. The only way a cowboy sent his horse back without him was if he was dead or unconscious or too injured to ride back. Ben hoped it was the latter.

  Gathering Owens and Whitten, Ben gave instructions to the rest of the men to watch for Will to return. If either party found him, they were to shoot twice in rapid succession. If three shots, then they should prepare for injuries. Mounting their horses, the men set off at a gallop towards the east. Ben figured the best place to start looking was at the reported site of the abandoned camp.

  Light faded quickly. Ben and the other men grew quiet. An air of anxiety hung about them, as they knew they would never find their boss in the dark. As they rode over the last rolling hill on the eastern edge of the property, Whitten spotted Will’s lifeless form.

  Ben stopped his horse next to this man who was so much more like a son than a boss. He feared the worst, seeing that Will was unresponsive. Ben felt around for signs of life and injury. No broken ribs, but his chest rose and fell with the breath of life. Arms and legs were okay. Lifting Will up, he saw the dried blood on a rock in the fading light of day. Searching for where the blood came from, Ben found the injury. The back of Will’s head was coated with dried blood. How long had he been out here?

  He instructed the men to fire off three shots to warn the others they were coming in with injuries. The men secured Will’s limp body to the extra horse. The return trip would be agonizingly slow, especially in the dark with an unconscious man and when every second counted. Ben hoped Covington heard the three shots and rode out to find the doctor as planned. They would need him there when they got back.

  It was the better part of an hour before Ben, Owens, and Whitten carried Will into the ranch house. Rosa already had water boiling and bandages ready.

  “Where’s the doctor?” he asked.

  “Covington rode out for him over an hour ago, but hasn’t returned,” Snake answered.

  This was not good.

  Chapter 32

  Hannah spent the last two days vacillating between hurt and anger. She still was uncertain about what happened to cause Will to ignore her. Betty was not able to offer any suggestions either. She said he seemed in a very pleasant mood when he delivered the beef, although somewhat preoccupied. Before he left, Betty said he mentioned he would be returning.

  Two days went by with no word. Maybe she was reading into his actions. Perhaps he was on a tight schedule for the day and could not wait for her to return. Or he might have been called away for something important back at the ranch. No matter what explanation Hannah came up with, it did not ring true. Will did not come to town often. Usually when he did come, he planned a full day. This was completely out of character.

  After a busy day at the boardinghouse, Betty retired early. Hannah unpinned her hair, letting it fall down her back. As she brushed out her hair, she prayed. Lord, I don’t know what is going on with Will. I love him, Lord. Please calm my fears and help me not to worry.

  As she set her brush aside, she reached for her night dress. A loud banging noise from the front door of the dining hall made her jump. Paul must have heard the noise as well, for he came running, rifle in hand. As Betty and Hannah emerged from their private rooms, Paul opened the door.

  “Where’s Mrs. Anderson?” Covington asked, bursting through the dining hall room.

  Hannah blinked as she realized the man was one of the Colter Ranch cowboys. He was breathless and obviously distraught.

  “Mrs. Anderson, you have to get your things and hurry!” he shouted.

  Confused, she asked, “Why?”

  “It’s Boss. He’s hurt and I can’t find Doc Murphy. You have to come and help.”

  For moment, Hannah thought she would be sick. Will was hurt? “What happened?”

  “Don’t exactly know ma’am. He didn’t show up for supper and Shepherd was worried. I was to stay behind and ride for the Doc if I heard three shots, the signal for injuries, cause I’m the fastest rider in the bunch. So, when I heard the shots—that’s what I did. Only I couldn’t find Doc Murphy. The army at the fort said he was out in Peeples Valley and wouldn’t return until tomorrow. Mrs. Anderson, you’re the only one that can help. Everyone knows you saved that soldier’s life a few months back. You’ve got to come now.”

  “Let me get some things.” Glad she hadn’t yet slipped into her night dress, Hannah gathered her medical supplies. Not knowing the nature of his injuries, she brought the most useful items. Stepping out into the night sky, Covington helped her up on his horse. He climbed up in front of her, telling her to hold on tight. She guessed that he had expected the doctor to have his own mount. She placed her arms lightly around his waist. When he shot the horse off in a fast gallop, she tightened her grip. This was insane, riding this fast at night in no moonlight. She prayed the young man knew the way well enough to keep them from crashing down a ravine or into a tree.

  Before she knew it, Covington brought the horse to a stop in front of the ranch house. Inviting light poured from the windows, unaware of the gloom around them. Covington dismounted quickly. Then taking her by the waist, he set her on the ground. She ran through the front door, headlong into Ben.

  “Where’s the doctor?” Ben questioned Covington with a frown while he steadied Hannah.

  “He’s out in Peeples Valley. Too far to ride out and get him tonight, so I brought her,” he answered pointing at Hannah.

  Taking Hannah’s hand Ben drug her into Will’s room.

  “What happened?” she asked, fear edging her voice.

  “He was thrown from his horse. Hit his head hard on a rock, back here,” he said, pointing to the left side of his own head. “Do what you can.”

  Nothing could have prepared Hannah for the sight before her. Will’s motionless pale form lay in the center of the bed. His eyes were closed and sunken into his skull. He seemed eerily still. Her breath caught. Was he dead? She kept her focus on Will, angling her head towards Ben to ask him, but he already left the room.

  She didn’t think she could do this. Despite how hurt she had been that he didn’t ask for her when he was in town, she loved this man. She wasn’t sure if she could think clear enough to help. Help me, Lord. I need your strength and wisdom.

  Hannah made her way to his bedside. She placed her hands on his head trying to focus on what to do. She felt his arms and legs for broken bo
nes or other injuries. She found the cleaned head injury on the back left side of his skull. A knot the size of an apple started to form. They needed to put cool water on it to help bring down the swelling. As her hands continued searching his limbs for broken bones, tears clouded her vision. Feeling nothing broken, she pressed her hands on his abdomen. His body flinched and she grew concerned. She wasn’t sure if that meant an internal injury or just bruising. Hoping it was the latter, she continued to examine him.

  Finding nothing else, Hannah left his side and returned to the main room holding her shaking hands to her side. “I need some cold water. As cold as you can get it.”

  “What do you think?” Ben asked after motioning to Snake to go get water.

  “The swelling on his head is pretty bad. We need to try to get that down and the only way I know how to do that is with ice or cold cloths. He may have some bruised ribs, too. I couldn’t find any broken bones. I would feel better if the doctor were here to take a look.”

  “You just tell us what you need, Mrs. Anderson, and we’ll see to it.”

  Fear consumed her. The pressure was too much. How could she help him? She was not a doctor. Hannah excused herself from the room, bile creeping up her throat. Running out the front door, she lost her supper on the front lawn near the hitching post. Oh, God. Please help him. She prayed sinking to her knees, tears streaming down her face.

  Ben lifted her back to her feet, his worry evident. Gripping her shoulders, his gaze pierced through her panic. “You have to stay strong. You are the only one who can help him.”

  Snake returned with cool water. After taking a sip to calm her stomach, she took the bucket into Will’s room. She soaked a cloth in the cool water and placed it over the lump on the back of his head. When his body started convulsing with a seizure, Hannah screamed for help. Tears streamed down her face as Snake and Ben pinned Will to the bed until the shaking stopped. Hannah continued her ministrations, despite the feeling that nothing she did would save him. She stayed by Will’s side throughout the night, continuing to place cool cloths on his head injury. She thought the swelling had lessened some.

  Will did not have any more seizures, thankfully, by the time Dr. Murphy arrived mid-morning. He must have come straight from the fort upon returning. The doctor examined Will and reported his findings. “He has some bruised ribs on his left side in addition to the bump on his head. There are no signs of internal injuries.”

  Hannah and Ben both let out a breath at the news.

  “Keep doing what you are doing until the swelling is gone.”

  “How long before he is awake?” Ben asked the question that was on the tip of Hannah’s tongue.

  “Head injuries can be unpredictable. We just don’t know how these things work. He may awaken soon, or he may never waken. When he does come to, he may not remember things or he may have some permanent damage. I just have no way of knowing for certain. Mrs. Anderson, I will leave him in your care. In the meantime, I will stop by every few days to check on him. If you need me before then, send someone to fetch me.”

  Tears pooled in Hannah’s eyes at the news. He may never wake up. Would she lose the second man she gave her heart to? Was she cursed? She dismissed the thought quickly. She knew God had not abandoned her. She prayed he would not abandon Will either.

  Hannah woke, stiff and sore. She had fallen asleep kneeling next to Will’s bed, his hand in hers. She begged God for Will’s life. She pleaded. She sobbed until she had nothing left. It was a week since he was thrown from his horse, left to wander the unconscious realm. And Hannah barely left Will’s side. She couldn’t. She wouldn’t.

  Last night she got into an argument with Ben over the subject. Ben tried to order her to rest in the other bedroom while he cared for Will. She refused, screaming hysterically at him. Eventually she got her way.

  Hannah was utterly empty, drained of all emotion now. She had nothing left. She hoped that it was true—that the Holy Spirit would really pray when she couldn’t—because she couldn’t any more.

  She checked Will’s head injury, relieved that the swelling had not returned.

  She was so tired, having barely slept in a week. She would just sit in the chair next to his bed for a moment.

  Hours later, she woke to Martha Murphy shaking her. “Hannah, Hannah,” Martha repeated. “I’ve been trying to rouse you for several minutes now. You look terrible. Come with me dear.”

  Half dazed, Hannah followed Martha into the adjacent bedroom. Pushing her toward the bed, Martha commanded, “You lie down now and rest. Dr. Murphy’s orders. We’re here now and will see to Mr. Colter’s care.”

  Too tired to protest, Hannah complied.

  Sometime later, Hannah shot upright in the unfamiliar bed. She heard strange murmurings from the room next door. She eased out of bed and walked towards Will’s room. Cracking the door open, she saw Dr. and Mrs. Murphy and Reverend Read surrounding Will’s bed. They each had a hand on his arm or head and were praying fervently for healing. Relieved that he was in good hands, Hannah returned to bed.

  Again, she woke with a start. As the fog lifted, she saw Martha hovering over her. “Hannah, come eat some supper with us after you freshen up.”

  Hannah stood, seeing Martha laid out a fresh dress for her. Pouring some water into the wash basin, she cleaned and changed clothes. When she entered the room, she saw Martha, the doctor, and the reverend already seated around the table. How strange it felt to be dining with a group of people in Will’s home without him. At the thought, she looked towards his closed door before sitting in the remaining chair.

  “Mrs. Anderson,” Dr. Murphy started. “You have done a marvelous job of caring for Mr. Colter, but at your own expense.” Martha’s glare didn’t deter him. “If you don’t care for yourself as well and let others help, I will send you back to Lancaster’s.”

  Her head snapped up at the seriousness of his tone. She nodded compliantly.

  “He’s right. Mr. Colter is in the Lord’s hands, not yours,” added Reverend Read. “You must let God do the work.”

  Tears trickled down her cheeks as she turned her head to look away from the group. Martha grasped her hand and tenderly patted it.

  “Hannah, I know it’s hard, especially when you love someone so deeply and have been hurt before, but trust God. He is working on mending Will. You will not lose him.”

  Hannah wished she could believe Martha. She ate in silence as the others carried the conversation. She felt great remorse for not having told Will she loved him. She remembered their conversation by the lake. When she told him she dreamed of being a wife and mother, she also dreamed of him by her side. Now he may never know. He could die without ever knowing.

  After the three visitors left, Hannah opened the door to Will’s room. Ben was sitting in the chair next to the bed, his head bobbing up and down as he slept. She wasn’t the only one worried.

  Not wanting to disturb Ben, she knelt next to Will on the other side. She placed her face on his hand, tears falling softly on his skin. She stayed like that for a moment, before standing and leaning close to his ear.

  “I love you, Will Colter,” she whispered in his ear. “I love you more than anything. Please don’t leave me.”

  She kissed his forehead, before running from the room overcome with despair.

  Chapter 33

  Will looked around, frightened. He was somewhere in pitch black darkness. Holding up his hand in front of his face, he could see nothing. Where was he? He tried to cry out, but no sound would move past his lips. His limbs felt heavy, weighed down. He could not move. Panic started to rise. Again he tried to call out, but couldn’t.

  What was that? He thought he heard a sound. A woman’s voice. Someone who meant something to him. Who was it? Who are you? He wanted to shout. Where was he? What was going on? Why couldn’t he see anything, say anything?

  A door slowly creaked. Bright white light filled the opening. It hurt his eyes and he squinted. There was a figure standing in the
doorway. Who was it? Was that a man? A woman? He couldn’t tell. The bright light was making it difficult to distinguish.

  He saw a face flash before his eyes. Smiling. Strawberry blonde hair. He knew this woman. Then it was gone. Only the figure in the flood of white light remained.

  “Who are you?” finally Will could speak.

  No answer.

  “What do you want? Where am I?”

  Still no answer.

  The woman’s face flashed before him again. Who was she? She was someone important to him. His mother? Sister? Wife?

  It hurt to think. A constant pounding was beating between his ears. Had he fallen? Was he hurt? What was going on?

  The ghostly figure just stood in the doorway. Not saying anything. Not moving into the dark room, nor moving away from the room. He noticed that none of the bright light was shining past the doorway into the room. It was as if the light was swallowed by the darkness at the threshold.

  Still the pounding. It hurt. He couldn’t think.

  There, again, he thought he heard a woman’s voice. It was dim and in the distance. What was she saying?

  “I love you, Will Colter.”

  There was more, but it was muffled by the drumming beat in his head.

  Who was she?

  Again, she spoke. “I love you more than anything. Please don’t leave me.”

  She loved him. Who was she? She didn’t want him to leave. He wasn’t going anywhere. He couldn’t go anywhere. He tried, and his limbs were still immovable. Who was she?

  He felt a moist drop of water—was it a tear, her tear—on his face.

  The drumming beat threatened to extinguish the fleeting recognition. Who was she?

  Hannah. It was Hannah. It was his love, Hannah.

  What did she mean, don’t leave? Where was he going? Why couldn’t he see her? Why was that figure standing in the doorway?