They finished quickly. She hung her apron on the hook and spread the cuptowel to dry.
He took her hand and led her to the bedroom he used. There was no fireplace here, so it wasn’t as warm as the master bedroom. He turned down the bed.
“You… you can’t mean us to sleep in the same bed.”
“If it makes you feel better, I’ll sleep on top of the sheet and you can sleep under it and we’ll pull the blankets and quilt over us.”
“All right.” She unlaced her boots and climbed into bed.
He removed his shoes and did as he’d said. “Now, isn’t this better than the floor and your moldy blanket?”
She lay on her side facing him. “That blanket is not moldy. I’d laundered it many times and did so again before I packed it. You’re just jealous because you don’t have one like it.”
He faced her. “I certainly don’t. I did when I was in the Army, but I let them keep the ugly thing.”
“This one had been Papa’s I think but I have no idea where he got it. He fought in the war with Mexico in 1846. I had thought maybe it had belonged to Grandpa but now that I think of dates, surely that wasn’t true. Grandpa wasn’t old enough to have fought in the War of 1812. I don’t think wool would last that long without a moth hole or two.”
His blue eyes sparkled with mischief above his grin. “See, even moths think it’s ugly and won’t live in it.”
She punched his arm. “Be quiet and go to sleep before you force me to defend my family’s possessions.”
“All right, if you’ll turn your back to me and let me curl up with you.”
She stared at him a few seconds and then turned onto her other side. He spooned himself to her and pulled the covers over them then slid his arm around her. She sighed with delight. Good heavens, this was even nicer than that night on the small bed when he briefly cuddled her.
Although she was afraid to relax, she was pleased to have him want her near. His soft breathing fanning her hair and neck let her know he was asleep. With a smile, she let her inhibitions go, content to be in her husband’s arms at last.
Melody woke and savored the warmth and contentment of being in Nick’s arms in his bed. If only he wanted her here forever. Stop being fanciful and get up.
Slowly she disentangled herself. He had his arm and one leg across her. She tried to rise, but he pulled her back.
“You haven’t rested long enough.”
“Nick, I can’t stay here. There are people to feed and I thought I’d make you a peach cobbler. Um, and we’ll need wood split before tomorrow.”
He rolled away and sat up. “So, in addition to nagging, you’re resorting to bribery. Well, it works. You mesmerized me and I completely forgot I have to split wood.”
Melody slid her feet into her boots and tied the laces. Her brush was in the other bedroom so she settled for smoothing her hands over her hair.
From the wardrobe he pulled a pair of twill pants and a red and black checked flannel shirt and a pair of lace-up boots. “I’ll wear my lumberjack clothing to split wood.” He unbuttoned his white shirt.
Her cheeks heated and she decided to retreat. “I’ll leave you to change while I check on Wapun.”
She shouldn’t be embarrassed. She recalled the night Wapun had fever. Melody had seen Nick in the altogether when she consulted him. The room had been dark, but she’d held a light and she saw his body before she turned her back to him. She wondered if he remembered—or even realized he’d shown himself.
Quietly, she went to the other bedroom. She found Wapun asleep. Hurit looked bored and Melody could understand why. The woman must be used to staying busy.
Hurit stood and motioned to herself and then made signs she was cleaning.
Melody nodded and produced a cleaning rag and furniture wax along with the broom. She demonstrated how to use the wax and then polish the wood. Hurit smiled and went to work.
Melody went to the kitchen to bake a cobbler. She couldn’t say why, but she took her revolver with her. The firearm was really too heavy for her dress pocket, but she didn’t care. Her hunches had proven right too many times to ignore this one.
Nick pretended he disliked splitting wood. Actually, except for straining unused muscles, he enjoyed the change from his professional life on a day like today. The sun shone and there was only a slight breeze.
Lost in his thoughts, he worked like a machine. The situation between him and Melody consumed his attention. He realized now how wrong he’d been about her ability, but didn’t know how to proceed. He had to admit he wanted her to become his wife in every way.
By the time his muscles begged him to halt, he saw he’d overdone his chore. He was certain he had stacked up enough firewood for the entire town of Angel Creek. He loaded his arms with wood and went into the house.
Melody had a cobbler cooling on the counter.
He inhaled. “Mmm, the room smells of peaches, spices, and good food.”
She looked up from the table where she was punching dough. “Wait until I get the bread in the oven. I love that aroma.”
“Me, too.” He stacked the wood by the range. He made two more trips for the fireplaces in the parlor and in the master bedroom.
He didn’t exactly resent Wapun tying up his bed, but he wished she were well enough to leave. Now that she’d had a setback, she’d be with them for several weeks. He thought maybe this would be a good time to get a couple of small beds for the remaining bedroom that was empty. Then Wapun and Hurit could share the room and each would have a comfortable bed.
While he was in the room, he checked to be sure Wapun didn’t have fever. She was fine. Hurit was polishing furniture as if she was in a competition.
“There’ll be peach cobbler for dessert at supper.” He patted his stomach and went back toward the kitchen.
Chapter Twenty One
Quinn knocked on the door and then came in. “Clyde Prescott’s in town. He shot and injured Eugene and killed the Campbell brothers. A couple of men are carrying Eugene to the clinic.”
“I’ll get over there and get ready for him.” He paused long enough to ask, “You don’t think he’ll come here?”
“I do. He’s a mean cuss and he’s trying to get rid of anyone who can speak against him. That means Wapun. You carry your gun.” He looked at Melody. “You, too, Melody. Nick said you’re a good shot.”
She patted her side. “I am and I have my revolver in my dress pocket.”
Nick left and she heard the lock on the door turn behind him.
Quinn gestured toward the bedroom. “I’d better break the news to Wapun and her mother.”
“Quinn, they’ll be so frightened and he might not show up here.”
He speared her with a stare. “If it were you, would you want to be warned?”
She nodded. “Oh, of course you’re right and I would. I can’t help feeling protective, of Wapun especially. She’s been through so much already.”
“You stay in the room with them, especially until Nick returns.” He strode rapidly toward the room to speak to the two Blackfoot women.
Melody followed him, wondering when this ordeal would end. This man Prescott had evaded the posse for too long. Why hadn’t the evil man made his escape by leaving the area?
The bad news sent Wapun curled into a ball and she pulled the cover to her chin. Hurit rocked back and forth where she sat on the small bed and chanted low. Melody waited until Quinn had finished speaking to the women.
“Quinn, please make sure the door locks behind you. Hurit, Wapun, I have a gun.” She showed them her revolver. Wapun straightened and appeared at least partially appeased. Hurit made signs asking if Melody could shoot.
Melody nodded. She took a piece of paper and drew a bull’s eye then showed a dot in the center, signing that she could shoot that.
Wapun said something to her mother then said, “Good,” to Melody.
Hurit appeared less frightened but still vigilant.
Melody moved Hurit
so she was not in line of fire in the event someone tried to shoot through the window. Then, she scooted a trunk so that she could see out the window if someone came into view yet not be in the direct line of fire. Time dragged as they waited so she sang a few songs to pass the time. The other women acted as if they enjoyed the distraction—but Melody focused on the sight through the glass.
She sincerely hoped Eugene would be all right. At the same time she wished Nick would return. If he were here, she’d feel more secure.
After an hour, Nick returned. “Melody, it’s me so don’t shoot.” He came straight to the bedroom.
“How is the deputy?”
“Shot in the shoulder and arm. Prescott walked right into the sheriff’s office when Eugene was there alone. Shot him before Eugene had a chance to react. Prescott walked to the cells and shot both the Campbell brothers. From lying on the floor Eugene managed to get to his gun and shoot at Prescott but thinks he missed.”
“I was thinking earlier that Prescott is crazy not to escape from Montana while he can. Surely he can’t think he can remain in this area if he shoots enough people.”
Nick removed his suit jacket. “Man is crazy. Poehlmann had fired him for being difficult, lazy, and not getting along with the other ranch hands. Poor rancher said he had no idea the man was this disturbed or he’d have turned him in to Quinn.”
“No sane man would treat anyone the way he did Wapun.”
Nick added wood to the fireplace. “That’s true but you can’t arrest a man because you think he might do something wrong. Poehlmann had no inkling Prescott was a powder keg ready to explode.”
“I hope Quinn captures him soon. This is too hard for Wapun, Hurit, and us.”
Nick sat beside her on the trunk. “I suspect this will end today. Quinn has posse members searching Angel Creek. Hank is forted up at the clinic with a revolver I left there. Tate has Eugene’s gun.”
He put his arm around Melody. “You’re handling this well. No weeping or wailing. I heard you singing before I unlocked the door.”
She smiled at him. “Inside I’m so angry at that evil man but I’m also weeping and wailing for all he’s done. Whatever happens to him is too good for him.”
All four in the room startled when they heard gunshots nearby.
Nick leaped to his feet and pulled a revolver from his waistband. “Sounded like it came from Flora’s house.”
Melody grabbed his arm. “Stay here, Nick. Quinn is on the job and there’s no need for you to get shot because you got between them.”
No sooner had she spoken than the sound of the front door being kicked open had Nick standing in front of Melody. “Get over by Wapun and Hurit.” He backed up until he blocked Wapun from sight from the door.
Melody stood in front of Hurit with her revolver aimed at the door.
Running footsteps came down the hall and a wild-eyed man came into the room with his gun drawn. “Get out of the way. I’m taking that girl and heading for Idaho. She’s gonna be my squaw long as she lasts.”
Nick didn’t move. “She’s not going anywhere with you, Prescott. Drop your gun or you’re a dead man.”
“You saying a citified doctor can shoot? Or the little woman? Not likely.”
Nick cocked his gun. “You might want to know the doctor served in the war and his little woman is a crack shot.”
Melody narrowed her eyes. “Let’s see how well you hear without an ear.” Her shot severed his ear from his head. “Next one will hit between your legs and you’ll sing soprano.”
Prescott turned livid red. “You can’t stop me, do you hear? Get away from those Injun women right now. Might as well take ’em both.”
Nick shook his head. “Not a chance. These women are under my protection. You’re going to jail if you live long enough.”
Prescott shot Nick in the right shoulder.
Nick struggled trying to aim with his right hand.
“Hold on, Nick. I’ll get him.” Melody cocked her gun.
Prescott swung his gun in her direction. “Stupid woman.”
Before she could fire, Quinn appeared behind Prescott. “You’re under arrest for murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, plus a dozen other charges.”
Prescott whirled and fired but not before Quinn shot him.
“No, you can’t stop me.” The villain dropped to the floor with an astonished look on his face. Blood blossomed on the front of his shirt over his heart.
Quinn kicked the gun from the evil man’s hand and knelt to check his pulse. “Dead, but at this range I couldn’t miss. Guess I should have had you check, Nick.”
A couple of members of the posse rushed in.
One said, “We’ll get Prescott to the funeral parlor.”
Quinn motioned them to proceed. The men hefted the dead man by the legs and underarms and carted him down the hall.
Melody asked, “Were those shots from Flora’s house?”
Quinn walked toward her and Nick. “Shots were in her yard, not inside her house. She’s fine. You all right, Nick?”
Her husband had laid his gun aside and pressed his handkerchief against his wound. “I will be. So will your deputy. He’s staying at the clinic tonight.”
Melody threw her arms around Nick. “Thank goodness, Nick. When he fired, I know it took ten minutes for that bullet to hit you. All the time I was praying.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. That was great shooting. I’m glad you didn’t kill him, though. Better that Quinn had that dirty job.”
Quinn shook his head, a solemn expression on his face.“That’s what I get paid for, protecting the peace. Didn’t help the Campbell brothers or Eugene. The brothers were destined for a hanging.”
She let go of Nick long enough to retrieve his medical bag. She unbuttoned his shirt. “Let me see the wound.”
He was pale and she thought his eyes were too dilated. “You the doctor now?”
“Right now I am. Get this shirt off and let me clean your shoulder. The bullet didn’t go all the way through so I have to dig it out.”
“Man, hurts like a son of a gun.” He stretched a shaking hand toward his medical bag. “I’ll dig it out.”
“No, you won’t, Nicholas Walker. I’ve heard doctors make the worst patients. You lie down on that bed right now and prove that saying wrong.”
“I’ll go to the other bedroom. Then I can stay there after you torture me.” He tried to stand but his legs buckled.
Melody and Quinn caught him.
Quinn nodded to her. “You bring the medical bag and I’ll maneuver him to the spare room.”
Chapter Twenty Two
Melody turned back the cover and Quinn helped Nick onto the bed. She removed Nick’s shoes and socks.
Quinn helped him stand. “Quick, undo his pants and get them down so I can let him go.”
Melody was too upset to be embarrassed. She unbuttoned Nick’s trousers and slid them down his legs then assisted Quinn to hoist him onto the bed. She finished removing the trousers and laid them aside.
Nick said, “Fold a sheet under my shoulder.”
“Hush, one thing at a time. You’re to be the nice quiet patient.” She folded a sheet several times and slid it under his shoulder.
Quinn watched her. “Looks like you have Nick under control here so I’ll get back to doing my job. If you need anything else, send Hank to get me.”
“Thanks for your help, Quinn. I’m sorry you had to shoot that man, but you saved us.”
“I think one of you would have managed to kill him. Good to know you two are self-sufficient. I’ll close the door behind me.”
She washed her hands and willed her fingers not to shake. After a fortifying, deep breath, she fished the instruments she’d need from the bag. “This is going to hurt. Do you want chloroform?”
“Not on your life. I’ll watch and be sure you do a good job. Just get on with getting the lead out of there.”
“Nice to know you trust me.” She cleaned the wound and picked up
what looked like a good tool to probe for the bullet fragment.
“I do trust you. If I didn’t, I’d have Hank or Quinn taking care of my shoulder. I can guarantee Quinn has treated a few gunshot wounds.” He gasped when she felt for the bullet.
As gently as possible, she searched for the metal. To her, she was sure she dug around for a long time. She knew, though, only minutes had passed.
“I found it.” She reached for the long tweezers to retrieve the foreign matter from his injury.
He hissed from the pain but didn’t cry out or offer instructions.
“I’m being as gentle as I can. I know this hurts and I’ll be as quick as possible.” Knowing she was hurting him was painful for her.
After several failed tries, she caught the lead with the tweezers and dropped it onto the bed. “Lie here perfectly still while I get some flour. Do you have gunpowder?”
“In that green can on the side. There’s flour next to it in a red can. How did you know what to use?”
She opened the cans and mixed a small amount of the flour and gunpowder. “I told you the occasional person came by where I was living. They were either deserters and looters or wounded men left for dead who wanted to rejoin their comrades.” She tamped the dry mixture into the cavity left by the bullet.
He craned his neck in an effort to watch her. “You didn’t tell me you’d had that experience.”
She added ointment on top of the dry mixture then bandaged as well as she could. “It was a secret. I didn’t dare let anyone know I was helping either side. I was so afraid I would be shot by someone and leave Nana unprotected or have her shot too. It was a difficult time for everyone, not just for soldiers.”
“I agree it was terrible. Who did you work on?”
She sighed. “I told you it was a secret but if you’re going to nag me, I’ll tell you. After our home was burned and we lived in the kitchen, the door was not secure. One night this huge Confederate soldier came prowling. When he saw me, he laughed and said look what I found.”
“Meaning you?” He pulled her to lie down beside him.
Without consciously thinking about it, she complied. “Right. He came toward me and I told him to leave or I’d shoot. He laughed and began unbuttoning his trousers and telling me what he was going to do to me. So, I… I shot him.”
Melody Page 13