Beulah glanced at the hole in his leg. “I have this blood flow slowed in his chest, but I can’t let it go. Grab his shirt, or something, and press it against his leg. That should slow the bleeding until Salty gets back. He’ll know what to do. We’re pretty used to gunshot wounds around here.”
Drina glanced at Beulah. “Is he hurt very badly?”
“I’m afraid so.”
Her breath caught and she asked, “He’s not going to die, is he?”
“Not if I can help it.”
Salty came into the room. “Here’s the whiskey. He’d moved it from the usual shelf and it took me a minute to find it. Is the bullet still in him?”
“At first I thought it was in his chest, but the blood has just run there. The bullet actually hit his shoulder, and I’m going to have to try to get it out.”
“Do you need a knife?”
“I think I can do better with my finger. Pour the whiskey on the wound. Check his leg then come hold his shoulders down, but don’t get your hands in my way.”
Aaron jerked when the whiskey hit his body, and he let out a moan.
“Miz Drina, if you can, keep the wound covered and hold his legs as still as you can. Just be careful not to make the wound in this leg worse. He’s a strong man and he may try to set up. We can’t have that.”
It seemed to take hours for Beulah to get the bullet out, but it was actually only minutes. By the time she had removed it, Aaron had come to and passed out three times. The third time, he stayed out.
“I’m gonna need bandages in a minute if you can let Salty take over, Miz Drina.”
“Sure.” She relinquished her spot to Salty. Since she didn’t know where to find bandages and didn’t want to ask, she snatched the muslin she’d bought to make underwear from the pile of material on the floor and began tearing it into strips. It didn’t matter that she needed underwear, Aaron had to have something to cover his wounds.
Beulah smiled at Drina and accepted the strips of muslin. She quickly bandaged his shoulder and started working on his leg. “I guess somebody has to sit with him in case he wakes up. I don’t want him stirring around and breaking loose these wounds before the doctor gets here. They’re both pretty deep, and may start bleeding again.”
“I can stay,” Salty offered.
Drina took a deep breath for courage then said, “He’s my husband. I’ll sit with him.”
Though both Beulah and Salty looked stunned, they only nodded.
“If you need anything, just let me know,” Beulah said and touched her arm.
“That goes for me, too, Miz Drina. We won’t be far away.”
“Thank you both.”
As soon as they were gone, Drina turned back into the room. Without thinking of what she was doing, she walked over and picked up the material she’d bought for dresses. She folded both pieces neatly and placed them on a table. She then took the rocking chair sitting under the window and pulled it up beside the bed. Looking down at Aaron’s white face she whispered, “You’ve got to get well, Aaron Wilcox. I know you don’t know me and you certainly don’t love me, but I’m your wife—and I need you. I can’t make it in this wild and strange country without you.”
Without knowing why, tears began rolling down her cheeks. She closed her eyes and said a heartfelt prayer.
* * * *
The burly man spit a wad of tobacco on the ground and glared as the rangy cowboy dismounted. “Did you git the son-of-bitch?”
“Right in the chest and in his leg just to be sure. He’ll not live till morning if’en he’s not dead already.”
This brought a nod from the big man. “Did anybody see ye?”
“I’m not sure. Salty was right outside the barn, which I didn’t know or I would’ve waited a while to blast ’im. He come running in, but he stopped at Wilcox’s body. I’m not sure, but he could’ve seen me—but he was too busy watching his boss die to foller me. A couple of men came after me, but I lost ’em though.”
The big man laughed. “I’ve been waitin’ for this for two years, but I’m glad it’s finally done.”
“Me, too”
“Now his purty little wider is going to be all broke up and need be consoled after his passing.” He chuckled. “And me and my two healthy boys are gonna take turns doing it, ain’t we, Art.”
“I like the sound of that, Pa.”
He chuckled again. “I thought you would. I bet your brother’s gonna like it, too. He said he saw her in town this morning and said she’s a good looking woman.”
“That’s what I been hearing.” The cowboy removed the saddle, put it on the leaning fence and led his horse into the corral. “Everybody’s saying he’s a fool and they don’t understand why he spent his wedding night with Lottie instead of his purty wife.”
“Wonder if he’s had her yet?”
“I don’t know, Pa, but what difference does it make?”
“None, but it would be fun to git her knowing he never did have her in his bed.”
“No matter, whenever we get a chance at her, she’ll never remember Aaron Wilcox. She’ll know what a real man is when the Kellers take over, won’t she, Pa?”
“Damn right. Now let’s go eat. Eli killed a rabbit today and I made a stew.”
“Good. I shore got hungry hunkering down in that barn waitin’ for Wilcox to come and check his horse.”
“But it was worth it, weren’t it, son?” His pa slapped him on his back.
“Shore was. Now, let’s go eat some of that rabbit stew.”
Chapter 8
The next day, Drina stood at the foot of the bed while the doctor examined Aaron. She wanted to ask a dozen questions, but she didn’t say anything. From what she remembered of the doctor who had once come to attend her pa after he fell out of the barn loft, doctors didn’t like to be questioned while they worked on a patient.
Finally, the man put his stethoscope away and looked at her. “He’s doing as good as can be expected. You did a fine job of patching him up.”
“Beulah was the one who did it.”
He nodded. “Then I understand. She’s about as good at giving the right attention to a patient as I am.”
Drina couldn’t stand not asking her question any longer. “Is he going to be all right, Doctor?”
“I can’t say for sure, Mrs. Wilcox, but with the right care and if he has a strong determination to live, I don’t see why he can’t pull through.”
“Oh, thank the Lord.”
“He was a lucky man. The bullet in his shoulder was low, but it didn’t hit any of his vital organs and the one in his leg shattered a bone so he won’t be walking for a while, Beulah got the blood stopped pretty quick and that helps. Now he needs lots of rest and as soon as you can get it in him, he needs nourishment. Broth at first, then soup. He’s a stubborn man and I’m sure he’ll demand coffee and that’ll be all right, but don’t let him bully you into putting whiskey in it.”
“I can be stubborn, too, Doctor.”
He grinned. “I just bet you can. Now don’t let me come out here and have to doctor you. Get your rest. Beulah told me you hadn’t left his side, but you can’t afford to let yourself get run down. You’ll do him more good if you take care of yourself. Beulah and Salty are willing to stay with him so you can take a break, so let them do it.”
“I will.”
“Good.” He closed his bag. “I’ll come back in a couple of days to check him, but if you need me before then, don’t you hesitate to send somebody to get me.”
“I won’t.”
“Now, I’m going to get that cup of coffee Beulah offered. I’ll see you in a day or so.”
She walked him to the door and opened it. “Thank you, Doctor.”
“You’re welcome, Mrs. Wilcox.”
She closed the door and returned to her chair beside the bed. Bending over her husband she whispered, “Did you hear that, Aaron Wilcox? You’re going to live if you want to. And I know you do want to. Who else would run this
big ranch of yours if you decided to die? As Beulah said, I’m going to do everything in my power to keep you alive. I know you don’t love me, but maybe you will one day. It can be a good life. I’ve just got to make you want it as much as I do.”
There was an almost silent knock on the door. It eased open and Beulah looked in. “Am I disturbing you?”
“Of course not. Come in.”
“The doctor’s in the kitchen with Salty. He told me about Mr. Aaron’s condition.”
“I’m thankful he’s going to be all right.”
“So am I.” She came in with a tray in her hands. “I brought you a cup of tea and a bite to eat. I thought you might like some bread and stew. You haven’t eaten today.”
“That was sweet of you, Beulah. Just put the tray on the table. I’ll eat in a little while.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Beulah put the tray down and turned. “Is there anything else I can get for you, Miz Drina?”
“Not now, Beulah.”
“Then promise me you’ll take a little rest. You’ve been here for over twenty-four hours and you can’t keep going on like this.”
Drina looked at the worried woman and gave her a smile. “All right, Beulah. If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll eat and in a little while I’ll try to get some rest. I do have one favor to ask.”
“What’s that?”
“Have one of the men bring a sofa or a cot in here for me to rest on. I’m not going to leave Aaron alone.”
“You know I’ll be glad to sit with him. I’ll get you if there’s any change.”
“But I’m used to this room. I don’t know where else I could sleep.”
“You’ll sleep in Mr. Aaron’s room. I put clean sheets on his bed yesterday.”
“Do you think I should?”
“Yes, ma’am, I do. You can’t rest on a cot.”
“All right, Beulah. Come back in an hour, and I’ll go rest for a couple of hours.”
“I’ll be right here in one hour.” Beulah headed toward the door, but turned. “Now, Miz Drina, don’t try to give me another excuse for not resting when I come back.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
“Good.” Beulah closed the door.
* * * *
The old clock in the hall below the steps chimed three o’clock in the morning and a moan from the bed stirred Beulah from a twilight sleep. Leaning over Aaron she said, “Are you waking up, boy?”
“I hurt.”
“I have some laudanum I can give you.”
Aaron tried to follow what she was saying. It wasn’t easy. “Why would I need that?”
“The doctor left it for you.”
He was more confused than ever. “The doctor? Why would I need a doctor?”
“You were shot, Aaron.”
He started to sit up, but groaned and fell back on the pillows. “Shot? When? How?”
“Day before yesterday. Now, stay still. You might pull your wound open.”
He got still. Not because she said so, but because it hurt too much to move. “Who shot me?”
She looked at him and smoothed the covers he’d ruffled trying to sit up. “We was hoping you’d seen who it was?”
“I didn’t.”
“What do you remember happening after you went to the barn?”
“The last thing I remember was doctoring the mare’s leg.”
“Nothing else?”
“The next thing I knew, I was hurting something awful and I woke up here.” He let out a gasp. “It even hurts to breathe.”
She turned to the table beside the bed and picked up a bottle and a spoon. “I’m going to give you a dose of this. You’ll probably go back to sleep.”
“Wait, Beulah. I’ve got to figure out what happened. Why am I not in my room?”
“We brought you to this room because you were bleeding everywhere and it was the quickest bed we could get to. Now take this medicine.” She held the spoon to his mouth.
He turned up his nose, but he did swallow. “Isn’t this Drina’s room?”
“It is?”
“Where’s she? Does she know I’m hurt?”
Beulah chuckled. “Does she know you’re hurt? I must say she does. That little wife of yours didn’t leave your bedside from the time it happened until I forced her to go lay down and take a nap a few hours ago.”
“But I’m in her bed.” His voice became a little slurred.
“That’s fine. She’s in yours.”
Aaron lay back on his pillow and smiled. He liked the idea of Drina in his bed, but before he could wrap his mind around the fact or say anything further, his eyes closed and he drifted off.
* * * *
Drina heard the clock chime and turned over. Pulling the pillow close to her chest and snuggling down under the soft cover she was half awake and half asleep, but she was still aware of the scent of Aaron on everything in the bed. She was surprised she liked the smell so much. Not only had it lulled her to sleep earlier, it was relaxing her now. She wouldn’t mind staying in this bed from now on.
Then she sat straight up. Didn’t the clock say it was three in the morning? She’d been asleep for almost four hours. Why hadn’t Beulah awakened her? Had something happened to Aaron? She had to get downstairs and see what was going on.
She threw off her cotton gown, grabbed her dress and slid it over her head and stuck her feet into her worn shoes. Grasping the brush from the dresser, she ran it though her hair which was hanging almost to her waist. She pulled it back and tied it with the blue ribbon from in her pocket. All the time she was thinking she had to hurry downstairs to check on Aaron.
She was half way down the steps when she met Beulah coming up. Her heart jumped. “Is Aaron all right?”
Beulah smiled. “He’s fine. He…”
“Oh thank the good Lord. I was afraid … I mean … I thought something could’ve happened to him.”
“No. I was only coming to tell you the good news.”
“Oh?”
“Aaron woke up …”
Drina beamed. “Really? Is he still awake? Why did you leave him?”
“Slow down, Miz Drina.He woke up for a few minutes. He was in pain so I gave him some laudanum. He went right back to sleep, but I knew you’d want to know.”
Drina put a hand on her breast. “Of course, I did. Did he say anything?”
“He said he hurt and he didn’t remember who shot him. That was about it.”
She let out a sigh of relief. “Maybe he’ll remember more next time.”
“I’m sure he will.” Beulah smiled at her. “Now, why don’t you go back to bed and I’ll make sure…”
Drina shook her head. “No, Beulah. I’m going to sit with him. I want to be there if he wakes up again.”
Beulah looked as if she might argue, but must have changed her mind because she said, “Then, I’ll be in my room, if you need me.”
Drina entered the room where Aaron slept and closed the door quietly. Moving to the bed she looked down on her husband. He seemed to be sleeping peacefully. She smiled at him and reached down to straighten the covers and pull them up to cover his naked torso. She couldn’t help noticing how strong and muscled his shoulders were. His dark hair was on his forehead and she brushed it back, then her hand slid to his cheek. She continued to smile and she felt the stubble on his face and wondered what it would feel like if she could touch him after he had a close shave.
Shaking her head, she turned and pulled the rocking chair close to the bed, hoping he’d at least open his eyes while she was in the room. She wanted to look into those dark eyes without him knowing she thought they were the most compelling eyes she’d ever seen. For some reason, she felt he could tell what she was thinking at times, but now with him asleep, she had the advantage.
After several minutes of thinking about all that had happened since she’d come to the Rocking Chair ranch, she couldn’t resist. She reached out and took Aaron’s hand in hers. Is was rough, but she didn’t care. It felt
as a man’s hand should. She couldn’t help wondering how many women had felt these hands, but right now, it didn’t matter. He was her husband and she was going to make sure he thought of her as a wife one day soon.
Minutes passed, then an hour, and more, but she still held on to him. She didn’t want to let go until he woke up and pulled his hand from hers.
Daylight was breaking when she felt the pressure on her own hand. Drowsy, she started to pull away, but was held tightly. She came awake and looked down into Aaron’s open eyes. For several minutes they simply continued to hold hands and look at each other.
Finally he broke the silence. “I wondered if you would come see me again.”
“I wanted to make sure you were going to be all right.”
His eyes closed and he grimaced.
“Are you in pain?”
“A little.”
She let go of his hand. “I’ll give you some laudanum.”
“No. I don’t want to take it until the pain becomes too much. It makes me sleep, and I want to keep a clear head. I’ve got to try to figure out what happened to me.”
“You were shot.”
“I know, but I’ve got to figure out who shot me. Nobody has said, have they?”
She shook her head. “Not that I know of. At least, they haven’t said anything to me.”
“Maybe Salty has some idea. Has he been in to see me?”
“Yes. He comes in two or three times a day.”
“When it gets light, would you please ask him to come in? I need to talk to him.”
“I will.”
They said nothing else for a few minutes, then again Aaron broke the silence. “I’m sorry I took your bed.”
“I don’t mind. I slept in yours last night.”
“I heard you did.”
She was confused. “If you don’t want me to sleep there, I’ll move to another room.”
He smiled. “I don’t mind you being in my bed, Drina. I’m just a little upset that I’m not sleeping there with you.”
Stunned, she stared at him. She knew she should reply, but she couldn’t think of what to say. Before anything came to mind, there was a soft knock on the door and Beulah entered.
Drina’s Choice Page 9