“Well, look at this. He’s awake.”
“I am.”
“Good. Salty’s in the kitchen. He wants to see how you’re doing.”
“I just told Drina I wanted to talk to him.”
“Good. I’ll send him in.” She glanced at Drina. “Why don’t you come and eat breakfast while they’re talking, then you can bring Mr. Aaron back something to eat?”
“That’ll be good. I’m starving and I want ham and eggs and potatoes.”
“Dream on, young man. You’re getting some broth.”
He looked incredulous. “Broth?”
“Yes, broth.” She turned to Drina again. “Come on, Miz Drina. Let’s leave this grumpy man to himself.”
“Wait,” Aaron said.
“What do you want now?” Beulah put her hands on her hips.
“I just want to make sure Drina will come back.”
“Of course I will.”
“Then, I’ll see you later.”
Drina followed Beulah out the door, but she was still thinking of Aaron’s remark about sharing his bed with her.
Chapter 9
Aaron had never been as miserable in his life. His leg throbbed, and so did his shoulder… and he knew he would have to take more medicine soon. He forced himself to nod to his friend. “Do you know what happened to me, Salty?”
“I wouldn’t swear to it, Aaron, but I saw a man running away when I came into the barn. I didn’t give chase because I was too concerned about you.”
“It was one of the Kellers, wasn’t it?”
“Probably. Some of the men followed, but lost him. When I got you settled in bed and we got the bullet out I went to the bunkhouse and sent Gus to see if he could pick up the man’s tracks.”
“Good. Gus is the best tracker on the ranch. Did he find anything?”
“The tracks disappeared at the creek. He must have gone into the water to hide his trail. Gus went up and down the creek trying to find where they exited the water. He didn’t find anything so he took it on hisself to go for a ways towards the Keller place.”
“Did he find anything there?”
“He found the same tracks that was here. Trouble is, them tracks could’ve been made at any time.”
“True.” Aaron was thoughtful and was struggling to hide his pain. “So there’s no conclusive proof that one of the Kellers shot me?”
“True, but it’s also why Gus is headed that way again today.”
“Why?”
“They’s a ridge that overlooks their rundown ranch. He thought he’d hide up there a while and do a little spying. No telling what he’ll see.”
Aaron raised up. “I’ve got to get out of this bed and …”
Salty put his hands on Aaron’s good shoulder. “Don’t start that. You ain’t able to get up so use your head and accept it.”
Aaron didn’t resist because the pain was almost more than he could hide. “But, Salty…”
“No buts about it. Them women have worked too hard and too long to keep you alive. Don’t go making all their efforts a waste of everybody’s time.”
“I’m sure Beulah was here to help, but I’m betting Drina fainted dead away.”
“You ain’t got much faith in your wife, have you?”
He tried to grin, but failed. “She’s a city girl, Salty. I’m sure she’s no good in a crisis.”
“That’s all you know. When they brought you in, she pushed aside that material she’s so proud of, turned down this bed and as soon as we laid you down, she took off your britches and your boots.”
“Well, that was something, wasn’t it?”
“Don’t be snide. That weren’t all she done.”
“So, what else did she do?”
“Well, she got hot water for Beulah and she ripped up part of her new cloth for bandages, then while Beulah dug for the bullet she held your legs so you wouldn’t jerk around. At one time she was practically laying across your legs ’cause you started kicking so much.”
“Why weren’t you holding them?”
“ ’Cause I was holding your shoulders, that’s why. You was as hard as a wild calf to hold for Beulah to do her work.”
“Sorry about that.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Now don’t you go telling your wife I told you how much she helped ’cause to top it all, she insisted on sitting here watching over you herself. Wouldn’t let nobody else stay with you ’til Beulah saw how exhausted she was and insisted she get a little rest. She didn’t want to leave you, but you know when Beulah sets her head on something, she gets her way.”
“That’s for sure.” Aaron thought that if Salty didn’t leave soon, he was going to know how bad his friend was hurting.
Salty stood. “All right, now that I see you’re gonna live, I’m gonna to get back out there and work with them ornery cows you own. I’m shore one of the women will be in here in a minute.”
Aaron nodded and watched Salty walk out the door. As soon as his friend left the room, Aaron closed his eyes and let out a muffled cry. He wanted to scream, but didn’t dare. The pain had become almost unbearable, though he refused to let anyone see how bad he was hurting.
* * * *
Drina pushed the door open and saw the grimace on Aaron’s face. She quickly set the tray containing the broth on the table and moved to the bed. “What can I do to help you, Aaron?”
He took a raspy breath. “I’m fine.”
She frowned, picked up the laudanum and poured a spoon full. “You’re not fine. Here, take this.”
“I don’t want…”
She put the spoon to his mouth. “Don’t argue with me. Open.”
He opened it to speak, but he didn’t get a chance. She popped the spoon in his mouth and he could do nothing but swallow.
She patted his good shoulder. “Now, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“Lord help me, you’re getting as bossy as Beulah.” His eyes looked as if they smiled.
She laughed and picked up the bowl of broth. “I consider that a compliment. She’s a wonderful woman. Now, let’s get some of this broth into you before you doze off.”
He raised an eyebrow and let her spoon the liquid into his mouth without argument. “Thanks for helping save my life.”
She blushed. “I only did what Beulah told me to do.”
He looked at her with a question in his eye. “So, she told you that you had to sit with me?”
She blushed deeper. “Of course not.”
“Then, you did it on your own?”
“Stop asking so many questions and eat.”
“But I want to know.”
“I’ll tell you later, if you’ll eat now.”
“It’s a deal.” He opened his mouth for more broth.
They didn’t talk anymore at the moment and it wasn’t long until his eyes would close then open and look at her. When he took a spoonful of broth and didn’t swallow, Drina knew he was near sleep.
“Swallow,” she whispered. He did and she added, “Now, lay back and go to sleep.”
His eyes opened. “No. I want…to…talk …to …you.” His voice fell to a whisper. “You … promised … me … an … answer.”
“I’ll answer you later, Aaron. You need to sleep now.”
He would have protested, but it was too late. He’d drifted off.
Drina put the bowl aside and smoothed the covers again. He looked so content she wondered if he’d remember he wanted to know why she sat with him without being told to do so. She smiled, then reached over and took his hand in hers. It felt good to hold it, especially since she knew he would never know she’d done it.
* * * *
The room upstairs over the saloon where Lottie worked as a prostitute was small. There was a narrow bed on one side next to the left wall. On the other side was a small dressing table. Nails on the wall beside the table held the skimpy dresses she wore when she worked the floor. The door to the hall was placed in the small section separating the two pieces of fu
rniture. There was one chair under the dingey window that looked down on the main street of Hatchet Springs. Lottie was seated at her dressing table straightening her hair which had been mussed by her last customer. She pulled her red wrapper closed and looked around when her door opened. She frowned. “What are you doing here, Cleg Keller?”
“Why do you think I’m here? You’re a whore whose favors can be bought, ain’t you?”
She sneered at him. “I told you last time you bought my favors that I didn’t want to see you again. Besides, I don’t believe you have money.”
He pulled a couple of wadded bills from his pocket. “Though I don’t need it, what does this look like?”
“What do you mean you don’t need it?”
“I done a favor for a friend and he said whatever I wanna do with you was gonna be my reward.”
She frowned. “I don’t do nothing for nobody who don’t pay.”
He jerked her up by her arm and shoved her toward the bed, but she stayed on her feet. “I done showed you the money, didn’t I?”
She took a deep breath and threw aside her red wrapper. “Let’s get this over with.” She wasn’t looking forward to trying to please Cleg Keller because the man was rough and mean and she swore she’d never have him again. He didn’t care how much he hurt a woman.
He dropped his pants, grabbed her arm and threw her to the bed. Falling on top of her, he muttered, “I’m celebratin’, and I’m doing it with you.”
She tried to distract him. “What are you celebrating, Cleg?”
“My boy killed Aaron Wilcox the other day.” He began to put his big hands around her neck.
Afraid she was going to be choked, she said quickly, “Aaron isn’t dead. He lived through the shooting.”
“What do you mean, he’s not dead?” He sat straight up and stared down into Lottie’s green eyes.
Still trying to distract him from being so rough with her, she said, “Look, Cleg, all I know is that Doc Danson came by today to check on cook’s sprained back and told her he’d been out to the Wilcox ranch. He said the man had been shot, but he lived.”
“Why didn’t he die? He ain’t got no right to live.” Cleg Keller roared as he rolled off her and shoved her to the floor.
She struggled to her feet. “My hip hurts.”
“So?” He stood and pulled up his pants. “Is Wilcox in the doctor’s office?”
“How would I know?”
“I figured you’d know where he was. I hear you have a special thing for him.”
Lottie grabbed her red satin wrapper and slipped it on. Tying the belt she said, “He’s a good paying customer, but I don’t keep up with him. When he’s not here I have to put up with the likes of you.”
Cleg grasp her arm and twisted it. “What do you mean?”
“Not a thing, but you’ve got to admit he’s not rough like you.”
“You ain’t seen rough yet. Wait till I get through with you today.”
A chill ran down Lottie’s spine. Something about his eyes told her he wasn’t just here for a quick roll. He had something else on his mind. She grinned. “You’ve got to admit Aaron’s a step up from you and your rough neck boys.”
Cleg raised his hand and hit Lottie in the mouth. She gasped in surprise and fell backward. “Don’t talk about my boys, you whore.”
“Why’d you do that?”
“It’s just a sample of what you’re about to get if you make another remark about my boys, you bitch.” He headed for the door. “I gotta check on this tale about Wilcox, but I’ll be back.”
“Wait a minute,” she yelled after him. “Where’s my money?”
“You ain’t done nothing yet to earn the two dollars you charge.”
She ran across the room and grabbed his arm. “You ain’t gonna cheat me, you swine.”
“Wanna bet, tramp?” He back handed her in the face and sent her flying across the room to hit the wall, then crumple on the floor beside the bed.
He didn’t bother waiting to see if she was all right, but Milly, whose room was next door, heard the commotion. She went down the hall. Lottie’s door wasn’t completely closed so she pushed it back and stepped inside. The first thing she saw was Lottie on the floor.
She rushed to her. “Honey, are you all right?”
Lottie looked up at her with tears in her eyes. “I think somethin’s broke, Milly. He hit me hard.”
“Who hit you?”
“It was Cleg Keller.” She tried to stand, but fell back with a little scream. “He’s a pig, Milly. Avoid him when you start to work.”
“I will. Now, let me get you to bed.”
It was a struggle, but Milly was finally able to get Lottie off the floor and onto the narrow bed. “There. Now, I’ll get somebody to go for Doc Danson.”
“Don’t. Brit is mad at me and he won’t like it when he learns I didn’t please Cleg or get any money from him. He’d have a fit if you send for the doctor.”
“Why’s he mad at you, Lottie?”
“He was hoping I could … maybe I better not say.”
“Come on. You know you can trust me.”
“I’m not sure…”
“Look, who’s the only person who knows about Aaron Wilcox’s wedding night besides you?”
“You haven’t told anybody have you?”
“No, Lottie. I wouldn’t betray you, so tell me about Brit?”
“I’m afraid of what he’s up to. He tried to get me to go see Aaron’s new wife and tell her … well, tell her a lie.”
Milly frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Aaron thinks Brit is his friend, but he’s not. In fact, he’s Aaron’s worst enemy.”
“How do you know?”
“Brit wants to make a deal with Aaron’s uncle.”
“What kind of deal?”
Lottie frowned. “I think it has to do with the ranch.”
“Aaron’s ranch?”
“Something about if this marriage doesn’t work out.” Lottie frowned and thought for a minute. “Milly, I think I need to see Aaron Wilcox.”
“He hasn’t been in the saloon in a few days, and you know good and well you can’t go to his ranch. You’ll have to wait until he comes here.”
“I’m not sure I can.”
“For heaven’s sake, Lottie, don’t get yourself into more trouble.”
Lottie lay back on the bed. “I changed my mind, Milly. I believe I do need the doctor. My hip and my chest really hurt.”
“I’ll find someone to get Doc Danson.”
“Thank you.” As Milly started out of the room, Lottie added, “And don’t forget. Not a word about anything I said.”
Milly turned. “I promise.”
* * * *
“Well, Lottie, it looks like you have a bruised rib, but I don’t think it’s broken. You also have big bruises on your hip and elbow. Looks like you’re going to be out of the business for a few days.”
“No. That can’t be. I have to work.”
“I’m afraid not. I’m going to tell Hal you’re out of commission for a while.”
“But he’ll have a fit. With me hurt and Milly not working yet he’ll lose too much money. He might even fire us.”
“He won’t fire you.” He stood and closed his bag. “I’ll see you in a couple of days. Now, mind what I say. Stay away from the customers. One rough man could kill you.”
“I’ll stay away if Hal will let me.”
“I’ll take care of Hal. He knows if he doesn’t listen to me he’ll not have medical care for his girls.”
She smiled at the doctor. “That would never do, would it Doc?”
“Never, Lottie.” He stood at the door and looked back at her. “Now take care of yourself. I’ll look forward to you getting well.”
She knew what he was hinting at and she wanted to throw something at him, but she forced a smile. “Thanks. I’ll owe you a favor.” Before he could get out the door she added, “By the way, Doc. How’s Aaron Wilcox? I
haven’t seen him around lately?”
“I guess you heard he was shot.”
“Yes, but I heard it was only a flesh wound.”
“Whoever told you that was wrong. Mr. Wilcox was badly injured. I was out there this morning and he’s still bedridden.”
“Is he going to be all right?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Why would you want to know?”
Lottie knew she had to be careful with what she said. “I care because he’s been a good customer. Since things have been so slow, I was hoping he’d come back soon. He always gives me a little extra, and I appreciate that.”
He laughed. “I see. Well, I’ll be going back to see him again in a few days. I’ll tell him you miss him.”
“Thank you, Doc, but please don’t anger him. I don’t want him to quit coming.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be discreet. His wife will never know I spoke to him about you.” He winked at her and closed the door.
“If you weren’t such a good doctor and had saved a lot of lives in Hatchet Springs I’d tell everybody in town what a snake you really are,” she muttered into the air.
* * * *
Later that night, Lottie was about to drift off when her door opened. She tried to sit up, but the pain in her ribs caused her to moan. Finally she was able to say, “I’m sorry. I’m not working tonight.”
“I know, sweetheart. I’m only checking on you.”
Lottie’s heart began to beat rapidly, but she managed to keep her voice calm. “That’s sweet of you, Brit. Come in.”
“Doc said you were going to be out of commission for a few days. Bruises all over, especially a rib, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Can you walk?” He took a seat in the chair beside her dressing table.
“Not very well, but I won’t have to walk much. Milly volunteered to come in and help me to the chamber pot. I can’t make it downstairs to the outhouse.” She took as deep a breath as she could manage. “Don’t worry, Brit. I’ll be able to work in a few days. I promise to work hard and make up this loss to Hal. I just don’t think I could handle Cleg Keller for a while so I hope Hal will keep him away from me.”
“That man had no business hurting you girls. Especially you, Lottie.”
“He don’t care who he hurts, Brit.”
Drina’s Choice Page 10