She was finally beginning to get drowsy when she heard the door open. For some reason this didn’t frighten her. She knew if it was Beulah, the woman would speak softly. When the intruder didn’t speak, she thought it had to be someone else. Still, she wasn’t afraid.
Finally a soft female voice said, “Aaron, are you awake?”
He didn’t answer so she said, “Aaron, wake up.”
He grunted so she repeated her demand.
Finally she said a little louder, “Wake up, Aaron.”
“I’m awake, Drina.” His voice still sounded sleepy.
“It’s not Drina.”
“Who is it?”
Drina heard him move on the bed, but she decided to stay quiet and see what happened, since she’d recognized Lottie’s voice.
Her skirt made a swishing noise as she came into the room and closed the door. “It’s me, Lottie.”
“What are you doing in here?”
“I wanted to talk to you.”
“What about?”
“About us.”
“What do you mean, Lottie? There is no us.”
“Of course there is. When you’ve come to me, I’ve always been there for you and you know it.”
“That’s all over. What happened before I got married is of no importance now.”
“Don’t say that, Aaron. What will I do if…”
Her voice was getting louder and Aaron interrupted. “Hush, Lottie. You’ll wake up Drina.”
“I heard somebody say she sleeps in your room upstairs so I know she can’t hear all the way down here.”
“She’s right over there on the other side of the room.”
Lottie whirled around and let out a little gasp. “But she’s supposed to be upstairs.”
“No, Lottie. She’s right where she’s meant to be.”
“But I wanted to climb in bed with you and let you know…”
“Stop it, Lottie. I’m in no condition for anybody to be in my bed. If I were, my wife would be the one with me.”
“She’s not enough woman for you, besides you can’t be true to any one woman, Aaron Wilcox. It doesn’t matter if she’s your wife or not.”
“I’m not going to argue with you. Now get out of here before you wake Drina.”
“I can’t believe you care about her.”
“I care a lot for her and I can’t believe you’d come down here trying to start with me after the way Drina has welcomed you into her home. It takes a special woman to do what she did.”
“Are you saying that because I’m a whore?” Her voice was getting snappy.
“To be honest, yes. Do you know any other woman in the area who would have let you come into their house?”
Drina heard her sigh. “I guess you’re right.”
“I know I am. Now, get back upstairs and don’t come down here again.”
“Are you sure you won’t change your mind?”
“I’m sure. Now, get out of here.”
“I hope you don’t regret sending me away.”
“I won’t.”
Again, there was the rustling of Lottie’s skirts, then the door closed.
Drina heard Aaron moving on the bed. He was muttering aloud, “What in the world made her do such a fool thing?”
Drina smiled into the darkness. Not because she’d kept quiet during Lottie’s visit, but because Aaron had told the woman he cared about his wife. She knew he meant it because he thought she was asleep. He wouldn’t have said it if it wasn’t true.
It wasn’t long until she drifted off to sleep. The smile was still on her face.
* * * *
When Aaron opened his eyes, the first thing he did was look toward the couch. Drina was gone, and the covers were folded neatly and placed on one end. He wondered what time it was. Later than it should be when a man who owns a ranch wakes up. He shook his head. When was he going to be able to get up? As soon as the doctor came again, Aaron decided he’d ask him about crutches. At least, he could get up and take care of his personal needs without one of the men coming in to help him.
The door opened and he turned, hoping to see Drina, but it was Salty.
“Them women told me to let you rest, but I told them you’d rested long enough.” He walked to the bed and held out a cup of coffee. “I brought you this to help wake you up.”
“I’m awake, but I’m glad to get this.” He drank. “Get all the cows moved without anybody getting hurt?”
“Shore did. Weren’t no trouble at all. In fact, they done such a good job, I told the men who wanted to they could go into Hatchet Springs and have a drink on you. They all accepted, except Gus.
“I’m glad you did that, Salty. I’m sure they appreciate it.”
Salty nodded. “Now, tell me what’s been going on here. Why’s them whores still here?”
“If the weather clears up, I hope to send them away today.”
“It has stopped sleeting and it looks like it will be cold, but clear for a couple of days.”
“Good. When you get back to the bunkhouse, send Gus in. I’m going to ask him to take them to Fiddler’s Creek. They can get a stage there for anywhere they want to go.”
“I could take them.”
Aaron smiled and shook his head. “You have somewhere else to go.”
“Where?”
“Salty, you know good and well you’re going to Hatchet Springs to take care of that business for me.”
“Damn, Aaron, I was a hopin’ you’d forget about at least part of that.”
“There’s no way.” He chuckled. “In fact, I have a couple of additions to the list.”
“Dag nab it. What do you want now?”
“I want you to go by Doc’s place and tell him I want some crutches. I’m sick and tired of this bed.”
Salty grinned. “Now, that, I don’t mind doing.”
“I’m glad.”
He turned toward the door. “Now, I’m a gettin’ outta here before you think of somethin’ else you want done.”
As Salty went out, he said, “Well, well, Miz Beulah. Looks like you got somethin’ this here man is going to enjoy.”
“I’m sure he will, Salty and if you’ll stop by the kitchen I’m sure Miz Drina will see you get something, too.”
“Sounds mighty good. I’ll do that.”
Beulah came through the door. “Good morning.”
“Good morning to you, Beulah.” He was still looking at the door.
“Don’t worry. She’ll be here a little later.”
“How do you know I’m looking for somebody else?”
“You can’t fool me, Aaron Wilcox. I know you too well.”
He grinned. “I just thought…”
“As I said, she’ll be here later.”
She started to hand him the tray and he said, “Drina always puts pillows behind my back.”
“Well, my goodness.” She laughed. “She’s got you spoiled already.”
He only grinned.
After getting him settled, she started out the door.
“How’s Win?”
“He’s much better. I got him to the table this morning.”
“I’d like to talk to him.”
She nodded. “I’ll send him in after I make him rest a little. It took a lot out of him to walk to the table.”
“Thank you, Beulah and if you don’t mind tell—”
“Don’t worry. I’ll tell her you want to see her.” She closed the door.
* * * *
After breakfast, Aaron dozed off. He wasn’t sure what time it was when the door opened and Drina stepped in. He grinned. “Good morning to you. You look bright and happy today.”
She grinned back. “It has quit raining. The sun is out, and it’s a beautiful day. Why shouldn’t I be happy? Are you ready for dinner?”
“Is it that time already?”
“Yes.” She put the tray on the table and turned to put pillows behind his back. She then spread a towel across him and picked up th
e tray.
“There are two plates here.”
She shrugged. “I thought I’d join you for dinner. After getting our guests and Beulah’s friend fed, I didn’t have time to eat.”
“I’m glad.”
She cocked her head at him. “That I didn’t get to eat?”
He chuckled. “I guess so, since you’re joining me.”
After giving him his plate, she sat in the rocking chair and picked up the other plate. “I’m glad, too. Now, eat.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He picked up his fork. “You must have been busy. I haven’t seen you all day.”
“I looked in on you a couple of times, but you were sleeping so peacefully I didn’t want to wake you.”
“I noticed you’d folded up your covers and left me without saying anything this morning.”
“Again, I didn’t want to wake you, and I definitely didn’t want the covers spread out. You might have more company today, and it would look messy.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Who do you think might visit?”
“Who knows who’ll show up next? You’ve already had the doctor, your two friends from The Swinging Door, Gus and Salty. Beulah and I drop in occasionally, and of course, we can’t forget, your awful friend, Brit Vance.”
He shook his head. “If you go by him, I’m not very good at picking out friends, am I?”
“We all make mistakes, Aaron.”
He looked at her and wondered if she was saying more about his other mistakes than picking out friends. He decided to see. “I’ve make a lot of blunders since you came, Drina, and you don’t know how much I regret every one of them.”
“I don’t think there’s anything you’ve done that can’t be forgiven in time.”
“I hope you mean that.”
Shots rang out in the yard.
Drina jumped up just as Lottie came bursting into the room.
“Mrs. Wilcox, come quick!”
Drina sat her plate on the table. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. Somebody’s shooting at the house. Beulah has a gun, but she said to get you.”
“Drina, get me out of this bed,” Aaron demanded.
“How?”
“Yell for Gus.”
“Gus is lying in the back yard and we can’t get to him,” Lottie said.
“Damn it. I can’t lie here and…”
“Just wait and let me find something you can use as a crutch.” Drina patted his shoulder.
“Hurry.”
Chapter 17
Geneva Ragsdale laughed out loud. “Salty Andrews, I’ve never seen anybody look as lost as you do, standing here staring at all this material.”
“Well, dang it, I am lost. I told Aaron I don’t know nothing about buying cloth, but he said there weren’t nothing to it. Just get what’s purty, he said.”
“It all depends on what you plan to sew out of the cloth.”
“I don’t plan to sew nothing.”
“Then why are you buying it?”
“Dag nab it, Geneva. It ain’t for me. It’s for Miz Wilcox.”
Geneva frowned. “Then why isn’t she here picking it out?”
“’Cause she don’t know nothin’ about it.”
“I’m confused, Salty. Why are you buying material for a woman who doesn’t know anything about it?”
“’Cause my boss told me to. Now, are you gonna stand there and ask questions or are you gonna give me a hand with this?”
“Well, am I to believe your boss is trying to make up to his wife with cloth?”
“I don’t care what you believe. Just help me.”
“Why should I, Salty? You’re not being very nice to me.”
“I ain’t never nice to you, and you’ll do it ’cause Aaron Wilcox spends a lot of money here and you ain’t gonna take a chance on making him mad.”
She looked as if she wanted to say something else, but she changed her mind and picked up a piece of material. “What about this pink with white flowers? With Mrs. Wilcox’s blond hair, I think this would look good on her.”
“Fine, give me that one, then pick somethin’ else.”
“Do you mean you’re going to buy more than one?”
“Yeah. The boss said to get five or six pieces. Now, start picking them out then get me whatever it takes to sew them. I think he said to get scissors and thread and needles and whatever. He said you’d know.”
Geneva chose six pieces of cloth of varying colors. She then got threads of matching colors plus white and black, also a pack of pins and some ribbons and trims. She put it all in a sewing basket. Of course, she chose the most expensive basket she had. “Well, Salty, I think that does it. I’m sure the lady will be pleased.”
“I guess she will, but that’s not all. She needs a robe and a gown and maybe a readymade dress and some shoes.” He thought a minute. “Since it’s cold weather, put in a coat or a nice warm cape. If she don’t need it, I’ll bring it back.”
“Well, let’s go over here and pick it out.”
“Nah. You can do it by yourself. I’ve got to go send a wire. Just have it all packaged up when I get back. I need to get back to the ranch before dark.”
“I’ll have it ready for you, Salty.”
Without another word to her, Salty went out on the plank sidewalk. He wondered if he had time to go to The Swinging Door for a drink before going to the telegraph office. “Better not,” he muttered and pulled his hat down. “Looks like it might rain again, and I need to get back to the ranch.”
* * * *
Drina found Beulah in the sitting room beside the kitchen. “What can I do to help?”
“Can you shoot a gun?”
“A little, but I’m not very good.”
Beulah reached for the two pistols, one in a holster, and the handful of bullets she’d placed on a table. “These special guns belong to Aaron. I want him to have them to protect himself in case they get into the house.”
“Do you think they’ll get in?”
“I hope not. I’ve barred the doors, and Win is in kitchen with a rifle. He’s a good shot, but I’m not sure how long he’ll hold out. He’s still pretty weak.”
She looked around when Lottie picked up a rifle and moved to the window. “Where’s Milly?”
“She’s watching the front though it seems all the action is taking place out back. She wanted to go out and drag Gus in, but we convinced her it would be suicide. I thought it would be better to put her where she can’t see the man.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Take those guns and stay with Aaron. I know he wants to get out of there, but there’s no way.”
“He told me to find something he can use as a crutch.”
Beulah looked thoughtful. “I think there’s …”
A bullet whizzed by her head and she grabbed Drina’s arm and pulled her to the floor.
Lottie shot out the window and there was a cry from a man.
“Good girl. I think you winged him,” Beulah said and turned back to Drina. “Look in the pantry down the hall where I keep the sheets and towels. I used to put old Mr. Wilcox’s cane in there. It might still be on the top shelf.”
Drina nodded and hurried away. Darting into Aaron’s room, she handed him the guns and the bullets. “Here, load these, and I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going now?”
She didn’t answer, but disappeared through the door. In a matter of minutes, she returned with a cane in her hand. “Think you could use this?”
“Perfect.” He reached for it as he pulled himself to the side of the bed.
She moved beside him and put her hand under his good shoulder. “I’ll help you.”
He struggled, but was soon on his feet. “Now, let’s get in there to help.”
She glared at him. “You can’t go in there like that.”
“What do you mean?”
She blushed. “You don’t have any pants on.”
He shook his h
ead. “Bullets are flying at this house and we have a man on the ground in the back yard and you take the time to notice I don’t have pants on.”
“Well, you don’t.”
“I’ll put some on when we…”
She pushed him back on the bed and grabbed the cane. “You’re not going in there without your pants. I’ll be right back.”
“Dang it, Drina, where—”
She was already out the door.
In a short time, she returned with a pair of pants over her arm. “Now, we’ll get you into these, and then we’ll go help the others.”
Aaron grabbed the pants and tried to jerk them on, but the gunshot wound in his leg made him groan. “Are you sure I have to wear these?”
Though she was blushing, she moved beside him. “Lean on me and I’ll ease them up your leg.”
He got the cane in his left hand and he put his right hand on her back as she eased the pants over his wound. He grinned. “That didn’t hurt at all.”
“Come on. We need to get in there.”
He nodded. “Will you carry the guns?”
She nodded and picked them up. He slipped his arm around her shoulder and hobbled down the hall with her help.
“Well, look a-coming here.” Beulah smiled. “Now, you two keep your heads down. The bullets are still occasionally flying around in here.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll stay down. I’ve had all the bullets in me I want.”
“Here,” Lottie said as she scooted a chair beside the window. “Why don’t you sit here to the side? You can see what’s going on.” She moved to the other side of the window.
“Thank you, Lottie.” He sat on the chair. “I think I can handle it here. Why don’t you cover the other window in the kitchen since Beulah has the one on the other side of the fireplace?”
“Where will your wife be?”
“Right here, to make sure I don’t fall out of this chair.”
Drina smiled at him and took a seat on the braided rug at his feet. “I’ll hold this gun, in case you need it.”
“Good. I don’t think I can handle more than one with my bad shoulder.”
A bullet came through the window in the kitchen and hit the opposite wall. Lottie grabbed her gun and ran to the window. “I know that man from The Swinging Door.”
“Who is it?” Aaron yelled.
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