In Love's Territory: A Western Historical Romance

by Lucy Evanson

  The color drained out of Carter. “What are you talking about?”

  “She drank the water!” Sam shouted, leaping first onto the desk, then onto Carter like a wolf descending on a rabbit. The two fell to the floor, Carter futilely trying to bat Sam away. In only a moment Sam had flipped Carter onto his stomach and then brought him to his feet, one hand on his collar and the other twisting an arm behind. Although Carter continued to struggle, Sam drove forward and pushed the taller man up to the wall, plastering his face against the window frame.

  “You see her family out there in front of Doc Sullivan’s? They don’t know if she’s going to live or die!”

  “How is that possible?” Carter gasped as he stared out toward the clinic. “My poor girl, what did he do to you?” Carter brought a hand up to the wall and pushed hard, sending both men backwards as he broke free from Sam’s grip. Carter spun to face him, his eyes wild. “What did you do to her, you son of a bitch?” he shouted.

  “The only one who did anything to her was you,” Sam growled. “If she dies, that’s on you and you alone. And I’m here to make sure you pay for it.”

  Carter’s face grew bright red, as if it were about to burst into flame. “Who the hell do you think you are? Boy, you’re talking to Edward Carter, not one of your bumpkins picking weeds on the farm,” he said. “You think I’m about to feel threatened by some farm boy with a stick?”

  Sam turned and tossed his club onto the leather sofa that sat against the wall. “I don’t need this to take care of you.”

  Carter smirked. “Listen to me, Hall. You seem to be a little dense, so I’m going to say this as clearly as I can. Stay away from Kate. You got that? She’s mine,” he snapped. “She belongs to me.”

  “That’s not what she told me last night.”

  The redness that had flooded Carter’s face seemed to drain away in an instant. “What did you say, you son of a bitch?”

  “She’s with me now. You don’t deserve a fine woman like Kate anyway,” Sam said.

  “Boy, you just don’t understand it when somebody’s trying to teach you something, do you? I thought you would have learned to stay away from her by now,” Carter spat. “Did my guys knock the sense out of your head when they busted you up?”

  “You sent four guys to beat me instead of facing me yourself, and I’m still standing,” Sam said. “You tried to poison me and got Kate sick instead.”

  “Just goes to show you, you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself,” Carter said. “I won’t make that mistake again.”

  “You’re not even a man. You’re just a coward.”

  Carter’s fists bunched at his sides. “Say that again.”

  “I’ll say it as often as you want. You’re a coward.”

  Carter’s chin dropped to his chest and he began to shake his head back and forth. “I’m sorry to hear you say that,” he said quietly, and his fist shot outward toward Sam’s face.

  Sam was ready for it. He ducked down, quick as a whip, and popped up with a single jab to Carter’s jaw, sending him stumbling backwards. Carter’s face betrayed both shock and pain, and he rushed forward again with a scream, his fists swinging crazily in Sam’s direction.

  Sam was quiet as he watched Carter, dodging the wild punches and waiting for his moment. It came quickly, as Carter took another swing and left his face exposed; Sam stepped in and connected with another jab, followed by a cross to the nose that sent Carter onto his backside on the carpet. His eyes were wide as he realized both how easily Sam had bested him and that blood was flowing from his nose. He ran a hand across his face and stared at his red-drenched palm.

  Sam moved closer, now towering over Carter. “You’re going to leave town. Tonight,” he said. “And if I ever see you around here again, it’s going to go rough for you.” He reached down and clenched one fist around Carter’s collar. “You never come back here. Never. You understand me?”

  “You’re a dead man, Hall. I didn’t do it right before, but now you’re a dead man,” Carter snarled, spitting flecks of blood onto his shirt.

  “I think I heard enough.”

  The men both turned to see the sheriff standing in the doorway.

  “Tom told me you had some trouble on the farm this morning, so I thought I’d come find you,” he said. “Got a bit more information than I expected.”

  “Sheriff, escort this man out of my office and over to yours,” Carter said, knocking Sam’s hand away and getting to his feet. “And then get on back here; I’ll want to speak to you about the damage he caused and the assault he just committed.”

  “Actually, you’re going to come along with me, Edward. You and I are going to have a little talk.”

  Carter reached into his jacket pocket and removed a handkerchief, pressing it against his nose to stanch the blood. “I haven’t got time to chat this morning.” He stooped to pick up some papers that had fallen onto the floor, then stared at the sheriff as if he were surprised to find him still standing there. “In case you haven’t noticed, I have things to attend to here. Now I suggest you remember who built this town, and get this Indian out of here.”

  The sheriff stepped closer and let his jacket swing loosely, revealing his holstered pistol. “I didn’t ask you if you had time,” he said. “And if I recall, it was your father who helped build this town. Seems like he might have retired a bit too early.”

  Carter stared at the pistol hanging at the sheriff’s side for a long moment. “Look,” he finally said, “we were just sorting out a gentleman’s disagreement. In fact, I’m even willing to forget the whole thing. Sam here was just blowing off steam. No reason for you to get involved.”

  “Sounds like you haven’t left me much choice but to get involved,” the sheriff said. “Now since you’re so busy this morning, we’ll have our little talk right here. You’re in a heap of trouble, you know that?”

  Carter stepped behind his desk and began to arrange the papers that had been swept into disarray. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Surely you can see that he viciously attacked me here in my own office. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised, given his history of violence. If anybody’s in trouble here, it should be him,” he said, pointing to Sam.

  Sam laughed. “How long do you think he’ll have to look before he finds the diggers you paid to beat me up? Or the ones who dumped poison in my well? You think they’re going to cover up for you once he leans on them?” Sam asked. “You know how this is going to look for your family once word gets out? Ed Carter, the man who poisoned his own fiancée.” Although the words were aimed at Carter, they stuck in his throat, bitter and sharp.

  Carter’s face flushed, but he remained silent as he stared down at the desk.

  “It’s not gonna look good for Carter Mining, that’s for sure,” the sheriff said. “Your father worked hard for years to build up a reputation, and you threw it away overnight.” He went on after a moment, when he saw that Carter was refusing to meet his eye. “Now, you put me in a hell of a jam, boy,” he said. “I’m a friend of your dad’s, but I’m also the law around here.”

  Carter wiped more blood away from his upper lip, finally raising his head to meet the sheriff’s gaze. “I’m sure my father would appreciate it if you could make this problem go away,” he said quietly. “I believe we can find a way to compensate you for the trouble.”

  “I don’t want any of your damned money,” he spat. “But I’m gonna do a favor for your father and keep this quiet. Sounds to me like Sam had a pretty good idea there about you leaving town,” he said.

  “Absolutely not,” Carter said, his eyes blazing. “Who the hell do you think you are? You can’t run me out of town like this. I’m Edward Carter, damn you!”

  “You stick around here and your other option could be the hanging tree,” the sheriff said. “We’re talking about assault and attempted murder—and possible manslaughter of a young girl.” He leaned over the desk, staring Carter in the eyes. “I’ll come by your pl
ace at five to escort you out of the city. And like Sam said, if you ever step foot in Mineral Point again, then you’re going to have a problem I won’t be able to fix. You understand me?”

  There was a long pause as Carter stared back at the sheriff. He threw a quick glance at Sam, then looked down at his desk and nodded. “Fine,” he said, avoiding their eyes.

  The sheriff turned to Sam. “You think you can talk to Tom?”

  Sam nodded. “If she’s going to be okay, then I’m sure I’ll be able to explain things. He’s not a naïve man; he knows how the world works.”

  “Good,” the sheriff said. “No reason to drag things out and make things worse than they already are. Get rid of the spoiled fruit,” he said, sending a sharp glance toward Carter, “to save the tree. Now I suspect you should get over to Doc Sullivan’s to check on Kate.”

  “Actually, I’d like to go over too,” Carter said. “You know, to say farewell.”

  “Not a great idea,” Sam said as he walked toward the door. “I’ll be sure to pass on your regrets.” He hurried down the stairs and past the secretary, who studiously avoided his eyes as he left. Once on the street, he hurried back towards the clinic, fearing the worst but hoping, praying for the best, willing her to still live. Now there would be absolutely nothing standing in their way, nothing but smooth sailing ahead. If she makes it, the dark thought whispered. She might already be dead for all you know, and you missed your chance to say goodbye.

  Sam picked up his pace, now running full-out down the middle of the street. She’ll live. She has to live. His heart dropped into his stomach, however, as he approached Doc Sullivan’s. There on the steps was Kate’s father, hugging both boys to him like a man who had nobody else left in the world, and Becky stood crying off to the side. No, no, no. Please, God, let her survive. Or if you’ve already taken her, then take me too. Sam stumbled to a walk as he approached the building and started up the steps.

  At the sound of his footfall, Kate’s father raised his head.

  “Is she….” Sam trailed off.

  “The doctor says she could go either way,” Thomas said, blinking his red-rimmed eyes. “It’s too early to tell.”

  Sam started toward the door when Thomas grabbed his sleeve. “We’re not supposed to go in yet.”

  Sam laid his hand on his wrist. “I have to see her, Tom,” he said. “I…I love her.”

  Thomas looked stunned. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m in love with her,” Sam said, feeling heat grow on his cheeks. “And she loves me too. She told me so last night.” He felt Tom’s grip loosen.

  “Go,” he said, and Sam quickly opened the door and stepped inside. He passed through the office and was at Kate’s side in only a moment. Sullivan glanced over from across the room, where he was making notes in a journal, but only raised his finger to his lips.

  Sam nodded and knelt by the side of the bed, taking her hand in his own. Her skin glimmered with sweat and moisture from the cold compress that Sullivan had placed on her forehead. He wanted to wipe it away, to brush a few stray hairs out of her face and pull her body close to his, but of course he could not. There are quite a few things I’d like to do for her, but that doesn’t mean I can do them. Maybe not ever. He grasped her hand tighter, but it was as if he were holding some inanimate object, some rock or twig. There was no grasp in return, no squeeze to let him know that Kate was even aware of his presence, and aside from the heat of her flesh he wouldn’t have even known that she was still among the living.

  Sam’s chin dropped to his chest and his eyes closed. Lord, you know I’m not a regular praying man, but she needs your help. And if you have to take her, thank you for the time you gave me with her. The rattle of her breath caught his attention and he leaned in closer. He kissed her softly on the cheek and then on the lips before putting his mouth close to her ear. “Try to stay with us, honey,” Sam whispered. “Your family needs you,” he said. “We all do.”

  Kate’s chest rose sharply as she took a deep breath, and like the air that flooded her lungs, hope raced into Sam. “Come on, sweetheart,” he whispered, and watched as the thin sheet covering her body fell. And fell. And fell. The last of the breath left her with a whisper, and Kate lay silent and still.

  She’s gone. My girl, my poor girl. Sam felt his eyes sting as they closed and his head dropped down to Kate’s chest in defeat. Not even the dark whisper rose up in his mind to taunt him at that moment. The thought that she was gone was too much to consider, too much to understand. He put his mouth to her ear.

  “You’re the only girl for me,” he whispered as a tear raced down his cheek and leaped off to bury itself in her hair. He pulled her close to him, holding her head against his. “I’ll love you forever,” he said, and let out a sigh that seemed to empty everything he had inside as well.

  Something feels warm on my neck. Feels like someone’s breath. His eyes whipped open and he gently laid her back down, placing an ear near her mouth. It was slight and shallow, but she was definitely breathing. “Oh, thank God,” he murmured as the doctor approached with a fresh cool cloth.

  Sullivan replaced the compress and took Kate’s pulse again. “She already seems stronger,” he said. “I think she’s going to pull through just fine.”

  Hope flooded through Sam as Sullivan passed through the outer office and informed Kate’s family. Tom, the boys and Becky swarmed in and gathered around the bed. Thomas couldn’t hold back his relief, alternating between hugging Kate’s hand to his chest and grabbing each of the boys close; Becky surprised Jake by tearfully collapsing into his arms. Sam sat quietly, just watching her, now calm and hopeful that the future he’d dreamed of was about to begin.

  After a few hours of watching Kate sleep, the rest of the group returned home to eat before returning in the afternoon to check on her. Nobody even questioned it when Sam stayed at her side, nor did anybody say a word in the evening when Tom and the boys ended their vigil and set out into the darkness for the ride home, again leaving Sam to watch over her.

  ~

  It wasn’t until late that night that Kate awoke briefly, her head pounding; it felt like she had gone through Hell and emerged into who-knows-where. Her eyelids fluttered and she could see in the dim lamplight that she was in a large room with several other beds. How strange, she thought. What is this place? Looks almost like a hospital, she thought, and she suddenly remembered a glass falling from her hand. I went to check on Sam and… and here I am. The thought of Sam, still recovering from his wounds, brought her wide awake, and she jerked half-upright in bed.

  Sam was right there, seated next to the bed. He was fast asleep, hunched over onto her mattress and one hand lying over her wrist. She grasped his hand. I guess it doesn’t matter where we are. As long as he’s here with me everything will be fine. Kate exhaled and let herself fall back to the pillow. She turned to watch him sleep and ran her hand over his bruised cheek. He still needs me to take care of him, she thought just before she slipped back asleep, not waking until the morning sun was well revealed.

  Epilogue

  Through her slumber, Kate felt the warmth against her and pulled herself close, cuddling up against him. He was sleeping deeply and she loved being so close to him at times like this. She roused herself to briefly open her eyes and look at him. He was so peaceful. She ran her fingers softly over his face, over his cheek and his sweet lips, and lay her head down again.

  In a way it was a strange feeling having him here in her bed. She never thought that she would love another man after Sam. She certainly never imagined that she’d feel such an intense love, such a crazy, out-of-control love like she felt now, but she couldn’t deny it. Kate hugged him more tightly and felt his hand reach for hers, even seeking her touch while he slept. It was the sort of thing he did frequently, and it drove her even more deeply and madly in love with him.

  She could hear several people downstairs in the kitchen, and although the smell of strong coffee and fresh bread snuck under th
e door and beckoned to her, she couldn’t imagine tearing herself away just yet. She snuggled closer, nestling her face close to his, inhaling his scent.

  The sound of footfalls on the stairs, then on the creaky floorboard just outside, made her turn her head in time to see the bedroom door open. It was Sam. He came to the side of the bed opposite hers and knelt.

  “How’s our little man this morning?” he whispered, reaching out to grasp Tommy’s tiny fingers.

  Kate smiled and reached for her husband’s hand.

  “So far so good,” she said. “It’s such a relief that he’s sleeping through the night now.”

  “You’re telling me,” Sam said. He reached over and stroked her hair, brushing several strands out of her face. “My poor girl.” He leaned down to kiss his son on the cheek. “You gave her such a hard time these last few months,” he whispered. “You’re lucky you have such a good mother.”

  Sam leaned over and kissed Kate. “Looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day,” he said. “I thought this afternoon we’d pack a picnic lunch and take Tommy down by the creek to let him splash around a little bit.”

  She lifted her hand to Sam’s face. “That sounds wonderful. You don’t have any work to do?”

  He laughed. “There’s always work to do,” he said. “But some things can wait until later. I already packed some orders and I’ll take them into town before lunch.”

  “Who are they for today? More for Mr. Gray?”

  “He says he can’t keep it in stock,” Sam said. “Things keep going like this and I’ll have a real business on my hands here.” He didn’t like to brag about himself, but his smile revealed the pride that he had in his work. Kate stretched up and they kissed again before he stepped toward the door.

  “I’ll be back in a couple of hours and then we’ll go on our picnic,” he said.

  Kate nodded and let herself gently fall back onto the pillow. She could hear her husband moving through the house below, passing through the hall out onto the porch and down the steps. How funny, she thought, remembering a day when she’d been in the same room, listening to Sam take the exact same steps but in reverse. I never would have believed it if I’d been told that I’d marry the man I first met while wearing nothing but a bed sheet.