He sat up and grabbed the lamp from the table by the bed. Fallon didn’t trust himself to stand and walk, so he waited. Watching.
A step in the hall. Breathing.
Fallon called out. “Who’s there?” Hoping it would scare off the intruder.
More steps, the door opened and closed. Fallon let his breathing relax. Whoever it had been was gone, and the feeling of trouble had gone with them. He set the lamp down and eased back on the pillows.
It wasn’t five minutes later when Charlie came into his room. “You all right?”
Fallon nodded. “Were you here earlier?”
“No, I just got here. Doc is sleeping in his office. I told him I’d watch over you in case whoever shot you came back.”
Fallon sat up. “I think someone was here right before you came. Did you see anyone?”
“No. Can’t say that I did. But I have to say, I was thinking about that pretty nurse of yours, so I might not have been paying attention.”
Fallon leaned back on his pillows. “Thanks for watching over me.” He grinned. “You’re right, you do have a big stake in keeping me alive. I’ll sleep quite well tonight.”
Charlie nodded and shut the door.
It bothered Fallon that whoever had shot him, was still on the loose. It could be anyone. He’d cheated just about everyone in town one way or another.
Oh, most of them would say that Fallon played with a clean deck. But they knew. They had to. Now, tonight, he regretted his ways. Maybe that shot in the head had done something to awaken his conscience.
Fallon thought back to the dreams. The white mist, the smell of roses, and peace. He thought hard and remembered the scarred hand that blocked him from leaving the misty area. A man’s voice telling him that it wasn’t time and that Fallon had things to do.
Now that he thought about the dreams, he wondered about the man. He’d never seen him as he’d always been clothed in clouds or a white mist. Fallon’s heart beat fast. Old words he’d heard from a kind old lady filtered into his mind.
“Fallon, dear, give your life to Jesus. He has a plan for you.” Over and over, he heard the words play out in his mind.
Was it true? Surely, he couldn’t deny what he’d seen in the dreams while he was in the coma. So, what did that mean for his life? Did he have to give up everything? Had Fallon died, and now he was to be someone else?
Fallon wasn’t sure what to do, but he was shaken to the core of who he was.
Then there was the angel, Addie. Her voice, so caring and loving. He’d never known a voice so tender. What he wouldn’t give to have her beside him the rest of his life. Fallon looked around and saw the Bible on the table.
He picked up the book and then turned on the lamp and began reading in John. The words brought joy and conviction to his heart. How long he’d been reading, Fallon wasn’t sure, but it wasn’t long, and he was repenting for all the wayward things he’d done.
By morning’s light, Fallon was a new man. A new creation, as the Word said. He’d been born again and taken the name Peter Fallon. A man should have two names. A Christian name, Peter, and a last name by how others would know him.
He couldn’t wait to tell Addie and Doc. In fact, he couldn’t wait to tell anyone who would listen to him. He felt a real need to tell Charlie. Of all people, Peter Fallon knew he had to tell Charlie what had happened to him and tell him that he forgave him for hitting him that night.
He set the Bible down and tried to sleep, but it was as if life were flowing so strong in him that it was impossible, so he picked the Bible back up and began reading. The words were alive and true, and he couldn’t stop reading.
There was a knock on his door, and the old doc entered and nodded to him. “You look chipper this morning. No need to ask how you are doing?”
Peter looked at him. “You won’t believe what happened.”
“Oh, try me. It takes a lot to fool an old cuss like me.” Doc held his writs and took his pulse. “Good and strong but maybe a little fast.”
“I’m a new creation, Doc.” Peter held up the Bible. “I read this last night.” He stared at the Bible and then back to Doc. “There was someone in here last night. We might want to pay to have someone stay here overnight as a guard.”
“Well, we can. I don’t find that so incredible. Charlie said he’d stay for a while. Maybe it was him you that heard.”
Peter laughed. “I got off the story. I read the book of John last night, among other books. But I became a new creation. I’m Peter Fallon now.” Peter stood up, took a few steps, and then walked boldly to Doc. “Forgive me for cheating you in cards.”
Doc stared at him. “I thought you ran a clean game. That’s what you always said.”
Peter shook his head. “Oh, Doc. What gambler is going to tell you they cheat? If we’re winning, we’re cheating.”
“That disappoints me. You owe me some money then. What do you mean you’re a new creation, and what’s this Peter business? I didn’t think you had another name.”
Peter nodded. “I didn’t.” He held out the Bible for the Doc to see. “Right there, Jesus changed this man’s name from Simon to Peter. That’s what He did for me too.” He flipped some pages. “And see, it says I am a new creation. The old man is gone.”
Doc stared at him. “Fallon, you mean to tell me you have gone and got religion?”
“I think it came and got me, Doc. I don’t know how to explain it, but I’m not the same man I was. Do you think the bullet did it to me?”
“I don’t know. I never heard of anything like that.” Doc stared at him. “Are you just fooling with me? Playing one of your jokes?”
“No, sir. This is in my heart. Believe me, I am just as amazed as you are. I guess I’ll have to quit the saloon, but I don’t know what I’ll do.”
Doc shook his head. “I don’t know, Fallon or Peter, but if you go around town and tell everyone how you cheated in cards, you’ll be run out on a rail.”
“I know that, but I don’t see that I have a choice. Before, I lived only for me. Now, I live for Him. My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Doc stared at him. “I don’t know what to think. I feel like I’ve been in church this morning. But church with Fallon the cardsharp of Lawrence, Kansas, is a bit much to take.”
“I know it is, Doc. I’m not sure what I am to do.”
“Well, first, you’re going to stay here and get your strength back. That might be the best thing so I can protect you from the town after they find out you cheated them all.” Doc stood. “You might want to think about what you’re doing. It could cost you your life.”
Peter Fallon shook his head. “Doc, I have never felt so alive as I do now. I won’t go back to the old ways.”
“All right. I admire your change of heart.” Doc looked at him with curiosity as if he didn’t believe what he’d told him.
Peter stared out the window. “I really want to do some things.”
Doc looked at him. “Take it slow. I don’t want you falling and hitting your head again.”
“I thought I heard someone come in last night. Was the door locked?”
Doc rubbed his face. “I thought I locked it, but I was pretty tired last night. Maybe it was one of the drunks from the saloon. Or Charlie, which would be the same thing.”
“Charlie came in later.” Peter again felt the chilled warning slide down his spine. Tonight, he’d sleep with his gun. Then he wondered if that was what a man of God would do. He’d have to ask the old preacher.
There was a knock on the door, and the sheriff walked in. “Good, to see you up. I wanted to talk about who might have shot you.”
Peter glanced at Doc and then the sheriff. “I don’t know. I remember Charlie hit me. I got up and pulled a handkerchief from my pocket, and that’s the last thing I remember.”
The sheriff wrote something in his notepad. “Charlie was the last person you saw?”
“Yes, but he didn’t shoot me. I know that. If he had, it woul
dn’t be in the back of my head. He might be a scoundrel, but he’s not a cold-blooded killer.” Peter’s legs felt shaky, but he forced himself to move to the chair. He needed to regain his strength.
“I’m going to talk to Dahlia. We all know that she has a derringer.” The sheriff looked grimly at him. “Why would she want to kill you?”
Peter shrugged. “I don’t know. No reason as far as I know.” He and Dahlia had worked together for years at the saloon. They were friends. They had toyed with romance, but it hadn’t worked. There was no reason she would want to hurt him.
“Well, I’ll talk to her. Let me know if you remember anything.” The sheriff turned to the doc. “Is it possible he’ll remember things later on?”
“Maybe. But that shot to the head was powerful enough to put him in a coma. I doubt he would remember more.” The doc looked at Peter. “It’s somewhat of a miracle that he’s alive at all.”
“Yes, well, I’ll see about Dahlia.” The sheriff looked around the room and left.
Peter stretched out his legs. “Doc, do you ever find it odd that the sheriff doesn’t really have any friends?”
“Oh, I guess I never thought about it. But you’re right. I never see him with others. He’s a loner, all right.” Doc yawned. “How about some breakfast? I’ll go to the café and get you a plate. I don’t think you should be up and around yet. You stay in that chair until I get back.”
Peter nodded. “Yes, sir. I won’t move.” He watched Doc leave and wondered who might want to see him dead. It wasn’t like the list would be short. But no one had threatened him. Not recently.
Like he’d told Doc, he’d cheated most of the town. Some more than others, including the sheriff. Technically, the whole town could be a suspect.
Chapter 9
Charlie awoke and, for the first time in his life, knew what he was going to do. It had come to him in the early morning hours as he’d struggled with himself. Now, he couldn’t wait to get started.
He really did not want to be a rancher like his father. Besides, his brother was doing well in taking over his father’s business. Charlie had thought about being a lawman, but what he really liked was the law.
Father’s lawyer, Mr. Higgins, had spent time with him before and shown him the law books. Told him how the law needed smart young men to help tame the west and make it civilized.
So far, Charlie had been one step ahead of spending a life behind bars. Thinking of how close he came to being hung, he’d been thinking about the law. Since they hadn’t caught whoever shot Fallon, there was a chance that Charlie could still be charged for attempted murder.
Today, he’d visit Mr. Higgins about the case and find out what he needed to do to get a law license. Yes, it would take a lot of learning, but it was something he was interested in.
Charlie dressed and ran down the stairs to the café. It was too early to wake old Mr. Higgins up now, but he’d see him later this afternoon. Excitement beat in his heart as he thought of finally having a purpose.
His father should be pleased. He’d tell him after he talked to Higgins. Charlie shoved open the door to the café and nearly ran into Doc.
“You’re up early? What happened, did the saloon close down before midnight?” The doc laughed at his joke. “By the way, did you stop by the clinic last night like you said you were?”
Charlie shook his head. “I did and left about seven this morning. I heard you clomping around, so I figured you’d be up.” Charlie grinned. “I didn’t even go to the saloon either.” He kept his news from Doc. Charlie didn’t want to be ridiculed or told he wasn’t smart enough. He’d show the old coot.
“Well, Fallon is awake and wanting his breakfast. Come and visit him, it might be a surprise.”
“After breakfast, I’ll stop by.” Charlie wondered what that meant. Fallon had seemed fine yesterday.
He ordered his breakfast and waited. Why was the doc always against him? Now, he’d planted trouble in Charlie’s mind about Fallon. Hopefully, he hadn’t taken a turn for the worse. With a nervous stomach, he wolfed down his breakfast and left to see what had happened to Fallon.
After all, his future was tied to Fallon. If Fallon died, Charlie could be looking at the other side of the law and possibly dangling from a rope. He walked down the boardwalk to the clinic and opened the door.
Doc waved him in. “I was just talking about you.”
Fallon was sitting up, eating his breakfast, and looking more than healthy.
Charlie pulled up a chair and sat across from Fallon. “Doc said I’d be surprised, but you look like you feel good.” He laughed and pointed at the disappearing food. “And you’re eating like a starved horse.”
With a laugh, Fallon put down his fork. “The most remarkable thing happened to me last night. At first, I thought someone was coming into the clinic to finish me off. Maybe they were, but they left, and then you stopped by. After you left me, I was awake and started reading the Bible. Charlie, I am a believer now. And I have a new name. I am now Peter Fallon.”
“Peter Fallon. Well, that sounds good.” Charlie wasn’t sure what to make out of it all, but Fallon, or Peter, looked happy. Maybe the wound to the head had messed with his brain more than they thought.
Fallon shook his head. “I mean it, Charlie. I know that it’s all true. God is real. He sent Jesus to save us. I’m clean. Oh, I have some fences to mend, but I’ve repented for my errant way of life.”
Charlie nodded. “Well, that sounds good. You look happy. I decided I’m going to be a lawyer.”
Doc sat up. “You didn’t tell me that. Well, it’s about time you decided to be on the right side of the law.”
“I’m going to talk to Higgins and see if he can help me.” Charlie shook his head. “Who would think that me and you would decide to become decent citizens the same day.”
Doc laughed. “That has got to be something for the record books.”
The door opened, and Addie walked in. “I must say you’re looking well, Fallon.”
The former gambler grinned. “Yes, Ma’am. And a lot of that is because of you. By the way, my name is Peter Fallon now.”
“Peter, I like it.” She set her things down and started to bring a chair from the waiting room.
Charlie jumped up. “Here, take mine. I’m leaving.”
Addie stood next to him. “Thank you. I didn’t mean to run you off.”
“No, no. I have things to do.” He looked at her. She was something special that was for sure. “I’d like to take you to lunch if that’s all right.”
Addie looked at Doc. “Will you be here?”
“Oh, yes. I’m not planning on going anywhere.”
She looked at Charlie. “I’d be happy to. Around one o’clock?”
“I’ll be here.” He caught himself before he grabbed her and kissed her. He’d have to watch himself now that he was on the road to being respectable. In a hurry, Charlie left the clinic and went to the lawyer’s office.
Mr. Higgins was a big man, more round than tall, but he carried a lot of significance in the town. Charlie’s father liked the man and listened to his advice.
After a knock on the door, Charlie entered and waved to Mr. Higgins. By the sour look on the man’s face, he must have thought Charlie was here so he could get him out of trouble.
“Mr. Higgins, I’m here because I would like to become a lawyer. Can you help me?”
The big man looked like he might faint. “Well, Charlie, that isn’t what I expected to hear. It will require much study and hard work. Do you think you are up to it?”
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”
“This business with Fallon will have to be cleared up first.” Higgins went to a bookcase full of law books and pulled one down. He handed it to Charlie. “Read this one and write a summary of a case such as the one you are involved in. Let me see what you can come up with as a defense for yourself.”
Charlie hugged the book to him. “Thank you, sir. I’ll start
reading.”
“Oh, Charlie, has the sheriff charged you with anything yet?”
“No. I think he was waiting for Fallon to die. But Fallon is feeling fine.”
“Good. If the sheriff asks you any questions, you tell him that I need to be present as your lawyer.” Mr. Higgins smiled. Something he rarely did.
“I will. Thanks.” Charlie ran out of the office to the hotel and went to his room but stopped. The door was open a crack. He knew he’d locked it before he’d left. Looking at the law book, Charlie didn’t enter his room but instead walked back down the stairs.
He tapped on the counter to get the clerk’s attention. “Brad, did someone get a key to my room?”
The clerk shook his head. “No, I haven’t seen anyone come in all morning.”
“Someone opened my door. Would you come and make sure no one is in there, just for the record?”
“Sure.” Brad came around the desk, and together they went up the stairs.
When they got to Charlie’s room, the door was shut.
Brad looked at him. “You said it was open.”
“It was.” He tried the door, but it was locked. Taking his key, Charlie unlocked the door, and they both went in. Nothing looked out of place.
“Does anything look different?” Brad looked behind the closet door and then out to the balcony. “Those doors were locked.” Then he looked better. “It does look like one of them has been tinkered with. Come here and see if it looks like it to you.”
Charlie looked where he pointed at a long deep scratch near the latch. “That wasn’t there before. Someone’s been in here.” Charlie went to the safe behind the picture and opened it. “Nothing is missing.”
“Maybe they didn’t know your money was in a safe.” Brad went to the desk by the window and moved a piece of paper. “Charlie, didn’t you say Fallon was shot with a derringer?”
“Yeah. Why?”
Brad turned to look at him and held up a small gun. “This was on your desk.”
A Nurse for Fallon Page 5