The Halsey Brothers Series

by Paty Jager

  Zeke shuddered. She had to regain control. For both their sakes.

  “I’m fine.” She pushed, prying the tight band of his arms from across her back. She knew the fear of seeing someone you loved in danger, but his embrace also inflicted pain. A good excuse to draw away and gather her emotions.

  He scanned her face and pulled back. “Damn! I forgot about your back.” Guilt and shame contorted his handsome features, piercing her heart.

  She held his face between her hands and waited for his dark gaze to connect with hers.

  “Thank you,” she said on a whoosh of pent up emotions and brushed her lips across his. She wanted to cry with happiness, but Zeke wouldn’t know they were tears of joy. He’d believe he was responsible.

  He placed his large, rough hands over hers, removing them from his face. “For what?”

  “For coming after me, for tending my wounds, for killing Marsh, and most of all,” she took a long, cleansing breath, “for loving me enough to do all of that.”

  Zeke growled. How long had he waited for those words to come from this woman? When he’d stepped out of the trees and saw Marsh straddling her and holding the gun on her—his body trembled at the thought of the scene he’d witnessed—he’d thought his whole world exploded with that gunshot. Now, gazing into her loving eyes and hearing the words from her soft, sweet lips—all the heartache and anguish had been worth it.

  He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss away the pain and foul memories, but Maeve’s back needed tending, and they had to get to Monument in a reasonable time or Gil would round up a posse and come looking for them.

  “You’re welcome.” He helped her to her feet, assisting her to sit on a downed log not too far from his horse. He snatched the canteen from his saddle and cut another strip from his shirt tail. Walking behind Maeve, he grimaced at the sight of the injuries reopened by her recent struggle. He should have stopped the events that marred her creamy back.

  “I’ll do my best not to hurt, but I can’t guarantee no pain.” He wet the rag and started at the top of her back.

  “I understand. I’d rather face pain now than infection later.”

  Her bravery never ceased to amaze him. Keeping her talking might take her mind off what he had to do.

  “How do you feel about staying a few days with Darcy and Gil while your back heals?” He wasn’t going to broach the marriage issue until she’d had time to settle down.

  “I’d rather return to teaching healed. There would be less questions.” The weariness in her voice reinforced the idea. She needed rest and a chance for him to show her what life married to him would be like. And to see Halsey men didn’t shackle their women when they married.

  A wicked gash in the middle of her back required all his attention. He pulled out embedded slivers and small rocks, before scrubbing the dirt from the wound. She whimpered and her body trembled.

  He stopped for a moment, placing his hands on her shoulders, giving her what he hoped was a comforting squeeze. “You want something to bite on while I work on this?” he asked half joking.

  Her head nodded, and he looked around for a stick. He found one and handed it to her. The tears glistening in her eyes hurt like a boulder slamming him in the back. He dropped to his knees in front of her.

  “You know I’d do anything to stop the pain?”

  “Get to it. The faster you get it done the sooner I can stop biting this foul stick.” She granted him a weak smile.

  “Yes, ma’am.” He moved behind her and soon had the wounds cleaned the best he could. “Okay, let’s get you decent.” He helped her to her feet and drew the front half of her blouse off her arms, leaving her naked from the waist up.

  “You call this decent?” she asked, her eyes glittering with amusement.

  “Well, I call it decent if we were in a bedroom.” He cleared his throat. “Put this on.” He handed her a clean shirt he’d retrieved from his saddlebag and put the one he’d cut back on. The clean shirt was large enough to not press against her back and covered her better than the tattered blouse. He helped button the shirt, allowing his knuckles to brush against her breasts. The color rose in her cheeks and heat hummed in his lower regions. Now wasn’t the time to let his lust for the woman sway his intentions.

  He spun her gently. The backside of her riding skirt was torn, but not through her drawers to the skin. They’d do to get her to Monument.

  “You sit here and rest while I tie Marsh to his horse.” She cringed and turned her back to the dead man. He didn’t blame her. The hatred the man showed toward her had been deplorable.

  He walked over, drew his knife out of the man’s back and wiped the blade across Marsh’s shoulder to clean it. Once the blade appeared clean, he sheathed the knife and dragged Marsh over to his horse. The animal snorted and side-stepped, but he managed to get the body across the saddle and secure it with the rope Marsh used on Maeve.

  Tying the rope tight around the man, he felt nothing. No remorse, no anger, only justice. The man had robbed banks, killed Brendan Loman, and tried to kill Maeve. He deserved what he got.

  He returned to Maeve. “Ready?”

  She nodded and stood, walking to her horse. Zeke put his hands around her waist and lifted her onto the saddle.

  “If you get tired, tell me. We don’t have to get to Monument today.” Even as he said it, he hoped they did. He wanted Maeve to spend the night in a soft, clean bed.

  “I will.” The look in her eyes said she wanted the same.

  He mounted his horse, looped the rope from Marsh’s horse around the saddle horn and headed back the way he’d come. If they kept a decent pace, they’d arrive in Monument about dark. If he was even luckier, Maeve would agree to marry him.

  Chapter 22

  Maeve could hardly hold her body in the saddle by the time they arrived in Monument. She’d pondered asking Zeke to stop, but the thought of a soft bed and a warm bath had kept her lips pressed together and her fatigue at bay the best she could. The sun had set after they crossed the river and headed toward town. As they passed the lit windows of the establishments, she slumped in relief.

  Gil and another man stepped out of the Sheriff’s office when they stopped in front of the building. “Sheriff Dore, these are the two I was headed to find.” His gaze landed on Marsh. “Looks like you’re doing fine.”

  Zeke handed the rope connected to Marsh’s horse to Gil. “Take Marsh. Maeve needs a bath, a doctor, and a bed.” Zeke dismounted and moved alongside her horse.

  “I’ll settle this and send a doctor to the hotel.” Gil tugged on Marsh’s horse and headed down the street.

  Maeve didn’t think her wobbly legs would carry her to the hotel. Before she could voice her concern, Zeke cradled her in his arms and headed toward a building with a sign proclaiming it a hotel. She looped her arms around his neck, pressing her breasts against his chest to keep pressure off her back. Her position would appear wanton to anyone watching, but the pain in her back outweighed the impropriety.

  When Zeke stepped through the door, Barton rushed forward.

  “Where’s Marsh?” He held the door and directed them to the desk in the lobby.

  “He’s not a problem.” Zeke stepped up to the counter. “We need a room, a bath, and when the doctor gets here, send him up to the room.”

  The clerk behind the desk jumped into motion at the authority ringing in Zeke’s voice. “I’ll have the boy bring water up immediately to room eight.”

  “Thanks.” Zeke took the offered key. She buried her head in Zeke’s shoulder unwilling to let the clerk or anyone else see her face. One thing she’d learned about herself this trip, though she’d never harbored a vain thought, she refused to let anyone other than Zeke see her at her worst.

  His strong legs carried them both up a flight of stairs and down a hall. She pulled her head from the comfort of his shoulder as he leaned forward and opened a door.

  The fluffy bed taking up most of the room beckoned her weary body. “Th
e bed,” she whispered as Zeke walked into the room.

  “Sure you want to nestle in there before you get cleaned up?”

  She pulled her gaze from the bed and stared into the concerned eyes of the man holding her. “I guess not, but can we make the bath fast?”

  “I’ll have you scrubbed and in that bed faster than the men around here pack water,” Darcy marched into the room, if you could call a woman nearing the end of her pregnancy marching. “Zeke set her on that chair and get these lazy people around here jumpin’.”

  Maeve smiled at Zeke’s response to his sister-in-law’s orders. She found herself settled onto the only chair in the room, and Zeke headed out the door before she could even utter hello to Darcy.

  The diminutive woman crossed the room and took her hand. “I’m so glad you recognized me at the bank.” Her concern softened her eyes, and a genuine smile tipped the corners of her mouth.

  A Chinese man, barely larger than a boy, entered with a privacy screen and retreated as Zeke carried in a large, tin tub. His gaze lingered on the tub only long enough to set it down before his brown eyes sought reassurance.

  “Thank you, for bringing the tub. Darcy will help me undress while you see to the water.” The glint in his eyes said the words conjured up images of her naked. Heat crept up her neck, and her cheeks flamed.

  “Once you’re freshened and in bed, I’ll bring the doc up.” He turned to Darcy. “She’s got two nasty cuts on her back. Make sure they get cleaned well.” He glanced at her. “You may need something to bite on again.”

  She didn’t want to think of the pain she still had to go through. “I’ll be fine, just see the water comes fast, that bed and I are going to meet real soon.”

  Zeke winked at her and headed back out into the hall. Darcy closed the door and dragged the screen to a corner. “Come on, let’s start undressing you behind this screen.”

  Maeve pushed her body up out of the chair and winced as the shirt rubbed her back. “There’s not much to take off of me,” she muttered, stepping behind the screen as the door opened. She peeked around the end to watch the Chinese man and Zeke carry in buckets of steaming water.

  The thought of soaking in the steaming water was all that kept her on her feet until Darcy dragged the chair over so she could sit while the small woman with the round belly took off her shoes.

  “Should you bend over like that?” she asked, enthralled by the energy and forthright manner of the woman.

  “I figure I can do anything that doesn’t upset me or the baby.” Darcy snorted in disgust. “I can’t believe these women that hole up in their houses the last month of a pregnancy. It’s a fact of life, and it sure makes Gil proud as a peacock when we walk down the street and he can show off his growing seed.” Darcy laughed at her own ribald comment.

  Maeve blushed and smiled. This woman was the most open and honest person she’d come across, other than Zeke.

  “So Gil doesn’t make you stay home. I mean, this is quite a trip you made from Galena to here and from the looks of you, you could have that child any day.” Maeve stood, dropping her skirt to the floor and stepping out of it.

  “The only thing Gil has made me do was promise not to touch a gun.” Darcy smiled. “Which is fine with me after the trouble my shooting a bank robber caused.”

  The door opened, followed by the sound of pouring water, retreating steps, and the door clicking closed again.

  Darcy looked around the screen. “Looks like your bath awaits.” With Darcy’s help, Maeve slid her arms out of the shirt Zeke gave her and then shoved her drawers to the floor.

  “When I get out of the tub all I have to put back on are those dirty clothes.” She glanced at the dismal pile of garments at her feet.

  “I’m sure Zeke will think of that.” Darcy held her arm as she stepped into the tub and lowered into the warm, inviting depths.

  The water soothed her aching muscles, but she couldn’t lean her back against the vessel and soak.

  “Here.” Darcy placed a pillow at the end by her feet. “Cross your legs and lean forward onto this.”

  Maeve crossed her legs and leaned against the pillow, folding her arms around the soft cushion and placing her head on it. The warm water made her legs flexible and the stretch felt good. She snuggled her face into the pillow as warm water ran down her back. This was heavenly.

  “I’m afraid this is going to hurt.” Darcy scrubbed on the upper part of her back. The pain brought tears to her eyes. She clenched her teeth and gripped the edge of the tub with one hand as the scrubbing moved down her back. She bit her lip to keep from crying out.

  “Almost done,” the waver in Darcy’s voice expressed her empathy.

  Warm water sluiced down her back followed by a whoosh of cool air.

  “Zeke Halsey, back on out of this room!” Darcy exclaimed as the swish of her skirt faded toward the door.

  “I brought clothes for Maeve and the doc’s here.”

  Maeve buried her head on the pillow, mortified. Not only was she hunched over in a tub, but she had no idea how bad her back looked.

  “I still need to wash her hair. Hold the doctor, and I’ll hurry.”

  The door closed, and Maeve raised her head. “I’ll just dress.”

  “No. We’re going to get you all cleaned up. Hair and all. It’ll make you feel better.” Darcy helped her lean back in the tub and poured water over her head. “And you have a cut that needs cleaned.” Small fingers scrubbed at her scalp, easing the pressure when she neared a spot on Maeve’s head that was tender. It must have been where Marsh kicked her during the ordeal. Either that or when her head had smacked into rocks and sticks.

  Pushing thoughts of Marsh and the past couple of days to the back of her mind, she sighed at the careful attention Darcy gave her hair. She couldn’t remember the last time someone really scrubbed her hair or did something for her other than Zeke. That she was willing to be taken care of shocked her.

  “Okay, you’re clean.” Darcy plucked a flour sack towel from the bed and Maeve stood, pulling the cloth around her.

  Packages sat on the end of the bed. She moved to the bed as Darcy pulled back the covers.

  “Put on some drawers and lay on your stomach.” Darcy ripped open a package and handed her a new pair of lacy drawers.

  Maeve smiled. Zeke liked to dress her in lace. She pulled the drawers on and crawled into bed, belly down. Darcy drew the covers up to her waist. “I’ll call the doctor in.”

  Maeve wrapped her arms around the pillow. She didn’t want to be alone with the doctor. She wanted Zeke. “Darcy?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’d like Zeke in here, too.”

  Darcy watched her a moment then squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll send him in.” There was no censure in her voice, strengthening Maeve’s resolve it was a good decision.

  Muffled voices grew near, and Zeke pulled a chair up to the head of the bed. He leaned down and kissed her cheek before sitting. “Maeve, I’ve brought Doctor Spencer with me. He’s going to fix your back.”

  She nodded. Her heart thudded in her chest as Zeke dug her hand out from under the pillow and held it.

  Practiced hands probed her head, and then her back. She clutched Zeke’s strong fingers as the doctor spread something gooey over her skin.

  “You’ll need to apply this ointment every day and change the bandage,” a man’s voice boomed above her.

  “We’ll be sure she’s taken care of.” Zeke stared down at Maeve’s back. The sight wasn’t as horrific as when he first washed the dirt from her, but it still tightened his gut.

  He gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze and stood. He shook the doctor’s hand and escorted him to the door. Darcy, who’d been standing by the door, headed to the bed.

  “I can take care of things from here,” she said, placing bandages on the bed beside Maeve.

  “I’m not leaving until she’s eaten and asleep.” He closed the door and moved back across the room.

  “It i
sn’t appropriate for you to be in here.” Darcy jammed her hands on her hips.

  “We’re chaperoned, because you’re here.”

  Darcy tapped the toe of her shoe. “She isn’t sufficiently clothed.”

  Zeke thought of Maeve stark naked stretched out on the chair in the shack. He grinned and waggled his eyebrows. “I know.”

  “Zeke Halsey, it isn’t proper for you to see her…” she waved a hand over the bed, “well, to see her like this.”

  “I’ve seen her a lot worse.” He knew that wasn’t what his pint-size sister-in-law meant but he liked riling her.

  “You…” She smacked his shoulder and harrumphed.

  “Please, Darcy, it’s okay. Just get me bandaged so I can rest,” Maeve said from her face down position on the bed.

  “See, she doesn’t mind. Let’s get this done.” Zeke gently grasped Maeve’s shoulders, helping her into a sitting position. He held her arms out while Darcy wrapped the bandage around her torso. When they were done, he peered into her face.

  “Do you want to eat before you sleep?”

  “I’m not hungry.” Maeve pushed her damp, disheveled hair out of her face and peered at him. “Will you stay with me?”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  She scooted to the middle of the bed and lay on her side, patting the empty space between them.

  “I’m all dirty.” He sat in the chair and pulled off his boots.

  “I don’t care.”

  Darcy cleared her throat. “I’ve a feeling I don’t want to know what you two have done. I’ll go see what I can scrounge up for food for when you’re done sleeping.”

  His sister-in-law left the room. Zeke followed her and locked the door as soon as her skirt swept through the opening. He stripped off his clothes and stepped into the still full tub. The water was cooling, but it removed the worst of the dirt.

  He pulled clean drawers out of the packages he’d purchased and slipped into the covers beside Maeve. She’d fallen asleep while he bathed. He lay on his side and watched her. He’d almost lost her today. When he’d found Marsh straddling Maeve and brandishing a rifle, he thought the world had come to an end. The fear that enveloped him froze him and had nearly cost Maeve her life. He never wanted to witness her in that kind of peril again. He may not be able to react as quickly the next time.