On the Fence (Chance City Series Book Two)

by Robin Deeter

  When he heard air moving faintly in and out of Johnny’s mouth, he felt slightly faint with relief. Unbuttoning Johnny’s coat, Cotton was dismayed by the amount of blood that had soaked through his shirt. Still staying alert to his surroundings, Cotton stepped off the porch and scooped up a handful of dirt. He spat in it several times and then pressed the damp mass to the bullet hole in Johnny’s chest.

  There was nothing else he could do for Johnny until help arrived, but he had to make sure the Noreen was safe. Stealthily, he opened the front door and crept through it. He heard quiet weeping and followed the sound. He found Noreen sitting against a wall in the parlor.

  She saw him and started crying harder.

  “Is he here?” Cotton whispered.

  “No. He left. Said he wasn’t gonna hang for killing an Indian lover,” Noreen said. “Where’s Dory?”

  “At my nephew’s ranch. Help is on the way,” Cotton said, helping her up.

  He guided her to a chair.

  “How is Johnny?”

  Cotton’s stomach lurched. “Alive, but I don’t know if he’ll survive.”

  Noreen put her face in her hands and sobbed.

  “Noreen, I hate to leave you, but I have to get Johnny to town. Take this.” He pressed a pistol into her hand. “If Maynard comes back, you shoot to kill. Do you understand?”

  Noreen nodded. Cotton ran out to the porch, carefully scooped Johnny up, and took him to the buggy. Lying him gently across the seat, Cotton covered Johnny with a blanket and then hopped up in the buggy.

  He had to stand since the buggy was only a two seater, but since he possessed excellent balance, Cotton had no trouble staying upright as he drove the horse away from the Klingerman house. Slapping the reins against the horse’s rump, he urged it into a canter, asking the Great Spirit to give the horse’s hooves wings and to give his nephew the strength to hold on.

  *****

  Dr. Vin Ellis, Wheels’ uncle, worked on Johnny, deeply concerned about his patient’s chances of survival. He’d lost a lot of blood and, even though the bullet hadn’t hit his heart or lungs, it had still caused a lot of damage. After removing the bullet, Dr. Ellis closed both of Johnny’s wounds and bandaged him up.

  He had an orderly assist him in getting Johnny into a bed in the men’s ward of the small hospital. After giving instructions on caring for Johnny to a nurse, he cleaned up and went to talk with Johnny’s family.

  Daphne had insisted on coming to the hospital with Cy and Daniel while Leigh had stayed at home with Dory. She spotted Dr. Ellis first as he came into the waiting room.

  “How is he? Please tell us that he’s still …”

  Dr. Ellis regarded her with kind, dark eyes. “Yes, Johnny is alive, but I must be honest with you. It’s touch and go right now. But, he’s young and strong, so hopefully he can hang on.”

  Cy put an arm around Daphne. “Can we see him?”

  “Yes, but only for a few minutes. He’s unconscious at the moment, but if he wakes up, please don’t excite him,” Dr. Ellis replied.

  “Of course,” Daphne said.

  Dr. Ellis nodded and led them to Johnny.

  Daphne’s eyes flooded with tears as she took in Johnny’s appearance. He was almost as pale as the pillowcase under his head and his lips were the color of blueberries. Going to his bed, she brushed his sweat-damp hair back from his forehead.

  She loved Johnny like a little brother and the thought of losing him filled her with dread. Gently picking up his hand, she kissed his fingers. “Hang on, Johnny. We love you so much. You have to stay with us so you can bang the door and tease me and help Leigh with the ranch. Please don’t leave us.”

  She kissed his hand again and laid it back down on the bed. Then she turned to Cy, startling him by grabbing his coat.

  Tears trickled from her eyes. “You go find the coward who did this, brother,” she said in Comanche. “Make him pay. Do you hear me?”

  Cy’s eyes were also damp. He nodded. “Yes. I hear you, and I will.”

  When Daphne released him, Cy briefly laid a hand on Johnny’s shoulder. “You’re a strong man, Johnny. Fight.”

  Cotton said a brief prayer over Johnny and then Dr. Ellis made them leave. They met Daniel and Sly outside the hospital. The twins hadn’t wanted to come inside and potentially cause trouble if someone objected to their presence. They listened attentively as their cousins and uncle updated them on Johnny’s condition.

  Cy said, “I telephoned Rob from here and told him what happened. He knows I’ll be leaving to go after Maynard.”

  Cotton said, “I’ll go with you.”

  Cy nodded.

  Cotton looked at Sly. “Will you look after Noreen and Dory while we’re gone?”

  “Yes. I’ll stay with them in case Maynard comes back.”

  Their plans solidified, they departed from the hospital, going their separate ways.

  Chapter Twelve

  Brock’s heart went out to Daphne when he saw her the next morning at the hospital. Rob had told his staff what had happened and he’d come to visit Johnny as soon as he’d finished his morning patrol. Daphne sat in the waiting room, her head bowed, and her eyes closed. Brock sat down by her and took her hand.

  She opened her eyes and looked at him. The sympathy in his blue gaze brought on tears and her breath caught on a sob.

  Brock gathered her in his arms, rubbing her back consolingly. “It’ll be all right, Daphne. He’ll pull through. He’s a tough kid. What did Doc Ellis say?”

  Drawing back from Brock, Daphne pulled a handkerchief from her skirt pocket and wiped away her tears. “He said that it’s encouraging since Johnny made it through the night and that he thinks he’ll make it. Poor Johnny. He was so excited about taking Dory to dinner. He looked so handsome. I just can’t believe this.”

  Brock rubbed her arms. “It’s a big shock, but you’re a strong woman.”

  “Yes, I am. I won’t fall apart. Johnny needs me, needs all of us. I’m going to see if they’ll let me stay and help take care of him,” Daphne said.

  Tipping her chin up, Brock said, “With you as his nurse, he’ll definitely get better. If I ever get shot will you be my nurse?”

  She laughed, grateful to him for adding some much needed levity to the situation. “You’d better not get shot. Thank you for coming.”

  “Of course I’d come. I can get you back there. Come with me,” Brock said, taking her hand.

  Daphne followed him over to the nurses’ desk.

  “Morning, Sadie,” Brock said. “I need to see Johnny Decker. Official business. Ms. Decker is going with me.”

  Daphne blinked at his no nonsense tone and the steely expression on his strong-jawed face. Sadie didn’t argue with him.

  “Go on ahead, Deputy.”

  He gave her a curt nod. “Much obliged.”

  Once they were through the door that opened onto the hallway leading to the men’s ward, Brock grinned at Daphne. “There are perks to the job. That’s one of them. Getting into places no one else can.”

  Daphne chuckled. “Thank you.”

  They met Dr. Ellis as he came out of an office.

  “Oh, Miss Decker. I was just coming to get you. Johnny’s awake and asking for you.”

  Daphne said, “I’d like to help take care of Johnny, Doctor. I can change bandages and things like that.”

  Dr. Ellis nodded. “If you like. I’m sure he’d feel better with you here. He’s hopped up on laudanum, just so you know. I’ll be around after a little bit.”

  “Thank you so much.”

  Daphne was so happy to see that Johnny was awake that she had to blink back tears. He gave her a lopsided smile.

  “There she is,” he said hoarsely. “I been waiting to see you for days.”

  She sat down in the chair next to his bed and took the hand he weakly held out to her. “You just got here last night, honey.”

  “Oh. I guess I’m a little mixed up,” he said, still smiling.

  His v
oice was weak and his eyes glassy from the laudanum, but he was alive.

  Daphne giggled. “Just a little.”

  His smile widened, then he suddenly sobered. “What about Dory? Is she ok? He knocked her down and I was mad so I told him none of that. Well, he didn’t listen, so I was gonna get that gun from him, but he shot me and now here I am.”

  Brock smothered a smile over his convoluted story. He understood what Johnny meant, though.

  Daphne said, “Dory is fine. She’s a strong girl.”

  “Pretty as a picker, too. No, that ain’t right. Picture. Pretty as a picture. I’m gonna marry that woman,” Johnny said. “You wait and see if I don’t.”

  Daphne laughed softly. “How about we worry about that once you’re better?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Well, I certainly can’t marry her like this. Will you bring her to see me? We didn’t get to go to dinner. That damn father of hers messed it all up.” He yawned.

  Daphne said, “Why don’t you go to sleep, Johnny. You need your rest. I’ll be right here.”

  “Ok. Thanks for coming to see me, Brock. I knew you were there. You’re too big to miss. Pardon my rudeness.”

  Brock said, “Don’t worry about it, buddy. You do what Daphne says and get some sleep. You don’t want to make her mad.”

  Johnny’s expression turned solemn. “You’re not kidding. She’s tough.”

  Brock nodded. “I know.”

  Johnny’s eyes drifted shut and Brock winked at Daphne. “I gotta go, but I’ll stop by later on. Just call over to the office if you need anything.”

  Daphne said, “Thanks again.”

  Brock looked around to make sure no one was looking and then gave her a brief kiss. “See you then.”

  Daphne watched him walk away, admiring his broad shoulders and nice rear end. Once he was out of sight, Daphne pulled out a book from her bag and settled in to read until Johnny needed something.

  *****

  Brock was glad that his shift that day was mainly uneventful, allowing him to leave work on time for a change. He went to La Fontana’s, a modest restaurant that made excellent food, and picked up the food he’d ordered earlier that day. Entering the hospital, he greeted a few people he knew before going back to the men’s ward.

  Daphne sat in her chair, her head leaning back against the wall, eyes closed. Brock’s gaze moved over her beautiful face, noting the faint smudges under her eyes. A feeling of such tenderness stole over him that it made it hard to catch his breath for a moment. He almost hated to wake her, but figured that bringing her good food would make up for it.

  Going over to her, he brushed the back of his fingers over her soft cheek.

  Her eyes fluttered open and she gave him a drowsy smile. He imagined that it was how she looked in the morning after a night of lovemaking. Stifling the spear of longing that pierced his stomach, he smiled back at her.

  “How’s the patient?”

  “He’s doing well. The laudanum makes him even funnier than normal. He still insists that he’s going to marry Dory. He wouldn’t go to sleep this last time until I promised to bring her to see him tomorrow,” Daphne told him.

  Brock’s jaw clenched. “He’s such a sweet kid. I hope when Cy and Cotton find Maynard that they make him suffer before they haul him in. Johnny didn’t deserve this.”

  Daphne nodded and stretched. “I know I shouldn’t, but I’ve been thinking the same thing.”

  “I don’t blame you a bit. Now, what do you say to dinner? Look what I brought,” Brock said.

  He showed her the pan of lasagna and Daphne’s mouth watered.

  “I say yes! I’m starving,” she said.

  “I thought you might be. Come with me. There’s a little cafeteria downstairs.” Brock saw her glance at Johnny. “He’ll be all right for a while. That’s what they have nurses for.”

  Daphne smiled. “I know I’m acting like a mother hen, but I can’t help it.”

  “I understand. C’mon. Let’s go eat,” Brock said.

  Once they were seated, Brock took out plates and silverware from the basket he carried. Daphne’s stomach ached as she watched him put the lasagna on a plate and hand it to her.

  “That looks wonderful.”

  Brock served himself. “Dig in.”

  It was so strange to sit in a hospital cafeteria to eat, she thought.

  Brock grew concerned when he saw her try to blink away tears. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

  “Johnny always says grace. He says such nice blessings.”

  Brock reached for her hand. “Don’t worry. He’ll be back to saying them real soon.”

  His touch comforted her. “Thank you.”

  To distract her from the tense situation, he said, “Did you know that Ellie went out with Walt Gaines a couple of times?”

  “No. Cy didn’t mention it. Walt. That was the name of Leigh’s first husband.”

  “Oh. I didn’t know that. Well, she says that he’s an odd duck. Mysterious. He doesn’t talk about anything serious,” Brock said.

  Daphne’s brows drew together. “I’ve met him a couple of times, but I don’t really know anything about him.”

  “That’s the thing. No one really does. He had her over for dinner with a married couple he knows, but she said that they didn’t talk about anything serious, either. You know, not a lot of personal information,” Brock told her.

  “Is she going to keep seeing him?”

  Brock frowned. “I think she is, but only because she’s curious. She hasn’t mentioned if there’s any chemistry.”

  Daphne said, “Now I’m curious.”

  “Me, too. It’ll be interesting to see what happens. I know Ellie, and she won’t let him get away with this too much longer.”

  “Good for her. Keep me informed.”

  Brock smiled at the mischievous gleam in her eyes. “Why, Miss Decker, are you a busybody?”

  She gave him a saucy smile. “I like gossip as much as anyone else, Deputy. Especially the kind involving mysterious lawyers.”

  He laughed. “Once again I’m reminded that you’re related to Cy. You can’t resist a mystery any more than he can.”

  She wiped her mouth on a napkin. “We get that from Ma. She was curious about anything and everything and she loved reading mysteries, too. She used to tell us stories and read them to us. That’s when Cy decided that he wanted to be a detective and solve crime.”

  Brock said, “I’m sure she was a wonderful woman.”

  “I miss her so much. She was so much fun,” Daphne said.

  “You must have inherited that from her. Cy must be more like your father,” Brock said. “I’m not being smart, just trying to figure him out, that’s all.”

  Daphne said, “You’re right. Pa was more serious. Fun in his own way, but not like Ma. She used to be able to get Pa to do silly stuff, though. And he gave us horsey rides when we were little, too. I’ve noticed a difference in Cy since he married Leigh. She’s such a good woman and a good friend. I’m glad they make each other happy.”

  Brock grinned. “Something tells me that it won’t be long until you hear the pitter-patter of little feet around the house.”

  Daphne said, “I hope so. I can’t wait to be an aunt.”

  She didn’t say it, but Brock knew that she was thinking about becoming a mother. She’d said as much the day she’d confronted him in the sheriff’s office. He’d love to have kids, too. Brock let his mind wander a little, trying to picture what his and Daphne’s kids might look like.

  Would they have her dark hair and his blue eyes or would they more strongly favor one or the other? He thought about how different Daniel and Sly looked, yet if he let himself admit it, both were handsome men, each in his own way. Looking at Daphne, he thought that he’d love to have a little girl who looked just like her.

  Daphne wondered at the smile on Brock’s face and the faraway look in his eyes. “Brock?”

  With a start, he came back to himself. “Hmm? What?”


  She chuckled. “You were in a world of your own.”

  He colored a little. “Sorry. Woolgathering, I guess.”

  “About what?”

  Brock searched for something plausible so that he didn’t have to tell her that he was thinking about having children with her. “Well, I was just picturing how cute you must have been as a little girl.”

  Daphne smiled. “Thank you. I have some pictures if you’d like to see them sometime.”

  “Love to,” he said.

  “That can be arranged. Thanks for bringing such delicious food. It was very thoughtful of you.” She gave him a speculative smile. “I think that you’re a lot sweeter than you let on.”

  He gave her a heart-stopping grin. “Not with just anyone, though. Only a certain beautiful woman I just had supper with.”

  His praise brought a blush to her cheeks. “Charmer. I’m sure you’ve told plenty of women that same thing. I have to get back to Johnny.”

  “About that,” Brock said. “Daphne, they have a staff here. He’ll be all right. You really should go home and rest, honey. You’re bushed. Besides, I’m sure that Leigh would like an update. Let me take you home.”

  Daphne wanted to stay with Johnny in the worst way, but Brock was right.

  Seeing her indecision, Brock said, “We have a telephone. I’ll tell the nurses to call me if anything happens and I’ll come get you. I’m sure he’ll be fine, but just in case.”

  “Oh, Brock, I couldn’t ask you to do that,” she said, rising from the table.

  He put a hand on her shoulder. “You didn’t. I offered. I don’t mind at all.”

  She thanked him and they gathered up all their supper things.

  “I just want to check on him before we go,” Daphne said.

  “Of course.”

  Johnny was still sound asleep when they went to see him. Daphne kissed his forehead and then they left after Brock gave the head nurse his telephone exchange and instructions to call if there was any change in Johnny’s condition.

  As they walked out of the hospital, Brock took Daphne’s hand. Holding it felt as natural as breathing, and looking into her eyes, he saw that she felt the same way.