“Well, a man died who was in a hurry once,” his lips hurt when he tried to smile. “What happened?” he asked, trying to rise up, but his body screamed its objections and he laid back down.
“You lay right there now,” she ordered. “I think I can still catch Doc Baker.”
“If you insist,” Blake murmured as he closed his one good eye.
He heard footsteps and the door open and close. He could feel a cool breeze blowing across his body, sounds of the town in the background. He heard more footsteps and the door opening again. He slowly turned his head and could see Chrissy and another man standing there.
The man set his bag on the bed and took out a stethoscope. Placing it in his ears and the cool disc on Blake’s chest he said, “Mr. Thorton, you have the constitution of an ox.”
“I feel like one has been dancing on me,” Blake managed to reply.
“That’s understandable considering the beating you took,” the doctor said putting the stethoscope back and removing a small brown bottle. Pouring the thick liquid in a spoon, he held it out for Blake. “Here, drink this, it will ease the pain some.”
Blake opened his mouth and took the medicine. Wincing he smacked his lips, “I think that ox did something else in my mouth.”
“It’s laudanum,” he said handing Chrissy the bottle. “Give him a teaspoon every so often, but not too much, it can be habit forming.”
She nodded her head and slipped the bottle into her dress pocket. The doctor snapped his bag shut and put on his hat. “I’ll check on him tomorrow. What he needs now is sleep and plenty of it.”
“Thank you very much,” she said and followed him to the door. When he left she came back over to Blake’s side and sat down.
“Where am I?” Blake asked as he looked around. He didn’t recognize the room.
“It’s my room above the café,” she said.
Blake furrowed his brow. “Why your room? Why not my house?”
“We all thought it might be safer for you here.”
“Safer?” Blake said stronger, “What the hell is going on?” he could feel the effects of the laudanum and the room started to spin slowly.
“You sleep now,” she cooed softly, “I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.”
Blake relaxed and was feeling a little drunk-like. “Fine,” he said. He closed his eye and could feel her fingers touching his face. “Chrissy?” he said weakly.
“Yes, darling,”
“Tell me a story.”
She gave him a confused look. “What story?”
“Any story,” he murmured, “but if there’s a prince, can it be Prince Blake?” he smiled a weak smile.
“Go to sleep, you big idiot,” she giggled as he drifted off.
******
The next morning Blake woke and his one eye was still swollen shut. He managed to work himself into almost a sitting position. Every muscle in his body protested but the more he moved the better it felt. Exhausted from his efforts, he laid back and drew in lungfuls of the cool morning air. The door cracked slightly and Chrissy peaked in. “What do you think you’re doing?” she asked.
Blake winced as he tried to get more comfortable. “I thought I would go for a quick run this morning.”
“Oh I can see you’re not going to be an easy patient,” she said sitting on the bed and feeling his forehead. “Can I get you anything?”
“I could eat something, if it isn’t too much trouble.”
“It’s no trouble but you have to stay in bed.”
“Yes, mother,” he said lying back on the soft pillow. She got up to leave and he continued. “Aren’t you going to tell me what happened?”
“Let’s get you some food first. Sheriff Johansson wanted to talk to you if you’re up to it,” she said as she reached the door.
“Tell him all right but not to take too long, I still want to go running.”
Shaking her head she closed the door. Blake managed to get some more pillows behind his back and was admiring the room when she came back carrying a tray. Setting it on the dresser she took out the small bottle of laudanum and filled a spoon. “Here you go,” she said holding the spoon out.
“I don’t need that,” Blake objected.
Standing up straight she cocked her eyebrow and placed her other hand on her hip. “If you want breakfast, you’ll take it.”
“It tastes like crap.”
“Fine,” she said, “then you can come downstairs to eat.”
“That’s all right with me,” Blake tried to sit up and swing his legs out of bed but immediately realized that he wasn’t going too far. Collapsing back onto the pillows he said breathlessly. “You win, you surly woman.”
Giggling, she fed him the medicine. “Now there’s a big boy,” she teased in a mocking tone. She got up and brought over the tray with a bowl that contained clear broth, dipping a spoon in it she brought to his lips and said in a singsong voice, “Open wide.”
Blake furrowed his forehead. “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?” he said taking the broth.
“Yes, I really am,” she laughed holding up another spoonful.
“How’s the patient?” Johansson said from the doorway.
Blake looked around Chrissy and said, “I am feeling a might abused.”
“Yeah, you look it,” Johansson chuckled. “Hello, Mrs. O’Bryan. If he gives you too much trouble I can take him down to the jail. We have real comfortable cots.”
“I can handle him, sheriff, but thanks for the offer,” she smiled, feeding Blake some more broth.
“So is anybody going to tell me what happened?” Blake asked.
Taking off his hat, Johansson pulled up a chair and sat down. “Near as we can figure,” he began, “Tom MacIntyre is the one who paid you a visit. He and those other criminals he rides with snuck into the livery and knocked Joe out.”
“Is he all right?” Blake asked.
“He’s fine. They put a good sized knot on his head, though. Anyway, they must have lured you in the barn and cold cocked you. Then they proceeded to a do a Mexican hat dance on you.”
“I remember somebody yelled fire,” Blake added.
“Makes sense, I was wondering why you went in the livery,” Johansson said. “While they were takin’ the boots to you, Avery was up in the loft and saw the whole thing. To hear him tell it, he saved your life by swingin’ down on a rope into them fellas. Damn fool stunt if you ask me. He says he knocked all four out the door and they high tailed it.”
It hurt to laugh, but Blake couldn’t help himself, “I remember a rebel yell and a crash, but I’m pretty sure Satan helped the most.”
“Come again?” the sheriff asked.
“Caleb’s dog, he snuck in and does what he does best.”
“What does he do, bite them?” Chrissy asked.
“Nope,” Blake laughed, “he farts. It’s the worst God awful thing you ever smelled. It would make a buzzard gag.”
“You’re joshin’ me,” Johansson said disbelieving.
“It’s true, I swear,” Blake said holding up a bruised hand. “Ask Joe, or Hap, or Sadie, they all know.”
“I’ll be damned,” Johansson said shaking his head.
The laudanum was starting to work and Blake felt dizzy, Chrissy saw it on his face. “All right you two, that’s enough talking. He needs some rest.”
“I still don’t know why I’m here in your room,” Blake said sleepily.
“Mrs. O’Bryan thought it would be best if we put you someplace that would make it hard for MacIntyre to find you, should he come back,” Johansson said standing and putting on his hat. “My deputy has been searchin’ for him, but he up and disappeared.”
Blake was drifting off to sleep. “Caleb and Sadie, he might go after them.”
“We took care of them,” Chrissy said. “Go to sleep now.”
The next couple of days Blake received a lot of visitors; it seemed to h
im like he had made a lot more friends than he thought. He hadn’t been part of a community since he was young back in New York and, as people came and went, he was filled with a sense of warmth. It was hard to explain but he liked it. He was getting restless though, he wanted to get outside and breathe the air and feel the sun on his face. Six days after he was jumped, he sat up and slowly got dressed. He was barely able to pull his boots on and thought about laying back down. Bracing one more time he stood and walked across the room and down the stairs. As he entered the dining room, Chrissy came out of the kitchen with some plates of food. “Of all the foolish…” she exclaimed. Setting the plates down, she rushing to his side. “You get back up in bed, this instant.”
“I’m fine,” Blake groused, “I’m going crazy up there.”
“You are an impossible man,” she groused back. “Are you hungry?”
“Famished,” he said easing into a chair.
Chapter 19
“I’m tired of being cooped up in this here shack,” grumbled Troy.
“All’s we had to eat is beans. Some whiskey wouldn’t hurt none.” He threw a card on the table and stared at the cards he had left.
Tom’s gang was using a line shack on the northern corner of his father’s property. It was rarely used except in the winter when two or three hands would hold up in it to watch the herd and shoot wolves. Only a few of the older hands knew about it. They were also a full day’s ride out of town which made it too far to search for. Tom left with meager provisions so on the way there they waited outside a farmer’s house for him to leave. When the farmer and his family all loaded in the wagon for a trip into town, Tom’s group raided the kitchen for food only to find that the farmer was going to town to restock his own shelves. Not much could be taken. Les and Troy were angry and wanted to burn the house, but Tom stopped them with the promise of more money. Reluctantly, they agreed to leave but now they were getting agitated because of the lack of food and entertainment.
“Quit bellyachin’,” Tom barked at him. “I figure it’s just about time to go back to town.”
“Suits me,” grumbled Les. “You think that fella we stomped is dead?”
“I doubt it, he seems pretty tough,” Tom said leaning in the doorway looking outside. “He’ll be laid up for a couple weeks. We won’t have no trouble from him.”
“So, what’s next, boss?” Jimmy asked scratching his chin.
Tom got an evil grin on his face. “I figure on payin’ that little girl a visit.”
Troy giggled. “Like that stagecoach woman? That was fun, but I ain’t goin’ last again. She didn’t fight much when I got to her.”
“She’s just for me,” Tom sneered. “She needs to pay for all the trouble she’s caused me.”
“Well now that ain’t fair,” Troy complained. “I want me a turn.”
“You can have that blonde bitch in the café,” Tom growled. “Get everything ready to go, we leave in the morning,” he said as he walked to the corral.
“Hoo wee,” Troy whooped. “She’s a good one.”
“After me,” Les grinned.
“Damn,” Troy pouted.
******
In the morning they rode out, keeping to valleys so they wouldn’t be spotted. Tom talked very little; his thoughts were on Bonnie and what he was going to do. Several times he adjusted himself in the saddle because of his excitement. They waited a mile out of town until darkness fell. The moon had not risen yet and the stars cast little light. The last quarter mile they all dismounted and walked to the back of the café. Although it was closed, the lamps were still lit in the kitchen where Chrissy and Bonnie cleaned up from the day’s business.
“What are we waitin’ for?” Troy said in a whisper. “They’s right there.”
Tom shot him a hard look. “We take our time and do this right. Troy and Les, you go to the front of the alley and keep an eye out. Jimmy, go see if she’s locked the front door. If she hasn’t, sneak in and wait. I’ll come in the back and we’ll have them trapped.”
Jimmy and the other two crept into their positions. Jimmy tried the front door and found it unlocked, he waved to Troy and went in silently. He crept up to the counter and knelt down.
“I need to use the privy,” Bonnie said.
“All right dear, I’ll wait by the door,” Chrissy replied.
“I’m fine,” said Bonnie.
“We still need to be careful, I’ll wait.”
Bonnie stepped out to the outhouse under the light of a lantern held by Chrissy in the doorway.
“Hello, little lady,” Jimmy said leering at her and holding a pistol. “You stay quiet and come in here.” Chrissy was paralyzed with fear, she stood wide eyed and shaking. “Why don’t you close that door,” Jimmy said in a low menacing voice. Chrissy stepped in and closed the door.
Outside Bonnie could no longer see the light from the lantern and called out, “Chrissy?” Suddenly the door flew open and strong hands grabbed the front of her dress and threw her out on the ground.
Tom loomed over her as she tried to scramble away. “Nice of you to have your bloomers down for me,” he menaced. Grabbing her hair, he picked her up and clamped a hand over her mouth. Dragging her into the shadows of the alley he began tearing at her clothes.
Inside the café Jimmy was closing on Chrissy. She jumped to the right and he countered. Then she ran to the left and he grabbed her by the waist and threw her against the counter. Reaching in back of her she felt the handle of a large skillet. Grasping it firmly she swung it with all her might and hit him high on the shoulder. Jimmy lost his balance a fell against a large stack of plates causing them to crash to the floor. Tom stopped for a moment and looked around, but his lust overcame him and he started to unbuckle his pants.
Percival Feathers was walking toward the saloon and heard the crash in the café. When he looked in that direction he saw Les Palmer peek around the corner. “Son-of-a-bitch,” he yelled and barreled for the alley. Josh Dooley poked his head out the upstairs window. “What’s going on?” he yelled to the Big Man. “Get the sheriff, they’re in the café!” Percival yelled now, almost to the alley. Les fired a shot at the Big Man, tagging him in the shoulder but it was as though the Big Man was a freight train. Troy shot at him hitting him in the side. “Let’s get out of here,” he yelled and ran down the alley. When Tom heard the shooting he backhanded Bonnie and ran buckling his pants. Jimmy came flying out the back door with Chrissy chasing him shooting his own pistol at him; when he fell in the kitchen he dropped it. When the shooting started he ran for the door and Chrissy picked it up. As the four men fled for their horses Les and Troy fired back into the alley and scored three more hits on the Big Man. He had seen Bonnie’s feet sticking out and stopped to cover her from the flying lead.
The entire town was awake now and lanterns flooded the street. Men tried to get Percival away from Bonnie but he refused to let go. Finally, as his strength was fading they managed to get her up and into the café. It took six men to lift Percival and get him inside. Doc Baker heard the shots and was already running to the scene. The sheriff and his deputy came as fast as their legs would carry them. Blake and Caleb had just finished a game of chess and heard the commotion. Blake had returned home the night before and was still in a great deal of pain. Every step he ran was agony, but he ignored it.
By the time he made it to the café the whole place was chaotic. The doctor had Percival stretched out between three tables and worked feverishly on his wounds, five in all. The Big Man was covered in blood. Everyone was shouting and asking questions. Blake bulled his way through and found Chrissy and Bonnie kneeling on the floor, sobbing and holding each other.
Johansson stood on a chair and bellowed at the top of his lungs. “Everybody simmer down, if you ain’t got no business in here, leave, while we sort this out.”
The crowd went silent and started to file out, Blake and Caleb stayed with the women and the doctor and his nurse Anne stayed w
orking on Percival along with two others holding pressure on his wounds. Michelle burst through the doors and ran to her husband sobbing.
Caleb was incensed, and he stood over Bonnie pointing at the sheriff. “Y-you l-l-l-let th-th-is happen!” he yelled almost screaming.
Blake grabbed him by the shoulders and spun around to face him. “Caleb,” he said firmly, “No one let this happen; calm down, Bonnie needs you now.”
“I-if t-that s-son of a bitch w-won’t k-k-kill h-him, I-I w-will,” he yelled spit flying from his lips.
“Settle down, son,” Blake said firmly
“B-b-but he’s g-g-getting away,” Caleb cried.
“He ain’t going far,” Mike Ventosa said as entered the café. “We found his tracks headed due west, straight to his Daddy’s ranch.”
“Good,” said the sheriff, “tomorrow we’ll follow the tracks to be sure, but my money says that’s where he’s headed.”
“Ian isn’t going to give him up easily,” warned Blake.
“We ride at first light,” Johansson said firmly. “Any man wantin’ to come along is welcome.” He walked boldly to the door and left.
Blake knelt down and put his hand on Chrissy’s shoulder. “Are you two all right? I mean did they…”
Chrissy looked up and shook her head no. “It’s my fault, I wasn’t careful enough. If Percival hadn’t come along, who knows what…” She broke down in tears and hugged Blake tightly.
He kissed the top of her head and said, “And if I had stayed one more night maybe I could have stopped it, too. No one is to blame, I’m just glad you’re safe.”
Caleb looked up at Blake. “W-w-we kn-kn-know where he is. L-l-let’s g-go g-gg-get him n-n-now,” he said, tears streaming down his cheeks.
“Tomorrow,” Blake said firmly.
“Y-y-ou’re a-a-a c-c-coward,” Caleb spat at Blake.
The night’s events finally caught up to Blake, he was sore and tired. What almost happened to Chrissy scared him to death. His own anger was building inside him and he saw red. “Coward? You ungrateful little shit. What are you going to do? Charge out there without a gun and get yourself killed? You best think like a man and pull yourself together. You stay with the women tomorrow. You’ll just be in the way,” he shouted.
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