by Carré White
“I didn’t harm your lady! That would be a tactic you’d employ. You’ll pay for shooting Lola, I promise you that.” Cold steel laced Jack’s voice, as another round of gunfire resounded.
“Let me see,” said Mrs. Boles. “You silly girl. I told you not to go out there, and now look at you.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “It hurts.”
“I’m sure it does. We need Doc Baker. That bullet has to come out.” She applied pressure to the wound, which caused a burst of pain to flare. “I know it smarts, Mrs. Kelly, but I have to staunch the bleeding.”
“Do they shoot like this all the time?” I whispered.
“No, honey.” She smiled sympathetically. “Anger’s been brewing for a while now, ever since the Lincoln County War. Mr. Kelly was on the winning side of that one, but it stirred up plenty of animosity. No one really wins in wars anyhow. It’s more like who loses less.”
“I see.”
“You poor thing. You’ve lost all your color.”
“I feel … so cold.”
“You’re going to be just fine. You’ll recover completely once the bullet’s out.” She tied a kerchief around my arm. “This will hold for a spell, but we need the doctor.” A maid had joined her, gazing at me with concern, but the shooting continued, which kept all of us near the floor for fear that a bullet might come our way.
The man who had grabbed me sat up, holding his arm. “Blasted heck!”
“Go see who’s winning, Kitty,” said Mrs. Boles. “But be careful about it.” She glanced at the man. “Are you hurt badly?”
“No, I’ll live,” he rasped.
“Yes, ma’am,” said Kitty.
I shuddered, trembling with cold, which was odd considering it was a summer day. The silence a moment later was nearly deafening. Kitty had not returned, but someone else approached, kneeling beside me. I stared into the troubled eyes of my husband. He touched my shoulder, which produced a rush of pain.
“Lola.” He sounded hoarse. “Dear God.” He gathered me into his arms, holding me close. “I killed that bastard. He got what was coming. Get a doctor,” he shouted. “Now!”
“I sent for him, sir.” Mrs. Boles got to her feet. “It’s over. From the looks of it, you killed them all.”
“A few of my men are gone.” He closed his eyes, pressing his cheek to mine. “You had better recover. I didn’t even have you for one day. Don’t leave me, Lola. We’ve not even begun. It’s far too soon to say goodbye. God keep her safe,” he whispered near my ear.
I wanted to respond to his impassioned pleas, but my eyelids had grown far too heavy, and then I felt nothing at all, because everything had drifted to black.
Chapter 12
I heard voices around me, but they sounded distant.
“Why isn’t she awake yet?”
“She’s only been sleeping a short while, Mr. Kelly. Please try not to distress yourself.”
“But shouldn’t she be conscious by now?”
“I’ve only just sewn her back together, sir. In due time she’ll come around.”
“Sit down, Mr. Kelly. You’re not uninjured yourself. It looks like something grazed you as well.” That voice belonged to Mrs. Boles.
“It’s just a scratch.”
“I’ll need to have a look at it. I see blood on your pant leg.”
“Yeah, whatever you say, but she should be awake.” I felt the bed move, and something touched my face. “She needs to open her eyes. Then I’ll know if she’s well. I can’t bear the thought that she might not wake.”
“Now, Mr. Kelly. Don’t trouble yourself needlessly. She’s just fine. I’ve examined her, and she’s a healthy young woman. The bullet went clean through, which is a blessing. We just have to watch for infection now.”
Something warm brushed my cheek. “To think it could’ve all been over today. How precious and fleeting time is. I’ve always taken it for granted. I never imagined I might lose her so soon. I never want to bury another wife. I only want her. I need her to wake.”
I tried to clear my throat. “J … Jack.”
He inhaled sharply. “Lola?”
Prying an eye open, I gazed at my husband’s worried expression. “I’m fine. Go have your leg looked at.”
An enormous smile split his face. “Gracious be. The Lord has answered my prayers.”
“See; I told you,” said the doctor. “There’s nothing to worry about. She’s a sight smarter than you too, even unconscious. Now bring that leg over here, so I can have a look at it. Then you two can continue the happy reunion for as long as you want.”
Jack took my hand, squeezing it. “I’ll be back.”
“I know you will.” My shoulder throbbed, feeling hot, as if it had been run through with a flaming poker. “Ouch.” I tried to sit.
“Now there,” said Mrs. Boles. “I’ll get you some water, but don’t try to get up just yet.”
After Jack’s leg had been bandaged, he sat on the bed next to me, his arm going over my head. “I’m so glad you’re awake.”
“Me too.”
“How do you feel?”
“Like I took a bullet.”
“I’m so proud of you, my brave girl. I’ll never forgive myself for what happened today.”
“Did you … have anything to do with that woman’s death?” I gazed at him, worried he might have played a part in her hanging.
“No. That was not my intention. I told my men to get the cattle. I don’t know who hung Mrs. Langston. I leave the law and punishment to the sheriff. I don’t mess around with that, but I have the right to retrieve my property.”
“Who hung her?”
“I don’t know.” His brow furrowed, because the question clearly bothered him. “Somebody who knew her death would stir up trouble for me, I suppose.”
Suspicion propelled me to ask, “Was it one of your men?”
“I sincerely hope not. If I find out somebody I knew did this, there’ll be hell to pay.”
I did not want to think about it at the moment, changing the topic. “How’s your leg?”
“I’m fine. I got a part of a bullet that bounced off wood.” He grinned. “I’ll live. I know you were hoping to be a widow, but it won’t happen that soon, I’m afraid.”
“I don’t want to be a widow. I just want to get to know you. I’m so glad I didn’t die.”
He kissed my cheek. “I’ve never known fear like I felt today. It was horrific. Seeing you go down … ” he inhaled deeply, “I thought it was over.”
Mrs. Boles had taken a bowl away, which sloshed with reddish water, striding to the door. “I think we can leave them alone, Doc Baker. I’ll keep an eye on them. They need to rest.”
“I’ve done what I can.” He pulled out a gold watch. “It’s late. Martha will be wondering what kept me.”
“Go, please,” said Jack. “We can manage from here.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow to check on Mrs. Kelly. I’ll have to irrigate and change the dressing.”
“Mrs. Boles is capable of that as well.”
“Yes, but until no sign of infection presents itself, I’d rather do it myself.”
“All right.” After he left, Jack glanced at me, affection glimmering in his eyes. “Our wedding day will go down in history. I’ve never seen so much calamity in one twenty-four hour period.”
I giggled, “Me either.”
“We’ve tonight, but I must leave tomorrow. I have to bring some cattle to Lamy and meet with a few people. I have to find out what happened, Lola. I have a feeling there’ll be more trouble, unless I can get to the bottom of it.”
“This cattle business is dangerous. I had no clue about that. Will I be safe here?”
Something flickered in his eyes. “I feel awful about what happened to you, honey. I failed you. You were always supposed to be safe here, and it’s my fault you aren’t. I’ve men who’ll look after you. Mr. Boles is back from Santa Fe, and he’ll be here to watch over you and so will Judd. You won’t be
unprotected. I promise.”
“No wedding night for us then,” I murmured.
He grinned sardonically. “Well, this is it. Two wounded people on a bed. It’ll have to do.” He drew nearer, reaching out to hold my face, while something warm and mysterious glimmered in his eyes. “I owe you a proper wedding night, Lola. You’ll have it for certain. I’ll move heaven and earth, if I have to.” A knock sounded at the door. “Come in.”
Mrs. Boles appeared carrying a tray. “Here’s everything you asked for.” There were wine glasses and a bottle of champagne.
My eyes fell on what looked like a cake. “Is that?”
“Yes, darling. I had her make vanilla batter with sugar frosting. Just for you.”
“Oh, thank you!” I struggled to sit up, as pain flared.
“Don’t do too much,” Jack warned. “Let me help you.” He propped up two fluffy pillows behind my back. “There you are.” Then he poured the champagne, handing a glass to me. “This will take the edge off the pain.”
“I’m finding I like champagne. It tickles my belly.”
“Here you go.” He gave me a plate. “It certainly smells delicious.”
“It does.”
“Is there anything else I can get you?” Mrs. Boles placed the tray on a nearby table. She smiled, clearly pleased that we had survived the ordeal.
“No, we’re fine now,” said Jack. “Thank you for going through all the trouble to bake the cake.”
“It was no trouble at all, sir. It was my pleasure.”
“Be sure to have a slice or two for yourself.”
“I’ll share it with Mr. Boles.”
“Excellent.”
“I’ve begun to pack your bags as well. You said you wanted the sack suit without the wingtip collar, correct? Or was it the narrow lapel?”
“Either one. I don’t particularly care, Mrs. Boles.”
“Yes, all right.”
Hearing this displeased me greatly. He would depart tomorrow to travel to another town, leaving me here alone. We’d had almost no time together as a married couple. I hadn’t realized I frowned until he said, “Don’t look so sad. I’ll return in two or three days.”
“I hope so.” The gunfight had distressed me deeply. My ears rung still, from the aftereffects of the noise from each shot. It had been incredibly loud. “I worry now. I fear for your safety.”
“Oliver Trundle will never be a nuisance again. He’s with the undertaker as we speak. His son will have to take over the ranch, and, maybe one of these days, I’ll have to deal with him, because I’m sure he’ll want revenge. I’ve been fighting for what’s mine since I bought my first business, while clawing my way to profitability. Remaining on top is tricky, but I’ll be victorious in the end. I plan to live a long and fruitful life. If that means surrounding myself with men armed to the teeth, then so be it. I’m interviewing more men for this task soon enough. I’ll find them in Lamy. If not there, than Santa Fe.” He looked regretful. “I wish I didn’t have to go, but things need to be seen to.”
I did not understand the reasons for the hostility. “Why all the fighting?”
“It goes back a long time. The Lincoln County War stirred up all sorts of distrust and animosity, pitting rancher against rancher and farmer against farmer. It’s a long and convoluted story, but suffice it to say, there never were any winners. I managed to survive with my ranch intact, but others weren’t so lucky.”
“I see.”
“I had pursued charges against Mr. Trundle and his cohort, Spud Wesley, for stealing my cattle, but nothing was ever resolved. Instead of going to jail, Oliver died, and I’m not certain the bullet that killed him came from my gun.” He shrugged. “It’s all done with now.”
“I hope so.”
“Eat your cake. You shouldn’t have to worry about this, sweetheart.”
“I’m a rancher’s wife now. Trouble came to my doorstep. I have to worry about it. I worry about our future children and their safety. I’m worried about never seeing you again, if you leave tomorrow.”
He rubbed his cheek against mine. “I’m coming back, Lola. I swear to you, I’ll be back.”
“I hope so, Jack.”
“I’ll make it up to you.” He cut a portion of cake with a fork. “Now, open up. Have a taste. I can smell the vanilla from here.”
I took the bite. “Hum … it’s delicious.”
“It is.” He had eaten the second bite. “Chocolate is good too.”
“Then we’ll have that when you come back.”
His grin was endearing. “I’m looking forward to it.”
I wrapped my good arm around his neck, sitting up, ignoring the pain. “I miss you already.”
“I like this Lola. I adore the warm Lola.”
“I adore you.” I glanced at him, feeling a multitude of emotions that I could not even begin to classify.
“Ah, my romantic young wife.”
“But you don’t believe in romance.”
“I did say that, didn’t I?”
“Yes.”
He held my face. “My beliefs have been molded over time. Everything I know has come from firsthand experience, but I have a feeling you might just teach me something new.” He kissed my forehead. “My lovely, Lola.”
“Can’t you postpone the trip for a day?”
“Some things need to taken care of right now. I can’t put them off. I’m sorry.”
The cake had disappeared, the champagne bottle was empty, and I lay next to Jack, while his arm went over my head. His other arm rested across my belly. The injured shoulder smarted, but the champagne had numbed this feeling reasonably well. We were like this for a long time, listening to the sound of an owl outside the window and the occasional snorting of a cow in the pasture. Lost in my thoughts, I vacillated between feelings of gladness and sadness, not wanting to say goodbye to Jack in the morning. He had kicked his boots free and taken the waistcoat and jacket off, leaving the necktie dangling over a nearby chair.
“Have gunshots ever been fired here before?”
“Only to ward off coyotes. I’ve never had trouble this close to home, even during the ranching wars.”
“I see.”
“It’s a worry, Lola. I’m not happy about it in the least. But, please, don't become uneasy. I’m going to make sure it never happens again.”
I yawned. “I hope not.”
“You shouldn’t have to fear for your life in your own home. It’s not right.” He turned his head to glance at me. “Go to sleep. You need your rest.”
“Will you say goodbye before you leave?”
“Of course.”
“All right.” I slept next to Jack, although he slid from the bed in the early hours of the morning, and he failed to wake me. It wasn’t until Mrs. Boles opened the curtains, the stark light of morning streaming across the thick carpet, that I realized he had gone. I sat up, staring at Myra unhappily. “He didn’t say goodbye. He promised he would.”
“I’m sure he didn’t want to disturb your rest, Mrs. Kelly. He left awfully early.”
A frown lined my forehead, while a feeling of unease settled into my bones. Twirling the sapphire ring around my finger, I stared at nothing in particular, my mind filling with apprehension. This was not a good way to start the day.
Chapter 13
Doctor Baker came to see me later that morning, pleased that I had not reopened the stitches and my skin appeared free of infection. “You’ll do fine, young lady.” He smiled kindly. “My wife asked me to tell you she’s hosting a ladies luncheon next week. She wishes to extend an invitation to you.”
“That’s wonderful. Inform her I’ll be there.”
“It’s at our house, but I’ll have to get back with you on the time.”
“I look forward to it. I want to meet other ladies in town and get to know them.”
“My wife can introduce you to everyone, Mrs. Kelly. She’s quite active with local charities and the reading club and things. Boot Cree
k’s seen an influx of people lately, and some of them are in need of help.”
“Of course. I’m due to have lunch with Mrs. Hershey on Saturday. I hope I heal quickly enough to don a tight-fitting sleeved bodice.”
“Take it easy. I’d wear something looser just in case. You don’t want to aggravate the wound. You want it to heal right the first time, not fester.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” The shoulder wasn’t nearly as sore today, but pain registered, if I moved it in a certain way. “Thank you for coming out to see me.”
“It’s my pleasure, Mrs. Kelly.”
“You can call me Lola.”
“Welcome to this part of the world, Lola. I was told by Mrs. Hershey that you’re a mail order bride.”
“Yes.”
“It takes some gumption to get up and leave everything familiar behind to come out and marry a stranger.”
“Mr. Kelly and I corresponded for almost a year. He’s not a complete stranger.”
“But still, that’s taking quite a chance.”
I had no choice, needing to escape my stepfather. “It is, but I do believe it’s going to work.” If we don’t all die in some horrible shooting.
He had begun to place items in a black leather bag. “The reason I mention it is, because there was someone asking about mail order brides. I thought it strange, but I overhead a gentleman in the mercantile talking about it.”
My stomach dropped. I sat up, feeling a wave of dizziness. “Oh … really?”
“He was asking about Lola Foster. From what I recall, your maiden name is Parsons, correct?”
I struggled to conceal my emotions. “Oh … yes. Parsons.”
“Well, he must have the wrong person then.”
“Do … do you remember what he looked like?”
“Tall fella, balding. His nose is a mite big and red.” He shrugged. “That’s about all I saw. If it weren’t for Mrs. Butterfield, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it.”
“What about Mrs. Butterfield?” Her family owned the mercantile.
“She said the only mail order bride by the name of Lola in these parts was you.”