“I know we haven’t known each other very long. I also know that you will expect me to prove myself. I have just walked away from my banking career and as yet, I am not one hundred percent sure of how I will support a wife and family.”
Emer’s heart jumped as he squeezed her hand.
“I believe Clover Springs will offer many opportunities. I have some means, so hopefully it won’t take too long to get settled.”
Emer was glad she was sitting down as her legs would have given way underneath her. She risked a look at Lawrence under her lashes. His loving look almost reduced her to tears.
Brian coughed, dragging her attention to her brother-in-law.
“At least one man around here knows what he wants.” Brian sent a pointed look at Frank before grasping Lawrence’s hand to shake it.
“I haven’t known Emer long but she is a fine woman. You are a lucky man, Lawrence.”
Sorcha hugged Emer close. “I hope you are as happy in your marriage as I am.”
The rest of the afternoon passed in a haze of celebrations. Emer sat with the others, a smile on her face but her stomach turned over and over. She couldn’t shake the feeling this happiness wasn’t going to last.
Chapter 37
“I can’t believe the weeks are going so fast. Mary’s baby will be here any day now and then it will be your wedding. I love weddings.”
Emer smiled. She couldn’t believe how happy she was. She loved Lawrence and he seemed to feel the same way.
She hadn’t seen much of him over the last week as he worked hard to set up his own bank. Brian and Davy had introduced him to a lot of ranchers, all of whom were potential customers. Daniel had already opened an account and planned on moving his business from the bank he had used in Denver.
Sorcha and herself had bonded like sisters who had grown up together, and Sorcha’s friends never made Emer feel like an outsider. For the first time ever, she felt she had a real home.
Katie and Emer jumped as a man barged through the door of the store.
“Where’s the doc? Paul Kelley was hit in the shoulder and Jason Patterson got a bullet in his belly. He’s lost a lot of blood.”
“Doc is out at the Webber’s place. He won’t be back until tomorrow,” Daniel said. “Take Paul and Jason to the doc’s rooms. We’ll get them help.”
Don’t get involved. There is bound to be someone who knows about gunshots. Emer moved slightly away from the group who had gathered—not far, or she couldn’t hear what was being said.
“Katie, can you go for Mrs. Grey? She knows how to handle these situations.”
“Mrs. Grey headed out to see Mary earlier this morning. Doc said Mrs. Grey was to deal with all births now.”
“Heck, why did the sheriff have to bring back two wounded today?” Daniel Sullivan exclaimed, his worried look mirroring that of the group around them.
“I don’t think he planned it, darling, do you? Emer, come with me.”
“Me? I can stay watch the store for you.”
“Daniel will do that. Come on, we might be able to do something.”
Katie picked up her skirts, walking quickly after the posse. Emer had no option but to follow. I don’t have to do anything. I can just watch. But a nagging feeling in her gut told her this wasn’t good.
They arrived at the doc’s house where a number of people were standing around the two men. Emer stood for a couple of minutes watching, but when one man cleaned his hands on his shirt before reaching to probe Paul’s bullet wound, she had to act. She couldn’t risk staying quiet and letting a man die.
“Stop. Don’t touch him.” Emer’s voice shook slightly but it was loud enough to make everyone look up.
The sheriff stared at her. “What do you mean stop? I got to see whether the bullet is still in there.”
“You will kill him if you touch him. Your hands are filthy. You got to wash them first.” Emer looked from the patient to the sheriff.
The crowd murmured as the sheriff looked at her. Emer stood her ground.
“She’s right. Mrs. Grey always washes her hands before touching a patient,” Katie confirmed before moving to the sink.
The sheriff stood back. “Why don’t you take over here, little missy, and show us all what to do.”
Emer ignored the sarcastic tone. “Katie, when you’ve washed up, can you please take off his shirt?”
Emer and Katie scrubbed their hands with soap and hot water. Once satisfied they were clean, they approached the bed where Paul Kelley lay unconscious. Katie removed his shirt carefully, allowing Emer to examine the wound.
“Looks like the bullet went right through and out the other side,” Emer said to the sheriff who was looking over her shoulder. The sheriff took a closer look and nodded his agreement.
“Then patch him up and we’ll take him home.”
“It’s not that simple.” Emer gulped, trying to quell the rising nausea. “His shirt is filthy. We have to wash out the wound. If any of his shirt is in that wound, it will become infected. He will die.”
“Are you some sort of nurse? You don’t look old enough to have any real experience.” The sheriff scrutinized her closely.
Emer ignored the sheriff and concentrated on the wound. She didn’t want to explain to the sheriff exactly how she came to have so much experience with bullet wounds.
“My friend’s pa was a doctor back in Kansas. He let me help him. Said I would make a good doctor some day.”
“A lady doctor.” The men around the sheriff laughed at his tone but the sheriff didn’t. He looked at Emer so carefully she had to fight hard not to flinch from his gaze. He knows there’s more to it.
“Okay, then, Doc, what do you need to do?”
Emer ignored both the sarcasm and the title. “I need to get that piece of fabric out. See?” Emer pointed to a scrap of blue stuck deep inside the wound. The sheriff looked for himself as Emer moved toward the doctor’s medical instruments lying on a mat in the room. She found what she needed. Praying hard, she held the instrument in front of the wound.
“You best stop shaking first, girl.” The sheriff spoke so low nobody else heard him. “Whatever your story, it don’t matter. Just do your best to save Paul.”
Emer swallowed hard, willing her hands to stay still. She wasn’t used to working with such an audience. She looked at her patient. He was out cold but how long would that last when she started probing the wound?
“Can you hold him still for me, please? It will be painful and I don’t want him coming to at the wrong time.”
The sheriff motioned for two men to hold Paul down.
“You can do it,” he whispered to Emer. Taking a deep breath, she probed the wound as she removed the piece of blue material. The crowd moved closer, trying to see what she was doing. Emer fought hard to stop her stomach roiling. There didn’t seem to be enough air in the room.
“Sheriff, can you clear the room? I can’t do this with everyone watching.”
“Everyone out. Give the ladies some space. Go on. Get.”
The crowd left, muttering loudly, leaving Katie, the sheriff and Paul’s brother behind watching Emer.
“We have to wash out the wound. It’s going to be painful. I don’t know what your doc would use but hot water is better than nothing.”
“I’ll boil more water. You can then use the cooled water to cool it to whatever temperature you need.” Katie smiled warmly at Emer. “I’d never have guessed someone so young would be so good with doctoring.”
Emer shot Katie a smile of thanks before turning her attention back to her patient. He seemed to be okay, but as she knew from experience the next few hours would tell. If infection took hold, he’d die.
She washed out the wound as best she could. She then packed the wound and bandaged it up tightly, just as Paul came round. “You best lie as still as you can. You lost a lot of blood. The doc will be back soon to check you.” Paul didn’t reply but closed his eyes once more.
The sheriff checked him. “He’s
passed out. Probably better off.”
“What about the other man? How is he?”
“He’s dying. Nothing we can do for a belly wound. Or are you telling me you can save him, too?”
Emer risked looking at him, seeing curiosity and admiration in his gaze. “No. There’s no help for a gunshot to the belly. You know that.” The sheriff agreed but at the same time, he seemed disappointed.
“Maybe I can help make him more comfortable. Where is he?” Emer heard herself say. Why didn’t I say I had to go home? Because someone got hurt.
“He lost consciousness when we brought him in. He’s in the other room.”
Emer washed her hands thoroughly before examining Mr. Patterson. He didn’t have a chance. The smell coming from his belly was disgusting. She sponged down his face, trying to make him as comfortable as she could.
“Can you help him with the pain?” the sheriff asked.
At Emer’s look, the sheriff blushed. “Don’t look at me like that. I ain’t a hard man. Jason Patterson’s a farmer. He was no match for the Bainstreet Gang.”
A black cloud descended and Emer swayed violently.
“Is it the smell? Pretty rank, isn’t it. You should go back to Paul. I’ll take care of Jason until the doc gets back. Go on.”
Emer stumbled out of the room. She had to get out of the clinic. She headed outside looking around frantically for the outhouse. The Bainstreet Gang were here in Colorado? Was Ma with them? Were they coming to Clover Springs?
Chapter 38
Emer checked on Paul a few more times before the doc came back. He pushed past her to examine the patient. Lawrence came in closely behind him.
“Emer? So it’s true, then? The whole town is talking about you.”
“Shipley, leave my nurse alone.”
Emer and Lawrence bumped heads as they both looked up at the doctor’s words. “Emer, that’s a fine job you did. Looks like Paul might make it.”
“Doc, the other man. He’s…”
“Dying. Sheriff told me. He told me everything. There’s nothing you could have done for Jason. I gave him morphine to help with the pain. He won’t last much longer.”
Emer felt Lawrence’s gaze, but busied herself cleaning the sparkling table. She couldn’t deal with her feelings for him now. Not when her past was about to be laid open for all to see.
“Sheriff told me what you did for Paul. That man probably owes you his life.”
“I’m sure most of the women would have done the same. I only washed out his wounds.”
“We both know you did more than that. There are still some doctors who don’t believe simple things like clean hands while attending a wound can make a huge difference.” The doctor took Emer’s arm and guided her in to examine Paul. Lawrence followed them.
“How did you know to get the material out of the wound?”
Emer stared at the patient. She didn’t want the doc knowing she was lying. “As I told the sheriff, a friend’s pa was a doctor and he taught me some things. It was him who told me how important it was to keep the wound clean. Our clothes have dirt on them and if left in a bullet hole, it can cause infection. So I fished it out.”
“Have you thought about being a nurse? I could use someone with your skills in my office.”
Shocked, Emer simply stared. Lawrence moved forward to stand beside her. “Nursing isn’t a suitable occupation for a young single lady. You know that, doc.”
“I know nothing of the sort. Clover Springs is a growing town and I can’t be in ten places at once. Mrs. Grey is wonderful. She sees to all the midwife stuff but I need an assistant. One who knows something about medicine and remains cool under pressure. So what do you say, Emer? Will you come work for me?”
At the moment, Sorcha burst in the door. “Emer, are you okay?”
Emer beamed at her sister. “Doc wants me to work with him. Me.”
“Of course he does. The doc is a sensible man. The whole town is talking ‘bout what you did for Paul.”
Emer sobered. “I couldn’t help the other man.”
“It is very sad about Jason but it can’t be helped. You didn’t shoot him. But sounds like Paul might have died, too, if it wasn’t for you.”
“Sorcha, he is still very ill.”
“He is but it’s my job to make sure your fine work doesn’t go to waste.” The doc looked from one to the other. “Emer, I will expect you in the morning. Now ladies, if you will forgive me, I have things to do.”
Sorcha swept Emer out of the clinic, leaving Lawrence behind. Emer looked back to find him standing at the door, staring after her, a confused expression on his face. Would he agree to her being a nurse? What did it have to do with him, anyway?
Lawrence stared after Emer and Sorcha before racing after them.
“Mrs. Petersen, Miss Matthews. Wait. Please.”
The two women stopped walking and waited for him to catch up.
“Mrs. Petersen—Sorcha—could you please give us a minute? I need to speak with Emer.”
“I will wait for you in Katie’s. I need to pick up a couple of items. Good day, Lawrence.”
Now he had her alone, he couldn’t speak. The right words wouldn’t come.
“Lawrence, are you all right? You seem upset.” Emer spoke, putting her hand on his arm.
Her fingers, although gentle, burned right through his clothes, setting his body on fire. He looked at her face, into those baby blue eyes, but she seemed to be totally unaware of the effect she was having on him. Could she really be that innocent?
Mitchell’s evil insinuations played through his mind. She hadn’t exactly been the blushing damsel in distress when Paul was shot. Instead, from what he’d heard, she’d ordered Katie to strip off his shirt as if he was a child and not a grown man. Katie was different. She was a married woman, but Emer was an innocent young woman. Or was she? He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a lot to this girl’s story. More than she had told any of them.
His heart raced, leaving his breathing labored. He struggled to gain control of his thoughts. He fought the urge to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless. Given they were in the middle of town, it would ruin both their reputations. Hers was already in question. It didn’t help she was a single woman without any kin.
Where had she learned what she knew about doctoring? The sight of a naked male chest hadn’t cost her a second thought. The women he knew would have swooned at the sight, as would any woman his mother deemed an appropriate marriage partner.
Almost twenty years after the end of the Civil War, there were still those who believed a nurse was on the same social standing as a saloon girl.
“Lawrence, you’re scaring me now. Do you need the doctor?”
“How did you learn to do what you did in there?”
He watched her closely, noting how she looked everywhere but back at him. She was hiding something. But what?
“Emer, I asked you a question.”
“I told you the day we helped the boy. My friend’s father was a doctor. He taught me things.”
She wasn’t telling him the truth. His gut twisted. What was she hiding?
“Teaching you how to staunch bleeding is one thing. Accidents happen, but knowing how to treat a gunshot wound is a different set of skills. You knew exactly what you were doing, as if you had previous practice. I want the truth, Emer. Who are you?”
Her eyes widened with temper. “What do you mean, who am I? Who are you? Or rather, what are you trying to be? You belong back in Boston. Not here.”
Emer moved but his hand on her arm stopped her. “How did you learn those skills? Was Mitchell telling the truth? Are you a saloon girl?”
He almost cursed aloud watching the impact of his words. Her face paled and he could feel her shaking under his fingers. It took him a few seconds to see how hard he was holding her. He let her go.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you, Miss Matthews—Emer. I swear. I behaved like a fool.”
Emer did
n’t speak but continued to stare at the ground. He moved closer to her but still she didn’t respond. Gently, he touched her, putting one hand on either side of her face. He made her look at him. He couldn’t find the words to tell her how sorry he was. Her blue eyes no longer sparkled but were dulled by hurt. She looked like a wounded animal. And it was all his fault.
He stroked the sides of her face as he played for time. What could he say to make it right? For a few seconds, she stared back at him as if trying to understand the feelings he was struggling to put into words. With a deep sigh, she moved her hands over his and freed her face.
“Goodbye, Lawrence.”
She walked away, her back ramrod straight. He clenched his fists by his side and took one step but it was too late. He had hurt her too badly and there was no coming back from it this time.
Chapter 39
Emer screamed as her foot caught in a bramble and she pitched forward. She landed with a bump but wasn’t badly hurt. It didn’t stop her crying, though. She cried for what seemed like hours. Why couldn’t life be straightforward? What was she going to do now? She had lost Lawrence. You never really had him in the first place.
Nandita was the one who found Emer.
“Sorcha is worried about you. You were supposed to meet her at the store. She waited.”
“Sorry, I lost track of time.”
Emer looked up at the Indian girl, whose face looked as troubled as she was.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry her. I just needed some time alone.”
“It is a man.”
“What?”
“A man who causes the water to run down your face.”
Emer rubbed the tear marks away, furious at being found crying. “No, I got something in my eye.”
She was surprised when Nandita sat down beside her.
“Do you want to talk about this man?”
Emer shook her head. There was no point in talking about Lawrence. “Have you decided what you will do? Sorcha said you didn’t know if you were going to stay in Clover Springs?” Emer asked, hoping she wasn’t breaking her sister’s confidence.
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