Ryan

by Vanessa Devereaux

  He encouraged the horse to venture higher up into the hilly part of the ravine. Birds sang out their evening song and Ryan loved the solitude. So different to Grantsville with its dirt and noise. Grit you could taste in your mouth when it hadn’t rained. Music and whores’ giggles coming from the saloons. The fights he had to constantly break up. Fighting over a lost game of cards or who was going home with one of the few single ladies in town.

  Yeah, not enough women to go around town and that was the problem. They had to attract more ladies to settle the area and raise the next generation of homesteaders and copper miners.

  The horse climbed higher up onto the dirt road but then stopped and reared up as if something had spooked it. Mountain lion, bear or wolf maybe, but Ryan saw nothing.

  The horse reared up again, this time almost throwing him to the ground but Ryan held on tight.

  “Steady there boy. Nothing to be scared of.”

  However, he spotted something ahead, what looked like a pile of clothing by a rock. No, not just clothing, two feet adorned with brown boots stuck out from underneath a skirt.

  He slid off the horse, stroked its mane and encouraged it to walk with him.

  “You’re going to be fine. It’s a lady lying there that’s all. I think she needs our help.”

  The horse nodded its head up and down almost slipping its reins from Ryan’s hand.

  He walked closer to the lady and looked down. She was a young lady probably not more than maybe twenty. Pretty dark curls clung to her cheeks. Didn’t look like she was breathing and just what the hell was she doing out here in the middle of nowhere all by herself?

  Ryan fell to his knees and touched her arm. “Miss, you okay?”

  No response and she wasn’t moving. He guessed something was seriously wrong. He leaned in toward her mouth trying to hear if there was the slightest sound escaping her lips. At first he couldn’t hear a thing but then he heard a little gulp of air. Her breathing was shallow, too shallow for his liking.

  She was in trouble and if he didn’t get her back to town, to the doc, she’d surely die.

  He scooped her up but thought about how he was going to ride the horse and hold her secure at the same time. She chose that moment to open her eyes.

  She shook in his arms. “It’s okay, miss. I’m not going to hurt you.”

  Her skin was pale, waxy almost. “I’m…”

  She couldn’t get the words out and he could see her lips were cracked and dry. She was dehydrated.

  “Sit down here. I have some water in the canteen.”

  Ryan reached under the saddle bag and pulled it out. He took off the top and offered it to her.

  Her hands shook and she wrapped them around his as he held the canteen to her lips. After taking a gulp of water she began choking.

  “Slow down and you’ll be just fine honey,” said Ryan, patting her on the back.

  She swallowed again but then was clearly too weak to hold the canteen any longer, even with his help. It slipped from her hands. Ryan caught it before it fell to the ground, spilling the rest of its contents, and secured the top.

  “When’s the last time you ate?” he asked her.

  She didn’t respond. Her eyes fluttered and it looked like she was going to pass out. He guessed it was a long time ago.

  “I’m going to take you into town and get the doctor to look at you, but you’re going to have to ride on the horse with me.”

  He knew he wouldn’t have time to ride back and go get the wagon. It was going to be dark soon and he doubted she’d survive that long. Ryan had to act quickly. He lifted her up in his arms.

  “Put one leg over the saddle honey, and we’ll be back in town before you know it.”

  Her boot got stuck on the top of the horse’s saddle but then she finally managed to slide her leg over. Ryan quickly mounted the horse making sure she didn’t slip off while he did so. He put his arms around her, securing her between the front of his saddle and his body. She was shivering and cold.

  He pulled on the reins, willing the horse to go as fast as it could down the path it had traveled up less than ten minutes ago. Once they were back on flat land and on firmer footing he’d make the horse go as fast as it could.

  Ryan sensed time was of the essence. He’d seen his fair share of people close to death and he was pretty sure this young woman was hanging by a thread. Splatters of rain began to fall as the horse neared the edge of the canyon. Dark clouds gathered above them.

  “Go boy, go,” shouted Ryan, pulling on the reins as soon as they cleared the rocks and sage bush.

  Ryan tried to shield her body from the rain as best he could. Her fingers dug into the saddle like she was scared of slipping so he moved his body in closer to her, squeezing hers with both his arms.

  “We’ll soon be in Grantsville. My name’s Ryan Doyle and I’m the sheriff. I know some people who will take good care of you.”

  She leaned forward like she was about to pass out. So he held her even tighter while hoping he wasn’t hurting her in any way.

  He was pushing the horse as much as he could. Any faster and the poor thing would collapse and the young woman would die.

  Ryan saw the outskirts of town coming into view. He’d never been so glad to see it in all his life. Thank god he’d chosen tonight to take a ride up in the ravines and canyons or this poor young woman would have died up there.

  He wondered what she was doing there all by herself. How long had she been up in the mountain area? Hopefully she’d survive and be able to tell him everything that had happened to her.

  Ryan’s shirt and pants were soaked through to his skin. He was sure the young woman was in the same condition and hoped she didn’t catch pneumonia.

  The main street of Grantsville came into view. He was home and he prayed he’d been quick enough in saving this young woman’s life.

  He didn’t hesitate about where he was going to take her. Maggie McGuire’s place was the most obvious choice. Once he got her safely inside there he’d go get the doctor. Some might think that a whorehouse wasn’t the most appropriate place for a young woman but Maggie was the nurturing kind and she’d know exactly what to do.

  Ryan pulled the horse up outside Maggie’s and slid off it, all the time holding onto the young lady. She fell into his arms. He lifted her up and carried her, stepping up onto the sidewalk and into Maggie’s place.

  A few of her girls were sitting drinking with some customers. Everyone looked at him.

  “Is Maggie around?” he asked.

  “Out back,” said one of the girls.

  “Go get her and hurry. The poor girl’s at death’s door.”

  The girl got up and ran out back and soon Maggie was standing there.

  “For heaven’s sake Ryan, don’t you just stand there, bring the girl upstairs.”

  He took the stairs two at a time. Maggie opened up one of the rooms and he gently set the girl down on the bed.

  “Where did you find her?” asked Maggie.

  “Up in the canyon. She was laying by a rock.”

  “You go get the doc and I’ll get her out of these wet clothes. Hurry now. If I’m any judge this girl’s not got much longer to live.”

  Chapter Four

  Voices, all Gracie could hear were people talking. Unfamiliar ones. Not her pa, not the people they’d been riding with in the carriage. Two women. She tried to see who they were but her eyeballs ached and she didn’t have even enough strength left in her to open them.

  Just where was she? She seemed to be floating around in nothingness. And she was hot and then cold. Her head was riddled with pain and her face ached. Maybe she was in heaven. How come heaven made you hurt so badly?

  Gracie.

  It was her father. Now she could see him.

  Now she remembered the coach careening over the edge of the ravine.

  Be brave. You have your whole life ahead of you but you have to wake up.

  Gracie shook her head.

  Sh
e didn’t want to because she knew she’d be all alone in the world. No other family, no money, no prospects. Not even the trunk with her pretty dresses and her mother’s pillow.

  Wake up, sweet girl.

  No.

  Please for me. For Pa.

  Gracie tried to get her eyes to open. They fluttered a few times but closing them shut felt a whole lot better.

  “Maybe shut those drapes and it might be easier for the poor girl to focus on her surroundings.” That hadn’t been her father’s voice.

  Someone touched her arm. She tried once more to open her eyes and this time the right one cooperated. It hurt so she squinted.

  “Hello, welcome back to the world.”

  It was a woman’s voice. Someone touched her arm again.

  Gracie opened her eyes, trying to focus on her surroundings.

  A woman sat beside her. She didn’t know her. She had a red scar on her right cheek. Maye she’d been in the carriage too. Maybe someone had brought all the injured people here, wherever here was.

  “It’s okay honey, you’re safe here. It’s so wonderful to see you back in the world,” she said. Gracie tried to sit up but her head hurt.

  “No, don’t try and get up. We’re all going to take good care of you until you’re strong again.”

  A bed, she was in a bed. Floral wall trimmings were all around the room. A girl stood on the other side of the bed.

  “Ruth, you go along and get the doc and tell him that the young lady’s awake.”

  “Can you tell me your name?” asked the woman.

  “Grac…”

  Her voice was hoarse and it hurt like never before.

  “Gracie,” she managed to get out.

  “Hi Gracie. I’m Maggie McGuire.”

  “Miss Maggie, the doc’s here. He was just across the way in the feed store.”

  Gracie saw an older man with a moustache enter the room.

  “This is Gracie. Gracie, this is Doc Singleton.”

  “Well, young lady, you finally decided to wake up. Must be all this pampering Maggie and her girls have been giving you.”

  “How long have I been here?” asked Gracie. Wherever here was.

  “Three days,” said Maggie. “Sheriff Doyle brought you here.”

  She did vaguely remember a man talking to her and riding on a horse in the rain but she thought she’d fallen asleep and was dreaming.

  “I’m guessing he’ll want to know that Gracie is awake,” said the doctor. “How are you feeling?” he asked, taking her wrist and feeling her pulse.

  “Tired and sleepy.”

  “And you will be, but Maggie here is going to continue to watch over you.”

  “Is it okay if I get her some bread and broth?” asked Maggie.

  “I think that will be fine, but not too much too soon.”

  Maggie stood. “I’m going to get that straight away and I’m going to send one of the girls to tell the sheriff that you’re awake.”

  “Please let me thank him.”

  “I’ll let him know you’d like him to visit with you,” said Maggie.

  ****

  The doctor had told him it was touch and go with the young girl he’d found in the canyon. He been back to Maggie’s every day to inquire as to her condition and been informed she hadn’t woken up. Doc had told him that with each passing day she didn’t come out of her sleep, the less chance that she ever would. She’d probably gone without water for too long. She’d been exposed to the elements and had sustained a nasty head injury caused by what they didn’t quite know. They’d wondered if she’d been attacked and left for dead.

  However, he’d been in his office a few days later when Maggie had sent Annabeth, one of her girls to come get him.

  “Sheriff, the girl you saved is finally awake. Her name’s Grace and she wants to see you. Maggie sent me to get you.”

  It has been the best news he’d heard in a long time. He stopped with the paperwork he was working on, put on his cowboy hat and followed Annabeth across the street to Maggie’s place. He went through the main saloon. Two of Maggie’s girls winked at him. He nodded to them while passing through the curtains to the hall that led upstairs. He headed up the stairs there hearing one of the girls giggling and a man’s voice coming from a nearby room.

  At least this place kept the men happy. Happy men who enjoyed a good fuck tended not to get into fights, which made an easier job for a sheriff. It was one of the reasons he turned a blind eye to what went on behind closed doors in Maggie’s saloon. Yeah, he liked Maggie a lot too. She was one tough lady with a heart of gold, which was the reason he’d brought Gracie to her. And yes, he did sometimes rely on one of the girls to take care of his needs. No man, even the sheriff, could go without scratching that sort of itch.

  He knocked on the door. Maggie opened it and stood there. Ryan nodded and touched the brim of his hat to her.

  “Annabeth tells me that the young lady, Gracie is awake and wishes to see me.”

  “She sure does. Come in, won’t you?”

  She stepped aside and let him into the room. Gracie was sitting up in bed with a shawl around her. The gash on her forehead still looked fierce but now her once tattered and wet locks were dry and hung around her shoulders, framing her oval face. She was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen. He’d been too busy trying to save her that night to notice it before. His heart beat against his ribcage and he put his hand on his chest, convinced it would beat out of his body.

  Gracie had a tray set across her lap with a bowl of broth and a piece of broken bread at the side of it.

  “Miss,” he said, suddenly lost for words. Words and knowing what to say were his forte. And he’d never once been tongue tied in female company.

  “I’m told you’re the man who saved me and brought me into town.”

  He took off his hat, thinking how impolite he’d been stepping into this room and continuing to wear it. He fingered its brim, thinking her beauty had even made him forget his manners.

  “Yes, miss I did.”

  “Then thank you. Thank you so much.”

  “No need to thank me because anyone else would have done the same thing,” said Ryan.

  “Ryan, have a seat and visit with Gracie,” said Maggie, dragging a chair close to the bed. “I have to work on accounts so I’ll leave you to talk.”

  Maggie left the room and there was suddenly an uncomfortable silence for a few seconds.

  “It’s wonderful to see you looking so well after what you’d obviously been through. May I ask what happened to you? What you were doing in the canyon all by yourself?”

  A tear began to run down Gracie’s face. He hadn’t meant to upset her.

  “My father and I were on a coach on our way to Grantsville with some other passengers when a wheel broke and we careened down over the edge of the ravine.”

  Ryan gripped the brim of his hat.

  “I found my father but he was already dead. I covered him with a shawl, and one other lady died shortly after I stumbled upon her. I’m not sure what happened to the rest of the passengers. I climbed up to the dirt road and walked.”

  “You walked for how long?”

  “Almost a day and a half. I sat down to rest but I must have fallen asleep and that’s when you found me.”

  “You weren’t just asleep. You were almost dead.”

  Gracie bit her lip and more tears fell. “I have to go back for my father’s body. He has to be given a decent burial.”

  Ryan nodded. “You’re in no fit state to be doing anything of the sort so I’ll round up some of the men and we’ll go look for your father and the other passengers.”

  Judging by the state she’d been in and how long she’d been unconscious, he was guessing that the accident had most likely occurred five days ago so he was sure wild animals had probably been around the area, but he didn’t say anything to Gracie.

  “You’re too kind,” she said.

  “Just doing my job as the sheriff
.”

  “I would be very grateful if you could look for a trunk with an A upon it, Atkinson is our name and inside will be money for burying my father. And also a pillow made by my mother.”

  “I will do my best. I take it your mother wasn’t on the journey.”

  “She passed away last year. My father and I decided to come out West to start a new life.”

  “I’m so sorry Gracie, for all your hardship. I have a feeling things are about to get better for you. Fortune will look down kindly upon you.”

  She took a deep breath and her eyelids fluttered. He could tell she was getting tired so he stood.

  “I will let you rest some more and I for one will be more than happy to see you up and about very soon. I’ll head out with the men later today. I’ll stop by and tell you what I found. That is, if you’ll allow me to visit again?”

  “Sheriff Doyle, you saved my life so you’ll always be a welcome visitor.”

  He nodded and smiled. “And would you please call me Ryan?”

  “I will. Thank you once again for bringing me here. I know my father would thank you over and over again.”

  “I’ll be back soon with good news about your belongings I’m sure.”

  Ryan left the room and went back downstairs to find Maggie bent over her account books. The floorboard creaked by the entrance to the room, causing Maggie to look his way.

  He stepped inside. “Gracie tells me the coach she and her father were riding on lost a wheel, causing it to tumble into a ravine. Her father’s dead and probably so are the other passengers. She walked for almost two days trying to get help.”

  Maggie shook her head. “The poor sweet girl.”

  “I’m going to round up some of the men and we’ll go take a look. She wishes to bury her father.”

  “And so she will. I think she’s a survivor. I can see it in her eyes.”

  Ryan nodded. “I think she’s a lot like you.”

  “Even down to the scar on the face, only Doc says hers will disappear in a month or even less.”

  “Have you told her what type of business you run?” asked Ryan.