Her heart lurched. “Something bad has happened.”
They met up with Gabe, who looked ready to drop.
Before he could say anything, Sarah asked, “Where’s Nate?”
Gabe quickly told them what had happened. “Some rough terrain. Not sure the wagon can make it, but we need it.”
“You want to climb up here and tie your horse to the wagon?” Sarah asked.
Turning his horse as he spoke, Gabe said, “Think I’d better lead the way. Follow me.”
“Sarah, let me drive.” Storm tossed him the reins of his horse and climbed up beside her in the wagon.
They followed Gabe across the rolling prairie, bouncing and rattling over the rough ground. Her bonnet came off and they let it roll across the ground with the wind.
She gripped the wagon seat with both hands. Even though he no longer had to worry about his stepfather, poor Joe would be scared and in terrible pain. Nate might even bleed to death unless they reached him soon. Possibilities flashed through her mind and she willed the horses to move faster, faster.
“I hope we don’t lose a wheel on one of these bumps,” she yelled at her brother above the noise of the wagon.
“Or break an axle.” Storm spoke without taking his eyes from the land in front of the galloping team of horses. “Need to get there fast, though, and see how bad their injuries are.”
“Haven’t been this frightened since Quin tried to kill us.”
“It’ll be all right,” Storm reassured her. “We should be near. We’re on Holsapples’ place now, and I remember the caves are on this side of his land.”
Fortunately, the terrain remained fairly flat until they came to the rugged slope where the caves were. Storm stopped the wagon at the top.
Gabe pointed down a rugged bank to where the land flattened out before a cliff. “You see the horse tied in that copse of trees? Look right and you’ll see the cavern entrance.”
In wet weather it would be impassable, but the spring rains hadn’t arrived to soften the ground. At last, she shaded her eyes and watched the opening in the cliff’s side. Soon she would see Nate and Joe. Her heart pounded with anticipation.
Storm stood on the wagon seat. “Looks like a passable incline over there.” He sat down and grabbed up the reins.
“Not so fast going down,” Sarah cautioned. If they wrecked the wagon, their wild ride would be for nothing.
Storm grinned at her and they bounced down the incline. They halted in front of a cavern opening where Gabe waited.
“I have to see them,” she called and jumped from the wagon as it slowed to stop. She raced through the entrance to reach Nate and Joe. She had to bend at the waist and knees to get through the narrow tunnel. As soon as the crawlway spilled her into the cavern, she spotted her two.
They lay on the floor of the cave, Joe’s head pillowed on Nate’s arm. A single lantern cast an eerie light across the small cavern. The filthiest blanket she had ever seen covered them. She dropped to her knees and pulled it back.
Hoping she concealed her horror at the amount of blood covering Nate, she said, “Let’s see how badly you two are hurt.”
Nate smiled as if to reassure her. “Joe’s leg is busted and his arm’s out of the socket. He’s banged up pretty bad from the fall, too. Been in lots of pain but he’s been brave.”
“Joe,” she said softly, fighting back tears. She couldn’t cry, had to be strong for Joe’s sake. “Can you be brave just a little while longer? Storm’s going to carry you and put you in the wagon so we can take you to town.”
“Good,” he said. Though she knew he’d shouted a warning at Luke earlier, the sound of Joe’s voice now startled her.
Storm lifted Joe, but stopped at the cave’s short tunnel-like entrance. “Not sure how we can get him through the opening.” He turned around. “Even if I can stoop low enough and still carry him, don’t see how I can keep him from bumping that leg against the sides.”
Sarah said, “We’ll use that blanket as a travois and pull him the short distance through the narrow crawlway.” She folded the blanket in half and laid it out at the mouth of the cave.
Storm carefully placed Joe onto the blanket.
He touched Joe’s hand. “Don’t give up yet, Joe. This’ll be bumpy, but it’ll be short.” He backed out of the cave, slowly pulling Joe with him. Sarah followed, talking encouragement to the injured boy. As soon as they cleared the narrow opening, Storm picked Joe up and put him in the wagon.
Sarah tucked a lap robe around him then gave his hand a squeeze. “I’ll be right back as soon as I check on Nate,” she said and raced back into the cave.
The posse, led by Drake and Sheriff Liles, thundered up and men swarmed everywhere. Drake and a couple of the posse members followed her into the cave while Gabe talked to the sheriff.
Sarah hurried to Nate. He struggled to his feet supported by Drake and one of the posse. Sarah hurried to him.
“Careful now,” she said. “You’ve lost a lot of blood.”
“Guess that’s why everything keeps spinning around.”
When they reached the narrowed exit, Drake asked, “You need us to pull you through on the blanket?”
“No, I can crawl. It’s walking alone I can’t manage.”
Drake braced Nate as he knelt. He looked as if he might pass out, but he appeared to fortify himself and crawled forward. Sarah followed in time to see Storm help Nate up and into the wagon where he collapsed beside Joe.
She climbed in beside them and searched for anything to help them. Grabbing the filthy blanket and folding it into a pillow, she slipped it beneath Joe’s head, then sat beside him and took his hand. She leaned against the wagon’s side.
“Would you be more comfortable with your head on my lap?” she asked Joe.
He squeezed her hand. “No. Hurts to move.”
She longed to baby him, to snatch him up and cuddle him in her lap, but knew he thought himself almost grown. “You’re very brave, son. It won’t be long before we’re back in town and we’ll have you in a nice soft bed at Grandpa’s.”
Joe closed his eyes, but didn’t release her hand.
“What about you?” she asked Nate. “Won’t you rest your head on my lap? There’s nothing left to make you a pillow.”
“Might get blood on your dress.” He lay with his head on the bare boards of the wagon bed.
“Every bounce of the wagon will bang your head where you are. Scoot over here and put your head on me.”
He moved his head to her lap. She let her hand rest on his good shoulder careful to keep her fear from her face.
Drake called to Storm, “Will you ride ahead and make sure the doctor’s on his way to Grandpa’s?”
Storm retrieved his own horse and took off for town. Gabe and Drake conferred with the sheriff, then Drake tied his horse and the one of Grandpa’s Storm had ridden from town to the tailgate, climbed onto the wagon seat and took the reins.
While they moved out, Drake explained. “Gabe’s pretty tired, but he’s staying with the sheriff and showing him what happened. He’s going to look through Ingles’s things and see if there’s anything of Joe’s. When they’re through, he’ll meet us at Grandpa’s.”
She let go Joe’s hand to reach for the picnic lunch she so carefully prepared that morning. With all that had happened, it seemed days ago. Wishing she had some cool water, she took the jar of lemonade from the basket. After pouring some into a cup, she offered Joe a drink, then Nate. Each downed some of the sweetened liquid.
They took a longer, less tortuous route back to town and at a more sedate speed, but Joe moaned and gasped at many of the dips and bumps. He didn’t complain, though. Nate stiffened but made no sound.
Sarah said, “I know you’re both in pain, but we’ll be at Grandpa’s soon.”
Joe’s eyes remained closed, but Nate answered Sarah’s questions until he’d explained all that happened in the cave.
When it seemed as if they’d ridden for hours, Dr
ake turned the wagon onto the river road.
“I recognize some landmarks. Town is only a few minutes away,” she reassured her injured passengers.
“Can’t say I’m sorry to hear that,” Nate said, then gasped as the wagon hit a pothole.
Drake called over his shoulder, “I see Grandpa’s house. Looks like Doc’s buggy in front.”
“Better take me in the back,” Nate said. He met her gaze and a half grin appeared. “Fiona won’t want me bleeding on her clean floors and carpets.”
Sarah brushed the hair back from his face. “Under the circumstances, I think she’ll overlook any extra cleaning involved.”
Drake pulled the wagon up to the portico, the closest entrance for a wagon. Grandpa opened the door and stepped out, Storm and Chester following closely. Luke and Cindy were with them and clambered up into the wagon to see Joe and Nate.
“Stay back, children,” Sarah said. “Let Storm and Drake help Nate and Joe into the house.
Grandpa said, “Been watching for you. Doc’s upstairs in Storm’s room getting ready to set Joe’s leg.”
Nate looked down at the fresh blood on his makeshift bandages. “I’ll wait my turn in the kitchen. Lots of hot water is going to be required, so I might as well make it as easy as possible.” He struggled and sat up.
Storm scooped Joe up and strode into the house with him. Joe looked at Sarah, silently pleading for her to come. Torn between her two injured men, she hesitated a second.
Nate pushed at her gently. “He’s trying to be brave but he needs you with him.”
She smiled her thanks and hopped down from the wagon. She gave a last glance over her shoulder and saw Drake and Grandpa lower the tailgate and help Nate slide out of the wagon while Chester controlled the horses.
She raced up the stairs to the room Storm used when he stayed at Grandpa’s. Inside it, Fiona stood beside the doctor.
“Pearl’s on her way,” Fiona said. “Himself sent those odd brothers to get her.”
The bed had been stripped of its coverlet and blankets and extra sheeting folded across. Strips of binding and two splints lay at the foot of the bed. Kettles of heated water were nearby on the wash stand.
The doctor uncorked a bottle and poured a milky liquid into a spoon. “Swallow this, young man. It will ease the pain.”
Dr. Percival and Fiona busied themselves while waiting for the laudanum to take effect. Using a pair of sharp scissors, he cut the clothing from Joe’s injured leg, shoulder and arm. When Joe’s eyes closed in slumber, the doctor told Storm, “Need you to hold him. First we’ll get his arm set back in the shoulder.”
Accustomed to helping Pearl with her healing, Sarah found herself unable to help in this instance. She held her breath and cringed when she heard the slight snick of the joint reseating itself. Even in his drugged sleep, Joe moaned. Then the physician started work on the leg.
“We’re lucky it’s a clean break and didn’t shatter. He probably won’t even limp once this heals,” he said as he bathed the skin from ankle to hip. When he’d finished he lay the splints alongside Joe’s leg and moved the bandages near. “Need your help again, Storm. You hold his body and I’ll straighten the leg. Mrs. Galloway, I’ll need you to hand me the bandaging.”
Sarah could stand it no longer. She took Joe’s hand and murmured soothing words softly in his ear. Whether he knew what she said or not didn’t matter. Comforting him helped her get through the process. Joe moaned and tried to throw off her hand when the doctor set the leg. Fiona reeled bandages to Dr. Percival as he bound the splints in place.
“Well, let’s see the other patient,” the doctor said as he gathered up supplies. “This lad will need more of the laudanum to ease the pain for a few days.” He gave a quick list of instructions and Fiona nodded.
Sarah smoothed her hand across Joe’s cheek. He looked so pale and helpless. She’d almost lost him, almost lost both him and Nate. Now the crisis had passed, her knees wobbled and she nearly broke down. Tears gathered in her eyes, but she held them in. Her hands shook and she longed to crawl up on the bed beside Joe and sleep away today’s terror.
Fiona placed a hand on her arm. “Are you all right, dearie? You’ve gone pale as a ghost.”
Dr. Percival stopped, gave her a surprised stare, and opened his bag. He retrieved his smelling salts and held them out to her. Fiona hurried to take them for Sarah, then stopped when Sarah spoke.
“I’ll be all right. It just hit me they could both have died.” She forced a smile. “Joe will be a long time recovering from this. I don’t even know how seriously Nate is injured.”
Storm moved to her side, peering into her face as if for reassurance she wouldn’t faint. He gave her a gentle hug. “I’ll stay with Joe. You go see to Nate.”
“And I’ll step across the hall and make sure Nate’s room is ready for a patient,” Fiona said.
“Thank you.” Sarah hurried from the room and down the stairs to the kitchen.
Pearl had Nate sitting in a chair with his shirt off and his trousers cut away from the leg wound. Polly and Emily hovered nearby, both wringing their hands.
“Oh, Pearl,” Sarah said with relief. Pearl’s medical bag sat open on the table. “I’m so glad to see you here. Fiona said Burris and Willard went to get you.”
“I just arrived. Thought I’d get started cleaning this one up while the doctor worked on the other,” Pearl said without pausing in her ministrations. “It’ll save Dr. Percival time.”
The doctor heard her as he entered the kitchen. “Thank you, Pearl. I hope you’ll give the lad upstairs some of your herbs to help his bones knit. Be hard to keep a boy that age still for long.” He set his medical bag on the table beside Pearl’s, then bent to examine Nate’s wounds.
“Shoulder wound is clean through. Pearl, you work on that one some more while I look at this thigh.”
He tut-tutted and shook his head. “Nasty one here. Have to get that lead out, and it’s deep. Better give you some laudanum, too.”
“No, I don’t want that stuff. Give me a swig of the Judge’s whiskey and I’ll be ready.”
Polly headed for Grandpa’s study. “I’ll fetch the bottle.”
“Needs stitching, don’t you think?” Pearl asked the doctor while she cleaned the shoulder.
He nodded. “Yes, and you’d best do them. Your stitches are neater than mine and leave less scarring.” He sponged at the leg, but blood continued to seep from the bullet hole.
Polly returned with a bottle of the Judge’s best whiskey. She took a glass from the cupboard and poured the glass almost full. “Here you are, Mr. Nate.”
“Whoa, we’re trying to ease the pain, not pickle him,” Doctor Percival said. “Go easy on that now.”
“Thanks, Polly.” Nate took one large gulp and set the glass on the table within easy reach. “Good stuff. Shame I’m not in a position to enjoy it.”
The doctor took his instruments from his case and laid them on the table.
Pearl folded a soft cloth and placed it between Nate’s teeth. “This will help, not as much as the whiskey, but at least you won’t bite your tongue.”
The physician probed and Nate’s knuckles grew white where he clutched the chair arms. Sweat beaded on his brow, but he made no sound. At last the doctor held up a bullet. Nate removed the pad from his mouth, exhaled and took a couple of deep breaths.
“Got it, by golly.” Doctor Percival dropped the metal into a pan. It clattered and rolled around the basin. “You did fine, Barton. Most would’ve passed out from the pain.”
Nate offered a half grin and wiped his brow with the pad. “Wish I had.”
“Now you better put that pad back in your mouth. Have to sew you up tight in all three places so they’ll heal. I’ll leave that to Pearl here and go on home for my supper. Not as young as I used to be, you know.”
“Thanks, Doc,” Nate said.
“Thank you, Dr. Percival,” Sarah said to the elderly man. “I’ll see you out.”
&
nbsp; “No need for that. I’ve been coming to this house since it was built, took care of Rob’s wife, God rest her soul. Know my way about.”
Pearl worked swiftly, giving directions to Sarah without pausing in stitching to Nate’s shoulder. “Take some of the purple coneflower, and mint. No not that mint, the other one. Now, some of that last packet there, the ginseng. Yes, make Nate a tea of those. Better add some honey when it’s ready.”
Nate bit one pad and pressed a second to his thigh to slow blood flowing from the insulted wound. He looked pale and Sarah feared he had lost too much blood. While the tea brewed she started beef boiling in some water for a broth, hoping it would give him strength without upsetting his stomach. She made plenty, enough for Joe also to have some when he waked up, then set it to the side so it could simmer slowly all night.
Pearl finished sewing each wound together, applied a salve and then bandages. Polly and Emily left to check in on Joe upstairs, but Polly soon returned.
“Emily’s checking on the two young ones in the playroom,” Polly said.
When she finished the binding, Pearl left to get Drake.
Sarah poured the tea into a cup and added a dollop of honey. “This will help you heal faster. Pearl will probably leave you a tonic to help build your blood.” She sat across the table from him so she could watch him.
Nate made a face. “Hope it tastes better than this.”
A laugh escaped in spite of her concern. “No, it tastes much worse.”
He raised an eyebrow and dumped some of the whiskey into his cup. She pretended to be offended, but failed. Knowing he sat here strong enough to drink on his own filled her with joy.
Drake sauntered in followed by Grandpa and stopped beside Nate. “Let’s get you up to bed before this hits you.”
Nate set his cup down. “I can make it on my own now I’ve been patched up.” He tried to rise, then fell back to his chair. He put both hands on the table and looked up at Drake. “Guess I do need a little help after all.”
Grandpa said, “Reckon you’ll feel a lot worse tomorrow and the day after. I believe the third day’s the worst one for this kind of injury. Pearl’s doctoring will pull you through without the fever most folks get from wounds that bad.”
Most Unsuitable Husband Page 23