“Gunfight,” Claire said, then added, “I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Let me take a look at your shoulder.” The doctor took a pair of shears and cut open the top off.
Claire’s dress. “I’m afraid you will not be wearing this dress again.”
Claire smiled. The lady had such a gentle way about her that Claire began to relax. There was something about this woman that was comforting. She definitely had a mother’s touch.“A gown is the least of my worries. How badly am I hurt?”
Doctor Susie gave her a smile. “It could be much worse. It appears that you’re very lucky. The bullet went through the fleshy part of your arm instead of your shoulder, so I won’t have to dig out a bullet and cause you more pain. However, it is going to hurt when I clean die wound, and I’m afraid you’ll be sore for a while, but you’ll be fine, other than having a nasty scar, which I hope in time will fade. As soon as the hot water gets here, we’ll get you all fixed up. But I want to ask you about your cough before the men get back.”
“How did you know what to give me for my cough?”
Susie laughed. “I am a trained physician even though I wear a dress. They told me your name is Claire. Are you Claire Holladay?”
“Yes I am.” Claire nodded. “Do you know me?”
“In a way. I received a letter from Doctor Worden about you several months ago. Since I heard the men call you Claire and I’m in the Holladay office, I kind of put two and two together.” She smiled. “Doctor Worden told me that you’d be coming this way, and he was going to tell you to look me up. Did he tell you?”
Claire frowned. “I was so busy right before I left, I never went back to Doc Worden’s office. Did he tell you about my condition?”
Susie nodded. “You see, Claire, I have consumption, too. I came out here two years ago for my health, and I’m convinced that the disease can be cured with the proper care. It depends on how far your disease has progressed.”
“You’re cured?” Claire asked.
“Let’s just say I’m better,” Susie admitted. “I don’t want to offer any false hope, but if you’re willing to come and live with me for a while, I will try to help you.”
Claire looked at the woman. She seemed so sincere. “They told me that there was no hope.”
“Most physicians believe that there is no hope, but I’m not one of them. I won’t lie to you. There are many who never survive this White Plague. Just think about it for now,” Susie said. She squeezed Claire’s hand. “When the time is right, you come to Fraser and find me.”
“Thank you,” Claire said with a nod, but she was doubtful. She wanted to believe, but she’d known disappointment in the past and that made her cautious.
The door swung open and Billy rushed in carrying a pot of hot water, and Uncle Ben followed with a tin pan and strips of white cloth in his hands.
Everyone was quiet while the doctor cleaned Claire’s wound.
Claire glanced at Billy. He looked so tired and a little nervous. Normally, she couldn’t tell how he felt, but maybe because he was so tired he’d let his guard down. Funny, he hadn’t looked the least bit nervous when he’d faced the gunman. Could he really be worried about her? More likely he felt guilty, but he shouldn’t. It had been her choice. The only thing she could remember was thinking that he was much too tired from lack of sleep and an easy target for the other man. She had much rather risk her life and spare Billy. He had so much to live for.
“This salve will help your wound close,” Doc Susie said, gaining Claire’s attention. She placed the white salve on both sides of Claire’s arm and then put on the square pieces of cloth before taking the long strips and wrapping her arm.
The words the doctor had spoken kept rolling through Claire’s mind. Doc Susie said she had consumption, and she was still alive. Did Claire dare to hope?
After Claire was neatly bandaged, Billy handed her a large shirt. “I thought you could use this to cover up until you can get home?
Claire accepted the shirt with a smile and then turned back to the doctor. “Thank you, Doc Susie.”
“You’re welcome. If your arm starts hurting, put it in this sling. Now I’d better get downstairs before I miss my stage. I’m taking a small trip, and will return in two weeks.”
“We’re thankful that you were downstairs, so Claire could get help quickly,” Billy said.
Ben took the doctor’s elbow and escorted her out the door. “Don’t worry, ma’am. I held the stage for you. It doesn’t move until I say it does. You know, for a woman doctor you aren’t bad,” Ben said.
Claire could hear Susie’s laughter as they walked down the hallway.
Claire glanced at Billy and found he was staring at her again. “You haven’t said a word to me,” she said.
He pushed away from the wall and strolled over to her. After helping her stand, he enfolded her in his arms. It took him a moment before he spoke. “You scared the shit out of me!”
She noticed his voice shook a little.
“That was a damn foolish thing to do.”
“I didn’t want anything to happen to you,” she murmured.
“Claire Holladay, I should shake some sense into you.”
“I would rather that you kiss me,” she said and twisted until she faced him.
He kissed her with such tenderness that she thought her heart would melt and the feelings running through her were much more than sexual desire. She’d known there was something special about Billy from the very beginning. He ended the kiss with a sigh and then gazed down at her.
“No one has ever risked his life for me,” he said with a smile.
“I happen to think you’re worth saving.”
“Thank you, but in the future please remember I am fully capable of taking care of myself. I already had the drop on Kincade,” Billy told her as he let her go. “Come on, we need to get you home.”
Once downstairs, Ben told them the carriage was waiting out front. Billy escorted Claire to the carriage and helped her in, then he stepped back.
“You’re not coming?” Claire asked as her uncle climbed onto the driver’s seat beside her.
“I need to get some shut-eye,” Billy said. She could see the dark circles under his eyes. He was only standing because of sheer determination.
Ben leaned around Claire and said, “Come on. You can sleep at the ranch. Since you’ve been gone for so long, I had Spot and your things taken to the ranch.”
Billy stepped up into the carriage and took his seat beside Claire. Where most people in Denver rode on buckboards, Ben had had a special carriage made for him back East. The Holladays did everything first class.
Once they were on their way, Ben said, “You could use some sleep. Besides, you’ll have to pick up Willie since you’re going to your sister’s tomorrow.”
“You’re going to your sister’s?” Claire asked.
“Yeah. I got a note saying I needed to come home. Would you like to come with me and meet my family?” Billy asked.
“I’ve heard so much about them,” Claire said. “I’d love to meet them.”
“Good. Maybe I’ll ride Firebrand. Thunder appreciates good horseflesh.” Billy looked at Ben. “How did you like Firebrand?”
“Liked him fine right up to the time he kicked a hole in the stall.” Ben chuckled. “He’s a fine piece of horseflesh, but extremely temperamental. That’s the reason I had Spot brought to the ranch. Willie suggested that Firebrand would calm down once Spot was stabled with him, and damn if the kid wasn’t right”
Billy laughed. “I guess I never had the chance to tell you about Firebrand. He’s the start of my ranch.”
“Well, it’s a good start,” Ben admitted.
Later that night after dinner, when Willie had gone to bed and Ben had retired, Claire asked if Billy would like to go outside and sit on the porch swing.
The night was beautiful. There was a warm breeze and a full moon in the starlit sky.
“How
is your arm?” Billy asked as he sat down beside her in the large white swing.
“It’s throbbing a little,” she admitted. “Will you help me put on this sling?”
Once she had her arm secured, Billy reached over and pulled her next to him so that her head was resting on his chest just below his chin. She sighed. She felt his head resting on top of hers. She hadn’t been this comfortable in days. “Do you want to talk?”
“Nope,” Billy said in a weary voice. “I just want to hold you.”
Claire could hear his heart beating beneath her ear and it gave her comfort She could sense that their relationship was changing and it scared her.
After a while she heard his deep breathing and knew he had fallen asleep. It was proof of how tired he was.
She wanted Billy in her life. She wanted to enjoy every minute she could with him, but she feared what they had couldn’t last and one day she would have to walk away.
Could he handle her sickness? She wasn’t sure, but for tonight she was just content with what she had, knowing that everything could change tomorrow.
Chapter Twenty
The next morning Claire took the extra time to put her hair up in a chignon, wanting to look nice for Billy’s family. She chose an open pelisse over a petticoat of muslin in a rose-lavender that she thought complemented her complexion. She was probably the only woman in Denver who didn’t have brown in her wardrobe.
Billy and Willie were waiting for her on the porch. The horses had been brought from the barn, so they walked down and mounted the horses with Willie riding in front of Billy, who was riding Firebrand.
Fluffy white clouds were scattered across the clear bright blue skies. The sun was warm overhead when it slipped from behind the clouds.
Claire loved the weather in Denver. With its dry climate, she could breathe a little easier. She’d only had two coughing spells since she’d been here.
“How is your arm?” Billy asked as he rode beside her.
“As you can imagine, it hurts, but I’ll live,” she said with a smile as she rode beside him.
“I’d like to have seen a real gunfight,” Willie said.
“No, you wouldn’t,” Billy told him. “Men actually get killed in gunfights, and a man dying isn’t a pretty sight They only make it seem glamorous in books and newspapers.”
Willie twisted around looking at Billy. “Did you get the drop on him?”
“I did.” Billy glanced at Claire. “Then Miss Claire kind of got in the way.”
“I was trying to help. I thought you were too tired to defend yourself,” Claire offered.
“I’m glad you didn’t get killed, Miss Claire,” Willie said and then completely changed the subject “Do you think they will like me?”
“Yes. So don’t worry about it,” Billy assured him. Claire liked the easy way that Billy had with children. He was a natural and would make a good father. She tried to picture what their child would look like. He’d definitely have dark hair. But—and with her there was always a “but”—they would never have children together, so why waste time dreaming about it?
They had ridden a few miles when Willie shouted, “Look!” He pointed ahead. “There it is.”
Up ahead of them was The Wagon Wheel that Billy had spoken of. They rode through the gate, up a long driveway to the front of a lovely home. Claire was as nervous as Willie about meeting Billy’s family. But the time was here, so she had to go through with it
By the time they had dismounted and tied their horses, a woman came out on the porch to greet them.
Claire knew this had to be Brandy. Billy had talked about her so much, Claire felt like she knew her.
Brandy was beautiful. Her hair was long and a dark red .. .just the color of Brandy, which Billy had told her was where she got her name. Her hair swung freely around her shoulders, and Claire was glad to see that she wore a pale green gown instead of the popular brown.
“I see you’ve brought company,” Brandy said.
The screen door flew open and a young boy came flying out of the house and down the steps, heading straight for Billy. Billy swung the child around before placing him back on his feet again and asked, “You been behaving?”
“Yep. Who’s this?”
“I was just getting ready to tell you,” Billy said. “Brandy and Scott, I’d like you to meet Claire Holladay, and this is Willie.”
“It is nice to meet you,” Brandy said. “I see Billy got you back home safely. Though I must admit it seemed like he was gone a long time.”
Claire climbed the steps and extended her hand. “We had some trouble along the way, but we made it.”
“Please, come inside. Dinner is about ready,” Brandy said, then looked at Willie. “You have a handsome son.”
“Oh, Willie isn’t my son,” Claire said as she swept past Brandy. “He’s Billy’s.”
Brandy stopped before entering the house, and swung around. “I beg your pardon?” she said and looked directly at Billy. “Explain.”
Billy started laughing. “You should see the look on your face.” He felt Willie tugging on his breeches. “Yes, young man?”
“She don’t like me,” Willie said, almost hiding behind Billy.
Billy pulled the child out and then scooped him up in his arms. “She didn’t like me much either when we first met. Trust me, she likes you. She’s just hard to get along with.”
Brandy gave Billy a frown before turning her attention to Willie. “Of course I like you, Willie. I just know that you can’t be Billy’s child.”
“Nope,” Willie said. “I’m his brother.”
“Willie is our brand new brother,” Billy told Brandy, sitting Willie back down. “You see, Willie is an orphan, too.”
Brandy squatted so she could be on eye level with the child. “Welcome to our family. This is Scott, another brother.”
“Hi,” Willie said then rushed on, “I will work real hard.”
Brandy nodded. "That’s good, in this family, everybody works the same as the others, so you’ll have chores of your own. Isn’t that right, Scott?”
“Yep,” He agreed. “Hey, this means I’m not the youngest anymore.” Scott grinned. “How old are you?”
“I’m five,” Willie said.
“You can stay in my room, Willie. I think I’m going to like being an older brother,” Scott admitted. “Come on, I’ll show you around,” he said as he put an arm around Willie’s shoulders.
Willie looked back at Billy for approval. “It’s all right,” Billy assured him.
Scott and Willie had started down the steps when Scott glanced down at Willie. “Have you ever milked a cow before?”
“Nope,” Willie said.
Scott smiled slowly. “Really? I’ll show you how. It’s easy.” He glanced back at Billy. “I kind of like this brother thing.”
Billy and Brandy starting laughing as they passed Claire.
“Did I miss something?” Claire asked, a little puzzled as to what was so funny.
Billy took her hand. “Scott has always hated milking that ‘blame cow,’ so we figure that he has finally found somebody to take over his job. It is the price paid for being the younger brother.”
Claire laughed. With her three brothers, she’d always had to pay the price for being the youngest... until she got sick.
They moved into the kitchen where two young girls were setting food out on the table. “We need to set the table for two more,” Brandy instructed. “Billy brought a guest and we also have a new brother, Willie.”
Everybody started talking at once, asking questions about Willie and welcoming Claire.
When the back door opened everyone stopped talking, then Brandy said, “Good, we can eat now.”
A large man entered the back door with Scott and Willie right behind him. Claire automatically took a step backward. She knew this was Thunder. He was bigger than life. She could see why everybody had turned to him for help on the wagon train.
After all the introd
uctions were made, they took their places at the long table, Claire sitting next to Billy. It reminded Claire of her dining room back home and just for a moment she felt a pang of homesickness. How she’d loved those family meals with all the discussions of what had happened during the day and, of course, an argument or two always kept things lively.
The meal smelled wonderful. There was roasted wild turkey and mashed potatoes, with corn on the cob and butter beans. As the food was passed there was a lot of chattering as they brought Billy up to date on what had been going on since he’d left. While Claire listened she couldn’t help thinking that people didn’t have to be blood kin to be a family. It seemed families came in all sizes and Willie was fitting right in.
They had to get a stack of books for Willie to sit on, so he could reach the table, but he was grinning and enjoying himself. A lump formed in Claire’s throat It was probably the only time Willie had ever sat down for a family dinner, and that she’d never thought about it until now made her feel ashamed.
“Tell us, Claire. What made you want to travel to Denver?” Thunder asked.
Claire swallowed the lump in her throat She didn’t want to lie so she’d just tell him the part that she wanted them to know. “I’m a journalist for Harper’s Weekly. I wanted to visit my uncle and see this part of the country. I thought I could combine my trip with writing a few articles. Let the people back East see what it’s like out here. They think it is only a wilderness.”
“I remember that myself,” Thunder said with a chuckle. “When I lived in Boston, they didn’t think there was life beyond the Mississippi.”
“You lived in Boston?” Claire asked.
Thunder nodded. “It’s where I studied law.”
They continued asking Claire questions about her family and the horse farm. She almost felt as if she were being interviewed as a suitable companion for Billy, which was ridiculous since Billy didn’t want a wife. However, Mary remained quiet during the dinner and Claire wondered why. She could feel Mary watching her from time to time, but she didn’t say anything.
Mary looked nothing like the rest of the family, who all had dark hair. Mary had thick blonde hair that hung in natural curls around her shoulders. And her eyes were the most unusual clear blue, as if you were looking in a pool of crystal clear water and you could never see the bottom. She was lovely.
Until September Page 24