The only conclusion Emma could come up with—she didn’t want Rayne to think less of her, or any of the women at the saloon.
Why it matters so much to me what Rayne thinks is a mystery to me, she thought.
As the wagon pulled into the yard of the small ranch, the big black dog appeared with his tail wagging. His dark gaze was on the women as Rayne helped Emma down. Lucifer ambled up to Emma and pushed his head under her hand. Emma scratched the top of Lucifer’s head, which seemed to satisfy him, and he ambled back to his spot under the tree.
Rayne unloaded the items that went into the house and Emma carried them inside
“That should do it for the house stuff.” Rayne shrugged. “I’m gonna get the wood and rest of the supplies and put them in the barn.”
“Okay, I’ll take care of the things in the house and start makin’ dinner.”
Rayne nodded and pulled several pieces of wood out of the wagon and settled them on her shoulder. Once it all was where it belonged, she looked around with satisfaction. This place was hers. She didn’t have to work till her back ached and she had inches of dirt on her for someone else’s benefit. In her mind, that made all the difference in the world.
With a sigh of happiness, she climbed up the ladder to the hayloft and began pitching straw down. Lucifer trotted in a few minutes later and instantly his hackles went up. He bared his teeth and with his head down, flew at a wolf that had been hiding in a corner of the barn. Startled by the growling, Rayne took a step back. Her foot hit the edge of the loft and before she could do anything, she and the pitchfork were flying down ten feet onto the hard ground below. The dog and the wolf were sailing through the air in combat. The two animals landed a few feet away from Rayne who was trying to reach for her gun before everything went black.
†
A gunshot brought Emma running out of the house. Her heart dropped when she saw Rayne on the ground and the back of a man holding a gun. Grabbing the first thing she could, she ran up behind the man and swung as hard as she could.
The blow of the broom handle hit the shoulder blade of the man who instantly spun around and blocked Emma’s next swing.
“Hey, hold on there. Damn it, Emma, stop fightin’ me.” Tom yelled as he blocked another swing of the broom.
“You shot Rayne. Why?” Emma couldn’t stop her tears.
“I shot the damn wolf, not Rayne.” The sheriff rushed over to Rayne who lay on the ground not moving.
All Emma could see or feel was that she was living through yet another nightmare. She believed deep in her heart that she had lived many lifetimes losing the woman she loved. Somehow she knew that woman was Rayne. Once she came to the realization that Rayne wasn’t dead, she rushed to her side.
“Is she all right?” She knelt beside the sheriff.
“She’s breathing and it don’t feel like there’s anything broke. She has one hell of a knot on her head though.” He gently felt the back of the Rayne’s head again. “Go grab a cold cloth.”
Emma rushed back to the small house and soon came back with a wet cloth, which she applied to the unconscious woman.
†
Rayne slowly regained consciousness and sat up immediately then held her head. “Everything is spinning.”
“Whoa there, not too fast, Rayne. Can ya tell me what happened?”
“Ouch, damn that hurts.” Rayne reached back and touched the bump on her head. “I think Lucifer was tryin’ to save me. I was cleaning out the loft and heard Lucifer growling and when I looked, that wolf was attackin’ him. Shit, did Lucifer get bit or scratched?” Rayne asked as she tried to rise to check on the dog.
“I don’t know. I don’t believe it’s somethin’ we should wait to find out.” The sheriff stood and pointed his forty-five at the animal.
“No. Don’t you dare shoot him,” Rayne hollered as she gripped her aching head.
“What?” Tom looked at Emma and raised his eyebrows.
“Tom, he was saving my life. I can’t just let you shoot him. Let’s give him a chance. We’ll lock him up and see if he develops signs of mad dog disease.”
Rayne looked at Emma. “You won’t get near him is that understood? I’ve seen an animal with the disease and it ain’t pretty.
Emma shook her head. “Rayne, this isn’t a good idea. Look at that wolf, there is foam on her mouth. She sure as heck had rabies. I don’t think it’s a good idea to take a wait and see attitude with demon dog here.”
“Look, he’s my dog. I’ll shoot him if need be but I’m gonna give him a chance.” She stood and walked shakily toward the big black dog
“Damn it, Rayne….” Tom tried to grab Rayne’s arm.
“Lucifer, come on.” Once Lucifer was following her, Rayne walked to a smaller out building and opened the door. “Inside.” The big dog walked in with his head down. He obviously thought he was being punished.
“I just can’t take the chance, Lucifer. Too many lives are at stake here. I’ll be back to check on you. I’ll take care of ya.” Rayne tried to explain as she closed the door.
Rayne walked away from the dog and the building with a sinking feeling in her stomach. She looked up and saw that Tom was taking care of the wolf. With a good look at the wolf’s carcass, she saw that it had indeed been foaming at the mouth.
Tom wrapped the wolf’s body in a burlap bag he found in the barn.
Rayne approached the sheriff.
“I’ll be back to check on you, Rayne, I need to bury this poor animal.”
“Tom, be careful please,” Emma said. “Rayne, you come in and lay down. The sheriff will be back…won’t you, Tom? I’ll fix us a nice meal. It’s the least I can do for you.”
“Yup, I’ll be back. I need to talk to you two about the troubles you’ve had here.”
“What’d you find, Tom?” Rayne asked.
Emma looked at Rayne and saw her eyes close. “How’s the pain?”
“It feels like a hammer is hitting against my skull. I’m dizzy and my stomach doesn’t feel too good.” She rubbed her head. “God, I hate how I feel right now.”
“We can do it later, Rayne. Right now you need to lie down.” Tom rushed to Rayne’s side just in time to catch her as her legs gave out from under her. Tom carried Rayne toward the house as Emma rushed ahead to open the door.
Emma opened the bedroom door. “Put her down on the bed and I’ll take care of her.”
Once Tom laid Rayne on the bed, Emma became a whirlwind of activity by rushing to the kitchen for cold water, and whatever else she needed to get for the unconscious woman.
“Look, I’m gonna take care of the wolf and then head into town to fetch Doc Adams. I wanna make sure that Rayne is all right.”
“Do you think she’s hurt badly?” Emma wrung her hands and looked at Rayne.
“Just wanna make sure, Emma. She took a bad tumble outta that barn loft. I was honestly surprised that she can feel her legs, let alone walk. Right now, I’d just feel better if the Doc checked her over.”
Tipping his hat, Tom went back the way he came in.
†
Tom loaded the wrapped up body of the wolf on his horse behind the saddle and rode off toward town. He stopped at his home and grabbed a shovel before going to the doc’s place.
Doc Adams eyed the sheriff and nodded at his saddle. “What’s going on, Tom.”
“Think I shot a mad dog wolf over at the Mathews’ place. Rayne took a tumble off the hay loft and isn’t looking good.
“Let me get my bag.”
As soon as Doc Adams was ready, they mounted their horses.
“We need to stop on the way and bury the wolf.”
“I’d like to get a good look at the animal.”
“Yup, you can do that when we find a good spot to bury it.”
Tom pointed to a secluded area and guided his horse toward it. “This’ll do.”
Once the wolf was on the ground, Doc Adams squatted down and pulled back the burlap. “Yup, that sure is rabies. Ya su
re the Mathews woman didn’t get bit?”
“Yeah, she didn’t have any scratches or bites that could have come from the animal. To me it looked like Rayne’s dog threw himself in the wolf’s way.”
“All right. Let’s get this poor animal buried and get out to the Mathews place.”
It was early evening when the two men rode up to Rayne’s place. Hearing the dog from the closed building barking up a storm, Emma went out to greet them.
“Miss Emma, it’s good to see ya again. Sorry I haven’t had a chance to give my condolences to ya. I know you was real close to Fern.”
“I understand, Doctor Adams, and thank you.”
“For what child?” Confusion was clear on his face.
“For taking care of Fern. For making sure she was at least comfortable and not alone when she passed on.”
“Honestly, Emma, I don’t believe she knew what happened. Whatever that man did to her, she was out long before he left her. She didn’t regain consciousness.”
With the fresh gleam of tears brimming in her eyes, Emma cleared her throat. “Come on in. I expect you’re wanting to take a look at Rayne. She has been awake off and on and drank a little tea but she doesn’t want to eat anything. She keeps saying her head feels like it wants to explode.” Emma could feel her insides shaking as she worried about Rayne. “When you’re done taking a look at her I got supper ready for both of you.”
Together the three walked into the house and Emma showed the doc to the bedroom, where they found Rayne sitting on the edge of the bed ready to stand up.
“Just where do you think you’re goin’?” Emma asked in a stern, motherly voice.
“Well, I heard Lucifer barking and I was gonna go check on him.”
“Oh, lord. You will do no such thing. Now you lay yourself right back down on that bed. Doc Adams is here to see you.”
“I don’t need to see the doc...”
“Oh, yes you do. He took the time to ride all the way out here so the least you can do is be civil. Now lie back down and don’t argue with me.”
Both men standing in the doorway smirked.
Tom and Emma walked out to the living area of the house, leaving the doctor and Rayne alone.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Emma offered.
“No. I’m good.”
“It’s been quite a day, hasn’t it?” Emma said.
“Yup it has. Doc looked at the wolf and said it was rabid.”
“I hate to see Lucifer locked up…but it’s for the best.”
They sat in companionable silence until they heard the door to the bedroom open.
The doc came out of the bedroom followed by Rayne who looked a tad pale.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Emma asked as she rushed over to the woman.
“Thought I’d go to my chair and sit out here, why?”
“Doc, is that all right? Should she be up and around already?” Emma asked.
“I’ll tell ya what, if you can keep this young woman down, go right on ahead. As far as she is concerned, she is fine and medically speaking, I have to caution her to take things slow, but I see no reason for her to remain in bed.” He turned to Rayne. “That is as long as you remember to take it easy.”
“I will. I promise, but damn it, I got crops and cattle to tend to. I can’t just lie around here.”
“We’ll see to your animals for a few days, Rayne.” Tom knew the men in nearby ranches would be willing to help out and he knew for sure that he would ride out a couple of times a day to see to the animals.
“Tom, that’s too much to ask of you all,” Rayne said.
“Not at all. I know you don’t see it or even understand it right now, but everyone in this town had a special place in their hearts for Luke and Martha. Bein’ their kin…well, that means we look out for you as well. And, no one is gonna come out and say it but, there a few that figure ya done right by Miss Emma here. You stood up for her when there was no one else. Ya took her in and well, circumstances bein’ what they are…well…it’s the least we can do. I don’t think I’m talkin’ outta turn here either. Do you, Doc?”
“Not at all. I, for one, always worried about Emma. That saloon ain’t no place for a young woman such as her. With Fern not around to stand up or take care of this youngun…just hated to think of what she woulda ended up being. I hope ya don’t just throw her to the wolves, if ya know what I mean,” Doc Adams said. “You are a Godsend for Emma and I pray that you will see to Emma’s safekeeping.”
Rayne looked from the Doc to Tom who was nodding his agreement. “Even with my head pounding, I know there is no way in this world that I’d turn my back on Emma.”
Emma, not knowing what to do or say, excused herself. “I need to check on supper.”
In the kitchen, Emma leaned against the counter and recalled all the dreams she had had about a tall, dark-haired woman. How many times in her dreams, had she looked at the beautiful woman and wondered if it would be the last time. Would she see her again in that particular lifetime? She didn’t know but she had felt it again earlier that afternoon. She hated that feeling, and she knew it wasn’t dreams, she knew they were memories of previous lives with Rayne. Emma regained her composure and walked back into the sitting room.
“Supper is ready.”
As the three people stood, Emma walked to Rayne, helped her to her feet, and with her arm around Rayne’s waist, walked with her to the small dining area where she helped her to her chair.
“Something sure smells good,” Tom said as he pulled Emma’s chair out for her.
“It sure does,” Doc chimed in as he sat down.
In front of them on the table sat golden-roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, biscuits and some green beans.
“Thank you. Please help yourselves. Here, Rayne, let me get you a plate.” Emma reached for Rayne’s plate.
Before Rayne could say anything, a plate sat in front of her with a little of everything. “Even with the headache, it smells wonderful. I can’t remember ever smelling anything so mouthwatering.”
For a few minutes, the only sounds were the clanking of silverware on plates and bowls as they served themselves.
After a few bites, Rayne looked at the sheriff. “Tom, I wanna thank you for coming around when ya did. That wolf would have had me for lunch for sure.”
“I’m glad I was here,” Tom replied.
“So, I know you weren’t just out ridin’ around. What brought you by?”
“This can wait until you’re feelin’ better, Rayne.”
“It’s just a headache, right, Doc? I can talk, right?”
“Well, there’s nothing broken and I still think you should be in bed resting. I did tell you I think ya rang your bell pretty good.”
“Things need to be done around here and I ain’t got time to lounge around in bed, Doc.”
“I understand, and I do believe Tom here has offered the help of your neighbors as well as his own. I know I am tad handy with plow. Between all of us, we can have your ranch in tiptop shape in no time, and I ain’t askin’ ya to take a year off. For Pete’s sake, just sayin’ take a day or two to make sure you’re all right is all I’m askin’.”
“Rayne, I think you should listen to the doctor. He knows what he is talking about,” Emma said.
“You feel the same way, Tom?”
“Sorry, but, yeah, I do.”
“Tom, what would you do if it were your place and you was bein’ told to take it easy?” Rayne asked.
“I imagine I’d feel like you are at the moment, but, I’d also look at all the friends I have willin’ to see to it that I don’t lose anything. Like I said, I know you ain’t seen it, but folks around here take care of their own and, well, like it or not, you’re one of us. You’re Luke and Martha’s kin, ya took Emma here in when she needed it, and hell, ya even took in that damn demon dog out there. That tells us all there’s a good heart in ya. Come on, let us help you.”
“Oh, all rig
ht…but just for a few days. But I ain’t layin’ around like some princess, I’ll do what I can and when I start to feelin’ bad I’ll come back in for a bit.”
“That sounds fair. Don’t you think sheriff? Doc?” Emma smiled.
“Sure does.” Tom replied.
Doc Adams nodded in agreement.
“Now how about I clear these dishes and bring out some coffee?” Emma said as she stood.
Doc Adams stood as well and began helping Emma clear the dishes.
“Rayne, I came by earlier to tell ya that I spoke with Sprigs this morning. Says he ain’t been around and that he ain’t seen nothing strange. Unless you count the campfire, he says he seen night before last. I did come by earlier to talk with ya, but met old Lucifer instead. He don’t seem to take kindly to folks walkin’ around the place when you ain’t here.” Tom chuckled.
“Yeah, he’s kinda funny that way. Did you head up to the rim to see about that campfire?” Rayne gave her head a small shake. “Tryin’ to clear the cobwebs.”
“Give it time. In answer to your question, no, I didn’t. After stopping here, I decided I didn’t want that dog following me and leaving me in bits up there. I figured I’d come back and see if you wanted to go up with me…instead I see you come flyin’ outta that loft. Think you took twenty years off my life.”
“Sorry about that, Sheriff. Though I am glad you came by when ya did.” Rayne said.
“Here we go, coffee and cake.” Emma walked into the dining area with Doc Adams following her holding the cake.
“Emma, you didn’t have to go through all this trouble.” Tom’s eyes looked at the chocolate cake and he licked his lips. “That cake sure looks good.”
“It was my pleasure, Tom. After all, you did save Rayne’s life.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. I think Lucifer had that all covered before I rode up.”
“Yeah, well, you’re the one who shot the wolf. I think that wolf wanted to have him for dinner. Speaking of which, I do need to go check on him. Give him water and some food.” Rayne said as she made to stand up.
Rayne Comes to Town Page 11