“What happened?” Cora asked when she realized Tucker had his arm wrapped in a sling.
Tucker shook his head. “Made the mistake of getting in the way of a bullet.”
“You were shot?” Cora’s gasp of horror and immediate step toward Tucker reminded Levi that he still had a hold of her.
“Went clean through,” Tucker said. “Hurts like nothing I’ve had before, but I’ll live.”
“I’m so sorry, Tucker. I’m glad it wasn’t worse. What can I do?”
“I wouldn’t say no to some dinner,” Tucker said, allowing William to help him dismount by holding the horse’s bridle to keep him steady.
“Absolutely,” Cora said, immediately perking up as if she knew what to do. She hadn’t let go of Levi’s hand and she pulled him to the house with her. “You come eat too. William will take care of the horses. I need to know what happened, and until I’ve had a chance to make sure you’re both all right, you aren’t leaving my sight.”
Levi smiled. “As you say, Cora. But don’t you think we should wash up first?”
Cora shook her head. “I’ll bring in a bucket of water for your hands and faces. Then I can get some water boiling and bring in the wash tub. The two of you look exhausted. You come sit down at the kitchen table and you can clean up there while I whip you up something to eat.”
Levi allowed his wife to boss him around since he was so happy to be back with her. He made sure Tucker managed to get up the porch stairs with no issue. The man had begun to show signs of a fever and he would need to have the wound cleaned better than what could be done on the trail, then fed and put to bed.
While Cora began fixing the meal, Levi grabbed the medicine chest his mother had always kept well stocked and helped Tucker remove the sling and bandage.
He worked as quickly and gently as possible to be sure the wound was cleaned and redressed as well as applying a salve they had used for cuts and minor injuries. Levi had never had to take care of a gunshot wound, and hoped there would be no long lasting damage.
As long as they could keep the fever under control and prevent any infection in the arm, Tucker should come out of this all right.
Cora easily slipped into assistant mode and took away the dirty cloth they’d used to wrap the wound before. She brought Levi some boiled water and clean cloths then helped bandage him up before placing a bowl of soup and a chunk of bread in front of Tucker.
When Tucker had eaten, Cora helped Levi take Tucker into Pa’s room. Once they’d gotten him comfortable on the bed with a spare quilt pulled over him, she then motioned for Levi to return to the kitchen. He followed her in then sat down at the table at about the same time William entered the house.
“How’s Tucker?” William asked.
“He’s sleeping in Pa’s room.”
“I’ll go keep watch then,” William said. “You eat, then get yourself to bed. You look worn out. And tomorrow I’m going to want to hear all about it.”
Levi only nodded. He took a spoonful of the soup in his own bowl and sighed with pleasure. “This beats everything we ate on the trail.”
Cora smiled and watched him patiently as he ate the first few bites until she was sure he was all right. He knew she would want to hear about what had happened, but he wasn’t sure how long he could keep his eyes open. He had to wash up before he went to bed. There was no way he wanted to soil the bedding in his room with the long days of travel filth and grime on him. And he doubted Cora could tolerate his smell for long.
As if she knew what he was thinking, Cora poured the boiling water into the wash basin that had fresh well water in it.
“I’ll have more water boiling soon,” Cora said. “I’ll go get a fresh towel then a change of clothes for you.”
She was gone from the room before he could say thanks, and when she had returned, he was finishing the last spoonful of his dinner. Cora took his bowl, and cleaned up then left the room to give him privacy.
That was probably a good thing, because he didn’t want to answer any of her questions about why he had a hoofmark on his upper thigh. If she knew about how dangerous things got while retrieving his herd, he would have to deal with her being worried needlessly. Everything was fine now.
***
Cora wiped the tears from her eyes. He was back. Levi had returned and she was so grateful he was all right. The fact that Tucker had been shot, proving they had been in terrible danger, came crashing down on her and she covered her mouth to keep the sobs from being heard.
She couldn’t burden Levi with her fears and foolish concerns. He was back and besides the injury to Tucker, she was almost certain everything else had been fine. If anyone had been killed, she was sure Levi would have acted much differently.
He seemed at peace and that eased her worries.
She left her room and paused by the door to her father-in-law’s room. It was open, and she could hear William talking to Tucker.
“So they decided to just take the herd the rest of the way?” William asked.
Tucker’s voice was a little less upbeat than before. “Sheriff and two of his men took the thieves to the nearest town to see if they had a jail there to hold them for trial. Elmer, Jake, and the three from Birch Creek that had agreed to join us took the herd to Boise. Levi and I would have kept going as well, but they overruled me saying I had to come home to heal. And Levi needed to get back here to his wife.”
“Cora was sure frightened for him. It’s a good thing you came back. Not sure how many more of her jobs I could stand while she was waiting for news.”
Cora smiled. He had never grumbled about her requests, and she was sure he was just putting on a show for Tucker now. In fact, she was sure he’d been more worried about the men than she’d been. Or at least equally as worried.
Knowing it was better to not eavesdrop and run the risk of hearing something she wouldn’t like, Cora headed to the kitchen.
She wasn’t surprised to see that Levi was already out of the tub and just finishing up the last button on his shirt. His hair was still dripping wet and she picked up the towel that sat on the table near where the wash tub was. She reached up and wiped the back of his head, then took his hand and led him over to the chair.
“Let me help.”
He didn’t protest, just sat down and allowed her to wipe the towel over his head again a few times, squeezing out the water that clung to his hair. She didn’t have a comb with her, so she just ran her fingers through it to help straighten it out a bit. It wasn’t overly long, but with the bit of curl that appeared when it was wet like this, it would be the kind to tangle if not properly managed.
His shoulders had been tense at first when she’d touched his head, but he relaxed as she slowly massaged his scalp. She pressed her thumbs against the base of his skull where she’d always liked pressure to help release the tension that built up throughout the day.
He leaned forward just a little and she worked the tight muscles in his neck then his shoulders. He was such a large man, but his skin and flesh were just as malleable as her own. She thought of the gunshot wound she had helped clean and bandage on Tucker and she was so relieved that Levi had escaped harm.
“I’m so glad you’re back safe,” Cora said. “I was so worried. William will tell you how crazy I was trying to keep busy and not fret too much. He’s in there telling Tucker all about it.”
“I’m sorry we worried you. We were really pretty lucky in all this. Sheriff Mills is a tough man that knows what he’s doing. He took care of the thieves without much difficulty. Tucker was the only one that got shot. Other than one of the thieves getting knocked off his horse during the stampede, we all walked away under our own power.”
“There was a stampede too?” Cora asked. “How did you stop it? You didn’t lose the cattle, did you?”
“No, we got them back. When the herd got spooked at the first shot from one of the fools that stole them, we had to head them off and start running them in a circle, tighter and tighter u
ntil they came to a stop. By the time we got the herd to quit running, the sheriff and his men had caught Drew and the four men with him.”
“So it really was Drew that had done it?” Cora asked.
Levi nodded once. “Dumb fool. He’ll not get his freedom again. And depends on the judge, he might not keep his life. Complete waste of a hard working life. He could have had so much if he hadn’t gotten greedy.”
Cora placed her hand on his back and started to work the muscles again as she thought of all the things Levi and his men had gone through. The west was so different than what she had known back east. Even though she’d been on a farm and far from any of the big cities, she knew nothing of the hardships and trials that everyone went through in a place like this.
Without the help of neighbors and good people in the world, people like Drew and the men with him could cause so much hurt and destruction. And poor Tucker, they didn’t have a doctor or even anything to help him heal very fast. Life could be over in a moment.
Cora didn’t realize she had started to cry until Levi turned in the seat and pulled her onto his lap and held her against his chest.
“Shh, Cora,” he whispered. “Don’t cry on account of Drew. He made his choice. And justice has to be dealt or people will think they can do whatever they chose.”
“I’m not crying about him,” Cora said. “I was worried about you. I couldn’t stop thinking of all the dangerous things that might happen. Especially with the way William kept close and was so adamant I have the rifle nearby all the time.”
“But you were just fine. It really isn’t as dangerous as that. This is the first time we’ve ever had any trouble. And now we know better to watch for things to come. Don’t worry. We’ll keep you safe.” Levi held her close and rubbed her back. She leaned into him, wishing she could just stay right there in his strong arms, but they were both exhausted and she needed to make sure he got the rest he needed.
“I’m all right now,” Cora said. “You need to go rest. I’ll take care of the water in the tub.” She tried to stand and move over to the large wash basin, but Levi kept her hand.
“It can wait. You need your rest as well. Tomorrow we’ll take care of everything else. Tonight we will take care of us.”
Cora looked into his deep eyes, full of the same hopeful emotion and longing her own heart felt. Levi would be good to her. He would love her forever and she would give him her whole heart and soul. He’d already captured most of it anyway.
She sat back down on his lap and placed her hands on the side of his head then kissed him tenderly and when the spark inside her built enough to encompass him, she pulled him close and surrendered herself to the flame.
Epilogue
Months later
Cora glanced at her husband as she sat on the wagon bench next to him on their first spring trip back into Birch Creek. They had waited until the early crops had been planted and the ground was dry enough they could take the wagon without any issues of getting the wheels stuck in the mud. She could see the small town a few miles in the distance and she couldn’t wait to get there.
It would be wonderful to get off the hard bench and stretch her legs. And she was starving. They’d already had a lunch as they’d driven the wagon, but she wanted to get out the bread and cheese she’d packed for their return trip and munch on it as well.
Lately, she’d been more tired than usual, but that wasn’t anything odd given the fact they’d been planting field after field as well as taking care of all the new births of the cattle and the piglets and even a new foal. She was especially excited about the new horse. Something about those long legs and excited leaps and bounds it made as it ran made her happy.
Cora covered another yawn and Levi looked at her with a bit of concern, then more of a contemplative look.
“What?” Cora asked.
“Nothing,” Levi said.
They continued on in silence, but her stomach rumbled and Levi gave her another look. “You’re hungry again?”
“I’m sorry,” Cora said. “I know we just ate. I guess it’s just that I’m thinking about food instead of busy working to keep my mind off it.”
“I suppose,” Levi said. He turned to her, then looked away again making Cora extra curious what he wasn’t saying.
“Okay, Mister. Spit it out. What’s on your mind.”
“I don’t know,” Levi said. “I mean, I’ve never experienced it before. And a woman is a lot different than a cow. But have you thought you might be increasing?”
“Increasing?” Cora said, confused for a second, then her eyes widened. “You mean with child?”
Levi nodded. “Like I said, I don’t know anything about this, but is it possible?”
Cora looked straight ahead, then placed her hands on her stomach. She’d felt a little unwell off and on for a while. Nothing horrible that worried her, but she had noticed the seams in her dress had felt a little tight on occasion.
She had been so certain that she couldn’t have children after nothing came of her union with Matthew that she hadn’t even considered it might be different with Levi.
“I don’t know,” Cora whispered. “I mean, I suppose it could be possible. I mean…”
“Maybe we should add some things to our shopping list while in town,” Levi said giving her a smile.
“Like what?” Cora asked.
“We could get some more fabric. You’ll probably want to make some baby blankets and new clothes for our little one.”
“But what if it isn’t real,” Cora said, afraid to get her hopes up. “I thought I couldn’t have any children. It might not be that.”
Levi put his arm around Cora and held her close. “Even if we can’t have children, you are everything to me. When you told me your worries about that, I wasn’t bothered in the least. I told you from that first night together that whether God wanted us to have children or not, it didn’t change the fact that we would be the best we could be.”
Cora leaned against him, her arm behind his back and her other hand on his ribcage. “Thank you. And now I’m afraid I’ve got my hopes up.”
“I heard there is a new doctor in Birch Creek,” Levi said. “Maybe we could stop there and ask some questions. See if they might be able to tell.”
Cora nodded, wondering what the doctor might be able to tell her. She gripped Levi’s hand tight and hoped that if it turned out to not be true, that he wouldn’t be as disappointed as she knew she would be. She racked her mind and tried to think of the last time her monthly courses had come. It had been a little while, but nothing obvious since she didn’t track it closely.
The next hour into town had her wound tight. When the wagon pulled up in front of the Howard’s mercantile, she climbed from the bench with Levi’s help and looked down the street. There were a few new buildings that had been erected since she’d arrived more than six months ago. She had expected to see one with a sign for the doctor she’d heard about, but instead it was a printing press and a library.
She looked down the other direction and studied the signs hanging above the doors. One new one said, Dr. Mills.
Cora turned to Levi and nodded toward it. “I’ll walk over there and see if the doctor is in. Do you want to meet me there?”
Levi gave her a quick, encouraging hug. “I’ll come as soon as I can. I’m going to give Mr. Howard the list, then I need to run to the post office and send these letters from the men.”
Cora smiled, remembering the nerves the ranch hands had shown as they’d talked with her and Levi about placing their own ads for a wife to join them out at the ranch.
Minutes later, Cora found herself standing in front of the door to the building. She had always been healthy herself, and the thought of speaking with a doctor brought back the memories of the lingering illness that had taken Matthew. She stared at the small sign inside the window that said, “Come In”. Before she could touch the door, it opened from the inside and a tall, commanding woman stood in front of her.
“How can I help you?” the woman asked.
“Is the doctor in?” Cora asked. “I wondered if I might have a moment of his time.”
The woman frowned briefly then squared her shoulders and said, “I’m Dr. Mills.”
“You’re a doctor?” Cora asked, stunned at the idea a woman could do something like that.
“I am. Was taught by my father at first, but I completed medical training and will help you if I can.” She put her hands on her hips. “It’s up to you. Come in if you’d like.”
The doctor stepped back and Cora stared into the dimness of the office. She glanced behind her and didn’t notice anyone in the area looking or seeming bothered by the fact their doctor was a woman. Not that Cora was bothered. Just surprised. Cora stepped into the building and met the woman’s eyes.
“How much do you charge for an appointment?” Cora asked.
“That depends on what ails you,” the doctor said, “and if you’ll need medicine, or just an examination.”
“I don’t know for sure,” Cora said. “I um, I was married before and didn’t have any children. I thought perhaps I couldn’t. But I’m remarried and now I’m wondering if maybe…”
Dr. Mills smiled, her face softened and a motherly kindness shinned in her eyes. “Well, let’s just see what we can find out.” She walked through an open door and motioned for Cora to follow. “Come in here and we’ll talk privately for a moment.”
***
Levi walked over to the building with the sign for the doctor. He wasn’t certain he wanted to go in and find out that his speculation was wrong, but he sure hoped it might be possible to be a father.
Cora was the most incredible woman he’d ever met, and she had such a loving heart that he wished for her sake that she could be a mother.
He turned the knob and pushed the door open, but the front part of the building was empty. A bell above the door chimed when he pushed the door further and stepped inside.
The Cattleman's Bride: A Golden Valley Story (The Brides of Birch Creek Book 4) Page 10