Flame Series #16: All Roads Lead Back Home

Chapter 10

One Life Ends Another Begins

All eyes were on the man that lay bleeding on the cell floor. An unnatural stillness suffocated the room, like a death shroud. At last, the girl slowly lifted her gaze to the young deputy. Newly could see her small frame begin to wilt, but he managed to catch her before she hit the floor.

Weeks of pent up grief came pouring out. Not through screams, or violent sobs, just a quiet, endless stream of tears. Newly held the girl in his arms, as he carefully stepped over the dead body. Warm, brown eyes searched the room, finally settling on the cot in the empty cell. Strange, how something so faded and worn as an old blue and white tick mattress, could offer a place of comfort.

Emily had wrapped her arms around the deputy's neck, clinging to him as if he were her lifeline. Newly sat on the edge of the cot, rocking her back and forth. It had not been that long ago that he had held another young woman in her darkest hour. Granted, that little redhead lived in his heart, but there was still enough left to console this broken girl.

Matt took a seat on the edge of the desk. He folded his arms across his chest and stretched his long legs out, crossing them at the ankles. Noble stepped outside the jail, long enough to get someone to drag Jarret's corpse away. Once the body had been removed, Noble took a seat beside Dillon.

"It's going to be a long road, but I think she'll be all right now." Nobles could see the healing was just beginning, but even in that, there was hope. "Ginny and I have been trying to get her to come stay with us. Maybe she'll be ready now. You know, Matt, this is the first time that child has shed tears since the tragedy."

"I know that no one can replace her family, but I think she's lucky to have you and Ginny."

"Thanks, Matt." Both men maintained their focus on the couple in the cell. "That deputy of yours—he's a pretty special guy."

"Very." There was pride in the marshal's smile and voice. "I don't know if I mentioned it, but he's also my son-in-law."

Noble pulled his attention away, long enough to smile at the marshal. "I can't say I like the way it went down, but she just saved you a three-day ride into Hays. Since you won't be going, do you want me to find you a room for the night?"

"I'll have to ask Newly." Matt nodded toward his deputy, "But if we leave now, we can be home by morning."

"That's still a long ride, Matt. Are you sure you don't want to get some rest and start out fresh tomorrow?"

"Thanks, but I'll rest better once I'm home."

DocDocDocDocDocDocDoc

Doc swiped his handkerchief across his forehead and down around his neck. He stretched his old body in a backward arch, to pull out the kinks. With a final thud of the shovel, he whispered a prayer for the dead man.

Sometimes, the human body is like a time bomb, just waiting to explode. For poor Riley Gunter, that time came at the early age of twenty-eight, out in the middle of the Kansas prairie.

Since their parents died, Riley had raised and spoiled his baby sister. Against his better judgment, after numerous tears and pleas, he'd agreed to take Rebecca to Ulysses, in order to be with her husband before the birth of their first child.

An aneurysm not only robbed Riley of his future, but was a major cause of his nephew's early arrival. Doc returned to the wagon, replacing the shovel before he walked around to the water barrel. He opened the spigot and leaned down to splash the cool water over his head and hands. With his face up toward the sun, he let the warm, summer air dry his weathered skin.

He was prepared to step up into the wagon, when he heard the soft cooing of the infant. The baby was responding to his mother's gentle voice. Rebecca was torn—between the pain of losing her brother and the elation over the birth of her son. Doc listened unashamedly to the private conversation between mother and son. "We're going to ask your daddy if we can name you after your Uncle Riley. I think he would like that."

"How are my favorite patients doing this morning?" Doc wore his most cheerful smile for the young woman.

"Did you bury him?" Doc answered her question with a solemn nod. She pressed her lips to her son's forehead. "He was so excited about becoming an uncle. Do you have any idea what killed him?"

Doc pursed his lips and tugged on his ear. "You say there was no history of heart problems?" He waited for her to confirm. "Well, from the way you described him complaining about a terrible headache and then just collapsing, I would guess it to have been an aneurysm. 'Course, we'll never know for sure."

"He was so worried about me and… I should never have forced him to bring me."

"Now, don't you go blaming yourself." Doc reached over, placing a consoling hand on hers. "If my diagnosis is correct, nothing could have prevented his death."

"Doctor Adams, I don't know how to thank you." Tears welled up again, as the new mother stared down at her son. "He wouldn't be here if not for you. How can I ever repay you?"

Doc cleared his throat and swiped at his mustache. "You don't owe me a thing, young lady. Just get well and take care of that little fella there." Just as he started to climb up to the front bench, he turned back to the girl, with a smile. "…And I thought I told you—it's just, Doc."

TBC