Chapter Sixteen 16/19

Liz convinced Stella to walk with her over to the doctor's office to be checked out after young Billy, the Barkley cowhand who tried to save her.

Jarrod walked a few steps behind them watching Liz carefully. He wasn't sure of what to make of her eerily calm composure. He had made eye contact with her and her eyes seemed vacant. She didn't seem to acknowledge that he was there. He put his hand on her arm and she didn't seem to notice. He had seen shock plenty of time and Liz was definitely in it.

Liz escorted Stella back to see Billy and then to the second examination room. She methodically removed her torn clothes of the young woman and helped her into a nightdress that Iva had left for her,

When Iva came by, Jarrod called her aside, "Can you check on Liz?

"She took Stella back and I am worried about what this is doing to her." and he went on to explain to Iva. She had only been aware of what she read in the newspapers during Nick's trial.

"I'll check on her, Jarrod." and she patted his arm in concern. He sat down and put an unlit cigar in his mouth to wait.

Howard came out and pronounced the young man had some serious injuries but with rest and his youth, he would heal.

"I would like to keep him here for a few days, Jarrod. He won't be on the range for a few months."

"You know we have a place on the ranch when he is well enough and we will take care of anything-either of them needs."

Doc went in to check on Stella….and Liz after Jarrod expressed his concerns again.

Iva came out with a very quiet Liz, "Sweetie, Jarrod needs to take you home now. You did good keeping Stella calm and helping her trust us. I will keep a good watch on her tonight for you."

She nodded towards Jarrod, "Jarrod is here, sweetheart."

Her eyes were glassy and expressionless. Ivy looked at her dress as she turned. "Oh honey, let me clean you up before you go back to the ranch."

Jarrod had only been looking into her face for a sign of recognition and Iva's comment caused him to look at her baby blue silk day dress. There was Stella's and likely Billy's blood on the skirt and at some point, her milk had let down missing Laurel's feeding now by hours. She was soaked and completely unaware. Liz was a very modest woman and he couldn't imagine that she wouldn't be mortified. She just took Iva's hand and walked over to their personal home attached to the office.

Jarrod was scared—- he knew what to do in a courtroom, brawl, or gunfight. He knew how to sympathize, negotiate, argue, and seduce. Well-versed in any social situation or political scenario. He had been shot, beaten, and stabbed—- Hell, he had even delivered Violet. He had met the President of the United States and faced death at the frontlines. He had killed men in war and self-defense. He killed even today. But the look at Liz's face completely unmanned him.

Iva brought her out in a borrowed calico dress. Jarrod took her hand and took her to the rig. She didn't say a word to him. They rode wordlessly to the ranch. Jarrod kept his arm around her and his other hands on the reins. She did eventually lay her head on his shoulder. It was a relief after her rigid posture leaving town.

They were met a mile or so out by Heath and Nick. "We were starting to get worried so we rode out to make sure you hadn't run afoul of some bad luck."

They could see Liz with her eyes closed on Jarrod's shoulder. "Your young hand Billy got hurt badly saving a lady at the saloon. Doc says he is going to make it, I will tell you all about it once I get Liz home."

Nick and Heath exchanged worried looks with Jarrod. He acknowledged them with his eyes.

Liz opened her eyes, "Is Stella alright?"

"Yes, my love, she is. We will go see her soon."

All the lights were on at the Big House. when they reached the bend. Their new house was shining brightly in the moonlight with its white columns. Heath helped Liz out of the rig. She was like a rag doll to him.

Victoria opened the door quickly with questioning eyes, "Get her inside boys."

The children crowded around her and she managed a weak smile.

Jarrod answered for her, "Mamere has had a fright today. She needs some rest and she will talk to you in the morning." They all looked at her with expectant looks for her warm greetings and admonitions. She just looked helpless.

Jarrod added as Fiona and Eire shuttled the children to bed, "We love you all very much."

He heard Flora exclaim, as they hurried off to bed, "I am scared." He wanted to tell her he was too.

Liz just kept closing her eyes and rubbing her temples, occasionally softly messaging her neck.

"Should we take her to the guest house?" Isabella asked Victoria.

Jarrod quickly answered, "Take her up to my room. I will sleep on the divan or trundle. She shouldn't be alone."

They all looked at one another and at Jarrod's face. This was serious.

Isabella took Liz upstairs to change. Jarrod told the family what had happened and Liz was in some form of shock from what she witnessed at the saloon.

"Oh Jarrod, we had just started getting her out to meet people and shop in town. She was so proud to drive the rig into town to meet you. The girls started school for a few weeks finally and she was really relaxing about the children being away from her. I hope this doesn't set her back but I think it will." Victoria said

"Laurel cried herself to sleep wanting her mother and to nurse. I assume she will wake up in the night. Should we bring her to Liz?"

"Yes, have one of the girls bring her up if she awakes. Knowing Liz, her children have always been her greatest comfort." Jarrod answered,

Katarina answered, "And you, Jarrod may be what she needs the most."

They all turned and looked at Nick's soft-spoken wife. She smiled, "Well it's the truth."

Jarrod went out to the guest house to comfort the girls, tuck them in and say their prayers.

"Mamere saw a bad man get killed tonight. It frightened her very badly and I am going to stay close to her tonight just in case she has bad dreams. You know how much she loves you and now that Pappy is home for the summer, we are all going to be a family and work through Mamere's scare-just like she does for us. We must be brave for her."

All the girls nodded content that Pappy was home and would take care of Mamere-and them.