Heath sat in a chair in the doctor's office with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. He knew Jarrod's injuries were bad but what he was worried about was the loss of blood. Nick was in the back room with the doctor right now doing a blood transfusion for his beloved brother. Heath looked to the door dreading when his mother showed up. What would he tell her? He didn't have all of the details except Wells was dead; the sheriff was still questioning the bartender and the other witnesses.
Heath sighed as he heard the door open.
Victoria came rushing in with Audra and Sister Catherine. She did not like the look on his face.
Heath got up to greet his mother, Audra and Sister Catherine. He motioned to the chair he just vacated. "Please sit down mother."
Victoria looked at Heath and asked, "What is going on?"
Heath blew out a breath and said quietly, "Please sit down first."
Victoria sighed and sat down along with Audra and Sister Catherine. Heath looked to the door going back to the examining room and wished like hell the doctor or Nick would come through it telling them something.
"The doctor is back there with Jarrod and Nick right now," Heath heard Victoria gasp as he added, "Nick is fine, he's doing a blood transfusion for Jarrod." If he thought that information was going to make her feel any better he was wrong; it upset her more. "Jarrod lost quite a bit of blood after Wells stabbed him," Heath sighed and continued. "Jarrod was also shot in the right arm and it could be broken. He lost consciousness after he killed Wells so I don't know what happened or why."
Victoria looked at Heath and had so many questions but she knew he didn't have the answers to her questions. She asked quietly, "How bad is it Heath?"
Heath looked down and said, "He lost a lot of blood mother. That's why the doctor decided to risk a transfusion. Since Nick has given blood in the past, the doctor figured Jarrod had a better chance with Nick as a donor. Once the transfusion is complete the doctor will try and remove the bullet from Jarrod's arm.
Audra started crying quietly and said, "He has to be okay."
Sister Catherine patted Audra's hand and said, "He's a very strong man and has a lot to live for, I'm sure he will come through okay. All we can do now is pray."
Victoria and Heath smiled at Sister Catherine as they continued to sit in silence and watch the door.
Heath questioned, "Where is Ms. Clarke and Abby?"
Sister Catherine answered, "Since we didn't know what was happening they stayed at the hotel. But I did promise them I'd let them know what was going on as soon as possible."
Heath nodded his head but didn't comment. He sighed and started pacing nervously. He knew the longer the doctor stayed in the back the worse Jarrod's injuries were. As the door opened Victoria and Heath both rushed to it but could not hide their disappointment when Nick walked out unsteadily.
Nick tried to grin but could not, "Doc's still back there with Jarrod."
Heath guided Nick to sit down and said, "Are you okay big brother?"
Nick didn't answer as he didn't trust his voice. He saw how badly his brother was injured and he was scared for him. Jarrod had to survive and Nick refused to believe he would not.
Victoria and Audra sat next to Nick as they held hands while Heath paced nervously. After what seemed like hours but was only a few more minutes the doctor finally appeared.
The family froze and braced themselves for the news on their beloved family member. The doctor sighed as he looked at the family. He sat down at his desk and ran his hands through his graying hair. He had not been introduced to Jarrod's family but he knew who Victoria was.
He looked directly at Victoria as he spoke, "I'm not going to sugar coat this Mrs. Barkley, your son is in very critical condition." He heard the blonde headed lady start to cry but he had to stay strong for this young man's family. "He lost a great deal of blood due to the stab wound he received." The doctor paused briefly before continuing. "From the best I can tell he also has a few broken ribs but I didn't want to examine his ribs too closely for fear of injuring him further. His right arm was fractured above the wrist which I will be able to set after I remove the bullet below his elbow. He has started to run a fever signaling an infection may have already set in on his stab wound."
Victoria didn't want to ask the next question but she knew she had too, "Will he make it?"
The doctor sighed as he sat back in the chair and thought about his answer, "If he can make it through the next twenty four hours I believe he will." The doctor paused as he waited for any further questions from the family. He continued, "To be perfectly honest based on what I have heard I am shocked he was able to defend himself against the other man as long as he did."
Before the family could respond the sheriff entered.
"I'm sorry for interrupting," the Sheriff said as he removed his hat.
The doctor stood up and said, "Perfectly okay, I need to go check on my patient." The doctor left to give them some privacy.
The Sheriff had met Jarrod's brothers at the saloon and he guessed this must be their mother and sister.
Nick bellowed, "Well what happened?"
The Sheriff smiled at Nick as he leaned against the wall, "Based on the statement from the bartender your brother killed Mr. Wells in self defense." He heard a few audible sighs as he continued. "Your brother entered the saloon first and was minding his own business when Mr. Wells entered and offered the bartender one thousand dollars in cash for him to close the bar and leave him and Mr. Barkley alone. He told Jim that Mr. Barkley had kidnapped his daughter and killed his wife in an angry rage," Nick was going to interrupt but the sheriff stopped him. "The sheriff from San Francisco alerted me a few days ago about Mr. Wells so I know that is a lie but Jim didn't. So Jim thought he was doing the right thing by agreeing to close the saloon for Mr. Wells. Jim said it was quite evident to him that Mr. Wells had every intention of killing Mr. Barkley."
The sheriff moved to face Victoria and said, "I've checked the wanted posters and your son is not a wanted man for kidnapping and I will not be arresting him for killing Mr. Wells either. I have already talked to the DA and he is in agreement with me so your son will not be facing any charges here and he will be free to go once he recovers."
Victoria wished she could smile but she couldn't as she said, "Thank you sheriff."
"If there is anything I can do for you please let me know." The sheriff tipped his hat once again and said, "I will say a prayer for your son."
Before the Sheriff could leave Sister Catherine stood up and asked, "Could you please direct me to the Telegraph office?"
"Of course Sister."
Sister Catherine said, "I need to wire the church and let them know what is going on. Than I'm going back to the hotel to update Mary and Abby. Can I get anything for you while I'm out?"
Victoria nodded her head no. Sister Catherine walked to Victoria and placed her hands on the matriarch's, "Your son will survive, I refuse to believe otherwise."
Sister Catherine walked out with the Sheriff.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mary had set up the checkerboard for her and Abby to play next to the window so she could keep an eye on the street. She watched the clock and although she knew it had only been twenty minutes at the most it seemed like hours to her. She tried to hide her anxiety from Abby but the little girl knew something was wrong.
Mary and Abby both jumped when Sister Catherine entered the room. Her facial expression told Mary it was not good news.
The Sister smiled at Abby and said, "Abby will you please go into the other room so I can talk to Ms. Clarke?"
Abby pouted and asked, "Whewe is Mistah Jay?"
The Sister smiled and said, "He's at the doctor's office honey." Abby ran to the Sister crying and hugging her tightly. The Sister whispered to Abby, "Can you please go the to other room and when we finish talking we will go see Mister Jarrod okay?"
Abby sniffled as she looked at the Sister and Mary grudgingly left the room.
Mary asked, "How bad is he?"
The Sister sighed as she answered, "He's in pretty bad shape. The doctor performed a blood transfusion in hopes to help his recovery. The doctor feels if he can make it through the next twenty four hours he has a good chance of surviving but I refuse to believe otherwise. He hasn't gone through all of this for nothing." The Sister finally let the tears roll down her cheeks.
Mary closed her eyes and asked, "What about Wells?"
"Jarrod killed him." Mary jerked her head up to look at the Sister. "According to the sheriff it was self defense so Jarrod will not be facing any charges." Mary sighed loudly. "I have sent a wire to my church updating them and asking them to pray for Jarrod."
Mary heard Abby behind them and smiled as she motioned for Abby to come to her.
"Is Mistah Jay okay?" The frightened girl asked.
Mary didn't want to lie to her but she didn't want her to think Jarrod was doing well either. Mary sat Abby in her lap and said, "Jarrod is hurt but the doctor is doing everything he can for him."
Abby starting crying and said, "I wanna see him." Mary held Abby as she called out for Jarrod.