Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to leave a review. And thanks so much to MusesOwnMyMind and Guest (who commented back on chapter 10), especially. Both those reviews ended up sending this chapter in a different direction than I had originally planned and I loved your feedback so much. :)
Chapter 12
"What's goin' on, Larabee?" Buck asked. He finished rinsing the last of the blood out of the washcloth and hung it over the handle of hand pump.
Chris finally moved from the door where he had watched Lucy and Vin ride towards town. They had long since disappeared from view, but Chris had stayed there.
Buck had been filled with doubts about this plan from the get go. The last thing Chris needed was a wife—even if in name only. Not when he had never healed from the loss of Sarah and Adam. But Buck had convinced himself that maybe it was actually the very thing Chris did need. Walking in on the scene this morning, Buck knew. He knew this was too much for Chris. But he also knew his friend and knew Chris would go down in flames before he admitted it was too much.
"Nothing's going on," Chris answered. He went and got the broom, carried it back to the pantry and put it away.
"Sure there ain't," Buck said. "Vin's sister was cowering in the corner with her hand sliced up because everything's going along just dandy here."
That got a reaction. Chris's eyes snapped with anger. "She got spooked."
"By what?" Buck asked.
"Me." Chris said through clenched teeth. He didn't offer anything else, just headed out the door. "We should take the east trail into town, make sure we don't see anyone coming."
Buck followed after his long time friend, trying not to think of how Chris had fallen apart after the death of his family. The self-recrimination that had driven him to Purgatorio for weeks on end and how Buck had to drag him out of there. If anything happened to Lucy, Buck knew Chris would place the blame squarely on himself, deserved or not. What he didn't know was if Chris would survive another round of that kind of guilt.
He was just going to have to make sure nothing happened to Lucy. Not only for Lucy's sake, but for Chris'.
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Vin pounded on the door to the quarters Nathan kept next door to his clinic space.
Nathan came to the door, looking fresh and rested, even though Vin knew he had been the one to ride the perimeter of the town late last night, keeping watch for Eli Joe and his men.
"Vin," Nathan greeted him. "Miss Tan—Mrs. Larabee," Nathan greeted Lucy. His eyes dropped to the makeshift bandage around her hand. "What happened?"
Vin waited for Lucy to say something. When she didn't, just kept her eyes trained on the ground, he spoke. "Got a pretty deep cut."
Nathan nodded, and though there were questions in his eyes, he didn't ask. He motioned them toward the clinic, closing the door to his quarters behind him.
Vin put a hand on Lucy's back to usher her through the door and she flinched. He dropped his hand. Whatever had happened last night had Lucy jumpier than before.
"Have a seat right there," Nathan said.
Lucy obediently perched on the edge of the bed. Nathan washed his hands and dried them on a towel. His eyes met Vin's with a question. Vin shook his head in answer. Compassion softened his dark eyes when he approached Lucy.
"Can I have a look?"
Lucy extended her wrapped hand slightly. Vin saw the way her hand trembled as Nathan unwrapped the rag Chris had tied around it, but she didn't say anything. Even when her mouth tightened in pain, she kept her eyes down and didn't cry out.
"It's pretty deep," Nathan said. "Down to the muscle. I'll need to get you something for the pain?."
Lucy shook her head quickly. "It's fine." Her whisper was so quiet Vin could barely hear it.
Nathan frowned. "I need to stitch it up. It's gonna hurt, Miss."
Lucy didn't respond, just kept her hand extended toward Nathan.
"Alright then," Nathan said doubtfully.
He gathered his supplies and brought a chair over to the bedside. Setting everything he needed on the nightstand at his left hand, he took the hand Lucy extended again. He threaded the needle and looked up at Vin.
"Lucy, take somethin' for the pain. You can't get stitched up with nothin'," Vin said, trying to keep his voice calm. What was wrong with his sister? Her refusal made no sense to him.
She stubbornly shook her head. Keeping her eyes down, she spoke to Nathan. "Can you please get started? I need to get back to the ranch."
The first puncture of her flesh with the needle and the flinch she tried to hold back was too much for Vin. He couldn't stay in there. Not with the smell of the iodine Nathan used to sanitize the needle that was going into Lucy's skin. Not with the sight of the injury. He stepped outside, closing the door quietly behind him and sucked in a breath of fresh air. Or at least fresher air. The scent from the livery carried on the breeze up to the balcony outside Nathan's upstairs clinic.
The quiet sound of Nathan's voice carried out to him, but he couldn't hear Lucy's response. His hands curled around the railing, slivers digging into his palms.
"Vin?"
It took everything in Vin to bring himself under control, uncurl his grip and open his eyes. Mary stood on the street below, shading her eyes from the sun as she looked up at him.
"Mornin' Mary," Vin said.
The widowed woman didn't continue on her way like Vin expected. Instead, she spoke again, her voice gentle even as she raised it to carry the distance. "Is everything alright?"
Vin tried to reassure her. Mary had done enough to help Lucy already, he didn't want to concern her any more. But he couldn't find his voice. Not with Lucy in there hurt.
"I could use some help getting my new printing plates that were delivered yesterday. Do you have a minute?" Mary asked, concern in her eyes.
Vin nodded without thinking. A job to do. Something he could focus on apart from Lucy putting herself through needless pain. He knew Nathan would keep an eye on her until he was back.
He went down the steep stairs, meeting Mary on street level.
Mary started walking toward the telegraph office, where deliveries were deposited from the stagecoach.
"How's Lucy?" Mary asked.
Vin didn't know. He knew she was in bad shape, but apparently hadn't known just how bad. He wondered if Chris knew more than he did. "She cut her hand," Vin finally offered. "Nathan's takin' care of it right now."
Mary made a small hum of sympathy and her hand rested on the sleeve of his shirt for a minute. That small touch was a comfort in the midst of everything else and Vin missed it when she pulled her hand back. "I imagine it's hard to see someone you love going through what Lucy is," Mary said.
"Yeah," Vin said quietly.
Mary stopped walking and turned to face him. The street was still quiet around them this early in the morning. A concerned frown puckered her normally smooth brow. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine," Vin answered automatically, not sure why Mary would be asking about him.
Mary searched his face, like she was searching for a different answer. "Will you let me know if you aren't?" she asked. "If you need anything?"
Vin nodded, even as he knew he wouldn't. He wasn't going to burden a genteel lady like Mary Travis with the problems that followed the Tanner family around.
"Vin," she said, her hand on his arm stopping him from continuing on toward the telegraph office.
Her hand was warm through his sleeve and Vin was once again struck by Mary's kindness. How she never recoiled from him when he was covered in trail dust, even though she was always clean and perfectly put together.
"I hope you know I consider you a good friend. And I want to help."
He covered her hand with his own, her small hand soft under his callouses. "Thanks for that."
Mary gave him a small smile and it was enough to make Vin think he had found the right words.
#
Lucy's entire hand throbbed. She let Nathan put a clean bandage around the newly stitched skin without complaint even as the ache traveled from her hand up her arm.
When he finished he set about cleaning up his supplies.
Lucy stood, intending to let Vin knew she was ready to go back to Chris' ranch. She couldn't imagine Chris was happy about her being in town instead of taking care of her work at his house.
The room spun and Lucy reached out for the bed to steady herself. Through her swimming vision, she saw Nathan's concerned face moving closer.
"Easy now," he said. Lucy couldn't fight against his hands as he helped lower her to sit on the bed. "You're awfully pale," he said. "You lose a lot of blood with that cut?"
Lucy thought of how her nightgown had been covered, the mess on the floor she needed to get back to clean up. "Not too much," she said.
"Uh-huh," Nathan said doubtfully. "I don't think you should be moving anywhere for a bit," he said.
The first vines of panic started to weave through the anxiety that was already in her. "I have to get back to the ranch," she said, hearing her voice shake.
Understanding cleared the worry from Nathan's face. "Don't worry. We can keep you safe here, even if Eli Joe makes it into town. We'll protect you."
He didn't understand. Lucy shook her head, a mistake when it made the room tilt on its side. She blinked, trying to clear her vision. She didn't know if she was more scared of Eli Joe finding her or Chris Larabee growing angrier the longer she was gone. Either way, staying in town any longer was not an option. She thought of how terrifying Chris had looked last night, gun in hand, face set for a fight. The scars that told of how immoveable he could be. The entire reason she didn't want pain medication was because she couldn't risk it making her groggy and keeping her here any longer.
She started to stand. Nathan was saying something, but she couldn't hear it through the rushing in her ears. He was moving toward her, but he looked so far away. Lucy blinked, took a step. The black spots grew until they covered her vision. The room tilted, first one way, then the other. And then there was nothing.
#
"Mr. Ezra?"
Ezra looked down at the young boy standing at his elbow. He looked back at his cards and tossed some coins into the middle the table. He met the eyes of the man seated across from him. Some would say it was early in the morning. For Ezra, it was late, after a night up in a high stakes game.
"Mr. Ezra," the boy said again, more insistently.
"What is it?" Ezra asked, keeping his eyes on his opponent. "Aren't you rather juvenile to be in a saloon?"
"Mr. Nathan told me to come get you."
Ezra held back a sigh. He couldn't imagine what the makeshift doctor wanted from him. Ezra certainly wasn't going to help set any broken bones.
"He said tell you to stop…" the boy's face scrunched up as he searched his memory. "Stop tryin' to make an easy livin' off cards and get over to the clinic. He needs help with Mr. Tanner's sister."
The boy finally had his full attention. Ezra mentally checked that he had his gun at his side.
He pushed his chair back from the table. "I believe this ends our time together," he said to the man he had spent the night winning money from.
"Hey now," the man said. "I ain't done with this hand."
"Oh you are," Ezra said. "You don't have anything higher than a pair of eights." He ignored the man's spluttering protest and turned to Inez. "Please collect my winnings for me, Inez. I'll be over at the clinic."
Ezra scanned the street for any sign of trouble as he strode over to the clinic. He appreciated the view when he got to the top of the stairs. It was easy to see if anything was amiss in the town.
He gave a short rap on the clinic door and Nathan pulled it open for him.
The first thing Ezra saw was the new Mrs. Larabee on the bed. She was as pale as the sheets. And apparently asleep. He looked to Nathan.
"She passed right out on the floor," Nathan said. "I think she lost a lot of blood. Then rode to town to get stitched up."
"Where's Mr. Larabee?" Ezra asked. Had Eli Joe found them out on Chris' ranch?
"Nothing like that, Ezra," Nathan said, clearly seeing the way Ezra's thoughts were heading. "Just a cut on her hand. Vin brought her in."
Ezra didn't appreciate the amount of relief he felt. It was just one more sign of the way this group of men was growing on him.
"I need you to sit with her while I go get some things done. The Thompson's boy said his pa broke his leg. I need to go set it. Don't let her get up."
Ezra nodded. He could do that. He settled into the chair at the bedside, pulling out the deck of cards he kept in his pocket.
#
Chris didn't know if it was his place to go to the clinic and check on Lucy. She had Vin with her. But he couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility. Vin had entrusted her to his protection.
Chris let out a snort. Hell of a job he was doing. He couldn't even protect the girl from himself. Just the sight of him had terrified her last night. Sarah had never been scared of him. But he had had some civility in him back then. Before the death of his wife and son had turned him into the shell of a person he was now. He steeled himself against that thought. Thinking of all he had lost wouldn't get him anywhere.
"Don't go down that trail," Buck said.
Chris cut his eyes over to his friend.
"Whatever you're thinkin' about, whatever blame you're aiming at yourself, just stop right there," Buck said.
Sometimes Chris hated how well his friend knew him.
"I'll take the horses and check in with JD. You go see to Lucy," Buck said, pulling his horse to a stop in front of the clinic.
And sometimes Chris appreciated how well his friend knew him.
"Thanks," he grunted, getting down from his horse.
He went up the stairs and gave a light knock before pushing the door open.
Lucy was in the bed, holding a hand of cards with her uninjured hand, her injured hand propped up on a pillow. Chris could see right away Ezra had moved his chair a comfortable distance from her, the nightstand a barrier between them no doubt giving Lucy some comfort under the pretense it was the table for their cards and matchsticks Ezra seemed to be using to gamble with her.
Lucy looked up when the door opened. When she saw it was Chris, her eyes widened and she immediately dropped her cards.
"I'm sorry," she rushed to apologize. She started to swing her legs over to the side of the bed.
Chris didn't think he had ever seen Ezra move as quickly as he did then, to keep her from standing.
Lucy recoiled from Ezra, but settled back in the bed after a quick word from Ezra, keeping a wary eye on Chris.
"Your bride is rather insistent she get back to your ranch," Ezra said, heading around the bed to his chair and picking his cards back up.
Lucy pressed her lips together and risked a look at him.
"Ain't no hurry," Chris said.
"I can leave now," Lucy said.
It was clear from her pallor and the beads of sweat even her small journey from bed produced that she couldn't.
"I'm sorry about the mess back at your place," Lucy added. "I'll clean it right up as soon as—"
"It's cleaned up," Chris said sharply, unable to believe Lucy thought he cared at all about that. About getting her home and putting her to work.
His reassurance didn't seem to reassure her. She paled further and pressed her lips together.
"I think what Mr. Larabee means is that he doesn't want you to concern yourself with that right now. He wants you to take the time to rest and recuperate," Ezra said, throwing a look at Chris.
"Yeah," Chris agreed.
Ezra looked like he wanted to say more, and Chris stared back at him. He had agreed with what Ezra said. What more was there to say?
Ezra reached slowly over to the bed to pick up the cards Lucy had dropped. Adding them to the rest of the deck, he shuffled. "Should we deal him in?" Ezra asked her.
Lucy didn't respond.
Ezra motioned for Chris to pull the other chair over towards their makeshift poker table. Chris complied, mentally taking stock of Lucy. She was guarding her injured hand carefully. He hoped Nathan had given her something good for the pain. She pressed herself as close to the far side of the bed she could, away from Chris and Ezra.
Ezra dealt out a hand of cards. Lucy's hand shook so badly every time she looked at Chris that he thought the cards would shake loose right out of her hand.
It only took two hands for Chris to see his presence rattled Lucy too much. He tossed his cards down in front of Ezra, kicking himself when he saw the way the sudden movement make Lucy jump.
"I'm going to check in with Buck and JD," he said to Ezra. To Lucy, he turned and said. "Just stay put. Don't go tryin' to to get up until Nathan says you can."
Ezra's frown and Lucy's trembling told him just how much he had missed the mark with trying to tell her he was worried about her and didn't want her getting hurt worse.
Chris made a conscious effort to close the door quietly behind him.
He didn't care how early it was. He needed a drink. And he needed to stop thinking about the past. Most of all, he needed to forget about how Lucy looked at him.
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