Chapter Fifty
Nick sat up on the side of the bed; he had had Heath bring up the bills of sale for the summer cattle sales. He was sick and tired of being in bed. He had grumbled at everyone today and knew he owed them all an apology. He just couldn't find it in himself at the moment.
"May I come in?" Anna knocked on the door.
"Of course, my gal. You are always welcome."
She looked at him sitting up, gaunt and ten pounds lighter, shirtless and bandaged—-he still made her heart flutter and tears stung her eyes thinking how close she and the family came to losing this man of theirs.
"I am going to be honest with you all—-I didn't expect Nick to make it after the transfusion even. He was at death's door and a knocking—-" Doctor Merar's words came back to her.
"May I ask why you are up? I could have helped you."
"The only help I need right now is a kiss from you."
"Well that is quite possible, Mr Barkley." and she gave him a big smile.
He kissed her on the cheek.
"You know Annie, I am up for a shopping trip soon—-guess that's Audra's blood bubbling up. For a ring."
"I shall be pleased with whatever you choose, my love."
"What kinda gems do ya like? Will be made of Barkley gold, that's for sure."
She blushed, "Nick whatever you pick will be wonderful. Surprise me."
He kissed her again, "What did I do to deserve you, Angel?
"You are an answer to my prayers,Nick." as she ruffled his hair.
"No one has ever said that to me before," he said hoarsely, "Don't like doing this Missy. Asking for help but Iiff'n the Lord is giving you to me as a helpmate, I guess it starts now. I want to clean up."
She winked and kissed him back knowing what it cost this proud man.
He stood up gingerly and let her walk him to his water closet. He closed the door and she listened to the water run.
"Annie, can you get me a clean shirt?"
"Yes sir,"
He came out after about thirty minutes, winded and pale. He had washed his hair and cleaned up. His bandage was askew and she could see the deep, ragged stitches from the gunshot. His thick hair had been shaved at the back for the head stitches. She helped him on a clean shirt and buttoned each button softly. He closed his eyes at her nearness .
"Can you shave me?"
"Of course if you are patient with me."
"Your soft hands can stay on my face all day."
She filled the basin with water and got the razor strap out of his water closet. She softened the grizzle with his beard soap and massaged his face. She carefully shaved him. He released several soft moans and kissed the top of her hand several times.
"Oh yeah honey, you can do this any day."
She patted his face dry and put on some bay paste on the nick or too. She dabbed the bay behind his ears.
She dumped the water and came back into his room, "Need anything else?" giving him a kiss on his clean cheek.
"Let me sit up for a while then I will take a nap."
"Absolutely." and they walked to the massive leather chairs by the window seat.
He eased himself down, "And you little lady, right here next to me."
She pulled over the hassock and lay her head on his chest. She thought he had dozed off when he asked her for a shot of whiskey.
"Of course. You have had quite a morning already"
She poured a small glass and handed it to him. He downed it and handed her the glass back.
"Annie, what's that on your wrist?" as her long sleeves rode up. He sat up alertly and with a glare in his eyes.
"Oh Nick, it's a story best left for another day."
"Hell no honey," and he reached for her arm. She pulled back and placed it in her hands.
"These are rope marks!"
She nodded and repeated herself , "It's a story left for another day."
"I say it's today, Annie. We are to be married. No secrets is in those vows somewhere or I will be adding them." he raised his voice at her.
She sighed and hoped his family would forgive her for telling him. They had all decided to wait until he was better.
"I guess you are better," she whispered to herself.
He glared at her.
"Before I tell you it all, know all four men are dead. Heath and Jarrod killed three of them. The fourth was killed later by a man named Buck."
He narrowed his eyes mimicking a caged animal ready to pounce.
Tears filled her eyes and she poured out the story of the kidnapping after he was shot.
"We were told they killed you. I wanted to die myself."
"Oh honey. I am sorry. It takes more than a bullet to take this old bear down."
"Kai is down the hall with a broken leg," and she described the rope torture and Heath breaking his leg in their rescue.
She had never seen the pure rage in his eyes before.
"What did they do to you?"
"Tied me up standing to a pole, cut my hair and said all kind of vile things." She omitted the pricks of the knife and punches she took.
Nick uttered profanity under his breath, "let me see."
"I don't want you to see my hair."
"I do. I want you to know I love every single part of you. I didn't fall in love with perfect. Even though you are as close to it as I ever seen."
She unwound the braid that Audra and Lisette had fashioned to cover the damage.
Nick slowly watched the intimate act. When she finished, he pulled her head toward him and kissed her—-then he pulled her hair into his nose and kissed each shorn lock. He pulled her over into his chest and held her for the longest time.
"I love you Annie"
"I love you Nicholas"
She finally stood up an hour later and helped Nick to bed. She pulled her hair back to the nape of her neck.
"I will be back later with food—-after you rest."
She wanted to tell the family that he knew and take their wrath if need be.
Nick closed his eyes and tried to rest, "Jarrod and Heath going to answer some questions this evening fer sure. And Buck? I ain't believing that snake in the grass helped our family. Surely my brothers didn't fall for that either."
