“Leave him rest now, miss.” Doc Bennett patted her shoulder. “He’ll be getting a dose of laudanum for the pain, and he’ll sleep most of the night. You’d better go home and rest up. If I send him home, you’ll need all your strength for nursing him back to health.”
“If?” Roland blurted.
Doc shrugged. “”Might be best to keep you here where I can keep an eye on you. Ensure you behave yourself.”
Roland scoffed.
“That might be wise.” Faith rose from the chair and patted Roland’s arm. “All right. Sleep well, and I’ll be back tomorrow to visit.”
Roland grunted a remark which she hadn’t heard clearly enough to comprehend. Could have been anything from complaining about pain to feeling sorry for himself. She’d leave him be for now, and check on him in the morning. She was thankful he’d recover. The accident could have been much worse.
First the bullet grazed his arm. Now this accident with the horse. Things happened in threes, she’d heard. What more could go wrong?
“Let’s give the good news to Simon and Violet that our patient is awake and his surgery went well,” Doc suggested. “They’ll be sitting on pins and needles.”
“All right,” Faith smiled. “We all love Roland so much. They’ll also be delighted to hear he’s going to be fine.”
* * *
Simon had slipped a hundred dollars under the closed door leading to Doc Bennett’s living quarters in the old house. The funds would cover the cost of Roland’s care, or so he hoped. No telling how long his friend would remain under Doc’s care. Now, Simon sat with an arm around Violet; she’d dozed off a half hour ago. His arm had lost feeling a while back, but he wouldn’t disturb Violet who needed the rest.
Slowly, Violet straightened in the chair and slid closer to the edge. “How long has Doc Bennett been working on Roland?” she whispered, yawning.
Simon shrugged, gazing into Violet’s eyes. “Some time now. I hope he hasn’t discovered a problem, other than a broken leg.”
“Don’t even think such a thing,” she scolded him.
“Don’t worry. Roland couldn’t be in more capable hands. Doc Bennett is one of the best,” Simon whispered. He glanced toward the closed door to the examination room, hearing a scraping sound on the other side.
Violet turned toward the door. “Did you hear that?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Simon reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. “I think we’re about to hear some news about your brother.”
The door opened and Doc Bennett emerged, his face tired and drawn. He appeared exhausted. Faith stepped out from behind him.
“Hi, folks. Not surprised you’re still here waiting,” Doc began.
“Of course we are.” Violet leapt off the chair. “How’s my brother?”
“Good news. I figure he’s going to be fine.” Doc Bennett dragged his hand down his face. “The surgery took a little longer than I’d counted on. The leg broke in three places, but if he stays off it, he’ll mend completely in a couple months.”
“Three places?” Violet exclaimed.
Doc nodded. “Took a bit of work setting it, but he’s all fixed up now. I’m hoping he won’t have much of a limp. Of course, it’s too early to tell until the leg heals first.”
“He’s alive at least,” Faith reminded Violet. “That’s what’s important.”
“If those ornery longhorn steers had turned on him after he was unseated from the saddle, he’d be in worse shape than a broken leg,” Simon reminded them.
Violet nodded. “You’re right. We need to be thankful for our blessings. Roland could have been gored by one of those horns, or trampled and killed if they’d stampeded. And I… I never would have survived losing him.”
Faith’s eyes filled with unshed tears. “Me either.”
“He has a long road to recovery ahead of him, and I’m keeping him here for a good part of it.” Doc Bennett waved off Violet’s attempt to argue. “He lives alone in that little house by his vet clinic. He needs someone to cook for him and tend to his… needs. He’ll be fine here for a while with me and the missus.”
Simon knew what Doc meant by needs. He couldn’t imagine how Roland would hobble to the outhouse. Or perhaps Doc had something else in mind. Even negotiating a chamber pot might take a bit of creative maneuvering, with help from someone. Clearly, Roland couldn’t live alone. “What if I hire a nurse? Someone to tend to him while he’s recovering? He could stay with us at the Double M while he’s laid up.”
“Or at the Triple C if we hired a nurse,” Faith added.
“Best he remain here for now where I can keep an eye on things.” Doc Bennett stretched and yawned. “You folks go home get some sleep, and I’ll get a bit of shuteye myself before my patient needs tending again.”
Simon stuck out his hand. “Thanks, Doc. For everything. Roland couldn’t be receiving better care.”
“Thank you, Simon. I appreciate that.”
The two men shook hands and Violet and Faith hugged Doc Bennett tightly.
“We’ll be heading home now. The roundup will continue tomorrow and sunup comes early.” Violet led Faith toward the door.
“Best of luck with the remaining days. And no more run-ins with steers, you hear?” Doc called.
“We’ll try not,” Violet replied.
“I promised Roland I’d be back tomorrow to visit. Will you need me for the roundup?” Faith inquired, looking hopeful.
Simon glanced at Violet, knowing the decision was hers to make.
“Of course you can visit him. I’ll come along if I have time,” Violet added. “But please tell me everything if I can’t accompany you.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that so much. And I’ll report everything about his condition.”
“I’ll be back in a couple days for sure, Doc. Let me know what we owe you then,” Violet said.
Simon shook his head, standing behind her where she wouldn’t notice him pointing toward the door where he’d slipped the payment under.
Doc turned around and nodded, understanding his meaning.
“No need to worry about that now.” Doc smiled. “Let’s get Roland on his feet, then we’ll talk about it.”
After saying their goodbyes to Doc, Simon and the ladies walked outside. If they weren’t covered in dirt and dust and wearing their trousers, he would have treated them to supper at the hotel. Instead, he helped them into the wagon and he climbed onto the bench seat. He’d arranged for Billy at the livery to bring the horses water and feed while they waited to hear how the surgery went.
“Feels like I’ve been run over by a steer myself,” he muttered aloud. Every bone in his body ached and he needed sleep. “It’ll be dark soon and no sense heading back to the roundup now. I’ll drop you at the Triple C then spend the night at the house on the Double M.”
“All right,” Faith muttered.
“Get some sleep and I’ll pick you up at four-thirty tomorrow morning, then we’ll head back and catch up with the others before the day starts.”
“Sounds good.” Violet yawned.
Of course, his family would demand an update on Roland as soon as Simon arrived home. He’d be lucky to see his bed before ten o’clock. Then he’d be roused from sleep again by four at the latest.
At least, he hoped they’d seen the end of bad luck during this year’s roundup. What else could go wrong?
Chapter 29
Three days later, Simon encountered Faith coming out of Doc’s clinic when he dropped by to check on Roland.
“Do I need to ask what you’ve been doing?”
Faith blushed prettily. “No. I promised to visit Roland today.”
“I’m certain he appreciated it.” Simon had seen how concerned she’d been about his friend. No doubt, she’d fallen in love with the new vet in town, and Roland couldn’t have found a nicer gal to spend his life with.
“That’s what Ray Cochrane said. I took a chance and picked up our mail at the general store before I p
opped in to see Roland.” Faith glanced heavenward again. “Every time I set foot in the store, I fear my father will be lurking there and drag me back home again.”
Simon shook his head. Violet and Faith had explained to most of the community the female ranch hands’ circumstances prior to landing in Milestone. “Your father couldn’t force you to return. You have a job and a new home here with Violet.”
“What I want wouldn’t matter to him in the least.” Faith shrugged. “He’d find a way to ensure I obeyed his wishes.”
“Not without a fight. No one in Milestone would allow him to strong arm you into going anywhere against your will.” Simon smiled at her. “You have friends here.”
“Thank you. I can’t tell you what your support means to me.” Faith smiled. “I feel so at home on the Triple C, and I love the citizens of Milestone. Friendly and helpful. Supportive. As long as my father doesn’t find me, I intend to live here forever.”
Simon caught himself smiling. “I’d wager Roland would be in favor of that.”
Faith’s face reddened. “That would be nice.”
“He’s pretty smitten with you.” Simon shifted his feet. “I’ve never seen him this interested in a girl.”
“I believe we were made for each other. Everything about him is perfect.” Faith covered her mouth with her hand. “Please don’t tell him I said that. I don’t know if he feels the same about me.”
“Oh, I bet he does.”
“He’s pretty cranky right now, but he would welcome a visit with you.” Faith smiled. “I’m returning to the Triple C.”
“Say hello to Violet for me.” He waved Faith off.
A minute later, Simon settled on the chair beside Roland’s bedside. His pale complexion told Simon his friend was miles from a full recovery from the accident. Faith mentioned he was cranky and Simon reckoned complaining might be considered a good sign.
“How are you feeling?”
“Same as the last time you were here… like I’ve been run over by a steer,” Roland muttered, grimacing as he attempted to sit up.
“Don’t think you were run over, but you landed hard.” Simon settled another pillow behind Roland’s back. “Is that better?”
Roland nodded. “A bit. Everything hurts,” he groused.
“I ran into Faith on my way into the clinic. She told me you were cranky.” Simon chuckled as his friend frowned.
“I can’t believe this happened.”
“Quite the run of bad luck you’re having.” Simon returned to his chair. “You should have stuck to doctoring cattle not rounding them up.”
“I wanted to help, especially after I left Violet on her own and penniless last spring.”
Simon crossed his leg over his knee and leaned back in the chair. “And we appreciated your offer, especially after all the to-do finding the stolen stock.”
“That part worked out all right. Those bastards deserved what they got.”
“At least, a few of them are on the way to prison. The rest paid the price with their lives.” Simon shrugged. “Some fellows would rather die than surrender.”
“Fools.”
“I agree.”
“What am I going to do, Simon?” Roland dragged a hand down his face. He looked the picture of frustration, annoyance, impatience and worry all rolled into one expression. “If Doc has his way, I can’t work for a least a month, maybe longer. Depends on how quickly this leg mends.”
“A month? More like two. You’ll be good as new, eventually.”
“Meantime, eventually won’t pay the bills.” Roland threw the book he’d been reading across the room. “I’m not working, but I need to pay the bank loan on my equipment and the monthly rent on my building.”
“Actually, AJ owns that building. Pa will wait for the rent until you’re able to pay. Don’t worry about that,” Simon assured him, retrieving the copy of Moby Dick and setting it on the end of the bed. “You shouldn’t be worrying about anything except getting well again.”
“Difficult to do with too many hours in my day spent sitting here and stewing about the uncertainty in my life. Doing nothing for weeks with no means of making money. And I haven’t any savings yet, having worked for such a short time since graduation.” Roland leaned back against his pillows and closed his eyes. “What am I going to do, Simon?” he whispered the plea again.
Simon cleared his throat.
Roland’s eyes opened. “If you’ve got something to say, then spit it out.”
“You’re feeling helpless right now. No money. No means to earn any. Debts owed.” Simon met his friend’s eyes. “Reminds me of a similar circumstance you left Violet in when you returned to school.” Simon would swear his friend’s face paled another shade lighter than before.
“I… I can’t believe I did that to her.” Roland shook his head. “If she felt half as helpless as I do now…”
“Ironic if you ask me.”
Roland heaved a sigh. “I told her to sell. I reckoned she would. I wasn’t interested in ranching, but I underestimated her commitment to the Triple C.”
“She loves that ranch and she’s not going to give it up. She’ll fulfill her pa’s dream of owning that ranch, or die trying.” Simon intended to help her meet her goal also. He planned to spend the rest of his life with Violet on that land, growing a legacy for their children. “And I intend to continue helping her.”
Roland frowned. “What do you mean?”
“She asked Harold Watson for a loan, but he turned her down. I caught her crying out on the street shortly after she left the bank. She was devastated and seeing her so distraught nearly broke my heart. I met with Harold, without her knowing of course, or she wouldn’t have accepted my help. She can be a tad stubborn.”
“I’ve noticed,” Roland agreed, chuckling.
“Harold gave her the loan, keeping one of the terms secret from her. She can never learn that I stepped in and helped her.”
“What terms?” Roland shrugged. “Did you convince Harold to lend her the money?”
Simon shook his head. “Not the bank’s policy to lend money to women. If I hadn’t done what I did, I don’t know what would have become of your sister. She definitely would have lost the ranch.”
“Then how did she get the loan?”
“I co-signed her bank loan. By putting my John Henry on the paperwork as well, Harold arranged for the bank’s owners to lend Violet the money to save your ranch,” Simon admitted, immediately hearing a gasp from behind him.
He turned in the chair, shocked to see Violet standing in the doorway. Dammit, he’d never wanted her to learn the truth. Her face paled, her eyes filled with tears, and she raced down the hallway. A few seconds later, he heard the clinic door slam closed.
“Violet wasn’t supposed to ever learn what I’d done.”
“You’d better go after her and explain,” Roland urged him, waving him toward the door.
Simon sprang off the chair and raced from the clinic. He caught up to her as she attempted to untie her mare’s reins from the hitching rail. “Violet, wait. You’re too upset to ride. We need to talk.”
“There’s nothing I want to hear from your lying lips.” She abandoned the attempt to untie the reins and stomped down the boardwalk.
“I didn’t lie to you. I lent a hand. You needed help and I found a way to accomplish that.” Simon hurried to catch up to her.
“Allowing me to believe I’d saved Father’s ranch on my own.” Violet swiped at her tears.
Her expression told Simon how furious she was with him. He’d hurt her deeply with his deception, despite his good intentions. “That wasn’t my purpose. I wanted you to get that loan. You showed more gumption than a lot of men I know, and the fact Harold refused to lend you the money because you’re a woman seemed unfair. I found a way around the rule.”
“By going behind my back and making a fool of me.”
“I could have instructed Harold to give you money from my account. Instead, you signe
d a loan and you’ll repay it from your own money. All I did was sign my name on a piece of paper. You’ll save the ranch yourself through hard work and perseverance.” Simon hoped she’d see reason and forgive him. But right now, her feelings were too raw and she wouldn’t listen.
Violet stormed down the sidewalk and he allowed her to go. He’d talk to her again later when she might be more inclined to listen to him. And he’d apologize for treading on her toes. Although, if faced with the same situation again, he’d help her in a heartbeat.
* * *
Violet rushed toward Amanda’s Clothing Emporium, not knowing where else to turn. She’d never felt so foolish in her life. How could she have believed Harold Watson had changed his mind and given her the loan? The world didn’t work that way. People in charge never changed the rules out of the blue. Businessmen and bankers never based decisions on a change of heart.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
She should have realized something wasn’t right. But she’d needed those funds so badly, she’d been blinded by her happiness. And relief that she might actually fulfill her father’s plan to own the Triple C. Now, she knew the truth. Simon had co-signed the loan, enabling her to save the ranch.
Tears blinded her vision, but she managed to stumble into the store. She stood in the front display area sobbing, shoulders heaving and feeling totally humiliated. No one had betrayed her this badly before.
Nancy Watson rushed to her side. “My goodness, Violet, what happened?” She wrapped an arm around her shoulder, guided her down the store’s aisle, and gently settled Violet on a chair beside Nancy’s sewing machine.
Violet shook her head, unable to speak.
Nancy fetched her a glass of water and settled onto another chair beside her. “Breathe. Take a sip of water. Calm down,” she encouraged Violet.
Amanda rushed over. “What happened?”
“I don’t know. She stumbled into the store, crying. I haven’t gotten a word out of her,” Nancy explained.
Amanda patted Violet’s arm and handed her a cotton handkerchief. “Please, tell us what happened.”
Violet dabbed at her tears. “It’s Simon.”
Inherit A Dream (Sons Of A Gun Book 4) Page 17
