“Room mate?”
“Another independent, free-thinking woman I live with,” Aimee said. Her face lit up in a bright smile.
“Two unmarried women living together?” He raised his eyebrows. “Is she your appointed guardian?”
“No, we’re the same age.”
“So you are both spinsters.”
“Why would you consider me a spinster? That sounds like I’m some gray-haired old woman in a rocking chair.”
“You seem past the usual age when a woman marries.”
“Excuse me? I’m only 23!”
Daniel perused her out of the corner of his eye for a moment. He had guessed her to be no older than twenty years, well past the age a young woman would have been married off. Again, the flawless skin on her hands and face made her look much younger, and supported his notion that she was a woman from a high social class. Just the type of woman to stay away from, he reminded himself.
“Any woman would consider herself a spinster at that age if she wasn’t married. But then I forget,” his lips curved in a smile, “you are a rare woman who doesn’t need a man.”
Aimee inhaled deeply. This is not the twenty-first century, you idiot! She needed to change the subject fast before she continued to stick her foot in her mouth. She watched several river otters at play. They darted onto the banks, then scurried back into the water, diving and rolling through the waves with ease.
Finally, she asked, “and what about you? Why don’t you have a wife?” Zach had told her plenty about Daniel, but nothing about his personal life.
Daniel’s face sobered. It took him a while before he answered. “I’ve had no desire to be tied to a woman. I have not met one who would lead the kind of life I do.”
“What about the Tuku..? How do you say the name of the tribe you’re friends with?”
“Tukudeka,” Daniel supplied.
“Tukudeka. Isn’t there anyone you’re interested in?” Aimee almost didn’t want to know the answer.
“Morning Fawn was to be my wife,” Daniel said without emotion. “She drowned two summers ago, before we were married.”
She studied his face for a moment. That’s why he was so mad at me the other day. He thought I was drowning.
“I’m so sorry,” Aimee said sincerely. The urge to touch him caused a tingling sensation in her arm. She hooked her thumbs through the shoulder straps in her backpack instead. “I’m sure you loved her a lot.”
Daniel shrugged. “I knew her all my life,” he said indifferently. “My foster mother wanted me to marry her. I would have honored the match out of obligation to her, not because of my feelings for Morning Fawn.”
Was that relief she felt? Aimee pondered. Would she have been jealous of Daniel’s feelings for a dead girl?
“Come on, there has to be someone you care about? You can’t tell me you’ve never been in love.”
Daniel’s hard stare told her she wasn’t going to get anywhere with her question. So she decided to change the subject. “For a mountain man, the way you talk is quite….refined. You don’t sound like an uneducated dimwit.”
“Dimwit?” Daniel’s eyebrows pulled together.
It was her turn to grin. “Someone who’s not too bright in the head,” she offered, tapping her index finger against her temple.
“My father’s upbringing. He is always honoring my dead mother in some way, and he knew she would not want me to be without an education She certainly wouldn’t stand for it if I spoke like a…….dimwit. He taught me to read, write, and cipher numbers during the winters when we were snowed in. Then I spent two years in Philadelphia with my father’s sister and her family. I attended Philadelphia University.”
Aimee was rather surprised that Daniel divulged so much information about himself. “Wow! I think you’ve just set a record,” she said incredulously.
“Set a record?” Daniel looked confused.
She giggled. “I’ve never heard you talk so much all at once.”
Daniel looked at her blankly.
“From your tone, I gather you didn’t like living in Philadelphia much.” Aimee was eager to keep the conversation going, glad he was finally talking to her.
“My father thought it would be good for me to live among civilized people and learn some culture.” His voice was filled with contempt.
“I can’t picture you anywhere but here.” She looked him up and down, admiring his profile. He walked gracefully, as if on air, with light, fluid movements. He carried himself tall and erect, always alert to his surroundings. His rifle was cradled casually in the crook of his arm, but she didn’t doubt for a second that it was ready to fire at a moment’s notice. “You must have been like a fish out of water back east.”
“This has always been my home. I was born in these mountains, and I don’t wish to live anywhere else.” Daniel’s face had gone hard again as he scanned for any danger in the distance.
If you only knew the truth.
They walked along in silence for a while, each absorbed in their own thoughts. She kept going over some of the things he had – and hadn’t - said, and the way in which he had said them. Finally, she ventured, “So, who was she?”
Daniel stiffened visibly next to her.
“The girl who broke your heart,” she prodded. Things about him were starting to add up now. At least she had a theory. His dark looks of contempt that first day. The penetrating stares. Even the near-kiss in the river. She’d bet a month’s pay that she reminded him of someone, and his body language at the moment and the expression on his face when she glanced up at him told her she had hit the mark.
“No one I wish to speak of,” he finally said.
“I take it she’s someone you met in Philadelphia?” She couldn’t imagine any woman who wouldn’t be absolutely beside herself to have the attention of a man like Daniel. What a stupid twit for rejecting him.
“This is not something I wish to talk about,” Daniel said firmly. “It is in the past, and long forgotten.”
“But now that I’m here, the memories are coming back. I remind you of her, don’t I?” she said softly.
“You share nothing in common with . . . her,” he finally said.
“I’m sorry she hurt you,” Aimee said sincerely. “Whatever she did, I know you didn’t deserve it.”
Daniel’s jaw clenched and unclenched. “You have nothing to be sorry for.” He frowned. “No more talk of the past.” He said with finality.
Aimee was dying of curiosity, but she wouldn’t press the issue. Maybe another time she could bring it up again. What would cause a man like him to have his heart broken by a woman? She wanted to reach out to him, take away the hurt look in his eyes. Right at this moment, this dark, intimidating man looked more like a big puppy that had been kicked around. Under his hard, tough as nails façade was a deeply caring guy with a tender heart.
“How did you find me so easily?” she wondered, wisely changing the subject.
“Your boots leave heavy tracks,” Daniel answered. His body relaxed again. “But even in your moccasins, it would have been easy,” he said through a grin.
She couldn’t help but stare at him. The easy smile on his face made him all the more stunning. What stupid woman would let him go?
“Do you think those Indians are still in the area?” she asked, concealing her true thoughts.
“They were heading further south,” Daniel said. “They were following elk tracks. They were not on the hunt for white women yesterday.”
“Oh, very funny.” She rolled her eyes at him.
“Why do you wear clothes like a man?” Daniel questioned after minutes of walking in silence.
“How would you like to walk around in a dress?” she countered, and Daniel flashed her another bright smile.
Oh, God, you’re melting my heart.
“I don’t recall women in the east wearing britches or letting their hair down and uncovered. Is this a new acceptable fashion?”
“I never took muc
h stock in what’s fashionable,” she shrugged. “I wear what I like and what feels comfortable, not what other people say I should wear.” Her last conversation with Brad popped into her mind. “Why?” She glared at him with narrowed eyes. “Do you disapprove of my choice of clothing, too, like you disapprove of me having an education or being a . . . a spinster? And don’t you even dare tell me to put my hair up!” She wagged a finger at him.
Daniel’s grin widened. “I don’t mind your clothes. They are much more practical here than if you wore a dress. And I never said I disapprove of you being educated or unwed. As for your hair,” Daniel paused and she noticed his eyes darkening. “It would be a shame to hide it away under some cap.”
His arm moved, ever so slightly, away from his side. He hesitated for a moment, then dropped it back down again, his fist clenched. Had he wanted to reach up and touch her hair? Her face grew hot. She never blushed! Why now, with him? Just the question of why made her flush all the more. It was time to take off the sweater.
Chapter 11
By noon, the Gibbon River came into view. As they were about to emerge from the woods, Daniel suddenly motioned for Aimee to stop, and he stepped in front of her.
“What is it?” she asked apprehensively, peering around his wide shoulders. Wordlessly, he took hold of her elbow and maneuvered her towards some trees to their left.
“Stay here,” he said firmly.
“Daniel, what is it?” she asked impatiently.
He pointed in the direction of his cabin, but she couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary.
“I didn’t leave a fire burning in the fire pit yesterday. And even so, the rain would have doused it. ”
Now that he’d pointed it out, Aimee noticed a tiny wisp of smoke rising in the air where she surmised the cabin was located. Daniel’s sharp senses continued to amaze her.
“Don’t move from here until I come for you.” He gave her a sharp look, and disappeared into the dense foliage, heading not for the Gibbon River, but rather the Firehole further to the west.
She wondered who could be at the cabin. The thought crossed her mind that Zach had returned already. Perhaps he had changed his mind about letting her stay for three months, and decided to come for her early. She wasn’t sure she wanted to leave yet, and felt a little disappointed at the thought.
What if it was Blackfoot, and they had taken over the cabin? Would Daniel be able to fight them off by himself? What help could she be? All she had was the hunting knife, and she wasn’t entirely sure she could use it against another human being.
The minutes dragged on, and seemed like an eternity to Aimee. Dammit. I want to know what’s happening.
Suddenly, Daniel appeared out of nowhere and beckoned her to follow.
“What’s going on?” she jogged to keep up with him.
“Some Tukudeka hunters are at the cabin. They are in need of help. One of them is injured.” Daniel’s voice sounded grave. He stopped abruptly and gave her a hard stare. “After we cross the river, you will go to the cabin and wait there.”
Oh, this was just great. More orders. “Why do I need to go to the cabin? Maybe I can help. How badly is he hurt?”
Daniel didn’t reply. His jaw set firm, and anguish filled his eyes. When they reached the banks of the Gibbon, Aimee had a clear view of the cabin. Two men stood by the fire pit, a third lie on the ground. She squinted to see better. The man squirmed but didn’t get up.
“He’s hurt bad.” Perhaps she could be of some help. Without waiting for Daniel, she ran to ford the Gibbon at the shallow spot. After wading through the knee-high water, she sprinted quickly up the meadow towards the yard. Daniel caught up to her, and headed her off, a dark scowl on his face.
“I told you to go to the cabin! Dammit, woman. Don’t you ever listen?”
“What’s wrong with that man on the ground?” Aimee asked, undeterred by Daniel’s glare. She took a closer look, and recognized the Indian as Elk Runner.
“My god, Daniel, is that an arrow sticking out of his abdomen? What happened to him?”
“They were surprised by a party of Blackfoot while on a hunting trip. Their village is too far, so they came here,” Daniel hissed.
She headed towards the yard, and Daniel pulled her back.
“This is no sight for you,” he said firmly.
“Like hell it’s not!” She shot him a defiant look, and pulled her arm free, then pushed past him. She was back in the ER, a new trauma patient had just been brought in. This was her territory.
She rushed over to the injured man on the ground. His breathing was fast and shallow. A grimace contorted his face. He was in obvious pain. She was completely undeterred by the two other Indians staring at her as she dropped to her knees beside Elk Runner. She assessed him quickly and expertly, lifting his lids to check for pupillary reflex, his pulse, his breathing. She took note of the arrow protruding from the man’s lower left abdomen, his leather shirt soaked in blood.
“He’s in shock,” she announced, looking up at the Indians and at Daniel, who now knelt next to her. “We need to stabilize him and get that arrow out, or he’ll bleed to death internally.” Aimee wriggled her backpack off her shoulders and found her medicine kit. She stuffed her rolled-up blanket under Elk Runner’s knees to elevate his legs.
“Daniel, I need boiling hot water, now, and a few more blankets!” she ordered. When he didn’t move, she gave him her fiercest look, then barked, “If you want this man to live, you need to do what I say, and do it now! I need boiling water, and if you have any alcohol around here, I could use that as well.” I’m starting to sound like Ashwell.
Daniel spoke quickly to the two Indians before disappearing behind his cabin. One of the Indians set a kettle of water over the fire.
When Daniel returned, Aimee once again knelt on the ground beside Elk Runner, his large hunting knife in her hand, slicing open the man’s leather shirt. She expertly palpated around the wound to try and figure out where the arrow’s trajectory was, and which organs might be affected.
“An ultrasound would be really nice right about now,” she mumbled.
Daniel wordlessly handed her a cup.
She looked up at him. “I can get that arrow out.”
“ A wound like that is fatal,” he stated solemnly. Aimee heard the anguish in his voice.
“No, it doesn’t have to be.” She shook her head. “If the arrow didn’t puncture his stomach or intestines, there’s less chance of sepsis to set in. From the looks of it, it might be closer to the kidney.”
“I don’t understand your words.” Aimee saw the worry and pain in his eyes.
“I can help your friend,” she said encouragingly. “You have to trust me.”
“Have you seen a wound like this before? It is an agonizing death.”
“I have treated many wounds like this,” Aimee said firmly. “And this will only kill him if infection sets in. If it stays clean, he can heal.”
“You speak words I don’t understand. How is it you know all this?” Daniel ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
“Look, I’ll explain later, but right now I’d like to get this arrowhead out of his gut and get him sewn up, okay?”
Daniel gave a bewildered nod of his head.
“But you have to do what I say, when I say it, understand?” she continued. “No questions asked. And first, I need more of……what is this?” She smelled the contents of the cup Daniel had brought her. “Rum?” she answered her own question. “I guess it’ll have to do. I need more of this. We both need to soak our hands in it. Please tell your friends to either step back or support Elk Runner’s head, and keep him still. This is going to hurt.”
She didn’t dwell on the barbaric way she would have to perform surgery on this man. She had assisted in countless emergency knife stabbing and gunshot surgeries, so she had complete confidence in her ability. But those procedures were always done under anesthesia, not while the patient was awake. And unfortunately, she
had nothing to give this man to knock him out. She did have lidocaine, however. Technically, she shouldn’t be in possession of this drug, but a veterinarian friend she’d gone backpacking with on several occasions had given it to her. They had both agreed that it was a useful drug to carry in the backcountry. Now it would hopefully numb this wound enough to let her remove the arrow and stitch him back up without too much pain.
Supplies for minor surgeries were always with her. The trauma nurse in her wouldn’t have it any other way. She glanced down at her medical kit, knowing she had a limited supply of needles and syringes, betadine, sterile gauze, and suture material.
She unzipped her medical kit. She rummaged for her bottle of lidocine, and ripped open the plastic cover to a small syringe. She stuck the needle in the bottle’s rubber stopper, and pulled back on the plunger to withdraw some of the drug.
Elk Runner’s companions murmured to each other when they saw her with the syringe, and one of them shouted and tried to grab her when she started inserting the needle under the skin around the entry wound. Daniel said something quickly to the Indians, and they backed off.
“This is to make it numb,” she explained. “It will make the pain less when I pull this arrow out of him.” Her eyes met and held Daniel’s for a long moment.
“Is that water boiling yet?” she finally asked. Daniel nodded in affirmation, and she thought for a moment. “I need you to pour that cup of rum over my hands,” she finally ordered. Daniel did so without question. “Please bring me another cupful, and I need you to put two spoons into the boiling water.”
If he thought her requests were strange, he didn’t say so. He wordlessly and quickly did her bidding.
“I’m going to hold this shaft steady, and I need you to break it off,” she said to Daniel when he returned. She held the protruding arrow to minimize the movement internally when Daniel broke it off with one quick effortless snap.
Once the spoons had been in the boiling water long enough to be considered sterile, she said, “remove those spoons from the water, but be careful to only touch the very top of the handles, Daniel, “
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