by Lynn Donovan
Roland tied the rag-rope to secure the tarps in place. He lifted his eyes to the other man, “What about that guy?”
“I shot him.” The sheriff sounded remorseful. “He’s a bushwhacker.”
“Okay.” Roland determined that he’d done all he could for Cantwell, and with the sheriff holding the rags in place over his wound, he’d be as good as possible. He needed to attend to the other patient. “That man’s got a serious injury, too.” He stood to walk to the other man, but the sheriff caught his pant leg. Why was she stopping him? He looked into her worried eyes. It suddenly dawned on him. She was in love with this Cantwell. Now a lot of this made sense. “I’ve got him stable for now. He’s got a collapsed lung. We’ll need to get him back into town, but I need to look at this other man, too.”
The sheriff wrestled with what he said, but released her grip on his pants. Roland heard Cantwell say something to the sheriff, but he focused his attention on the other patient by squatting next to the bushwhacker. He had the same injury as Cantwell but he wasn’t breathing as if the lung had collapsed and the bleeding had stopped. Roland assessed they both could be moved, but they really needed to hurry. The sooner these two were in a clean infirmary the better. Then he could re-inflate Cantwell’s lung and stitch up both of their wounds. He just prayed the filth of the barn floor wouldn’t cause even more trouble once they were in an infirmary. He also prayed his good deed didn’t place his neck in a noose.
TWELVE
Hope and Nick hustled to hitch up the mule to a wagon and helped Roland and the sheriff load the two men into the bed. Nick drove and Hope climbed into the back with Sheriff Muldoon. Roland considered leaping on his horse and riding west for all he was worth, but his conscience just wouldn’t let him run. Someone needed to know his findings and to make Mrs. Chance aware that her salve had been poisoned. That was probably another job for the sheriff to resolve. Who would want to sabotage the Chance cattle production?
He had no idea how skilled the two women in town were with surgical issues. He had to return with Cantwell and the bushwhacker to insure both were properly treated. Treating a collapsed lung and a bullet wound was the same on a human as it was for an animal. If the ladies who currently served as the town’s medical help didn’t know how to treat either, he certainly did. He glanced at Hope. She sat beside the bushwhacker, while Patience knelt beside Cantwell. His heart ached to take Hope into his arms and assure her everything would be alright.
They both were maintaining pressure on the rag which covered the wounds on each man’s chest. He encouraged them both that they were doing right by this action. Moving the men into the wagon and the rough ride back to town would surely aggravate their wounds and cause their bleeding to worsen.
But what he wished he could say was how much he loved Hope Ledbetter and ask her to marry him as soon as he could get these men stabilized in an infirmary. He and Hope could rush to the church and be married, then return to her ranch and celebrate their new life by telling the children.
Alas none of that could happen. More than likely, once he had the patients stabilized in the infirmary, he’d be handcuffed and taken to the jailhouse, or straight to a hanging tree. They needed to hurry, and yet he dreaded facing the sheriff, once all the excitement was behind them. He dreaded Hope learning the burden that hung over his head. His innocence couldn’t be proven. His only known witness was Prince, but the dog couldn’t tell their story.
Someone, other than Roland, had shot Dr. Payne when he attacked Roland and Prince. Who that person was had remained a complete mystery to Roland. If only he hadn’t succumbed to unconsciousness, he might have seen who had rescued them both from the cruel hand of his one-time partner and friend.
Roland sighed and crawled onto the seat beside Senior Garcia. He’d do his duty to the medical profession and then face the consequences. Let the chips fall where they may. He would die knowing he had not killed the man. Perhaps the Good Lord would show him mercy when he crossed to the other side of the Jordan.
“Cousin Charity!” A young man yelled as he flew from the saddle of a livery horse. “Cousin Charity, Mrs. Graham sent me to warn you!”
“What’s all this?” Charity stepped to her door. Her cousin’s son, Luke Coffey, panted as he ran toward her. “That salve,” he panted. “Don’t use that salve no more. It’s poisoned!”
“What?” Her hand fluttered to her throat. “Poisoned?”
“Yes ma’am. You’re not gonna believe, that animal doc came to town and Mrs. Graham and Cousin Honor both agreed with him that it was poisoned, with hemlock. That’s why your calves are dying!” He leaned over and put his hands on his knees. Was he about to have another of those falling down fits? She stepped out onto her veranda, concerned for his safety. “Are you alright, Luke?”
“Yeah. I’m alright. But there’s been a shooting out at Cousin Hope’s ranch.” He stood to his full height. His eyes were round with excitement. “That doc came to town with your salve and was heading back out here to tell you, but somehow he ended up back at Hope’s ranch. They just came back to town with Mr. Cantwell and that bushwhacker who attacked my sister at the street fest. They both been shot and that doc sewed them up. Mrs. Graham sent me to warn you about the salve and Cousin Honor helped him with the surgery. Now he’s in jail!”
“What? Jail?” She scanned the horizon. “Why would he be taken to jail?”
Hezekiah took long strides to join her on the veranda. “Wait. You saying that Dr. Meadows has been arrested and put in jail? What for?”
Luke nodded vigorously. “Sheriff Patience said she had a wanted poster stating he was wanted for Murder and--”
Hezekiah slapped Luke on the back. “No. That’s a big mistake. Come on, let’s get back to town.”
Charity’s mouth dropped open. “What’s a big mistake? Hezekiah, what are you talking about?”
“I’ve gotta get to town, Charity. I’m the only one who can straighten this out.”
She drew in a deep breath and glanced over her shoulder. Hezekiah knew something that could settle this awful thing with Dr. Meadows, and she needed to confront her suspicions about who poisoned her calves. “Alright. I’ll be here when you get back.”
THIRTEEN
“Sheriff, wait!” Hezekiah Brunston stumbled into her office. He glanced at her docile prisoner and back at her. “This man’s innocent. I can prove it!”
She stood wearily. “Look, Mister…I’ve had a long and difficult day. How could you know such a thing about this man?”
“Because, I’m the one who shot that man’s attacker.”
Roland leapt to his feet. “You shot Phillip? Why?”
“Right place, wrong time, really.” Hezekiah stepped closer to the doctor’s cell. He addressed both the sheriff and Dr. Malone. “I had picked up my next assignment from the county sheriff and was headed out of town, when--” He turned back to Sheriff Muldoon. “You gotta let this man out, Sheriff. He’s as innocent as a newborn calf.”
“I have a wanted poster, Mr. Brunston. There are procedures.” The sheriff’s face filled with annoyance.
“But he’s innocent.” He shoved a finger into his chest. “I’m your witness. I shot that man.”
Patience plopped down in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. “Do tell.”
“It’s the truth, Sheriff. Only, I stretched the truth about me getting an assignment. Truth is I owed Sheriff Greyson for some gambling debts, and he threatened to put me in debtor’s prison, unless…”
“Unless what?” Sheriff Muldoon tapped a fingernail on the top of her desk.
“Unless I took this assignment to fetch these Yankee scoundrels back to Charleston for a trial. I’d been a bounty hunter most of my life, but I’d promised my ma I’d give up the life and settle down with a respectable woman. The irony of all this is I think I’ve found that very women here in Lantern. Anyway, as I was leaving town with my tail between my legs, as it were, I rode past this barn, and I heard a crazed man scr
eaming obscenities. I rounded the building and saw him swinging some multi-strapped whip at this man.” He pointed at Roland. “Then a dog came out of nowhere and charged after this -- Phillip, was it?”
Roland nodded. Sadness filled his face. Prince had come to save him. Only to be severely injured instead.
“There was a horse that done broke outta his stall that busted from the barn, rearing up to trample this man, but he just kept swinging that whip. He turned on the dog and beat him even after he was unconscious. I’m telling you this Phillip fella was mad. So I shot him. The man that is. He was certifiably crazy, Sheriff. I didn’t realize Dr. Malone was unconscious, or I would have stayed. There were other people coming to help him, and Sheriff Greyson had made it clear that I had better get outta town before he changed his mind about letting me settle my debt, so I just left.” He turned to Roland, yanking his hat off his head and twisting it in his hands. “I’m sorry, Dr. Malone. I didn’t know you’d get blamed for that mad man’s death. I-I’d of never run off if I’d a known.”
Sheriff Muldoon stood. “You willing to sign a statement about all this, Mr. Brunston?”
“Yes ma’am, Sheriff. I aim to stay in these parts. I need to set this record straight.”
“Oh, Dr. Meadows!” Hope Ledbetter rushed into the sheriff’s office. She halted abruptly. “Or should I call you Roland Malone?”
Roland reached through the bars and Hope ran to clasp his hands. “I’m so sorry I lied to you Mrs. Ledbetter. I did it to protect you as much as myself. Can you forgive me?”
“I understand, Mr. Malone.” She turned to Patience. “Cousin Patience, can you release him with this man’s word that he’s innocent?”
Sheriff Muldoon smiled. “I will, but only if you swear you won’t leave town.”
Roland stepped back and let the sheriff unlock the cell door. “I can do you one better than that, Sheriff.” He took Hope’s hand into his. “If she’ll have me.” He swallowed hard and ducked his head to meet Hope’s eyes. “Hope Ledbetter, will you marry me?”
“Oh, mercy. I-I don’t know what to say -- I…” She turned to Patience for guidance. Patience lifted her eyebrows, tossing the decision back to her cousin.
“Answer me this.” Hope shoved balled fists onto her hips. “Why’d you lie about your name?”
Roland turned his head but not his eyes. “Actually, it was you who misunderstood me saying I was Johnny on the spot, and you asked if that was my name. It just seemed like the smart thing to do to hide my true identity. Then I looked out across your meadow and said my last name was Meadows. I didn’t mean to lie to you, but I did want to protect you and your children from whoever might be following me.”
“I see…” Hope swallowed hard. “Oh, this might just be the craziest thing I’ve ever done, but I got a good feeling about you Dr. Mea- I mean Malone. Yes. I’ll marry you.”
Roland pulled her into his arms as he had longed to do since he first laid eyes on her. “So, you forgive me?”
She nodded.
“Sheriff, do you think the preacher would marry us right now, before we go back to the ranch?”
Sheriff Muldoon smiled. “I have an idea that he just might.”
Hope looked up into Roland’s eyes. “The preacher is Cousin Patience’s daddy. She can talk him into about anything.” She giggled as a pink blush filled her face. Roland gazed into her radiant features. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever met and soon she would be his wife. Thank God this bounty hunter had happened into his life twice and saved him both times. Now he would be free of wrongful charges and the only shackles would be the one binding him in love with this wonderful woman and her precious children. This was more than he ever could have hoped for.
That thought gave him pause. How fitting the woman to whom he was about to pledge his life was named Hope. The lantern of her love shined so brightly in his heart, how could he ask for anything more?
EPILOGUE
“Roland!” Hope hollered from the barn.
He rushed out of the corral, his heart pounding. What was wrong? “I’m coming, sweetheart!”
She turned and hurried back inside. He couldn’t imagine what she had seen. None of the mares were pregnant. The new colt that was born four months ago was out in the pasture. The milk cows were fine the last time he checked them. He just couldn’t imagine. He looked all around to find her standing at an empty horse stall. “Look what your Prince has done!”
He drew his brow tight. Prince! What had he torn up? Roland stepped up behind his wife and peeked over her head, into the stall. Bella lay curled up in one corner, with six white-and-tan squirming pups suckling at her belly.
“What the--” He shoved his hat back on his head. “Prince! You old rascal.” He turned to Hope. “Some veterinarian I am, I hadn’t even noticed she was having pups.”
“Well, you’ve been busy, dear.” A pink hue filled her cheeks. He loved it when she blushed. It enhanced her beauty like nothing else could. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her lips, sweetly. His heart skipped a beat, like it always did when she was in his arms. He loved her more than life itself.
“How sweet of Bella to have her pups on our three-month anniversary.” Hope’s eyes twinkled with mischief.
“I’m sure they planned the whole thing just for us.” Roland teased. “I can’t believe I didn’t even realize she was pregnant.”
Hope ducked her head and pressed into Roland’s chest. He looked down at her with concern. Had he said something wrong? “Hope. Are you alright?”
She looked up into his eyes. When she looked at him like that, his heart soared into the clouds. He held her closer and lowered his lips onto hers. His passion unfurled as she kissed him back. Their love grew stronger every time they shared this expression of their emotions. Then she pulled back with a watery smile. “It seems you are short-sighted when it comes to noticing a pregnancy.”
Roland wrinkled his brow. What did she mean? He looked deeply into her mesmerizing eyes, sometimes they shone green and other times they were brown. He loved them always, just like he loved her. “Honest, I had no idea Bella was preg--”
He jerked back from her. Considering her words more carefully. “You’re not talking about Bella, are you?”
The pink in her cheeks darkened to an apple red. She shook her head and smiled.
“Hope! Are you-- are we--?”
She laughed and nodded.
Roland enveloped his wife in his arms. How could life get any better? “Mrs. Malone, you make me the happiest man alive. I love you so much!”
“I love you too, Roland. Let’s celebrate by telling the children.”
THE END
About the Author:
Lynn Donovan spends her days chasing after her muses, trying to get them to settle down and behave long enough to write down their words and actions. The results are numerous novels, anthologies, and short stories.
Lynn enjoys reading and writing all kinds of fiction, paranormal, speculative, contemporary romance, and time travel. But you never know what her muses will come up with for a story, so you could see a novel under any given genre. All that can be said is keep your eyes open, because these muses are not sitting still for long!
Oops, there they go again…
You can learn more about Lynn on her blog, follow her on Twitter @MLynnDonovan, Facebook at LynnDonovan, her Facebook Author page at LynnDonovanFGG and her website LynnDonovanAuthor.com.
OTHER Publications by Lynn Donovan:
The Wishing Well Curse (Spirit of Destiny, Book 1)
Thorns of Betrayal (Spirit of Destiny, Book 2)
Secret Voices (Spirit of Destiny, Book 3)
Rocking Horse Shadows
Christmas Grace, Signing Seeds
Merry’s Christmas Eve
Fertility Pirates (The Abraham Project, Book 1)
Cloned Chaos (The Abraham Project, Book 2)
Java Cupid Series:
Java Break
Java Footprint
Java Dreams
Java Masterpiece
Phantom Horse Series:
Phantom Origins (FREE)
Phantom Mystery
Phantom Lessons
Phantom Rescue
Phantom Chances
Gunther City Mail Order Brides Series
The Blacksmith's Daughter
Dixie's Dachshund
Lou Lou’s Christmas Wish
Alice's Trebled Heart
Silverpines Series
Join the Silverpines Readers Group on facebook to get up-to-date information about this series, interact with the authors, and more information that is just fun.
Wanted: Gunsmith
Wanted: Barkeep (coming in august 2018)
Lantern in the Window
Lantern of Patience by Lynn Donovan
Lantern of Faith by Parker J. Cole
Lantern of Grace by Lynn Donovan
Lantern of Charity by Parker J. Cole
Lantern of Hope by Lynn Donovan
Lantern of Honor by Parker J. Cole
Hey! Thank you for purchasing and reading my book, Lantern of Hope. I’d like to give you a parting gift to show my appreciation. If you will e-mail me at [email protected]. Put in the Subject Line: “Lantern in the Window Series Free Book.” I will send you an e-copy of a collection of short stories I wrote purely for your entertainment. I will happily send you this e-copy for FREE, if you ask. I will also add you to my NEWSLETTER list and you will receive up-to-date information on new releases before anyone else.
