“He calls himself Clink, and he hangs around with the Kellers.”
Aaron shook his head. “I might have known they were involved.”
“There’s somebody out there behind the chicken coop, but I can’t see him clear enough to know if he’s been to the saloon.”
“I can see him,” Win said. “It’s one of the men who threw me out of my cabin.”
“Are you sure, Win?”
“Yep, Beulah. I won’t never forget them three.”
The man stepped out from behind the coop and Lottie said, “It one of the Keller sons.”
Before anybody could say anything else, Win raised his rifle and took aim. “This is for throwing me down the bank, you bastard.” He squeezed the trigger.
They then heard a voice yell, “They done killed Eli, Pa!”
“Hell and damnation. I’m gonna kill Aaron Wilcox it it’s the last thing I ever do.” Roaring like a mad bear, Cleg Keller darted from behind the edge of the barn and fired toward the house as he ran.
“I can’t get a sight on him, Aaron.”
“Don’t worry, Win. We’ll get him later.”
Things were quiet for a while.
“Maybe they gave up,” Lottie suggested.
“Men like them don’t give up. They’re just biding their time.” Beulah looked at Aaron. “Are you doing all right?”
“I’m fine.”
“If you get tired…” Drina started.
“I’ll let you know, but just being out of bed feels good.”
“You won’t overdo, will you?” Drina asked.
“I won’t. I…”
Milly came into the room. “I think I see a wagon coming.”
“Probably Salty,” Beulah said.
Drina looked frightened. “I hope he hears the shooting and doesn’t ride into an ambush.”
Aaron reached down and patted her arm. “Salty’s smart, honey. He’ll take care.”
At that moment, there was a loud crash in the hall. Drina whirled around and the gun slid off her lap and was covered by her skirt as Cleg Keller came stumbling in the room with his gun drawn. Milly was closest to the hall. He reached out, grabbed her around the neck, and pulled her against him. “Ever one of you better drop your gun or this purty little gal gets a bullet in the head.”
When they hesitated, Aaron said, “We better listen to him.” He laid his gun on the table by the window.
As if in slow motion, one by one, the others laid down their guns. Lottie was first. Then Win. Beulah was last. Milly had dropped hers when Cleg grabbed her. Drina didn’t move.
Cleg let out a vicious laugh and shoved Milly half way across the room. She fell beside Beulah, who helped her up.
“Now, everbody move over here by the injun squaw and get comfortable. I want you all to watch while I kill Wilcox. He should’ve died a long time ago.” When nobody moved, he waved his gun at them. “Do you want to go afore he does?”
Everyone except Drina moved beside Beulah.
“You!” He bellowed when Win moved with the group. “We thought you’d crawled off and died. How’d you make it all the way down here to this ranch?” Win didn’t answer, and Cleg went on. “I ought’a thank you for that good stew and whiskey. Me and my boys liked it, but that don’t mean you’re going to live this time. You’ll be next, right after, Wilcox.”
He turned back to Aaron and sneered. “That there purty wife of yours looks like she might be worth keeping around for a while. Me and my boys will enjoy taking care of her for you after you’re gone.”
“You swine,” Aaron snarled at him and tried to get up. He was unable to.
Cleg laughed. “Not such a big man now, are you?” He raised his gun and aimed it toward Aaron’s head. “Say good-bye to this old world.”
“No!” Beulah screamed.
“Shut up, you old squaw.”
There was a loud blast. Both Milly and Lottie screamed. Beulah’s mouth opened, but she couldn’t speak. Win stared in disbelief. Aaron reached for his wife as Cleg Keller’s gun went off, but the bullet went into the ceiling as he fell backward. There was a bullet hole in his forehead.
Drina was staring at the gun in her hand. Nobody moved until her shoulders slumped and she cried out, “Oh, Lord, what have I done?” She then threw the pistol on the floor as if it was so hot she couldn’t hold it.
Aaron pulled her to him with his good arm. “You just saved the lives of everybody in this room, honey.”
Drina didn’t hear him. She’d fainted.
* * * *
When Drina opened her eyes, she frowned. What was she doing in a bed with someone holding her hand? She twisted to see Aaron in the rocking chair beside the bed. Why? He was supposed to be the one in bed. Why wasn’t he?
Their eyes met and he whispered, “Hi. It’s good to see you awake again.”
“But why, Aaron? I’m in your bed, and that’s wrong. The last I thing remember was…oh, Lord, I shot a man.” She jerked her hand free and covered her face.
He touched her arm. “It’s all right, Drina. You saved six lives. That’s what you’ve got to remember.”
“But…”
“Shh…No buts. We’d all be dead if it weren’t for you.”
She took a couple of deep breaths and swung her feet to the floor. “I’ll try not to think about it. Now, let’s get things like they should be. You’re in my chair, and I want you back in bed.”
“Are you sure you’re able to get up?”
“Yes.” She stood and gave him a quick smile. “Here take your cane. I can’t lift you to put you to bed.”
Once she had him in bed, he asked, “Will you do me a favor?”
“Of course.”
“Help me get out of these britches. They’re not comfortable in the bed.”
She blushed, but mumbled, “Unbutton them and I’ll help you get them off.”
“Thank you.”
After he was settled, Drina said, “Maybe I should go see what’s going on in the other part of the house.”
“Everything’s under control out there.”
“How do you know?”
“Well, let’s see. After you fainted, chaos reigned for a few minutes. Then Win yelled, “They’re riding off. There’s three of ’em.” And Milly cried, “I’m going to check on Gus!” Then, she headed for the back door. Lottie tried to stop her, but it was no use. Milly was out the door.
“Beulah rushed over when she saw you had passed out and decided since you’re so little she could carry you to my room.”
“Carry me?”
He nodded and went on. “Win and Lottie helped me to the room behind you. Beulah started to put you on the couch, but I insisted she put you in my bed. After you were in bed, I sent them all away. I wanted to look after you myself.”
“I appreciate it.” She sat back in the rocker. “Do you know how Gus is?”
“Yes. Beulah said he wasn’t hurt as badly as he could have been. The bullet went through his side, but missed anything important. While all the shooting was going on, he played dead so they wouldn’t shoot him again. It worked.”
“I’m so glad. He’s a nice man.”
He chuckled. “You’re not the only one who thinks so. Beulah says Milly hasn’t left his side since she found out he was going to live. They have him in the bunkhouse, but Milly said she was going to string up some kind of blanket or something so she can stay with him tonight.”
“But she’s a …I mean…”
“I know what you’re thinking, but she’s only been in the business a few weeks. If Gus can overlook that, you never know what might happen. Beulah says she has a feeling he’s found a woman who’ll make him a good wife.”
“Do you think he’ll marry her?”
“I don’t know, Drina. I’m not an expert on that sort of thing.”
She didn’t say anything for a minute. Finally, in a soft voice, she started to ask, “Aaron, did you…I mean…was she…?”
He reached out and too
k her hand. “No, Drina. I was never with Milly, if that’s what you’re asking. As a matter of fact, she hasn’t started entertaining men. Hal likes for the customers to meet and like the women before he puts them to work upstairs.”
She ducked her head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“I don’t mind you asking. Our agreement was to tell each other the truth, remember?”
She smiled. “I remember.”
He tightened his hold on her hand. “I remember, too; and I plan to stand by that for the rest of our lives.”
She squeezed his hand. “So do I.”
Chapter 18
There was a knock on the bedroom door. Drina moved to open it. “Hello, Salty.”
“Howdy, Miz Drina. I see you’re feeling better.”
“Yes, I am. Thank you.” She stood aside. “I assume you came to see Aaron.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then I’ll leave you two alone.” She turned back to Aaron. “I’ll be back later.”
He nodded and winked at her. To Salty, he said, “Come in and tell me what’s going on.”
Salty closed the door and moved to Drina’s chair. “I need to ask you a couple of things.”
“Sure, but first tell me how Gus is.”
“He’s gonna be jest fine. That little gal, Milly is taking good care of him.”
“Good. Now, what are your questions?”
Salty took a breath. “First of all, I got the stuff in town you wanted for Miz Drina, but there was so much going on here when I got back I put the wagon in the barn and left it all there. What do you want me to do with it?”
“Bring it in and put it in my room upstairs.”
“You ain’t gonna give it to Miz Drina?”
“I’ll give it to her later. She’s still shook up over shooting Cleg Keller and I don’t think it’s a good time to give it to her.” He changed the subject. “Did you get the wires sent?”
“I did. I expect you’ll hear somethin’ in a few days.”
“How about the crutches?”
“They’re in the wagon with the cloth.”
Aaron grinned. “Did you have a good time buying the cloth?”
“Dag nab it, Boss. Don’t start that. I ain’t never been is such a situation and I think Geneva Ragsdale had a good time making fun of me.”
“It couldn’t have been that bad.”
“It was awful. And thank everything that’s holy, it’s over with. I never want to do that again.”
“Maybe you won’t have to.”
Salty frowned. “What do you mean, maybe?”
“There’s something else you need to do in town.”
“Now, wait a minute, Aaron. You know I’ll do most anything fer you, but there’s a limit. A man’s gotta hang on to some pride.”
“You’re right about that, and maybe this will help your reputation.”
He frowned again. “What is it this time?”
“When the men get back send one of them to take Cleg Keller’s body to town and tell Zane Mason to come to see me in the next few days. Then, I want you to take the whores over to Fiddler’s Creek.”
“Don’t you want Sheriff Mason to come right away?”
“If he can, but he knows me well enough to understand what happened here isn’t something that has to be investigated right away.”
“I’ll get the man to take care of Cleg, but I may jest be taking Lottie to Fiddler’s Creek.” When Aaron frowned, Salty went on, “I don’t think I’ll be able to pry Milly from Gus.”
“I don’t think it’s wise for her to stay here. Not for a while, anyway. Maybe she can come back after things are settled.”
“I know. I’ll try to get her to go, but you may have to run her off.”
“I hope I don’t have to, but I don’t want the women to be in trouble if the sheriff feels he has to take her back to town.” Seeing Salty’s frown, he added, “Don’t worry. It’ll all work out.”
* * * *
Beulah put a platter filled with fired pork on the supper table and turned to go for the vegetables. She stopped cold when she spied the door leading down the hall. “Well, I don’t believe my eyes. Look a-coming here.”
Lottie, who had a basket of bread in her hand looked around, but only stared.
Aaron stood on two crutches and grinned at everyone. “I thought it was about time I came to the table.”
“Well, bless my soul, ’tis good to see you in here, and you’re all dressed and everything.”
He chuckled and looked down at Drina. “That’s thanks to my wife. I’m ashamed to say I can’t get my pants on by myself.”
Drina turned a little pink and said, “I thought it’d do him good to get out of the bed for a while.”
“I’m sure it will.” Beulah walked to the table and pulled out the chair at the end. “Your place has been waiting for you and Miz Drina’s plate is right at your elbow where it’s supposed to be.”
He moved to the chair and sat. “Thank you, ma’am.”
Drina took his crutches and put them against the wall, then took her seat beside him.
Lottie started toward the chair on the other side of Aaron, but Beulah entered with the vegetables and blocked her way. “I think this is everything, and if you don’t mind, I think I’ll join you. I’ve been too busy to eat.” She sat the bowls on the table and took a seat.
Lottie cut her eyes at Beulah, but said nothing as Beulah took the chair beside Aaron.
“Where’s Milly?” Drina asked.
“She’s with that cowboy who got shot,” Lottie muttered.
“Gus,” Beulah added and handed Aaron the platter of meat. “I’m beginning to think they like each other.”
Aaron took the pork and passed it to Drina. The vegetables went around next.
“I think it’d be appropriate to say a prayer of thanksgiving that Aaron is able to be up, and none of us were hurt during the attack, and that Gus is on his way to recovery.” Drina smiled at her husband.
He nodded. “You may be right. Would you like to say a few words?”
Drina said a simple short prayer then turned to him. “Thank you.”
He only nodded and took a bite. “As usual, it’s good, Beulah.”
“I’m glad you like it, Mr. Aaron.”
He took another bite then looked at Lottie. “When you finish, go get Milly. I need to tell the two of you my plan.”
“She may not want to come.”
“Tell her I expect her to be here, and I want no argument about it.” His voice was firm, but not callous.
Her eyes moved to her plate. “Yes, Aaron.”
He turned to Beulah. “Where’s Win?”
“He said he wasn’t comfortable in your fancy house. He’s feeling better and he decided to move to the bunkhouse with the men. He said they enjoyed his stories, and he might stay on the ranch a while, if you don’t object.”
“It’d be wise for him to at least stay the winter, but as far as I’m concerned, he can stay from now on.”
“Thank you, Aaron. I think he’s a little unnerved about going back to his cabin with the bad weather coming.”
“As I said, I have no problem with him moving in for good.”
Drina reached over and touched his arm. “That’s a good idea.”
Beulah nodded. “I’ll mention it to him, but he’s a proud man. He won’t accept charity.”
“Then I’ll put him to work. He’s a mountain man, so I’m sure there are a lot of odd jobs he can do around here.”
They were getting near the end of the meal when Lottie stood. “I don’t want any dessert. I’ll go see if I can convince Milly to leave that old man.”
Nobody answered her, but Aaron did nod.
After she left, Beulah asked, “What are you doing to do about her, Mr. Aaron?”
“I have a plan.”
Beulah looked at Drina, but she only shrugged. “He hasn’t told me a thing, but I’m sure he has something in mind.”
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“You’re right, honey. They’ll be gone tomorrow.”
“Thank you. Now, come on and let me get you settled in a comfortable chair in the sitting room. How about one by the fireplace?”
“Great, if you’ll join me.”
“After I help Beulah with the dishes, I will.”
“I’ll be doing the dishes myself.”
Aaron sat in the chair Drina put beside the fireplace, and when she started to move away, he shook his head. “I want you here when the whores come in.”
Drina touched his arm. “Don’t call them that, Aaron. I know what they are, but they have been a help since they arrived.”
He looked at her and frowned, “But—”
“No buts. Just do this for me.”
“I’ll do it for you.” He winked at her.
She patted his shoulder and pulled a chair up beside him.
There was a noise in the kitchen, and in minutes, Lottie entered. Milly followed.
“Have a seat, ladies,” Aaron said and glanced at Drina. She smiled at him. He went on, “I’ve sent for the sheriff and he’ll be here in the next day or two. I don’t know who else, if anyone, will come with him, but it won’t be safe for any of us if you’re found here.”
“Where can we go, Aaron?” Lottie glared at him.
Milly looked as if she was going to cry.
“I’ve asked Salty to take you to Fiddler’s Creek. You can get a stage there for anywhere you want to go, and you’ll be safe.”
“No!”
They all looked at Milly.
“I won’t leave Gus. He needs me.”
“Don’t worry, Gus will be fine, Milly. We’ll all make sure of that,” Beulah said.
“She’s right,” Aaron added. “We always take care of our hands, and you can come back in a few weeks if that’s what you want to do.”
“But Gus likes for me to be here, and I want to take care of him.”
Aaron shook his head. “It’s impossible right now. You women can’t stay here. There’s nowhere—”
With a sob, Milly jumped up and ran out of the room.
Aaron looked at Drina. “What did I say wrong?”
“It’s not what you said, Aaron, it’s just the way you said it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Milly doesn’t want to leave Gus.”
“I know, but she can’t stay here. When things are settled, she can come back, or Gus can go get her. Why wouldn’t she agree to that?”
Drina’s Choice Page 19
