For the Love of Annie

by Sabrah Huff Agee

  "Cooper? I've brought water, can you drink it?"

  Mary Louise was relieved when Cooper's parched lips opened to allow a few drops of water into his mouth. His Adam's apple bobbed so she knew he swallowed some of it. He took a few more sips before Mary Louise removed the tumbler from his lips. She was about to set the glass on the table when Cooper grabbed her arm in a surprisingly strong grip.

  "More," he croaked.

  She looked down and saw that his fever— bright eyes were open. "You're awake."

  "More water," he growled.

  "All right, you needn't get nasty about it. You can have more water, just don't guzzle it." She held the glass to his lips again and he drank thirstily. "Slow down, Cooper, you're going to get strangled if you don't slow..." She paused when Cooper began to cough and spray water over her and his blanket.

  "See, I told you," she admonished as she set the glass on the bedside table. Her arm was still trapped beneath his neck so that she had to stretch to reach the cloth she'd used to dry her hands. When she turned her gaze back to Cooper, he was glaring at her.

  "Where's Annie?" he rasped.

  She blotted the water from his chin and chest. "Annie's staying with Charlie and his family for a few days. I thought it would be better for all of us since you'll need all my attention for a while."

  "What are you doing here?"

  "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm taking care of you, ungrateful wretch that you are."

  He frowned. "Why you?"

  "I've been asking myself that question most of the night— especially after you bashed me in the nose so hard that it drew blood. The fact is, there was no one else save me to do it. Your deputies, brave and selfless men, I have no doubt, but they weren't cut out for duty in a sick room. It appears that they cannot countenance the sight of blood— at least, not your blood. Well, Charlie can, but he's got a family that needs him at home at night. And Lizzie, you'll remember, is ill. So, the lot fell to me to play nursemaid."

  Cooper looked down to where the blanket covered his most serious injury. "How bad is it?"

  "What? Oh, your wound? The doctor seems to think you'll be all right if you don't try to move too much. He had to remove the bullet. You were lucky it didn't hit something vital."

  Cooper raised the sheet covering him and peered beneath it. "I'm as naked as a newborn under here." He raised his gaze to hers. "I'll bet you've been getting your eyes full, haven't you?"

  Mary Louise took a moment to digest his meaning. Then her cheeks reddened when she remembered how she'd been tempted to peek at him. She pressed the sheet back into place. "Don't be crude, Cooper, it isn't attractive." She nervously touched her hair. "Can I get you anything? Something to eat, perhaps?"

  Cooper eased his head back on the pillow. "No, I'm not up to eating yet. My head hurts like hell."

  "Not surprising since you were shot there, too."

  He seemed to notice the bandage on his head for the first time and he reached to finger it. "How in the hell did that happen?" he rasped.

  "I told you, you were shot."

  Cooper looked confused. "There's no way Jesse could've gotten off two shots."

  "No, and he didn't. It was Jesse's shot that grazed your head and knocked you unconscious; Bubba shot you in the...other place."

  "Bubba? Bubba Hawkins, my own deputy?"

  Mary Louise patted his arm. "Don't get excited. Bubba didn't mean to shoot you, Cooper. According to Joe Bob, Bubba shot at Jesse, but Jesse moved and the bullet found you instead."

  "Damnation." He glanced at Mary Louise. "Sorry."

  She shrugged. "I've heard worse."

  He closed his eyes. "What happened to Jesse? Did I hit him?"

  "Right between the eyes, also according to Joe Bob."

  "Good." Cooper grimaced and twisted the sheet in his hands.

  Mary Louise touched his brow. "Is the pain really bad?"

  "Yeah. Pretty bad."

  "Dr. Morrison left some medicine for pain. I'll fix some for you— it'll help you sleep."

  "Please."

  Mary Louise picked up the small bottle of laudanum. She was an old hand with this particular drug. Laudanum was a staple as a pain killer around the plantation. Truth be known, Mary Louise was no stranger to nursing the sick and wounded. She'd spent a number of months studying under the expert tutelage of her uncle Erik when he was a medical student. She was grateful when he'd agreed to share both his knowledge and his medical books with her. She learned a great deal from Erik, but had kept her medical knowledge a secret from all but those closest to her. After all, nursing wasn't a proper vocation for a lady. Tired of being whispered about, she'd begun to hide any "unseemly" abilities she possessed. And even though she had long since stopped caring what people said about her, she'd hidden her "unladylike" talents for so long that it had become habit.

  She refilled the tumbler with water and held the medicine dropper over it. "I believe he said five or six drops should do it."

  Cooper eyed her worriedly. "You aren't sure? Be careful, Mary Louise. You know, too much of that stuff can kill a man."

  She cut her eyes over to him. "I'll keep that in mind." She sat down on the edge of the bed. "Can you raise your head, or do you need me to help?"

  "I can do it." He lifted his head and sipped from the glass Mary Louise held to his lips. He grimaced. "Jeez, I didn't know it would be so bitter."

  "Well, you have to drink it, bitter or not."

  He scowled at her, but he drank it down. Mary Louise set the glass on the bedside table and straightened his bed clothes. In a few minutes, Cooper, obviously beginning to feel the effects of the medicine, grinned crookedly and slurred, "Who'da ever believed you'd be taking care of me like this?"

  She arched a brow. "Certainly not I."

  Cooper licked his lips and carefully enunciated his words as if he were having difficulty saying them. "I habn' thanked you, Weezie for...doin' all thish...this."

  "You don't have to thank me."

  "Yeshhhh I do." He giggled and reached for her hand. "Thanks. You're very weet, Sweezie."

  She bit her lip to keep from laughing.. "You're very welcome."

  He licked his lips, again. "I been thinkin'."

  "Oh?"

  "About...ahhhh...about gettin' married again."

  Mary Louise held her breath. "And?"

  "Annie needs...a mama."

  "Yes, she does." Mary Louise put her hand over her pounding heart. He was going to accept her proposal after all!

  "As soon as I can, I'm gonna to ask...." His eyelids fluttered, then closed and he fell silent.

  "Who? Ask who, what?" Mary Louise wanted to shake him. "Wake up Cooper, and finish what were you saying."

  He opened his eyes. "What? Oh." He smiled drunkenly. "I was shayin' that I'm gonna ash her to marry me." He sighed the words and then drifted off to sleep.

  Mary Louise stared at his sleeping face. If not herself, then who had he meant? It didn't matter to whom he was referring, she couldn't bear the thought of any woman other than herself raising Annie. She could not, would not allow it. If Cooper were going to marry, he was going to marry Mary Louise Markham, damn it! She paced the room. But how on earth was she going to convince the stubborn sheriff? She would have to figure a way to make him want her, that's all there was to it. But how? She narrowed her eyes. There had to be a way. If she thought about it logically and rationally, she would think of a solution. She had to. Everything depended on it.

  MARY LOUISE had been dozing off and on while Cooper slept when she perceived a subtle change in his breathing. She reached over to touch him and knew at once that his temperature had risen.

  "Damn you, Cooper Matthews, don't you dare get any worse." She drew in a deep, calming breath. "All right, Mary Louise, you know what you're supposed to do if his fever should become excessively high." And his fever was certainly excessively high, if the heat emanating from his skin was any indication.

  "I can do this," she muttered under
her breath. She poured fresh water into the basin and dipped in the cloth she'd used to blot Cooper's chin. Then she twisted most of the water out and turned back to her patient.

  Hands shaking with nervousness, she carefully peeled back the sheet down to his waist. Then she began to wipe the cool cloth over his parched skin.

  She swallowed heavily as her hand passed over his muscular chest. Erik hadn't let her do this sort of thing unless the patient was female. Erik had always taken care of the men, so she'd never even seen a man's bare torso, at least not this close. She rather liked looking at Cooper's chest. The sight made her feel hot and cold all at once. His skin was smooth and tanned, as if he'd worked outside without a shirt. The upper part of his chest was covered in crisp, dark hair which transformed into swirls and curlicues beneath the damp cloth. She was startled when she touched the small brown nipples and they hardened perceptively through the dark curls, and she gave a tiny gasp when her own nipples tingled in response.

  The cloth was warmed by the heat of his skin, and Mary Louise rinsed it in the cool water. As she squeezed the excess moisture from the cloth, her mind strayed to Cooper's taut nipples and she softly admonished herself, "I've got to stop ruminating like some silly school girl! I must stay focused!"

  Taking a deep breath and squaring her shoulders, Mary Louise returned to her job. When she'd thoroughly sponged off his chest and shoulders, she covered him and moved to the foot of the bed. There, she pulled back the sheet to bare his legs. She methodically bathed his long, muscular legs, his narrow feet, his elongated toes. She determinedly kept her eyes down and her mind blank as she worked. After sponging his legs, he still felt warm so she bathed his chest again. She continued sponging him top to bottom until she thought she would drop from exhaustion. It was nearing dawn before she could discern that Cooper's skin had cooled considerably.

  Mary Louise sagged into the chair and leaned back. What a night. She was exhausted, she was disheveled, and she was hungry. But Cooper was sleeping quietly at last and his breathing was much improved.

  JOE BOB was at the door the moment his shift ended. "Law, Miss Markham, what in the world happened to your face?" he asked as soon as he saw Mary Louise.

  She touched her bruised nose. "Oh, it's nothing. Cooper accidentally hit me while I was changing his bandage." Mary Louise moved back to allow Joe Bob to come inside.

  "Lord help, it looks like it must smart somethin' terrible."

  "No, it doesn't hurt so much now."

  "That's good, I guess. How is the Sheriff."

  "He's sleeping quietly, but he had a rough night."

  "How come you didn't call me?"

  " If I'd thought you could have helped, I would have called you, you know that."

  "Is there anything I can do for you, now? I'm off duty."

  "Yes, if you don't mind, would you go by the hotel and get a few of my things?" She cocked her head. "For that matter, why don't you just tell them to send all my things here. It looks as if I'm going to be here for some time."

  "Sure, I can do that. Anything else?"

  She smiled at his earnestness. "No, after that I want you to get some sleep. You must be nearly dead on your feet."

  He grinned bashfully and looked at his shoes. "Oh, I'm all right."

  "I know you're tired and you have to get some rest. What would Cooper do if you got sick? He knows he can depend on you and the others to see that everything's done the way it should be. If he didn't have you, he'd be worrying, and that might keep him from recovering as quickly as he should."

  "All right, Miss Markham. I'll get your things and then I'll go straight home to bed."

  "You do that. And Joe Bob, on your way, will you ask Charlie to come by when he has a chance?"

  "Sure thing."

  Mary Louise checked on Cooper and saw that he was still sleeping. She had just returned to the kitchen when Charlie knocked at the door.

  "You wanted to see me?"

  "How did Annie do last night with your family?"

  Charlie grinned. "She had a ball playing with all my young'uns. She got a little whiny right about bed— time, but soon as Mary Jo promised to read her a story, she settled right down."

  "Do you think your wife would mind keeping her several more days? I know that's a lot to ask of anyone, but— "

  "She'll be happy to keep her as long as need be, Miss Markham. We've all enjoyed having Annie. She's such a funny little thing."

  Mary Louise's eyes smarted at the thought of the little girl. She missed Annie, and she knew the child missed Cooper. But if she asked Charlie to bring her by for a visit, it would even harder for her to leave again. "Thank you, Charlie. I really do appreciate the help."

  "No problem. How's the boss?"

  "He had a difficult night, but he's resting now."

  "You'll let me know if he needs anything?"

  "Of course, you know I will. Being able to tell him that Annie's being cared for is a great help."

  Joe Bob arrived as Charlie was heading down the stairs. "The folks at the hotel said they'd deliver all your things in about an hour, Miss Markham. But I got 'em to pack one bag for you." He handed her a small valise.

  "Thank you for thinking of this. I could just hug you, Joe Bob. It will be wonderful to finally be able freshen up and put on some clean clothes."

  "Well, I'll be goin' on home, now." He started to turn away and then stopped. "Oh, yeah. I ran into the doc on my way here. He said to tell you he was gonna be out of town for a couple of days. He said he'd check on Cooper before he leaves."

  DOCTOR Morrison folded his stethoscope and replaced it in his bag. "He seems to be coming along just fine, Miss Markham. But, I do believe it would be a good idea to bleed him at least once before I go, if only to get rid of the bad blood that may be forming inside."

  "I'm sure he'll be fine without that," Mary Louise said firmly. "Certainly any bad blood came out with all he lost after the shooting."

  "I disagree, but he seems to be doing all right for the moment, so I'll hold off bleeding him. But, if he's not recovered as much as I think he should by the time I return to town, then I'll bleed him with or without your blessing, young lady."

  "Fair enough, Doctor."

  "Have you been giving him the laudanum I left?"

  "Yes, sir. When he awoke he asked what happened and I told him. Then, when I saw he was in pain, I gave him the prescribed drops."

  "And it helped?"

  "Yes, sir. He went right to sleep."

  "That's just fine. Well, I'll be on my way." Dr. Morrison snapped his bag shut and pulled on his coat. "Keep him as comfortable and as still as possible, and I'll check on him the moment I get back into town. I probably shouldn't leave. But there is a well— known doctor coming to Montgomery and I've been planning for several weeks to attend his seminar. He's going to be discussing new surgical techniques."

  Mary Louise walked the doctor to the front door. "Well, you certainly wouldn't want to miss that."

  "No, no I certainly wouldn't." The doctor walked through the door and then touched the brim of his hat. "Good day, Miss Markham. Keep up the good work."

  Cooper was beginning to awaken when Mary Louise returned to his room. "You just missed Dr. Morrison," she said. "He says you're doing very well, but you must continue to stay as quiet as possible while your injuries heal."

  "He didn't bleed me?"

  "No. He wanted to but I wouldn't let him."

  Cooper frowned. "If the doctor thought— "

  "The doctor is a nincompoop," Mary Louise interrupted.

  He raised a brow. "And what gives you the authority to question his judgment?"

  "Common sense gives me the authority. My lord, Cooper, you lost so much blood yesterday I thought you were drained dry. I wasn't about to let the man take more out of you today."

  Cooper closed his eyes and sighed. "I'm surprised he paid any attention to your wishes."

  She arched a brow. "I can be quite forceful when I think something's
important."

  He turned his head and looked at her. "Somehow, I don't find that the least bit comforting."

  She placed a hand on her hip. "Well, you should. I probably saved your life when I stood up to the doctor." Then she walked over to plump his pillows. "But," she said with a sigh, "I guess I shouldn't expect you to see it that way. All you men are alike. You'll listen to a doctor because he's male, even though a woman's opinion might make more sense."

  "Maybe it's because women's opinions are based on emotion instead of reason. When it comes to something important, women always defer to the man because they know men are more knowledgeable and less emotional about most things."

  Mary Louise straightened and glared down at him. "That has to be the most ridiculous statement I've ever heard anyone make. How can you make such a statement when you know that women have to make important decisions every day of their lives."

  He shrugged. "I just call 'em as I see 'em."

  "Then you must be half blind."

  He sighed. "Look, Mary Louise, I don't want to get into a battle of wits with you while I'm too weak to defend myself."

  She tapped his forehead with a manicured nail. "Sorry, Cooper, but in a battle of wits with me, you'll always be too weak to defend yourself."

  The indignant look on his face was sufficient compensation for his insulting remarks. Mary Louise smiled gleefully as she turned away. He was still sputtering when she left the room.

  SHE SPENT the rest of that day arguing on and off with Cooper about Annie. He wanted to see the child, demanded to see her, and it had taken a while to convince him otherwise.

  "If she sees you all bandaged like this, Cooper, it will frighten her. And besides, she won't understand why she can't stay once she gets here. She won't want to go back with Charlie, and you know it."

  "But I miss her."

  Mary Louise smiled with understanding and her voice became sympathetic. "I know you do. So do I, but please go along with me just a couple more days. Then, when she comes home she can stay home."