“And I’d better get the yeast going before the water cools.” Wynonna seemed a little flustered, and that made him smile. He was having an impact on her—maybe in another day or so, she’d start feeling about him the way he was feeling about her.
Miss Margaret’s cheeks were pink when Jack looked in on her—even pinker than Wynonna’s had been a moment before. Jack placed his hand on her forehead to confirm his suspicion—she had a fever, and she didn’t even stir when he touched her.
“I’ll be back,” he called out as he passed through the kitchen. “She’s got a fever, and I need to gather some more herbs.” He just hoped that he’d be able to find what he needed.
Chapter Eleven
When Jack left the house, Wynonna leaned against the counter and tried to catch her breath. She didn’t know what was happening between them, but it was exciting and heady and terrifying all at the same time. She wouldn’t go so far as to say she was falling for him, but every time he looked at her, she felt something bubbling inside her. With each of their misunderstandings—and eventual talks to clear the air—she felt she was getting to know him better, and she was starting to let down her guard as well.
She’d have to think about that later, though. She didn’t like the idea of Margaret developing a fever, especially when she didn’t know what could possibly be causing it. She searched through the cupboards until she found a stack of clean cloths, then wet one with cool water and took it into the bedroom for Margaret’s forehead. Why did the ranch have to be so far away from town? It felt as though they’d sent for the doctor decades ago.
She heard voices coming from the front of the house, and for a joyous second, she thought it was the doctor, but they were female voices, and she recognized them as belonging to her friends.
Leaving the door to the bedroom open so she could hear if Margaret called out, she went down the hall and found Fiona adding flour to her bread bowl for her.
“Thank you,” she said. “I was thinking I’d have to throw that out and start over.”
“I’m here just in time, then,” Fiona said good-naturedly. “What’s going on? How’s Margaret?”
Wynonna updated them as best she could, wishing she knew more. “Jack’s out gathering herbs for her fever, and we’re just waiting for the doctor,” she concluded. “How are you coming along with the laundry? I’m sorry to abandon you in your hour of need, by the way.”
“More like, our hours and hours and hours of need,” Rowena corrected her. “We got about a third of the clothing done, then decided to do the bedding so it would be dry by tonight. Helen sweet-talked Zeke into sweeping out the bunkhouse after he was done stringing the extra rope, so we know things are coming along in there too.”
Helen shook her head. “I didn’t do any such thing. I asked him politely and he agreed politely.”
“Hmm. Sounds like I missed something,” Wynonna said with a smile.
“You didn’t miss anything! It was two adults having a conversation about something that needed to be done.” Helen was so fun to tease—she rose to the occasion every time. “Then we served lunch. The men were starving—apparently, moving frightened cattle around from corral to corral is pretty hard work. They washed up first and used their good table manners, though, which was nice to see.”
Wade stepped into the house just then and hung his hat on the nail by the door. “How is she, Wynonna? I’m sorry I was gone so long—we had a situation out at the corral. Never wanted to be in two places at the same time so much.”
“She’s developing a fever, but Jack went to get some herbs for it. She’s sleeping right now.”
Wade shook his head, his face grim. “I’m gonna wash up and be right back. If anything else comes up, I’ll tell the men to figure it out—this is where I’m supposed to be.”
“Did you eat?” Wynonna asked.
“No, not yet.”
“I’ll make you something.”
She pulled out some of the leftover ham she’d made for Jack earlier and arranged it on a plate, then handed it to Wade when he came back in. He took it into the bedroom so he could eat near his wife.
“We’ll go finish up what laundry we can before nightfall,” Helen said, standing up from her chair at the kitchen table. “And, of course, help Fiona make dinner.”
“You know, that’s the surprising thing about being a cook,” Fiona replied. “You’re never actually done.”
Wynonna smiled. “Funny how that works.”
“Are you all right? Do you need one of us to take over here?” Cora asked.
“I’m fine, but thank you.”
The girls left, and Wynonna glanced at the counter to see how beautifully Fiona had kneaded the dough. It was round and glistening in the bowl—Wynonna could never have gotten it to look so pretty. Her food was more functional than decorative.
Jack stepped back inside just then, a smile on his face. “The doctor’s on his way,” he said. “I saw the dust cloud about a quarter mile off.”
“Oh, thank goodness. I’ll get some coffee started for him.”
“And some more water for these herbs, if you wouldn’t mind.” He held up a small bundle. “I didn’t have everythin’ I needed, so I had to go huntin’. I think this’ll be a good mixture.”
“Do you have some herbs already on hand, then?” she asked.
“Well . . .” He looked a little sheepish. “I actually have a small herb garden out back of the stables. The other men tease me—they call it my flower bed.”
Wynonna chuckled. “I’d love to see it sometime.”
“And I’d love to show it to you.”
She put the coffee pot on, then another pot for the new tea. “Wade’s in there with her now,” she said over her shoulder.
“He’s a man in misery, that one,” Jack replied. “Anything were to happen to her . . .”
“But we’re not going to think that way. We’re going to talk about the positives. Tell me about your herbs.”
He laid them on the table and pointed to each as he spoke. “This is feverfew, which is good for fevers—of course—but also for women’s complaints. I have this one in my garden—probably why the men call it my flower bed.”
She smiled, touching the little white blossoms with the tip of her finger.
“And this one’s white willow bark. I had to ride down to the river for it.”
“How did you learn all this?”
“Mostly from my grandma. She raised me until I was fifteen, and then when she died, I headed out on my own.”
Wynonna looked up as she heard the sound of galloping hooves outside. She opened the door to admit a tall man with a mustache, and behind him, a petite blonde woman.
“Dr. Wayment here to see Margaret Watkins,” he announced abruptly.
“Of course. Please come in.” She stepped out of his way, and the two newcomers moved down the hall like they knew exactly where they were going—and they likely did, if the ranch occupants were regular patients.
Wynonna looked outside, but didn’t see Tenny. Maybe he’d ridden his horse straight to the barn.
“That’s Mrs. Wayment there with the doctor,” Jack said, answering the question she hadn’t asked. “She’s his nurse. I’ll go out and see to their horses.”
Knowing the doctor had finally arrived, Wynonna allowed herself to relax a little bit. She’d done everything she could, even though it wasn’t much, and now it was a matter of waiting to see.
***
Jack took care of the Wayments’ horses, went and spoke with Big Mike to give him an update, and chuckled when he saw some of the troubles Sully was having with the cattle. The cows were positioned at the end of a chute, and the bulls were supposed to enter the chute from the other side, but some of them weren’t having any of it. Sully was getting more and more frustrated as the animals pranced around and refused to go where they were supposed to go.
“Maybe you should be playin’ them some romantic music,” he called out as he approached
the fence.
“Or maybe I shoulda hired them a matchmaker,” Sully replied. He took off his hat and mopped his face with his handkerchief. “I think I’m gettin’ old, Jack. Some things are harder every year.”
“Just how old are you, Sully?” Jack asked.
“I’ll be seventy come my next birthday. That’s twenty years longer than my own pappy lived. I sometimes wonder if I have any right to be this old and still kickin’.”
“Well, if you didn’t, you’d be dead. We aren’t the one who controls those things.” Jack rested his foot on the bottom rung of the fence.
“And yet here we are, tryin’ to control life, which should be one of the most natural things there is.” Sully pointed over his shoulder at the bulls and grimaced. “If it wasn’t for needin’ to keep track of ’em, I’d just as soon leave ’em be and see what happens. But when this is business . . .” He sighed. “Sure glad I’m not the boss.”
“I hear ya.”
Jack wished Sully luck, then headed back to the main house. He hoped there’d be some news on Miss Margaret by now.
When he entered the kitchen, he found the doctor there speaking with Wade and Miss Wynonna. It sounded like Mrs. Wayment was down the hall chatting with Miss Margaret in her room.
“Jack, that was a fine assortment of herbs you brought. Thanks for thinking of it,” Dr. Wayment said. “She should drink a few cups of each throughout the night. As for the rest of her care, I recommend that she stays in bed until the child is born. She can get up long enough to deal with personal needs and a quick bath once in a while, but no more than that.”
“And when will the baby come?” Wynonna asked.
“Shortly before Thanksgiving,” he replied.
“She’ll need to stay down for five months?” Wade shook his head. “That’ll be difficult for her. My wife’s the kind of woman who wants to be up and doing all she can.”
“It’s for the best,” Dr. Wayment replied. “I’ll ride out as often as I can to check on things, but does she have any friends or family who could come stay and help? Friends of the female variety?”
Wade shook his head. “She doesn’t have much family, and no one comes to mind that I could send for. Maybe one of her waitress friends from the hotel? But I’m not sure if they’d be free.”
“Hmm.” Dr. Wayment stroked his mustache. “Moving her into town would be tricky, but if we did, she could stay in our guest room, and my wife could care for her. It’s just a matter of that wagon ride . . .”
That didn’t sit right with Jack. He’d helped move a patient into town not too long ago, and not only was it difficult to arrange, but it had nearly killed the man in transit.
“I’ll do it,” Wynonna said. She spoke so suddenly that everyone in the room turned and looked at her with surprise. “I mean, if you’d like me to,” she said a little more quietly. “I don’t have anywhere else to be right now, and if I can make myself useful, I’d like to.”
“That’s the kindest thing I’ve ever heard, Miss Wynonna,” Wade said. “Are you sure? That’s a whole chunk of your life you’re givin’ up on our behalf.”
“I’m not living much of a life right now, Mr. Watkins, and I’d just as soon create one for myself than sit around and see what gets handed to me.”
He smiled and nodded. “Then I accept. You’re takin’ a big load off my shoulders, that’s for sure, and I know you’ll be a kind and thoughtful help to my wife.”
Jack pressed his lips together, trying not to smile too broadly. He didn’t like the thought of Miss Margaret doing so poorly, but Miss Wynonna agreeing to stay—that was certainly a blessing. Now they’d have all the time they needed to see if these sparks were going to lead to something greater.
Mrs. Wayment came from the back room and joined them in the kitchen. “I explained her need to stay down, and she’s not happy about it, but she’s agreed to do it,” she said. “I also explained the use of the various medications and tinctures.”
“Thank you, my dear,” the doctor told her. “And with that, I believe we’ve done everything we can for now, and we’ll be on our way.”
“But it’s dark out,” Wade said. “Won’t you stay the night?”
“That’s a kind offer, but we have another patient we need to see,” Dr. Wayment replied. “Follow all the instructions we gave you, and we’ll be back as soon as we’re able.”
He and his wife left, and Jack turned back to Wade. “So, what’s the matter with her?” he asked.
“Doctor’s not entirely sure of the cause, but says her constitution is weak,” Wade said. “The baby seems to be doing all right except that its heartbeat is a little slow. He hopes to know more next time he comes out. We’ll be doin’ a lot of prayin’ around here, that’s for sure.” He looked over at Wynonna. “Thank you again for your kind offer.”
“Honestly, it’s my pleasure,” she told him. “I need to feel useful—I’m not happy otherwise.”
“Well, I’m grateful that we get to be the recipient of that. Now, why don’t you go rest or go for a walk or somethin’? You’ve been workin’ hard all day, and I can sit with Margaret while you clear your head.”
“Thank you. I think I’ll go check on my friends and see how far they got with the laundry.” She gave Jack a smile as she passed, then closed the door behind her, taking all the life out of the room with her.
Wade looked at Jack and raised an eyebrow. “You’re just gonna let her go?”
“I thought she wanted a break,” Jack replied.
Wade shook his head. “It’s been a long time since you’ve done any sort of courtin’, hasn’t it? Go walk with her!”
Jack might have needed to be told once, but not twice. He sprang out of the door and caught up to Wynonna as she was crossing the compound. “Thought I’d come check on that laundry with you,” he said. “I have a stake in it, after all—I lugged the water.”
“Yes, you did. That means you’re definitely invested.”
“And plus, some of it’s mine. Thank you for seein’ to it, by the way—we get so busy, we don’t always have time. Especially in the spring.”
“Understood. Laundry isn’t the most enjoyable of tasks, but it’s nice to see it drying on the line, so fresh and clean—that almost makes it worth it.”
“Miss Wynonna!”
She and Jack turned at the call. Tenny was galloping toward them full speed, but as he drew closer, he pulled the reins and brought the horse to a stop. “Miss Wynonna, some things you’ll want to hear,” he said.
Her heart sank. “Oh, no. What’s the matter?”
He glanced around. “Might want to gather the other ladies too.”
Jack noticed that Wynonna’s hands started to tremble as she turned and opened the door to the dining room. “Girls, Tenny’s asked to speak with us,” she called out.
The other four came outside, drying their hands on dishtowels. “What’s the matter, Tenny?” Cora asked.
He pulled his hat off his head and looked down at the ground. “Well, as you know, I was sent after the doctor this mornin’, and after I spoke with him, he rode on ahead and I decided to stick around town for a little bit. I might have brought back a little somethin’ for you, Miss Cora, but that’s for another time.” He looked embarrassed, Cora looked flushed, and Jack wanted to know more. That could wait, though. Tenny was obviously there for something else.
“I got to thinkin’ about things, and I went over to the telegraph office and asked after the message you all sent to your matchmaker. As it turns out, the delivery boy in Philadelphia wasn’t able to give it to her because her office was all closed down.”
“She does have limited hours,” Wynonna said. “We had to be there at specific times in order to meet with her.”
Tenny shook his head. “Beggin’ pardon, Miss Wynonna, but that’s not what I mean. Her office was empty. She’d taken all her things and cleared out—she’s not there anymore.”
Wynonna turned and stared at Jack. “What?
But . . .”
“There’s more,” Tenny said. “So, the delivery boy goes back to his office, tells his boss, and his boss sends a telegram here sayin’ they can’t deliver nothin’ because there’s no one there. Well, Mr. Farley—he’s the telegraph operator here—he thinks, that doesn’t sound right. So he goes and talks to our marshal and tells him the story. And the marshal agrees that somethin’ doesn’t sound right, so he asks Mr. Farley to send a telegram to the Philadelphia police and start lookin’ for Miss Green, and they haven’t found her yet.”
“All that happened just in the last few days?” Jack asked. It seemed impossible to get so much done so quickly.
“They can’t find Miss Green?” Miss Fiona’s question came in right after Jack’s.
“The marshal wrote everythin’ down in a letter and was just gettin’ ready to send a rider out this way when I happened along,” Tenny said. He reached in his pocket and handed a folded sheet to Fiona. “This should explain everythin’ I just said, but probably a little better than I said it.”
Jack looked at each of the five young ladies. They looked stunned, and he couldn’t blame them. “We’ll go and let you read your letter,” he said. “Is there anything we can do to help?”
“Your bedding is dry,” Helen said absently. “You could take it off the line and go make the beds in the bunkhouse.”
“Yes, Miss Helen. Me and Tenny will do that right now.”
“I don’t know how to make a bed,” Tenny protested.
“Well, you’re about to learn. Go put up that horse and then get back here.” Jack cast a glance at Wynonna as he walked away. This news had to be hard to bear—he prayed she and her friends would be all right.
Chapter Twelve
The girls needed to talk, but it was stifling in the dining room, so they brought chairs outside and all but collapsed into them. Fiona read the letter aloud, but they didn’t discover anything Tenny hadn’t already said, and Wynonna simply couldn’t believe it.
A Wrangler for Wynonna Page 11
