by Mary Burton
She was touched he’d thought of her. “You didn’t have to do that.” She sipped her water. It was refreshing.
“Was no trouble.” He rubbed his thigh.
“Is your wound bothering you? It’s not infected, is it?”
“The stitches bother me. They itch.”
“They should be ready to come out now.” She didn’t trust herself to touch him. “Give me about a half hour to finish the butter and then I’ll have a look at them.”
Nick nodded stiffly. She sensed he didn’t like the idea of her touching him, either. But there was no getting around what had to be done.
Thirty minutes later Nick sat at the kitchen table, his bare legs covered with a blanket. His right leg, which looked as if it had been sculpted from granite, was exposed. Dark hair curled around the white bandage.
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. What worried her more than anything was that she wanted to touch him.
She sighed. The sooner she got his stitches removed, the sooner he could get back to his chores. And maybe, just maybe, she’d get a lucky break and Frank would show very soon, Nick could catch him soon, she’d get her reward money soon and she could get on with her life!
“This shouldn’t take but a minute,” she said.
Nick sat with his hands fisted on his thighs as if he were expecting a great deal of pain. He probably didn’t like being partially clothed and vulnerable. “Fine.”
Ellie set her medical box on the table. “Taking stitches out is painless. You don’t have to worry.”
He unfurled his fingers, joint by joint, until his palms rested at his sides. “I’m not worried about pain.”
“Oh.” Ellie retrieved the small scissors from the box and knelt beside him. “I’m going to cut away the bandage.” She tucked a curl behind her ear and leaned closer to him. The heat of his body radiated around her as she slid the blade under the white muslin.
He didn’t flinch but his breathing grew shallower. It was clear he didn’t like having her close.
Ellie gently peeled off the bandage. To her great relief, the wound had puckered gently. There was no hint of redness or infection around the seven neat stitches. “The salves have worked nicely. You shouldn’t even have much of a scar.”
He nodded. “Just get the stitches out.”
Ellie leaned closer and slid the scissors under the first stitch, snipped it and then gently tugged it free. She repeated the process six more times. “All out. Let me put a little salve on the wound and a small bandage and then you are done.”
“Okay.”
She grabbed the salve jar and dug out a liberal portion with her fingers. She smoothed it gently over the wound. His muscles felt hard under her fingertips. “It’s a good idea to favor the leg for a few more days. You could still tear the wound open.” The salve’s aggressive scent filled the air around them.
He wrinkled his nose. “What is that? It smells like dung.”
Ellie laughed. “They’re herbs. I know they smell bad, but they really are quite effective. I smeared this stuff all up and down your leg when you were unconscious.”
He turned his head. “It’s a wonder I didn’t die from the fumes.”
“Consider yourself lucky. You were unconscious. I was awake.”
He grunted.
She washed her hands. “The wound needs to be bandaged for a few more days.”
“Fine.”
She’d bandaged the leg a half dozen times over the last week, but with him sitting here glaring down at her, the moment just felt too intimate. She cleared her throat. “Stand up so I can wrap the bandage around your leg to protect it a couple more days.”
He glanced down at the blanket. He’d have to expose more of himself so she could complete the task. “I can take it from here, Ellie. Just give me the bandage.”
Grateful, she handed the clean strips of muslin to him. She turned her back, facing the sink to give him privacy.
He began to wrap his leg.
“Don’t wrap it too tight,” she said, her back to him. “It will cut off the flow of blood.”
“Right.”
Lord help her, but she itched to turn around and help him. “Are you sure you don’t need help?”
“Positive.”
The sound of wagon wheels rumbling into the front yard silenced her.
Muttering an oath, Nick finished wrapping the bandage and pulled on his pants. “Damn, you’d think this place was the only coach stop in Montana.”
“It’s the only one for a hundred miles.” Ellie went to the front window and peeked outside. “It’s one of the Starlight coaches. The driver is Sandy. He’s one of our regular customers.”
He strapped on his gun. “I will walk outside with you.”
“I already told you, I recognize the driver.”
“Do you know who is in his coach? Do you know whether or not Frank is sitting inside the coach with a gun drawn, ready to shoot both of us?”
“I’d not thought of that.”
“Until Frank is captured, you better start thinking like that. He is as mean as a snake and very, very cunning.”
Ellie sighed.
“You put yourself in the middle of this mess when you ran with that baby,” he said. His voice had lost the edge of anger.
Ellie straightened her shoulders. He was right. She’d made a choice. But she’d never take it back. Rose was worth the danger.
Managing a bright smile, Ellie pulled off her apron and smoothed the stray curls of her hair. “Lead the way.”
NICK STRODE OUTSIDE. He kept Ellie behind him as he studied the face of Sandy, the driver. The man looked young. A spray of freckles covered the bridge of his nose and his body and blond beard had yet to fill out.
Sandy set the hand brake and hopped down off the driver’s seat. The smile on his face vanished when he saw Nick. “Ellie, everything all right here?”
Ellie peeked around Nick. Her smile was radiant and so full of life. Nick felt a pang of jealousy as she pushed past him and walked up to the driver. She held out her hand. “It’s fine, Sandy.”
Sandy took her hand. “You’re looking real fine today, Ellie.” The boy was smitten with her.
She blushed. “Thank you.”
“That a new dress?”
She ran her hands over the blue fabric. “Annie gave it to me. My other one is soaking. I took a little tumble in the mud.”
Nick did not like the easy familiarity between the two. It grated on his nerves. His shoulder brushed hers as he held out his hand to Sandy. “My name is Nick Baron.”
Sandy’s eyes narrowed. “The bounty hunter.”
The reputation that had worked so well for him in the past now haunted him. “That’s right.”
“You sure everything is all right here?” Sandy asked Ellie.
“Yes.”
“Has he been here long?” Sandy asked.
“I am waiting on an old friend,” Nick said. A part of him admired the young pup’s grit. The boy reminded him of himself when he’d been young and in love.
“Well, your friend won’t have any trouble finding Annie’s coach stop,” Sandy said to Nick. “Ellie’s cooking has sparked new interest in the place.”
“So I’ve discovered,” Nick said.
Ellie took a small step away from Nick. “Any passengers today?”
Sandy’s eyes widened as if he’d forgotten all about his passengers. “Sure are. Better let them out.” He hurried to the side of the coach, opened the door and lowered the folding stairs. “We’re here at Annie’s, folks. Step right on out!”
The driver extended his hand into the coach and helped an older woman down. Dressed in black, she was short and portly. Her gray hair was tightly bound under her black, lace-trimmed bonnet.
“What a horrendous ride!” the woman said. “I’ve never known a coach driver to drive so fast.”
“Mrs. Douglas, I wanted to get you here so you could sample some of Miss Ellie’s fine cooking before we make th
e final push to Thunder Canyon.” Sandy winked at Ellie. “Be right back—got to run to the necessary.”
Mrs. Douglas dabbed a lace handkerchief to her lips. “My bones will ache for weeks.”
Ellie moved to the carriage. “Welcome.”
Mrs. Douglas’s gaze slid up and down Ellie. She handed Ellie her small satchel. “Do you have honey this time? The last time we passed through, you didn’t have honey. I can’t enjoy my meal unless I have honey on my bread.”
“We are well stocked,” Ellie said. “And I have chokeberry preserves that I put up only last week.”
Mrs. Douglas shook her head. “Stains my teeth. I want honey.”
“Of course.”
Nick didn’t like the woman. He was tempted to put her back in the coach and to tell Sandy to keep driving.
A tall, thin man jumped down off the carriage. Black hair drooped over his clean-shaven face. He wore a gray wool suit and a hat made of beaver. He rubbed the back of his neck and turned his face toward the sun.
Ellie recognized him instantly. “Dr. Robert Morgan. You passed through about five weeks ago.”
The doctor smiled as he looked at her. “Ah, Mrs. Watson! I was hoping to see you again.”
Mrs. Watson. So, Ellie was passing herself off as a widow.
“Spring Rock and you are the bright spot on this very, very long trip,” the doctor said, moving toward her. Despite the complaint, his tone was good-natured.
Ellie smiled. “Where’s your horse, Dr. Morgan?”
He grinned. “She went lame in the last town. Sandy was kind enough to give me a ride back to Thunder Canyon.”
Dr. Morgan removed his hat. “You’re looking fit.”
“You’re looking well yourself.” She nodded toward Nick. “This is Mr. Baron. He’s also a guest.”
Nick took the doctor’s smooth, uncallused hand. “Dr. Morgan.”
The carriage shifted as someone moved inside it. There was a loud thud and a woman’s screech.
“I doubt I can endure another coach stop,” a young woman complained. She peeked out the carriage door. Black ringlets dangled around a plump face.
“Only one to go before we are home, Robyn,” Mrs. Douglas said as she brushed the dust from her sleeve. “Doctor, would you mind helping my daughter down from the carriage?” Her tone was overly sweet.
Dr. Morgan tore his gaze from Ellie and held out his hand to Miss Douglas, who was about Ellie’s age.
“Come on, Miss Douglas, and stretch your legs,” Dr. Morgan said.
Miss Douglas smiled at the doctor. “Thank you,” she said, softening her tone. She placed her hand on his shoulder and leaned on him as she climbed down.
“Welcome,” Ellie said.
Miss Douglas, who wore a stylish green traveling dress, didn’t look at Ellie as she brushed the trail dust from her skirts.
Miss Douglas had been spoiled and protected all her life, Nick decided. He knew her type. Though she was about the same age as Ellie, he would bet Ellie possessed twice her wisdom and maturity.
Miss Douglas’s glass-green gaze traveled around the small coach stop. “I don’t like this place. It always looks so dirty.”
Mrs. Douglas glanced down at her daughter and then smiled at the doctor. “Yes, well one must do what one must do.”
“I liked the hotel in Denver better,” Miss Douglas whined.
“We’re not as fancy here,” Ellie said brightly. “But the place is clean and the food is good.”
“It’s always a pleasure to visit,” Dr. Morgan said.
“Where is Annie?” Mrs. Douglas asked.
“She’s gone to see her folks. She’ll be back before the snow falls.”
“Annie knows how to take care of us,” Mrs. Douglas said.
“I’m sure I can handle whatever you need.”
“I want you to put Dr. Morgan’s expenses on my tab today,” Mrs. Douglas said.
“That’s not necessary,” Dr. Morgan said, blushing.
“Nonsense,” the older woman replied.
He nodded. “Thank you for your generosity.”
Nick shifted his stance, wincing. His leg ached and he found his patience growing thin.
The doctor noticed immediately. “An injury, Mr. Baron?”
“Gunshot wound.”
Mrs. Douglas paled. “Oh, my. I hope it wasn’t one of those desperate renegade Indians?”
Nick didn’t like the emphasis she’d placed on “Indian.” Though he’d fought many fierce battles against the Indians in Kansas, he’d learned to respect not only their fighting skills but their cultures. “No Indians.”
“Then who?” Miss Douglas asked.
“An outraged redhead,” Nick said.
The doctor glanced toward Ellie. “Mrs. Watson shot you?”
“That’s right,” Nick said.
She folded her arms over her chest as fire spit from her vibrant eyes. She wasn’t pleased he’d mentioned the shooting.
Mrs. Douglas’s shocked expression mirrored her daughter’s. Their gazes moved to Ellie as if the news had shaken their notions of her. “My daughter and I are going inside to get out of the sun. Dr. Morgan, will you join us?”
“In a moment,” he said.
The women scurried inside but Dr. Morgan seemed in no rush to follow. His eyes filled with admiration and wonder as he stared at Ellie.
However, Ellie didn’t seem to notice anyone but Nick. She looked as though she could shoot him again. “I doubt Mr. Baron will be sneaking up on my coach stop again.”
Nick tugged the horse free of the harness. “Learned my lesson.”
The doctor looked torn between amusement and concern. “I’d be glad to have a look at your wound, Mr. Baron.”
Nick shrugged. “I feel fine.”
“I’d like you to take a look at it just the same,” Ellie said. “Always best to have a doctor double check.”
Nick looked at her, surprised by her words. “Whatever the lady wants.”
Ellie blushed and glanced away.
The doctor nodded. “Let me get my bag from the coach.”
Forty-five minutes later the guests were settled inside with their meal. Nick had put up the horses and he and the doctor had gone to sit outside on the porch, where the doctor could inspect Nick’s wound in privacy and with good light.
Ellie stayed inside. Nick knew she wanted to be outside, but she seemed worried that Mrs. Douglas wouldn’t approve of her attending the examination. Ellie might have nursed Nick while he was ill and seen him in his wherewithal, but now that Mrs. Douglas and the others were here, the rules had changed. He felt a distance between them that he didn’t like.
“Ellie,” Nick called, knowing she hovered close.
Immediately she poked her head out the door. “Everything all right?”
“You can come out now,” Nick said, fastening his belt buckle.
She stepped outside just as Nick strapped on his gun. The doctor, who had slung his coat over the porch railing during the examination, was rolling down his sleeves.
“So how did Mr. Baron fare?” Ellie asked.
Dr. Morgan fastened his cuffs. “You did a fine job with him, Mrs. Watson.”
Nick could feel Ellie’s gaze on him. “I’ve put an herb poultice on it every day,” Ellie said. “He had a fever but it broke several days ago.”
The doctor nodded. “I’ve a mixed mind about the homemade herb poultices. Some do more harm than good,” he said.
She paled. “Did I harm Mr. Baron?”
“You mean, beyond shooting me?” Nick muttered.
Ellie glared at him.
“There’s not the smallest sign of infection.” The doctor looked at Nick. “Any pain?”
“Only when Ellie pokes at it,” Nick said dryly. “Or when I stand too long.”
The doctor nodded. “I’d say you’re going to make a full recovery, Mr. Baron. Whatever Mrs. Watson put on the wound did the job. Fact, I’d like to know what was in that poultice.”
“Mrs. Watson!” Mrs. Douglas called. “I need you this instant.”
Ellie glanced into the cabin. “Excuse me, gentlemen.”
Nick watched Ellie scurry into the house. It annoyed him to see her waiting on people. She deserved better.
The doctor pulled on his coat. “I’d say you are one lucky man, Mr. Baron. A couple inches to the right and she could have hit an artery. I doubt anyone could have saved you then.”
“I’ll always be grateful for her terrible aim.”
“Be grateful that Ellie is also such a fine nurse. This gal did a better job on you than a lot of doctors would have. If that fever was as bad as I think, she’d have had to have worked night and day to keep it under control.”
“I have only vague memories of the fever. But I knew Ellie was always close.”
“And all the while she had a baby to care for and she kept this stop running. The woman is nothing short of a miracle worker.”
Aye, few women could match Ellie. “How long before I can ride?” he said, needing to change the subject.
“About a week.”
“That’s what Ellie said.”
“She’s a smart woman.” The doctor stared into the house after Ellie. “The kind of gal that would suit a country doctor.”
Nick’s eyes narrowed. “You lost me.”
“Mrs. Watson. She’s a damn fine woman.”
Nick sucked in a slow breath. “And?”
“I was thinking spring would be a fine time to court her.”
Nick had no claims to Ellie. Still, the idea that the doctor wanted to court her ate at his gut. “You barely know her.”
“She’s a widow. She’s got a fine heart and she loves that baby. Couldn’t ask for better.”
Nick ground his teeth. “I best see to hitching up the fresh team. I don’t want to keep you all waiting.”
“But I thought you were a guest here?” Dr. Morgan asked.
The doctor’s sudden interest surprised him. “I have never been good at sitting and waiting. It is better that I work.”
Dr. Morgan fell into step beside Nick. “Mind if I tag along? The Douglas women are charming but a little can go a long way.”
