Frontier Highlander Vow of Love (American Wilderness Series Romance Book 4)

by Dorothy Wiley

  The bear crumpled, covering Steller’s soulless body.

  Chapter 30

  Doc McDowell followed Mister McGuffin into the cabin.

  “Thank you for coming so speedily,” Kelly said.

  “It’s good to get away from my apothecary now and then, and breathe some fresh air. Your father very nearly missed me. I was packing to leave for two weeks when he arrived.”

  “God must have known we needed you,” Kelly said.

  “Now, tell me about this woman,” the doctor said walking over to the bed.

  Her father filled the doctor in on what he had done to get the lead out of Artis and Kelly described what she had done to care for her.

  “Well it sounds like you have both done all that you could. It’s helpful that you used the willow tree bark. The natives call it a ‘plant of virtue’ for a reason.”

  “What else can be done?” Kelly asked.

  “I’m sorry to say that about half of people who have a surgery such as this die.”

  “No! You can’t let her die. She was just married by pledge to Daniel MacKay the same evening she was shot. And William would have married them that very night had it not been for the man who tried to rob us on our way home.”

  “I know, I was at the ball,” McDowell said. “She was quite stunning.”

  “I’m sorry. I forgot,” Kelly admitted. “This whole mess has me quite frazzled.”

  “There were a lot of people there. By the way, where is Bear?” McDowell asked.

  “Pursuing a murderer,” William answered.

  “The one that shot her?”

  “No, he’s after the one that killed Artis’ mother in Scotland. A man named Steller followed Artis here. The man that shot Artis is the one in my jail that you removed the bullet from.” William explained how and why the robber managed to shoot Artis.

  “Oh, that nasty fellow. I should have known. Well, let’s get to work on Artis.”

  McDowell pulled the bed coverings back and bent his graying head to examine Artis’ wound.

  Artis continued to sleep, but she moaned often and kept moving her head back and forth against the pillow.

  The doctor nodded his head a couple of times. “The good news is that there are no red streaks shooting out from the puncture site. That would be an extremely bad sign.” McDowell glanced over at her father. “You did a skillful job. And your stitching is fine work. These do not look like the stitches of an amateur. Are you a surgeon?”

  McGuffin took a deep breath and let it out. “I was.”

  Kelly gasped and put a hand to her mouth. She thought her father had always been a trapper. She gave him an incredulous stare, but he said nothing further and his posture stiffened.

  Then McDowell touched Artis’ forehead with his fingers. “Her fever is not high, and that’s another sign to my liking. The heat from a low fever will fight against festering.”

  “Thank God,” Kelly said.

  McDowell studied Artis’ face for another moment. They could all see that she was distressed. She started to whimper and continued to move her head about. “Her unsettled sleep concerns me. Is she troubled about something?”

  “Yes—she’s terrified of the man Bear is tracking. She’s afraid he’ll come back and hurt all of us,” McGuffin answered.

  “And she’s worried about Bear. She knows he’s gone after a devil,” Kelly added.

  “She’ll heal quicker if she’s calmer. She’s clearly agitated. The sooner Bear gets back and reassures her that he’s all right, the better,” McDowell said. “When do you expect him?”

  “This is the third day since he left,” William answered. “In truth, I’m concerned about him myself.”

  “I’m sure you want to try to find Bear,” McDowell said, “but it would not be wise now to leave your family alone.”

  “You’re right, I’d rather not leave with that killer lose. But Mister McGuffin is quite capable of defending them,” William said, looking over at her father, “but I have no way of knowing where Bear is. I’ll give him one more day and if he doesn’t show up, I’ll start hunting for him.”

  Kelly sincerely hoped Bear would return. She hated the thought of William going after that vicious killer.

  “I’d recommend something to help her sleep and this medicinal salve. I brought some from my apothecary. Both are made from roots, bark, and other materials.” Doc McDowell reached into his bag and removed a brown and a blue jar. “Put a drop or two of this in a tea twice a day for two days and after that only at night. She’ll sleep soundly,” he said holding up the blue jar. Then he reached for the brown jar. “This salve will help speed the healing. Apply it three times a day.” He applied some himself as Kelly watched over his shoulder.

  “Is there anything else you can do?” she asked.

  “Well, I would not recommend bloodletting. She’s lost too much blood already to breathe a vein,” he answered. “You said her pain has lessened so we don’t need to give her any more laudanum. I believe we are better off just letting her sleep and heal. Give her light meals until her appetite comes back. She should come around in a couple more days. She’s young and strong.”

  Kelly let out the breath she’d been holding. “I’ve been so worried.”

  When the doctor stood, she smoothed the covers back over Artis.

  “You need to be sure you’re getting rest yourself,” he admonished with kind eyes. “How’s your little girl?”

  “As you can see, she’s growing like a spring weed,” Kelly said, pointing to her daughter. Nicole sat pounding a wooden mixing spoon on the floorboards on the other side of the cabin where Kelly prepared meals.

  MacDowell went over to Nicole and picked her up and much to the child’s delight sat her on the table. “I’ll take a quick look at her while I’m here.”

  Kelly, William, and McGuffin all watched the doctor examine the girl.

  “She looks healthy and happy,” he pronounced.

  “Aapp peee,” Nicole tried to say, and smiled up at the doctor.

  Kelly let out another sigh of relief.

  MacDowell, still holding Nicole’s hand, said, “She is one of the prettiest little girls I’ve ever seen. But it’s no wonder with you two as her parents,” he said, glancing over at Kelly and William.

  “Thank you doctor. And thank you for all your help,” William said and paid him.

  The doctor handed Nicole to Kelly and said to her father, “Mister McGuffin, in a couple of weeks, I’ll be back in Boonesborough. Come by my office again and I’ll treat you to a coffee.”

  Her father merely nodded at the doctor.

  McDowell turned to William. “When I get to town, I’ll check on your prisoner before I go back to the apothecary for my things and leave town. Do you have a message for your deputy?”

  “Tell him I said to stay alert and to not trust that bloody robber with even a handkerchief,” William said. “I’m awaiting word from the other settlements on what murders he or his cohorts may have committed during their robberies. When Judge Webb gets back into town, he’ll take care of the man’s punishment.”

  “I’ll tell him. And I’ll pray for your brother’s safe return and that the man he is tracking receives his just punishment as well.”

  Chapter 31

  Bear just stood, breathing hard as he surveyed the destruction and carnage around him. Two majestic bears and one heinous man lay dead among the scattered remains of what was Steller’s campsite.

  The hellish battle even disturbed the cook fire. Fingers of flame snaked out in several directions. The breeze and abundant fall leaves scattered on the forest floor quickly fed the flames causing them to multiply and gain strength in seconds.

  He used his hatchet and feet to toss and kick dirt on the largest fire and then shifted to the next and the next. Fortunately, the soil was still damp from the heavy rain and effectively smothered the fires. Soon there was more gray choking smoke than flames. By the time he finished, he was weary and his wounds throbb
ed, but he was pleased he’d been able to stop a fire that could have easily spread into the woods.

  He found a spot to stand where the smoke wasn’t blowing and scrutinized the campsite once again. The female bear’s body hid most of Steller’s ravaged remains. Unfortunately, he would have to see him again when he buried the man.

  The first order of business was to reload the rifles and pistols and put all the weapons back on his person again. He set about accomplishing that task as quickly as he could. When he finished, he found Steller’s canteen lying on the ground near where the cook fire had been. Fortunately, it wasn’t crushed. He drank greedily and then poured some water on a rag and wiped the blood that had dripped from his head onto his face. After that, he went to retrieve his horse.

  The walk to where Camel was tied gave him time to settle his raw nerves and plan what he would do next. He needed to accomplish his tasks quickly and then get the hell away before the scent of blood drew more hungry animals like wolves.

  He found Steller’s fine black stallion grazing near Camel. That didn’t surprise him much. Horses are herd animals and seek out other horses, especially when they are scared.

  “Whoa now, whoa,” he said as he eased toward the jittery animal. “The bears are dead now, ye need na be afraid. What a handsome fellow ye are,” he whispered into the horse’s twitchy ear. “I do na blame ye one bit for runnin’. But tis time to go back now.” At the sound of Bear’s soothing voice, the stallion calmed and did not object when Bear picked up the reins that were dragging the ground. He led the steed toward Camel. Bear mounted and he headed back to the campsite with the big horse in tow.

  When he returned, he left both mounts a short distance away from the campsite, near a patch of grass growing in a low area where the horses could graze for a little while. Camel wouldn’t run off and he thought the stallion would stay close to the gelding.

  He trudged back and started digging a grave for Steller with his hatchet. His right shoulder was painfully sore from the vicious blow he’d blocked, but he ignored it and got the grave dug. When he hauled Steller out from under the bear, revulsion welled up inside of him and threatened to make him gag. But his revulsion for the man Steller had become during his life was even greater. He considered saying a few words over his grave, but couldn’t find even one thing to say. He couldn’t even ask God to rest his soul. What the good Lord did with this man was up to Him. But he suspected Steller’s soul, if he had one, would never rest peacefully.

  He was about to toss dirt over the man when he decided he needed to search Steller’s pockets. He completed the gruesome task quickly, finding only a few coins. In another pocket, he found a document releasing Steller from an indenture in Wilmington, North Carolina. So, he’d been banished from Scotland and impoverished too. Steller clearly did not profit from his cruelty and pilfering. He was sure Artis would find that news comforting. She’d be even more comforted to learn her tormentor was dead.

  As he hurriedly tossed dirt and then rocks over the body, Steller’s motivation for coming after Artis became clear—revenge. The same thing that had compelled Miller to come after him. Their lives wasted, all both men had left was revenge.

  When he finished, he set about skinning the bears. Their shiny black pelts would make a beautiful warm covering for the bed he would share with Artis.

  For what must have been the hundredth time since he left, he prayed again she would grow well while he was gone. He wanted to start their life together so he could make her happy. After everything she’d been through, she deserved some tranquility in her life—and a great deal of happiness.

  He procured a tooth from each bear for a necklace. He’d given his last bear-tooth necklace to a native chief as a peace offering and wanted to start another. Maybe, he’d even give the one that killed Steller to Artis, if she’d have it. Nay, she’d not want a reminder of the man. And he couldn’t blame her one bit.

  It was time to go. It took him three days to get here, but without having to search for tracks, he could easily make it back in half that time. He couldn’t wait to be on his way and marched toward the horses, glad to be alive.

  I’m coming Artis.

  “Kelly,” Artis called. “Kelly.”

  “I’m up here Artis, in the loft. I’ll be down in a second. Just let me get dressed,” Kelly hollered. “Her voice sounds stronger William.”

  “Indeed.”

  Artis heard what Kelly said. She did feel stronger and not as sore. Her fever was gone too. In fact, she felt so good, she wanted to get up for a moment.

  When Kelly descended the stairs, Artis smiled at her. “Thank ye for comin’ again to my rescue. I believe I need to use the chamber pot.”

  “That’s wonderful news!”

  Artis let out a small giggle. “That’s the first time anyone’s called it that.”

  “Well it means you’re getting better, of course,” Kelly said. “William stay up there for a few minutes.”

  Kelly helped her gingerly complete the chore and when they’d finished and washed, Artis got back in bed but managed to sit up. “I have to ask. Is Bear back yet?”

  “I wish he was,” Kelly said, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. “William said he was going out to look for Bear later today. I’m concerned for Bear, but I also fret about William going after that killer, and I worry for us if the man decides to return.”

  Just the thought of Steller returning made Artis’ heart sink and her insides quiver. She’d remembered his promise to kill her. That was why just the sound of his voice, when she’d heard it from the wagon, was so disturbing it caused fear, stark and vivid, to tear at her insides. She’d been so terrified, she hid like a wounded animal. If she’d been her normal self, she would never have done that. She would have confronted him. But she wasn’t. She’d been so weak she was near death. All she could think of was getting away.

  Images of what Steller might do to her new family now flashed through her mind. Her mouth grew dry as she struggled to keep her fragile control. “May I have somethin’ to drink? My mouth feels like I have a ball of cotton in it.”

  “Of course. Do you want water, coffee, or tea?”

  “Aye. All three.”

  “Oh, you are feeling better! I’m so pleased you are recovering,” Kelly said, bending to scrape a piece of flint against a firesteel to light kindling in the hearth.

  “It will be awhile before I’ll be ready to wear a corset or dance a jig again, but I think I’ll be able to walk a wee bit later today. Kelly, I’m so worried about Bear I can hardly think of anythin’ else.”

  “Don’t worry. He’ll be back.” She blew on the small flames to give them life.

  “But ye just said you were concerned for him.”

  “I am. But I also believe in him. Don’t you?”

  “Oh, aye, more than anyone else I’ve ever known.”

  She watched as Kelly added a few more twigs and when they caught fire, a few logs. Before long, the hearth glowed with a cheerful cook fire.

  “Then, what do you say we spend the day getting you prettified for his return?”

  “Oh Kelly, that would be so wonderful. I smell bad even to myself. I must smell dreadful to ye. And my hair itches.”

  “I can’t promise to get you looking as grand as we did the night of the ball, but I can at least get you clean and smelling good with some of my wildflower-scented soap. And we’ll get your hair washed and braided.”

  The thought of being clean again, lifted Artis’ spirits. “I have a fresh shift in my bag too. Is it still up in the loft?”

  “No, it’s here beside the bed. I’ll get it out for you later. William, ye can come down now. And I need a lot of water from the cistern please.”

  William retrieved several buckets of water and Kelly heated them. When he sat the last one down, she told Artis about the first time he’d gotten water for her. “He slipped at the creek bank, swollen from a storm, and wound up covered head to toe in mud,” Kelly said, snickering.

/>   “And I was forced to ask Kelly to help me wash it all off,” William added, laughing with her, and giving Kelly a roguish wink.

  “Hush, you’ll wake Nicole. Off with you now. You’ll have to eat breakfast at my father’s cabin. Artis needs to eat something light so we’ll have just a simple custard or pudding. Here, take this loaf of bread, sliced ham, and these eggs. Papa will know what to do with them, even if you don’t,” she said, snickering.

  Artis chuckled just a bit at their recollections. She couldn’t let out a full laugh just yet. Her wound and her worry for Bear would not allow it.

  She couldn’t wait until she and Bear could share a story or tease each other as Kelly as William did. She smiled as she remembered how good it had felt to laugh with Bear. She desperately wanted to feel that way again.

  Laughter is the sugar in happiness.

  And with Bear, her life would be sweet.

  Chapter 32

  Every muscle in Bear’s body ached by the time he stopped and tied the horses up late last night. The moon was high in the sky and made it easy to find his way, and he’d wanted to keep pushing himself toward Whispering Hills. He was so close. But he had badly needed rest. And food. Even though it was late, he had built a fire and warmed the last of the dried meat and corncakes Kelly sent with him. They were hard and stale, but better than his growling empty stomach.

  With his hatchet clutched tightly in his hand, he’d fallen asleep, afraid he would dream about the monstrous bear.

  But his thoughts had turned to Artis and he’d slept well, dreaming of kissing her, endlessly.

  This morning, he awoke to a brilliant and stunning dawn, and felt refreshed and eager to be on his way. He ate the one apple he had left and saddled Camel. The cool fall air held a note of crispness and it reminded him that he would need to make building their cabin a priority. He might even make it grand enough to be called a house, funds permitting.

  Within two hours, he crossed the creek that signaled he was close. He squeezed his legs to Camel’s sides and urged the horse to a gallop. As he splashed through the water, it dawned on him that he needed a bath—badly. He smelled foul and still bore bear and his own blood on him. He was sure he smelled like smoke too from putting out the fire. Although he was anxious to reach Artis, he didn’t want to be repulsive to her when he arrived.