Under a Falling Star

by Caroline Fyffe

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Dalton and a few of the railroad employees made one final sweep of the train to make sure no one was left behind. He hitched a ride into town and went straight to the telegraph office, still open past closing time due to the circumstances, and alerted the bank about the crash. From there, he planned to elicit help from the sheriff’s office but decided to take five minutes first to make sure the child he’d found on the train had been reunited with his parents. Something about that frightened little face pulled at his heart.

  He pushed through the doors of the community center. Removing his hat, he glanced around. Streamers hung from the beams, and a cake sat in the corner. Musical instruments were laid out on a small stage, abandoned. The train wreck had interrupted a party.

  Most of the patients, white-faced people in four long rows, were quiet, probably in shock, while others moaned, and begged him with their eyes as he walked by. He didn’t see a doctor.

  He proceeded halfway through the first row of cots and makeshift beds. The clip, clip, clip of boot heels drew his attention, and he dragged his gaze from the injured.

  “May I help you? Are you looking for a loved one?”

  He turned. It took a moment for recognition to register. Susanna? Susanna Robinson? Her deep-green irises constricted the moment she recognized him.

  She looked down at his guns, then back up into his face. “Dalton Babcock,” she said, taking a small step back.

  She hadn’t changed a bit, and yet she seemed different. Self-assured. A surge of pleasure bounced around his chest and up into his surprise-clogged throat. He hadn’t gotten a chance to tell her goodbye before leaving Breckenridge, and had felt bad about it ever since. “Well, I’ll be! I’m glad you haven’t forgotten me, Suzie. It’s been some time since we’ve seen each other.” She blinked, perhaps startled by the use of her nickname. Seeing him after all these years must have been a shock to her system because her face became as white as the sheets under the patients, even though the sight of her warmed him through and through. She was the first ray of sunshine he’d seen today.

  “Of course I remember you.” Her tone held caution but he couldn’t imagine why. “A thorn in my side every time we met.”

  Her expression softened her words and he realized she was joking. He chuckled. “Now, I wouldn’t go as far as to say that.”

  She nodded, and crossed her arms. “Well, your sister was.”

  That was a fact. He’d been ashamed how his younger sister had treated Miss Robinson, always pointing out her threadbare clothes, and the fact her mother had a none-too-good reputation in their small town. He’d put Eloisa in her place for it more times than he could remember.

  “I’m real sorry about that. I never could abide a bully—even when she’s my own sister. I should have done more to protect you.”

  Susanna’s gaze flickered away before coming back to rest on his face. “Well, that was a long time ago—and forgotten.”

  “That’s generous of you. What’re you doing this far from home?” He glanced at her hand but didn’t see a wedding ring. “I didn’t even know you’d left town.”

  “That’s because you left town first, if I recall. You’re not the only one who wanted to see more of the world than Breckenridge.”

  He chuckled again. “You have a point.”

  “You must’ve been on the train. Are you looking for someone?”

  “Yes. A little boy. He has a cut on his scalp.”

  Her eyes widened. “Your son?”

  He shook his head. “No. Just someone I found right after the accident happened. I wanted to make sure he’d found his parents.”

  She turned and started for the other side of the room. “There’s a little boy over here, but I don’t think he has a cut on his head, just an egg-sized lump.”

  She led him to a red-haired child asleep on a pile of blankets.

  “No, that’s not him. Would he be anywhere else?”

  “He probably has been reunited with his mother and father and housed elsewhere. If it’ll ease your mind, tell me what he looks like and I’ll keep watch for him. If I learn anything, I’ll leave you a note pinned to the bulletin board in the kitchen.” She pointed behind her. “In case I’m not around when you check back.”

  “I appreciate that very much.” He held out his hand waist high. “He stands about this tall. Has sandy blond hair and a good, long cut on this side of his scalp.” He traced an imaginary line on his head. “I put a bandage on it best I could.”

  That seemed to soften her. The funny little crinkle he remembered so well formed between her brows. He gestured to the cake. “Special occasion?”

  “Yes. A wedding. The bride is in the back room.”

  “What an anniversary date to have.” He shook his head.

  Now that the injured passengers were taken care of, his only responsibility was to the money, and keeping it secure until he could figure out how to get it safely to its destination. “I appreciate your help, Suzie,” he said, feeling the need to keep moving. “I’ll check back when I can.”

  He turned to go but she stopped him with a touch to his arm. “Dalton, your head! You’ve been hurt.”

  In the rush to help the others, he’d forgotten all about the cut on the back of his scalp. He wondered if he had blood matted in his hair. “It’s not much.”

  “It most certainly is much.” He pulled back when she leaned forward for a better look. “You won’t be saying that if infection sets in. Let me douse it with iodine.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t have the time right now. I have to get back to the train.”

  A woman carrying a tray filled with white porcelain cups came out of the side room, an older woman following behind her. He couldn’t help but notice how fast Suzie stepped back from him, but before he could question it, a fella dressed in coveralls came through the front door. “Doc’s on his way, says he’ll be here in a few minutes.”

  “It’s about time,” the craggy old woman mumbled under her breath. She looked exhausted, her eyes dimmed with fatigue. Her messy hair could be mistaken for a beehive.

  The young woman stepped toward the newcomer. “Win, have you seen Penny and Jane? I’m worried about them.”

  “Sure have, Brenna. Jessie Logan has them, along with your boys, her children, and a passel of others corralled in the lobby at the El Dorado. She’s looking after the children so their mamas can help. Did you want me to give them a message?”

  Relief washed over the woman’s face. “No, thank you. Now that I know where they are, and that they’re safe, I can relax.”

  Dalton glanced back at Susanna. “Just as soon as I have my business squared away, I’ll come let you have a look.” He gestured to the back of his head. “But like I said before, I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. I’ve been hurt worse.”

  “You’re a doctor as well as a gunman?”

  He couldn’t stop a chuckle at her displeased countenance, as well as her sassiness. “No, not a doctor, just an old friend who has pressing business right now. In truth, I wouldn’t mind a few minutes with you fussing over me.” Her chin tipped up in surprise as he added, “Can’t think of anything I’d like better.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Albert closed the door to room number fifteen and hurried down the narrow staircase of the El Dorado Hotel, stepping over a man who’d just plunked himself down on a step and fallen asleep, chin in hand.

  Jessie Logan met him in the lobby at the foot of the stairs. “How’s everything going?”

  Shane was asleep in her arms. The full impact of what had happened wouldn’t be felt until they laid all the deceased to rest in the cemetery by the church.

  “As well as can be expected, I guess. Those three men were the last of ’em. Every room in town is filled, and I’m not just talking about the hotel and inn. There’s not an empty bed anywhere. I even have a fellow that will be sleeping in the front room of my small apartment above the jailhouse.”

  “Do
n’t forget about our bunkhouse out at the ranch, as well as in the house, Albert. We could support five or six, if need be. I hope Chase let you know.”

  “He did. Everyone I’ve dealt with prefers to stay in town, where they can check on each other and get the latest news on the train.”

  “That’s understandable.” She sighed and shifted the sleeping child in her arms. The lobby behind Jessie was filled with children. Her daughter, Sarah, played ring-around-the-rosy with several other misses. The circle of girls erupted in laughter and fell to their knees, and boys dashed here and there. “I wouldn’t want to go too far if I were stranded in a strange town,” Jessie said, raising her voice to be heard over the children. She fondled the baby hair on Shane’s head.

  “You look tired, Jessie. Now that we have the situation under control, the women will start picking up their young’uns and you can go home. Do you have a way to get there?”

  She nodded, and laid her cheek against the toddler’s head. “When Gabe and Jake are finished rounding up the loose stock, they’re checking in here.”

  “Good.”

  “Did they find any of the missing passengers?”

  He shook his head. “Not yet. Charlie, Chase, and a handful of others just returned for torches and lanterns so they can continue the search.” He glanced out the window into the evening shadows.

  “How could this happen, Albert? The train tracks are so new.”

  “I’d say the hellish amount of rainfall we’ve had the last few months loosened those boulders and they came down. I expressed my concerns to the Union Pacific when they were laying the tracks so close to the embankment.” He shook his head, remembering the animosity that had arisen from that meeting. “I was instantly shot down.”

  One of the twenty-five children romping around the lobby let out a loud shriek. Jessie turned. “Boys, stop running!”

  “We’re hungry,” a child he rarely saw in town whimpered. The boy dashed at the moisture in his eyes. “I want to go home. I want my ma.”

  “Danny Hall, your ma is needed elsewhere right now,” Albert said, giving the boy a direct stare. “She’ll be here as soon as she can. Help Mrs. Logan with the younger children.”

  Jessie smiled. “Thank you, Albert. They’ve been very good considering, but everyone’s getting tired. I know I am.”

  Albert glanced through the door that connected the Silky Hen to the lobby of the hotel, now starting to thin out from its earlier crowd. “Everybody has their hands full, it seems.”

  “Yes. Logan Meadows needs a lot of prayers. For the poor souls suffering and for the people who have lost a loved one. It won’t be easy.”

  “You’re right about that, Jessie. You’re certainly right about that.”

  “Doctor! You’re here,” Susanna gasped when Dr. Thorn came through the infirmary doors. He slammed into Dalton Babcock as her old acquaintance prepared to leave.

  “Whoa, there.” Dalton clutched the doctor by his shoulders to keep him on his feet, then pushed his own dark hair back as he straightened his wide, strong-looking shoulders. Soot and blood soiled his expensive-looking shirt, the garment attesting he was doing well. If she remembered rightly, he’d been twenty-four when he’d left their hometown four years ago.

  Susanna did the introductions, all the while praying Dalton wouldn’t let slip that they knew each other from before. The new beginning she’d built here in Logan Meadows—and loved so much—depended on no one knowing her past. She’d been judged plenty back home. Tainted by her mother’s repute, they’d said. Cut from the same cloth, they used to whisper.

  “It’s fortunate you’re here then, Mr. Babcock,” Dr. Thorn said. “I need your assistance for a few minutes in setting a broken arm.”

  Dalton glanced at the door. “I have a pressing obligation of my own.”

  Dr. Thorn was resolute. “These women aren’t strong enough for what I need. I promise I won’t keep you long.”

  Dalton’s gaze darted to Susanna. “Very well.”

  “Susanna, give Miss Taylor as much of this as she can stomach,” Dr. Thorn said, pulling a bottle of whiskey from his leather bag. “Brenna, you and Mr. Babcock pull those two hat racks around and hang an extra blanket between them, so the others can’t watch. Her screams will be bad enough. Also gather the lanterns and bring them close.”

  He started for the kitchen, but turned back when everyone just stood there. “Go on. I have many people who need tending.”

  Brenna jumped into action with Dalton helping. Violet Hollyhock followed Susanna over to Julia’s cot. Taking the cup from Violet, Susanna splashed in a good three inches of the brown liquid, knelt, and lifted Julia’s shoulders. Mrs. Hollyhock stood on the other side of her cot.

  “What’s that?”

  “Just a little whiskey. To dull the pain.”

  “I don’t drink.”

  Mrs. Hollyhock reached out and ran a soft cloth over Julia’s perspiring forehead. “It’s all right, honey-pie. A little taste’ll do ya fine.” The statement wasn’t casually delivered, and a deep crinkle formed between the old woman’s eyes.

  Susanna held the cup to Julia’s lips, and the girl took a tiny taste, but came up sputtering. “Ohh, I don’t like that! It burns.” She coughed, then cried out from the pain the jostling had caused her broken arm. Her face blanched. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

  “Naw, honey, you’re not. This is jist one o’ those thing ya got t’get through whether ya want to or not. Take another sip for ol’ Mrs. Hollyhock.”

  The girl’s lips quivered, then her eyes widened. “Still no chloroform?”

  “I’m so sorry,” Susanna replied softly. “We must forge ahead without it so we won’t have to start over later. If your arm begins to heal like this, the doctor would have to rebreak it. I wish it weren’t so.”

  Dr. Thorn, back from the kitchen, had his head together with Dalton, whispering. They came toward the bed.

  “One more large gulp, Julia,” Susanna pleaded. “You can do it.”

  To her credit, Miss Taylor grasped the cup with her good hand and guzzled down the entire cup, then proceeded to cough and hack for a long minute. She lay back and closed her eyes, her jaw set in a hard grimace.

  Dr. Thorn waited, giving the whiskey time to get into her blood. Five minutes passed without a word from anyone. The doctor sat by her side, carefully unwound the sling, then studied her upper and lower arm for a long time. Susanna forced herself not to look away from the badly distorted, purple-colored limb.

  When Dr. Thorn probed the fracture, Julia moaned but she didn’t open her eyes. He nodded to Dalton who was positioned at the girl’s shoulder.

  “Miss Taylor, we’re ready to begin. I won’t lie to you. It’s going to hurt, but as soon as we align the bones, the pain will ease up some. The main fracture is down here, but there seems to be another smaller break between the elbow and your shoulder. We’ll get this done as quickly as we can.”

  She didn’t make a peep, or open her eyes, but the rapid rise and fall of her chest spoke volumes. Susanna inched forward and picked up her other hand, stroking the top with her thumb.

  “You’re to hold her shoulder as steady as you can, Mr. Babcock. I’ll do the pulling.”

  The doctor gave one quick glance around. “All right, Miss Taylor, take a deep breath.”

  From behind her head, Dalton took a firm hold of Julia’s shoulder. She screamed out in pain when Dr. Thorn slowly straightened her arm, increasing the force until Susanna thought she would faint and embarrass herself.

  Julia never opened her eyes, but the shriek that came from her small frame was surprising. Mrs. Hollyhock plunked down into a chair, and shivers racked her frail body. Brenna huddled close by.

  Dr. Thorn signaled Dalton, and they let up. Laying Julia’s arm across her chest, Dr. Thorn inspected their work. “Bring that lamp closer, Susanna. Hold it over Miss Taylor’s head.”

  As she fetched the lantern, Susanna met Dalton’s familiar caramel-gold gaze.
He looked shaken and stalwart at the same time. Dr. Thorn directed her aim. “Right there, so I can get a good look.”

  The doctor’s adept fingers gently palpated Julia’s arm. Rising, he shook his head. “We’re not finished yet. She has a small bump here where the bones are not in exact alignment.” He pointed. “We can do better.”

  A low moan issued from Julia’s mouth.

  Dalton once again took hold. Dr. Thorn, with his own hold, pulled and manipulated. He lifted and slightly turned the girl’s arm. Perspiration slicked his brow.

  Julia screamed, and then her head rolled to the side. Dr. Thorn stopped, held her wrist with one hand, and examined the length of her arm with the other. “Good. That’s all.” He looked around. “I’ll get a cast on this, and then we’ll see to the others. I don’t want Miss Taylor out of bed for a good five days. After about Wednesday, most her pain will be gone, and the bones will have a good start on knitting together. After that, she should be good to do just about anything she feels comfortable with.”

  He extended his hand to Dalton. “Thank you. It would’ve been much more difficult to get that set correctly without your help.”

  Anxiety ricocheted through Susanna’s chest. It was as if she could hear his response before he opened his mouth.

  “You’re welcome, Doctor. I’m glad I was able to assist you. Any friend of Susanna’s is a friend of mine. We’re from the same small town in Colorado.” He tossed her a fond look. “Isn’t that something? It’s a small world, to be sure.”

  She had no choice but to smile and nod, feeling as if quicksand were pulling her under. Only when silence filled the room did she realize they were waiting for her to respond. “That’s absolutely correct,” she said, forcing a smile and a shrug. “Dalton and I go way back. A very small world, I’d say.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Dalton strode away from the infirmary, focused on his next task. He needed to get into the train car he’d been guarding, but how, he couldn’t fathom. The car had been constructed to thwart potential break-ins. A moment of wonder made him glance back, still unbelieving he’d run into Susanna so far from Breckenridge.