Ana Leigh

by The Mackenzies

  Once Rose was comfortably ensconced in the bathtub behind a closed door, Cynthia returned to the kitchen.

  “Beth, did you notice something very interesting about her story? Rose sounded angry when she spoke about Zach being a Texas Ranger.”

  “That was my impression, too. I wonder why?”

  Cynthia looked pensive. “Maybe she holds Zach’s Ranger duties responsible for all they’ve gone through together.”

  “Well, if he loves her just half as much as she does him, I’m sure they’ll work out whatever the problem may be.”

  When they finished in the kitchen, Beth and Cynthia returned to the bedroom, changed the cool cloth on Zach’s brow, and waited for Rose. She joined them shortly, looking considerably more refreshed.

  “Feel any better?” Beth asked.

  “Much. I can’t remember when I enjoyed a bath so much. I thank you and so do my aching bones. I’m afraid, though, I got my bandages wet.”

  “Why don’t you lie down next to Zach and try to get some sleep now,” Beth suggested.

  Rose sat down on the bed beside him. “This railroad car has more conveniences than any house I’ve ever lived in. A bathroom and kitchen with hot water. And the sitting room is so elegant. Paneled walls, gorgeous furniture and draperies. I’ve heard stories about these magnificent private cars, but this is the first time I’ve ever been in one. Who owns it?”

  “We do,” Beth said. “It was our father’s before he died. Then Thia and Dave lived in it while they were building the railroad.”

  “Dave Kincaid’s my husband,” Cynthia said with a proud smile. “I’m not one to brag, honey, but he just happens to be the smartest and handsomest man in all of these United States and continental Europe.”

  “Oh, good Lord!” Beth groaned.

  “So your husband works for this railroad?”

  “Yes he does. He’s the chief engineer.”

  “Is he the engineer of this train?”

  Beth and Cynthia exchanged amused glances, then Cynthia giggled. “He’s not that kind of engineer, honey. He builds railroads. Our family owns the Rocky Mountain Central Railroad, and Beth’s husband owns the Lone Star Railroad. We merged the two lines after Beth and Jake were married.”

  Rose was flabbergasted. It had been easy to see that Beth and Cynthia were women of class and fine breeding. But the extent of their wealth was astounding.

  “I don’t know what to say. Zach never mentioned he had such prominent relatives.”

  Beth arched a perfectly curved brow. “Rose, dear, did Zach happen to mention his family owns the Triple M ranch?”

  “He said his folks have a ranch.”

  “One of the largest ranches in Texas. The Triple M brand stands for MacKenzie: Luke, Flint, and Cleve.”

  Rose shook her head. “This is all surprising. Last night Zach told me if he doesn’t make it, I should go to his family in Calico and let them know. I recognized the name of the town, because my best friend, Emily Lawrence, married Josh MacKenzie.”

  “You’re a friend of Emily’s!” Cynthia exclaimed. “Oh, we adore her.”

  “Em and I were Harvey Girls together in New Mexico.”

  “You were!” Cynthia said exuberantly. “We’ve heard that delightful story of how she ran away from her domineering father and became a Harvey Girl. And then Josh was hired to find her when he was a Pinkerton agent. I loved it! It was so romantic.”

  “In case you haven’t noticed by now, Rose, my sister is a romantic at heart. Her story is just the opposite of Emily’s. She chased after Dave until she caught him.”

  Cynthia winked at Rose. “Unlike my sister, I had the good sense to know what I wanted when I saw it. Dave didn’t have to coerce me into marrying him, like poor Jake had to do to Beth. Can you believe that a rich, handsome entrepreneur like Jake Carrington, who also happens to have the greatest sense of humor in the world, had to literally blackmail Beth into marrying him?” Cynthia sighed deeply. “My poor little Beth.” They looked at each other, then both women broke into laughter.

  Once again Rose sensed the deep bond of love and friendship between the two sisters.

  “I think Rose has more on her mind right now than listening to us air our family secrets.”

  Rose smiled. “You and Cynthia aren’t fooling me, Beth. I know you’re just talking to try and take my mind off of Zach.”

  Sobering, Cynthia squeezed her hand. “But Beth’s right, Rose. You should try to rest.”

  Rose lay back and rested her head on the pillow. “How long before we reach the nearest town?”

  “In about an hour,” Beth said.

  Rose reached for Zach’s hand and brought it to her cheek. “Hang on, my darling,” she murmured. She glanced up at Beth and Cynthia. “Zach’s a fighter, you know. He’s not going to give up.”

  Cynthia smiled gently. “That’s for sure—he’s a MacKenzie. Wait until you meet the rest of his family.”

  Chapter 27

  It was dusk by the time the train pulled into Comanche Wells. The town was far different from Brimstone. The main street was bordered with sidewalks, and several of the buildings were faced in stone, among them a hotel, church, and bank.

  While Rose and Beth had Zach carried to the doctor’s office, Cynthia went to notify the sheriff and send some telegrams.

  The doctor’s office was located in a two-story clapboard building with a black roof and shutters. A picket fence, clusters of wisteria creeping up the walls, and the sweet scent of lilac created an air of tranquillity, and the shingle read, “dr. james serene, doctor of medicine.” Rose took it as a good sign.

  The door was opened by a mature woman, who led them to the doctor’s examination room, where the doctor and his orderly took over. After expressing their best wishes, the crew said good-bye and returned to the train.

  The doctor was gray-haired and cherubic-looking, and after a few cursory questions he asked Rose and Beth to wait in his office.

  Rose was convinced that divine intervention had delivered Zach into safe hands.

  Thirty minutes later her confidence had begun to fade as she waited for the doctor to complete his examination. She jumped to her feet the moment he appeared, desperately trying to read his face.

  “Please sit down, Miss Dubois,” he said grimly.

  Zach was worse than she feared! For a few hours she had deceived herself into believing he’d pull through, but the dreadful truth was that he was going to die.

  Rose gulped back her sobs as hot, stinging tears trickled down her cheeks, and she slumped back down in the chair.

  “May I offer you ladies a beverage?” Dr. Serene asked.

  “No, thank you,” Beth said. She grasped Rose’s hand and squeezed it in reassurance, but Rose was too numb to respond.

  “Perhaps a small glass of sherry, Miss Dubois?”

  Rose shook her head.

  Dr. Serene cleared his throat. “Well, I don’t have to tell you that Mr. MacKenzie’s condition is very serious.”

  Just say it! Why was he delaying?

  “The wound in his shoulder is a clean one, and fortunately caused no internal damage. But, as you well know, the leg wound is seriously infected. I dug out a tiny scrap of denim, which most likely has contributed to the infection.”

  Dr. Serene sat back, put his balled fists together, and rested his chin on them. “Unfortunately the infection has spread through his body, resulting in an extremely high fever. I have done what I can for him medically, but I cannot say whether it’s too late to be of any good. I don’t wish to raise any false hopes, but I do see one encouraging sign.”

  Rose’s head jerked up at once. “What is that, Doctor?”

  “Mr. MacKenzie appears to have been in exceptionally good physical condition before he was wounded. Considering the complications I’ve just described, I doubt most would have survived this long. Even in delirium, he appears to have a strong will to stay alive. I’ve discovered that can often be as good a medicine as any I can adminis
ter.”

  “Then there’s still hope he can pull out of this,” Beth said.

  His chubby face wrinkled into a smile. “I’m a man of science, Mrs. Carrington, but I still believe in miracles.” He stood up. “My orderly, Robert King, is bathing him, and I’ve given Mr. MacKenzie an injection to enable him to rest more comfortably. There’s not much more any of us can do for him except hope for that miracle.”

  “May I remain with Zach tonight, Doctor?” Rose asked.

  “Of course. But only if you allow me to examine the bruises on your face and those lacerations on your hands and arms.”

  At that moment the housekeeper tapped on the door. “Doctor Serene, there’s a Mrs. Kincaid in the foyer asking for you.”

  A clearly agitated Cynthia brushed past the woman. “They’re here,” she said breathlessly.

  “Dr. Serene, this is my sister, Cynthia Kincaid,” Beth said.

  The doctor stood up. “How do you do? Please sit down, Mrs. Kincaid.”

  “Thank you.” Cynthia took a seat. “I apologize for my abrupt entrance.”

  Dr. Serene settled back in his chair. “Perhaps you ladies should tell me just how Mr. MacKenzie got those bullet wounds, Miss Dubois the face bruises, and just who ‘they’ are?”

  Rose briefly related the story.

  Cynthia had the last word. “And when I came out of the telegraph office, I saw the gang tying up their horses in front of a saloon.”

  “Did they see you?” the doctor asked.

  “No. They weren’t looking in my direction.”

  “Then it would appear that these gentlemen do not know that you’re even in town.”

  “Believe me, Doctor, they’re not gentlemen.”

  “I’m sure they’re not. The solution is simply to inform the sheriff.”

  “I tried the sheriff before I went to the telegraph office. He’s out of town until tomorrow morning.”

  “Did you wire Zach’s folks?” Rose asked.

  “Honey, I not only wired Flint and Garnet; I sent Dave a wire, Jake a wire, and Angie and Giff a wire. They’re our other sister and her husband,” she added to Rose. “I wired the governor, the Texas Rangers, and even President Harrison. If you can think of anyone else, I’ll sneak back and send it.”

  The doctor chuckled. “You appear to have the situation well covered, Mrs. Kincaid. I think it’s advisable for you ladies to remain here. If I understand correctly, this gang has no reason to suspect Mr. MacKenzie was wounded.”

  Rose was suddenly struck with an appalling thought. “I’m afraid they might know. The last time I changed Zach’s bandages, I simply discarded them. They could easily have found them on the trail.”

  “But they still would have no reason to believe you came here.”

  “That’s true. And they were very stupid,” Cynthia agreed.

  Beth was less confident. “As long as they’re here, I can’t believe they wouldn’t take the time to check out a doctor.”

  Cynthia patted Beth on the shoulder. “This might require another performance by our laboring mother.”

  Rose could no longer hold back her feelings. “I can’t expect all of you to keep risking your lives for us. I’ll leave and take Zach with me.”

  “Honey, we’ve been through this with you before,” Cynthia said. “We’re family.”

  “And I, Miss Dubois, have sworn a Hippocratic oath,” Dr. Serene said. “I could never release a patient as seriously ill as Mr. MacKenzie.”

  Beth slipped an arm around her shoulders. “Rose, dear, the sheriff will be back tomorrow. It’s more than likely that gang won’t even bother us.”

  “I agree, Mrs. Carrington. Now, will you ladies join me for dinner? It’s been many years since I’ve had the pleasure of such charming company.”

  “Haven’t you ever married, Doctor?” Beth asked.

  “My wife died five years ago, and my daughter moved to Washington, D.C., when she married two years ago. So your presence is most welcome.”

  “If you’ll excuse me, I’m not hungry,” Rose said. “I’d like to see Zach.”

  The doctor smiled. “I understand perfectly, Miss Dubois. You may get out of joining us for dinner, but you aren’t wiggling out of my examining you.” He turned to Beth and Cynthia. “I’ll have Mrs. King show you ladies to the dining room while I check my patient, and then join you.”

  “His temperature has gone down two degrees,” Dr. Serene said later. “That’s very encouraging, Miss Dubois.”

  “He’s not restless either, Doctor.”

  “Yes. I’d say the medicine is having a good effect on him. I wouldn’t doubt that fever will break by morning.”

  Rose sighed. “Thank God.”

  “Now, Miss Dubois, you make sure you eat that sandwich and glass of milk Mrs. King brought you. We don’t want you getting ill, too.”

  Smiling, Rose glanced down at Zach. He looked as if he were sleeping now, instead of unconscious. The orderly had even shaved the stubble off his cheeks. Although Zach still had a pallor, she could see he was getting better.

  “Rose—if I may be so bold as to call you that?”

  “Please do, Doctor.”

  “Rose, how much sleep have you had in the last few days? Why don’t you take this opportunity to stretch out in a bed and get a good night’s sleep?”

  “I will tomorrow, when the sheriff returns,” she said. “I promise you that once I’m certain Zach is no longer threatened I’ll go to bed for a week.”

  “You won’t have much choice if you don’t start thinking of your own health.” He patted her shoulder. “Mrs. King has brought you a blanket and pillow. Is there anything else you’d like?”

  “Nothing, Doctor. I’m fine.”

  He halted at the doorway. “And you make sure you eat that food she brought you, as well.”

  Rose picked up the tray. “I promise. Good night, Dr. Serene.”

  “Good night, Rose.”

  She sat down by Zach’s bedside and took a bite of the sandwich, her spirits considerably buoyed. Unless Zach took a sudden turn for the worse, he would recover. She found herself actually hoping the gang would not leave town before the sheriff’s return. Despite her low opinion of lawmen, people seemed to have a lot of confidence in this one. She could only hope their trust wasn’t misguided.

  “You look tired, honey.”

  She jerked around at Zach’s voice, nearly spilling the milk. His eyes were open, and he was smiling at her.

  “How are you feeling, darling?”

  “Okay.”

  She put a hand on his brow. He still felt warm, but not as feverish as he’d been.

  “Where are we, Rose?”

  “In Comanche Wells. You’ve been very ill, Zach. The doctor said it’s a miracle you stayed alive.”

  “You mean I was too ornery to die.”

  “Don’t joke about it, Zach. I’ve been worried sick.”

  “I’m sorry, Rosie.”

  She began to stroke his forehead. “But you’re getting better. That’s all that matters now.”

  “Lie down next to me, Rose?”

  “I don’t think the doctor would like that.”

  “I just want to hold you, sweetheart.”

  “Once you’ve recovered, there’ll be plenty of time for that.”

  He grasped her hand. “I love you, Rosie. Why was it so hard to say it before?”

  “Because you’re a stubborn fool. Let me warn you though, Zach MacKenzie: you better find it just as easy to say once you’re out of that bed, because I’ll never get tired of hearing you say it.” She leaned over and pressed a kiss to his lips. “And I’ll never get tired of repeating the same to you, beloved.” She rubbed her cheek against his. “Now that those scratching whiskers are gone you look downright handsome, fever and all.”

  “And you look downright beautiful, black eye and all.” He chuckled, and she could tell he was tiring.

  “Poor baby. You’re still feverish.”

  He lick
ed his lips. “You taste like mayonnaise.”

  “It’s this sandwich.” She picked up the roast beef sandwich Mrs. King had made. “You want a bite?” She held it to his mouth and he took a bite of it.

  “Your turn.”

  She took a bite. “Here, try a sip of milk.” She held up his head and he took a swallow from the glass.

  “Now you,” he said.

  For the next few minutes, they alternated taking bites of the sandwich and sips of milk.

  Finally, he said, “My head’s getting fuzzy again, honey.” He drifted off, but this time she knew it was only into sleep.

  She gazed down at his beloved face. “I love you more than life itself, my darling,” she murmured softly. “But once you’re well, there’s an important issue to be resolved between us.” A tear slid down her cheek. “Why couldn’t you have trusted me, Zach?”

  Rose dimmed the lamp and curled up in her chair with a pillow and blanket. At the last moment, she pulled Zach’s Colt out of her pocket—they still had to make it through the night.

  Chapter 28

  “Dammit!”.

  Rose jerked up her head. Surely that wasn’t the doctor who’d cursed, and she doubted it was the orderly, either.

  “Be quiet or you’ll wake the whole house,” someone hissed. The voice sounded faintly familiar.

  She stood up. Her hand trembled as she picked up the Colt, but she felt surprisingly calm. She’d run from these men long enough, and the time had come to face them. She quietly cocked the pistol and pointed it at the door as the footsteps drew nearer.

  “Maybe he ain’t here either, Josh.”

  Josh? There was no Josh with the Tait gang, she thought, just as a shadowy figure filled the doorway.

  “Don’t take another step or I’ll shoot,” she ordered.

  “Don’t shoot, ma’am, we don’t mean you any harm.”

  Rose turned up the lamp and her face broke into a smile. “Josh MacKenzie!”

  The tall figure in the doorway gaped in surprise. “Rose? Rose Dubois? What in hell are you doing here? And put down that damn pistol before it goes off.” His gaze swept the room and came to a halt at the bed. “How is he?” He hurried over to Zach.