Dr.Vender waited for an argument from his recalcitrant patient, but, to his great surprise, the headstrong Ranger meekly agreed with his instructions.
"Whatever you say, Doc," Jim said, "as long as I can see Julia soon."
"I promise that you'll be able to visit her, at least briefly, in the next day or two. Now, do you have any more questions?"
"How long have I been here?"
"Five days. Does that matter so much?"
"It means those hombres have a five day head start on me."
"And they'll have several more before you can get out of that bed," Dr. Vender explained. "Besides, Captain Trumbull has several Rangers already working on finding those men. You know they want to track them down as badly as you do. They'll find them."
"You know anything about my horses, Doc, especially Sam?"
"Not really. I know the captain has a Ranger guarding your ranch. I'm sure your horses are being well cared for."
"But Sam was hurt real bad. I tried to put him down, but my bullet missed when I passed out. I need to know about him, whether he's still alive or dead."
"I'll try and find out for you. Now that you're conscious, I'll let Captain Trumbull know he can see you in the morning."
"I'd like to see him right now."
"That's not possible. It's after ten o'clock at night. I promise I'll get the captain here as early as possible. Tell me you're not going to try anything foolish like getting out of that bed as soon as I leave the room."
"I reckon not." Jim lowered his head and sighed. "I can't do anything about it. You win for now, Doc."
"That's right," Dr. Vender agreed with a smile. "I'll have Jane bring in some broth and tea. I want you to take some laudanum for the pain and to help you get some more rest. I'll check on you again in the morning."
Chapter 6
"Jim, are you awake?"
"Sure am, Doc," the Ranger replied when Dr. Vender pushed his way through the door early the next morning.
"Good. Captain Trumbull's here to see you. I just wanted to be certain you weren't sleeping before I sent him in. Just remember I can't allow him to stay overly long. You still need your rest. I'll be back to check on you once the captain has finished his visit."
Dr. Vender disappeared and a few minutes later Jim's commanding officer, Captain Hank Trumbull, entered the room.
"Jim." The captain's normally booming voice was low and somber. "I'm sure sorry about what happened to you and your family. Doc Vender tells me Julia and Charlie are doing as well as can be expected. How about you?"
"Howdy, Cap'n. Good to see you," Jim replied, "Far as how I'm doin', I'm gettin' sick and tired of lyin' here on my belly and doin' nothin' while those hombres who shot up my boy and me and brutalized my wife are runnin' loose. You have any leads on 'em?"
"Not many, I'm afraid," Capt. Trumbull admitted.
The captain settled in a chair and pulled out his pipe and tobacco. "I've got every Ranger I can spare working on finding whoever did this," he explained, as he began filling his pipe. "But there's not much to go on. Nobody saw anyone leavin' your spread that day. And none of your horses have turned up anywhere, at least not yet."
"Speaking of my horses, how about Sam and Sizzle?" Jim asked.
"I've got Jeff Timmons out at your place takin' care of things," Trumbull answered. "Sizzle's fine. And Sam is still there. He's pretty well crippled up, but he's still eatin' and drinkin'. Seems like he fightin' to live, at least maybe until he sees you again."
Capt. Trumbull paused, struck a match, and lit his pipe. He took a deep puff and exhaled a blue smoke ring toward the ceiling before he continued.
"You've got a tough decision about that horse facin' you, Jim."
"I'm aware of that," Jim replied, "But if there's any chance Sam can live without sufferin', I'm gonna give him that chance."
"I know what Sam means to you," Capt. Trumbull said, "but you have to do what's best for him."
"I know!" Jim snapped, more sharply than he'd intended. He sighed. "Sorry, Cap'n. It's just that..." Jim's voice broke.
"I understand, Jim."
Both men remained silent for a moment, the captain taking another long pull on his pipe.
"Jim," he finally asked, "What about you? You have any ideas about who might have done this?"
"Too many, I'm afraid," Jim answered. "But I'll tell you this, Cap'n. As soon as I'm out of this bed I'm gonna start trailin' 'em. And I'm not gonna quit that trail until every man responsible is dead. I ought to gut shoot 'em. No, better 'n that, I should strip 'em naked, coat 'em with honey, and stake 'em out on an anthill like the Comanche's would."
"Whoa, Lieutenant, rein in there," Capt. Trumbull protested. "I don't blame you for the way you feel. Lord knows I'd feel the same if this had happened to my family. But you can't take the law into your own hands."
Jim's voice quivered with anger as he replied. "Cap'n, if it'd just been me they'd gone after that would be one thing. But they nearly killed my wife and boy. Maybe they have, since Doc Vender's made no promises about Julia's and Charlie's recovery. They're gonna pay for that. Those hombres are dead men. I'll take 'em apart with my bare hands if I have to. Not one of 'em's gonna get away with what they did to my family. You can bet your hat on it."
"Jim, don't force me to do something I don't want to. Don't make me take your badge."
"That's up to you, Cap'n. But if you take it I'll go after those hombres anyway. There's nothing you can say or do to change my mind."
The two Texas Rangers' gazes met, neither man willing to back down.
"Jim, maybe all this talk is for nothing," Capt. Trumbull finally said. "By the time you're able to ride again we might well have already found those men. And once you've had time to think things over you'll know that I'm right. Those men will be brought to justice. You have my word on that."
Before Jim could frame a reply, Dr. Vender stuck his head in the door.
"I'm sorry, but I have to end this visit," he said. "I've got to change Jim's and Charlie's bandages. Captain, you can visit Jim again tomorrow morning."
"All right," Capt. Trumbull said. "Jim, you think on what we talked about." He stood up and started for the door. "Adios, Ranger. I'll be back tomorrow."
"Adios, Cap'n," Jim answered, "and thanks."
After Capt. Trumbull left, Dr. Vender again treated Jim's wounds. Despite the Ranger's strong protests, the doctor still refused to let him out of bed to see his wife.
"Jim, if you take it easy for the rest of today and sleep well tonight, tomorrow you can see her," the physician assured him. "But be prepared for what you see. Julia is still severely bruised."
"I know how badly my wife was hurt, Doc. I saw the result of what those men did to her that day, remember?"
"I wasn't sure if you recalled anything from that morning."
"I remember every detail. Doc, I'm givin' it just one more day, then I'm gonna see my wife, no matter what you say."
"Hey, what's all that shoutin' in there? Is it safe for me to come in?" a voice called from just outside the room. Sheriff Tom Justus poked his head inside the door.
"You may come in, Sheriff, but only for a short visit," Dr. Vender answered.
"Jim, I thought you were bad hurt," the sheriff said smiling. "You'd never know it the way you were hollerin'. I thought you were fixin' to take the roof off Doc's place."
"Howdy, Tom. Good of you to stop by."
"Well, Maria and I had to see how y'all were doin'. She's sittin' with Julia right now. She'll stop by to see you before we leave, but she figured to let us talk first."
"Your wife always was a smart woman," Jim answered.
"Boy howdy, that's for certain," Justus agreed. "Jim, is there anything special we can do for you while you're laid up?"
"Not unless you can tell me who did this and where to find em.
"If I knew the answer to that, do you think I'd be here palaverin' with you?" Justus responded. "Me and half the men in this county'd be on the
ir tails. Sure wish I had some idea, but I haven't got a clue. I suppose Capt. Trumbull's already told you the Rangers haven't had much luck either."
"He has," Jim said. "But once I'm up and outta here there's no place on earth those hombres can hide from me."
"I'm certain of that," Justus agreed. "And once you bring 'em in there ain't a jury in Texas that wouldn't convict those renegades and send them to the gallows."
"Who said I was gonna bring 'em in?"
Jim's voice was low and cold, his blue eyes glittering like chips of ice. Despite himself, Sheriff Justus shuddered. A chill went through him under the Ranger lieutenant's fierce gaze.
Dr. Vender broke in. "That's enough visiting for now. I still have to work on Charlie, and I can't do that while you're here, Tom," he said. "Why don't you give me half an hour or so, then you and Maria can stop back in and visit with Jim for a few more minutes?"
"That sounds like a fine idea," the sheriff agreed, relieved at Dr.Vender's timely appearance. "Jim, I'll join Maria and sit with Julia for a bit, then we'll both see you before we leave. How's that?"
"That suits me just fine, Tom."
"Good. Then we'll be back shortly."
Once the sheriff and his wife left, Dr. Vender went to work on Charlie. He removed the bandages from the youngster's chest and back to clean the wounds. The Ranger kept the physician under his steady scrutiny while Vender worked on his son.
"Jim, you don't have to watch my every move."
"Sorry, doc. It's just that I'm worried about my son."
"I know," the doctor replied. "So far I see no sign of infection. Charlie's wounds are beginning to heal. He is running a slight fever, but that's to be expected."
"So you're saying he'll be all right?"
"I'm saying there's a good chance of that. However, I'm making no promises. Charlie isn't out of the woods yet. He still has a long recovery ahead of him. But with the Lord's help he should be fine."
"I didn't mean to sound ungrateful," Jim answered, "I know you're doing everything you can for Charlie and Julia. And I sure appreciate that."
"I know you do, Jim. Look, I'm almost done here. Would you like me to send Tom and Maria back in?"
"If it's all the same to you, I'd just as soon get some more rest. I'm still kinda tired."
Dr. Vender scrutinized the Ranger. "Are you positive about that? I thought by now you'd be grateful for company. I expected you to be fighting to get out of that bed."
"Maybe tomorrow, Doc. Right now I'd just like to get some more shut-eye."
"I can't argue with you about that. In fact, I'm rather glad you want to sleep some more. Rest is nature's medicine." Dr. Vender pulled the covers back over Charlie. "I'll look in on you and your boy again tonight, Jim," he said.
"Sure, doc. See you later."
Once Dr. Vender departed, Jim rolled onto his side and propped himself up on an elbow. He spoke softly as he gazed at Charlie, who lay motionless under the sheets, only his face visible.
"Charlie, I'm gonna be outta this bed in a couple of days. And as soon as I am, I'll be on the trail of the hombres who did this to you and your mom. And I won't stop until they're all dead. I promise you that, son."
Jim dropped back onto his pillow, rage tearing at his guts. Even his attempts at prayer for his wife and son came with great difficulty. Mercifully, he finally fell into a restless sleep.
Chapter 7
"Jim, I'm truly amazed at your recuperative powers," Dr. Vender noted the next morning. He had just finished his examination of the Ranger. "Your heartbeat is fine, your wounds are closing nicely, and there's no indication you're developing an infection. I'm pleased with your progress."
"So you're gonna let me outta here in a couple of days, right Doc?" Jim asked.
"Not quite so fast. We'll take one day at a time. I had counted on you being in that bed for at least a month, maybe, six weeks. But if you continue to do as well as you seem to be, you might be up and around in two or three weeks. But that will be only to get outside for some rest and fresh air. There will be no riding, and certainly no rangering. And, Jim, don't even think about arguing with me."
"I wasn't thinking about it, Doc" Jim answered. "I'm gonna lie here, take it easy, and follow doctor's orders."
"Jim, you have never done that for as long as I've known you. Why should I believe you are going to start now?"
"Because I want to be back to one hundred percent when I ride after those hombres!"
"I understand. But you'd best forget about those men and let Captain Trumbull take care of finding them. You won't be riding for at least two months."
"Want to bet a hat on that?" Jim grinned for the first time since he'd been shot.
Dr. Vender shook his head. "Not a chance, Jim Blawcyzk. I've known you too long to be foolish enough to take that bet. But I am going to give you some good news. Julia has improved a bit. She's still in a coma, but she's breathing more easily. I'll let you visit her after you've had some breakfast. Only for a short while though."
"Thanks, Doc. I sure appreciate it."
"I'm being a bit selfish," Dr. Vender admitted. "Letting you visit your wife will do the two of you some good. I believe it will help both of you heal more quickly. I'll have Jane bring in your breakfast now. Once you've finished eating you can see Julia. I had some clothes brought from your place. They are in the middle drawer of that chest next to your bed. Oh, your pistol's in there too, whenever you're ready for it."
After Jim rushed through a light breakfast, he threw on his shirt, jeans, and socks.
Dr. Vender smiled when he returned to find Jim sitting on the edge of his bed. "I should have known you'd be waiting for me. Just remember Julia won't know you're with her, or at least won't be able to respond. But as I said, your presence certainly can't hurt, and it may help."
"Let's go," Jim urged. He stood up too fast and the room started to spin. His first steps were faltering.
"Let me help you," Dr. Vender said. He took the Ranger by the elbow, steadying him.
Jim stopped short and took in a sharp breath when he entered Julia's room. Her appearance was far worse than he recalled. His wife's forehead was wrapped in a clean white bandage, another taped to her chin. Bruises, deep purple and brownish-yellow, still marred her face.
"Are you sure you're ready for this, Jim?" Dr. Vender questioned. "I did try to prepare you."
"I'm ready, Doc, and if you don't mind, I'd like to spend some time alone with Julia."
"Of course." Dr. Vender pulled a big gold turnip watch from his vest pocket and glanced at it. "I'll give you twenty minutes. And if you feel dizzy or nauseous, call me immediately."
"All right," Jim agreed. He eased into a hardback chair by his wife's side and wrapped his hand around hers. For several minutes he sat quietly at her side, holding her hand and fighting back tears. Finally he was able to contain his emotions sufficiently to whisper to her.
"Julia, I don't know if I can live without you. You've been the best part of me for all these years. And Charlie sure needs you too. Doc Vender says Charlie's doing just fine. And he says you'll be just fine, too."
Jim hesitated before he continued.
"Julia, even though the doc says you'll recover, he also says it's gonna take some time. I might not be here when you wake up. I've got to get on the trail of the ranahans who did this to you. And every day I'm waitin' to get on their trail gives them more time to get away with what they did. I can't let that happen. So I'll be after 'em as soon as the doc says I can ride, maybe sooner. If I'm not here when you come to, please understand. I love you so much. I always will. And I know, with Doc Vender takin' care of you and the Lord's help, you and Charlie will be all right. And I'll come back to you as quick as I can. Once those hombres are in the ground I'll be home. And while I'm on the trail I'll make sure to keep in touch with Cap'n Trumbull so he can let me know how you're doin'."
Jim's voice trailed off. He sat there in silence, holding Julia's hand until Dr. Vender return
ed.
"Jim, I really hate to do this," said the doctor, "but it's time for you to get back to your own bed. You can't afford to overtax your system."
"I guess you're right," the Ranger conceded. "I am feelin' a bit groggy again."
Jim squeezed Julia's hand, then leaned over and kissed her. A slight smile spread across her face.
"Doc, did you see that?"
"I sure did, and that's a real good sign. The best one I've seen so far," the physician replied. "Tomorrow you'll be able to stay with Julia a bit longer.
Jim spent the rest of the morning sleeping, until his nap was interrupted by a soft tapping on his door. Jane Brady, Doctor Vender's nurse and assistant, poked her head into the room.
"Jim, are you awake?"
"I am now," he said. He rolled onto his back.
"Good. I have a couple of visitors for you."
The door swung open and Father Robert Biron, the pastor of the Blawcyzk's parish, St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church, stepped into Jim's room, along with Father Gary Koszmowski, his assistant.
"Father Biron! And Father Gary! I was wondering when you were gonna stop by," Jim exclaimed.
"Good morning, Jim," Father Biron said. "We already have been by several times to visit you and your family while you were still unconscious. In fact, since Doctor Vender indicated the seriousness of your conditions, we administered Extreme Unction to all of you. Hopefully however, our prayers, and those of all your friends and everyone in the parish, will be answered and you, Julia, and Charlie will recover fully. You certainly seem to be doing just that. You're looking very well."
"Thanks, Father. I'm not feelin' all that bad, either. Just wish I could get outta this bed."
"Jim, you always were one of the most impatient men I've ever known." Father Koszmowski chuckled. "So I know you're well on the way to recovery if you're already trying to escape from Dr. Vender's care. I know it isn't easy, but try and remember it wouldn't do you any good to rush things. You'll be up and around before you know it."
"Maybe even before Doc Vender knows it." Jim laughed.
Ranger's Revenge (Texas Ranger Jim Blawcyzk Book 7) Page 3
