For a few moments, River thought over everything his father said, and he agreed it would be more practical for everyone concerned. But, still, he didn’t like thinking he was tossing his father out of his own home. “You never mentioned before about cutting back your hours. And Dad, the cabin will be just fine for me and Kai.”
“River, son, the house is far too big for me. It needs children. As for semi-retiring, I have only been waiting for you to come home. It will be a very nice change not to be called from my bed at some ungodly hour or be taken from a nice hot meal.” He chuckled at seeing the understanding in his son’s eyes.
“If that’s what you really want, Dad, I won’t argue with you. However, even if Kai and I move in here, you still don’t have to leave.” River couldn’t help feeling a little uncomfortable about his father moving out of his own home.
Carl stood up, moved around his desk and clasped his son on the shoulder. “I love you, River, and I love Kai. But please don’t take offense. I just don’t think I have the endurance to live with the little explosive whirlwind.”
River laughed and rose to his feet. “Yes, well, hopefully once we’re married she’ll settle down.”
“Mmm. Well, I’ll be surprised if that happens. Now, though, I think we have a patient. We’ll talk later, son.” Watching his son walk out the door, Carl could not have been prouder of him as he was at the moment.
* * * *
Late that afternoon, River walked into the bank, over to the office door and knocked softly. A moment later, when he was given permission to enter, he turned the handle on the door and pushed it open. Stepping into the room, he closed it softly behind him and moved over to the desk. “Mr. Bennett, you’re probably not surprised to see me here.”
John smiled in welcome at seeing River step into the room. “No, I’ve been expecting you to call around to see me.”
River huffed an anxious breath. Suddenly, he started to become quite nervous. He cleared his throat and tried to smile. “Well, then you know I’m here to ask for your permission to marry Kai. We would like to be married in the next week or so. That is, if we have your blessing.”
Ecstatic over the news, John jumped to his feet and hurried around his desk. Reaching for River’s hand, he shook it enthusiastically. “Of course, you have my blessing, and I see no problem with you marrying as soon as it can be arranged. Welcome to the family, son. Welcome to the family.”
River could feel the tension easing out of him, and he grinned. It didn’t upset him to know that Kai’s father was so eager and overjoyed that they were marrying. After talking to his father, he knew both men were impatiently waiting for it to happen. “Thank you, sir, and I promise to take very good care of her.”
“Yes, yes, I know you will, River.” John let go of the younger man’s hand and, moving back behind his desk, sat down.
Since there seemed nothing else that needed to be said, River turned and strode across the office.
Opening the door, he stepped out of the room and closed it gently behind him. Letting out a deep breath of relief, he hurried out of the bank and headed for the church. He wanted every detail taken care of before he saw Kai again.
If every detail was arranged, there would be no way she could back out without causing a lot of trouble. It might be sneaky, but he would not take any chances where Kai was concerned. Lord knew what excuse she might come up with if she suddenly changed her mind.
* * * *
Impatiently waiting for River to arrive, Kai started to have a change of heart. She didn’t like the thought of forcing River into marrying her. Perhaps she could persuade him to wait a few more weeks just to make sure she was actually pregnant instead of rushing into marriage. He might argue, but she felt sure once he thought it over he would agree with her suggestion.
Though she truly did love him and wanted to marry him, she did not want him to wake up one morning and realize what a terrible mistake he’d made. It would destroy her if such a thing happened. No, it would be better for both of them it they waited a little while longer.
With a miserable sigh, she rubbed her brow. Lord, she didn’t know what she wanted anymore. She wanted to marry River, but she didn’t. Darn it, what she needed do was to speak to him. If she talked to him, perhaps then she wouldn’t be so confused and torn. Jumping to her feet, she hurried over to the window and lifted the curtain. Gazing up and down the street and not seeing him, she became annoyed.
Where in the dickens was he? He should have been there ten minutes ago. He knew very well how she detested people being late. Dropping the curtain, she moved away and, instead of retaking her seat, she started to pace the room. He’d better get himself there quick or else there would be trouble. She would give him another ten minutes, and if he didn’t turn up in that time she would just go out. If he wanted to see her, then he would have to hunt her down.
He should know that she would never hang around waiting for him. When he was late in the past, he never found her waiting for him, and he should know she wouldn’t now. Darn the dratted man. She glared over at the clock on the mantle. Five more minutes, Mister, and then I’m out of here.
You just better pray that when you find me I’ll be willing to talk to you. Five more minutes, she told herself, and she would leave. Too caught up in her own thoughts, she dismissed the sounds of gunfire and continued to pace.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Halfway down Main Street, River hefted a sigh and prayed that Kai would still be waiting for him. He grimaced and shook his head, knowing she wouldn’t be waiting around. Well, he couldn’t help the Reverend waffling on about the sanctity of a happy marriage.
He suddenly froze and looked around when he heard the sound of gunfire. He watched five men on horseback come racing down the street, kicking up dust and firing their weapons. His body jerked back when something slammed into his chest, and fiery, white-hot pain consumed him. His knees buckled, and he fell to the ground. Hell, Kai’s going to be real mad, he thought just before blackness engulfed him.
Chaos reigned on the street after the riders rode away. It took a few minutes before anyone found the young doctor lying on the boardwalk. Seeing the gravity of his wound, they didn’t waste time in taking him to his father.
Carl jumped to his feet when he heard the sound of gunfire coming from the center of town and quickly swept up his medical bag, but before he made to the front door, it was thrown open. Four men carried in an unconscious man. He looked at the wound, then up at the man’s face. “Oh, my God. Quickly, boys, get him my office and be gentle with him.”
When the men carried his son into the room, he dashed the tears off his face. Now wasn’t the time to become emotional. His son needed him more than ever before. Gulping down his emotions, he hurried back into the room and, as he busily undressed his son, he prayed he could save him. “Just hang in there, son. God, just hang on,” he whispered as he tossed River’s bloody shirt on the floor.
* * * *
Abruptly, Kai stopped her pacing and went completely still. A chill raced through her, and she started to tremble. Something was wrong, very wrong. She could feel it, taste it. An overwhelming fear gripped her heart and, without waiting a heartbeat longer, she spun around and raced out of the parlor.
She pulled the front door open, not bothering to close it, and she hiked up her skirt and petticoats raced down the steps, along the path and across the street. Sobs of anguish tore from her throat as she ran. Somehow, deep in her soul she knew that River needed her, that something terrible had happened to him.
She took no notice of the people milling around on the street watching her with sadness filling their eyes. Her one and only thought was to get to River. Breathless, she arrived at his father’s house and threw the door open. “River, River,” she cried out with terror echoing in her voice.
For a few heartbeats, Carl froze at hearing Kai’s anguished cries. When his hand started to tremble, he turned his head and wiped his brow on the sleeve of his shirt. He
didn’t have time now to soothe her and turned his concentration back to removing the bullet and saving his son’s life.
Mary, the housekeeper, rushed into the foyer, wringing her hands in her apron when she heard Kai’s wild, frightened voice. She took the young woman in her arms and stroked her back. “I’m sorry, Kai. Doctor Carl is working on him now. It looks bad though, Kai, very bad.”
Unable to grasp what the older woman said, Kai could only stare back at her with eyes filled with fear.
Mary, quickly realizing the young woman must be in shock, led her into the parlor and seated her. She sat down beside her and patted her hand.
Numb, Kai couldn’t think. All she knew was that something very bad had happened to River.
John came racing into the parlor and saw the pale face of his daughter and how devastated she looked. He hurried to her side, and when the housekeeper stood up, he sat down next to Kai and took her in his arms. “I’m so sorry, Kai. You know Carl will do everything he possible can to save his son.”
Suddenly, it hit her with devastating force that River could die, and the numbness that gripped her shattered. She gave an agonizing cry before she broke into tears.
Hearing his daughter’s heartbreaking sobs tore at his heart, and John could do nothing else but hold her while she wept. He didn’t want to think about how devastated everyone would be if Carl couldn’t save his son.
* * * *
Finished doing all he could for his son, Carl washed his hands, dried them on a towel and tossed it in the basket with the other bloody ones. His trembling fingers brushed the hair off his son’s brow, and he leaned down and kissed it. “It’s up to you now, son,” he whispered with tears burning his throat.
Straightening up, he dashed the wetness off his cheeks and checked his son once more before he left the room. With dragging footsteps, he entered the parlor and saw John and Kai seated on the sofa. “I’ve done everything I can for him. Now it’s up to River.” Exhaustion and worry colored his voice, and he dropped down into the nearest chair.
Kai pulled out of her father’s embrace when she saw the pain and fear etched on River’s father’s face. “Can I see him?”
Tiredly, Carl nodded. “Yes.”
Quickly gaining her feet, Kai hurried from the room.
“I’m so sorry, Carl,” John whispered to his friend when his daughter left the room.
“I know. He’s a strong, fit man, and he should pull through, barring complication. What happened?” Carl asked with concern. Tiredly wiping a hand over his face, he waited for the answer.
John turned angry. “Some drifters started trouble at the saloon, and they were tossed out. They rode through town firing their weapons.”
Filled with murderous rage, Carl shot to his feet. “By God, I hope the sheriff finds them and strings them up.”
Just then a knock sounded on the front door. Cursing under his breath, Carl went to answer it. He let out a sigh when he saw two more patients with injuries.
“Sorry, Doc. We knew you would be busy with River, so we waited to come and see you. How is he doin’?”one of the men asked, holding onto his injured arm.
Carl moved out of the doorway and let the men pass through before closing it behind them. “It will be touch and go,” he told them as he led them into the room his son used for seeing patients.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Tears ran down her face and her heart broke when Kai saw River lying on the bed so still and so pale. She pulled up a chair and sat down next to the bed. Her shaking fingers caressed his cheek. “Oh, River, my love. Please don’t leave me. I couldn’t bear it,” she whispered softly as she gently continued to touch his face.
“Don’t you dare think this will get you out of marrying me, Mister, because it won’t,” she warned him in a trembling voice. Coming this close to nearly losing him made her realize that no matter what doubts filled her earlier, they didn’t matter anymore. The only thing that mattered was that River would survive his injury and he wouldn’t be taken away from her.
John stood silently in the doorway and watched his daughter. The urge to take Kai in his arm and protect her was strong. He knew, though, she only wanted to be alone with River.
Reluctantly turning away, he returned to the parlor and poured himself a drink. He would go home in a few minutes, pack up some clothes for himself and Kai and return. Carl would need them both in the next few days. He wanted to be here for his friend, and he knew his daughter wouldn’t leave River’s side.
* * * *
River heard the sound of the soft voice beside him filled with fear and pain. He couldn’t make out the words, but he knew something terrible had Kai very upset. He forced himself to open his eyes. “Honey, what’s wrong?” His words came out in barely a whisper, and he frowned in confusion.
Her head jerked up, and Kai’s eyes grew round. Surprised to hear River’s voice her eyes filled with tears of relief. “Oh, River, you don’t know how happy I am that you’ve opened your eyes.” Fresh tears slipped down her cheeks as her fingers traveled lovingly over his face.
He went to move so he could gather her in his arms, and he could feel the white hot pain lancing through him, stealing the breath from him. He groaned.
“Oh, don’t move, River. Please, just lie there.” Kai quickly jumped to her feet and placed her hand lightly on his shoulder.
When the pain eased, River opened his eyes. “What happened to me?” His words came out still raw from the fiery pain in his chest.
“Some no good coyotes shot you down in cold blood just for the fun of it,” she snapped. Just thinking about what those men did to River still made her boiling mad.
“Ah, now I remember. I was on my way to see you.” It all came rushing back to him with startling clarity now. “How long ago?”
Kai retook her seat, reached for his hand and held it in hers. “Yesterday. The sheriff caught them and he has them locked up behind bars. You know, River, if I was suspicious, I might think you got yourself shot on purpose.”
River grimaced, but he heard the teasing in the tone of her voice and saw the sparkle in her eyes. “Oh, yeah, now why would I want to get myself shot, missy?”
With a shrug, Kai sniffed. “Probably so you wouldn’t have to marry me.”
“I don’t think I would have gone to such drastic measures sweetheart. And besides, you know damn well I want to marry you. Now come here and give me a kiss.” With what little strength he possessed, River jerked on her hand, bringing her forward.
Her face lit up with her smile. She couldn’t have been happier to give him what he wanted. Her lips met his lightly and, lifting away her fingers, she brushed the top of his head. “I was so frightened, River. I never want you to scare me like this again.”
River caught her hand kissed the palm and with tenderness in his eyes. “You’re not going to get rid of me so easily, Kai. Now come and lay down beside me. I need to feel you next to me.”
Tears filling her eyes, Kai pulled her hand free and lay down beside him, making sure she didn’t jostle him.
Contented just to feel her cuddled up beside him, River closed his eyes. “Ah, hell. I just remembered we’re meant to be getting married in two days.” He opened his eyes and saw Kai leaning over him with big, wide eyes full of surprise. He chuckled. “Looks like we’ll have to postpone it.”
After everything that happened, she realized she’d nearly forgotten all about the arrangements that he was making until he mentioned them. “Well, you don’t have to sound so relieved and happy about it,” she grumbled at him.
“Now, honey, I don’t feel that way at all. You surely know by now, Kai, that I want to marry you.” All humor gone from his voice River stared at her intently and let out a relieved sigh at seeing her eyes glowing with happiness.
His words made her ecstatic, and Kai lay back down beside him. Lying on her side, she gazed at his face. “I’ll go and see the reverend later today after I speak to your father and find out how soon you
will be up and around.”
“Mmm. And maybe later a certain nurse can examine me,” he whispered wickedly in her ear.
Kai gasped. “Why, River Donaldson, how can you be thinking of such things in your condition?”
Chuckling, River closed his eyes. “When it comes to you, sweetheart, that’s all I ever think about.”
A smile twitching on her lips, Kai couldn’t miss hearing the tiredness in his voice. “Well, this nurse thinks you should rest. I don’t think you’re strong enough by any means to withstand a thorough examination.”
River only grunted, too tired to do more. A few heartbeats later, he could feel the weakness sweeping through him and he succumbed to the warm embrace of healing sleep.
Carl stood beside John in the doorway and both smiled with relief. They might not have been able to hear the conversation, but they couldn’t miss the intimacy between the pair on the bed. In mutual agreement, they turned around and went into the parlor.
“Well, I’d say he’s over the worst of it. Now all we have to do is pray infection doesn’t set in.” A strong rush of relief filled him at knowing that his son would pull through, and Carl smiled.
“Thank the Lord Almighty.” John, letting the worry ease out of him, grinned back. “And let’s hope River recovers quickly and we can get those two before the reverend and married.”
Carl chuckled, thinking the very same thing. “Don’t you worry, John. I’ll take a shotgun to them myself if I have to.”
His friend’s statement was all too clear to him, and John collapsed into a chair. “Oh, my God. Well, that does it. No way is Kai going to get herself out of marrying River this time.”
“No doubt she’ll try, though.” Carl replied, laughing at the resignation on his friend’s face.
John mumbled a few choice words about his daughter’s stubbornness and laughed himself. “You’re right, but it won’t change anything. As soon as River is on his feet, they’re getting married.”
McPartland, Mysty - Playing Doctors and Nurses (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Page 11
