Lori Connelly - The Outlaw of Cedar Ridge

“You think Mr. Talbert is responsible?”

“I don’t know, but the other night some of his men-”

A welcome sound drifted through the walls, sending a wave of relief over her. Evie held up a hand and shook her head when the sheriff started to say something. She thrust the bowl on the dresser, almost running to open the door.

In front of the cabin, a buggy rolled up. A slight built man dressed in all brown from trousers to string tie stepped out of the vehicle. With short light brown hair, plain features and wire-rimmed spectacles, the medical bag in his hand was the only thing of note about the man.

“Mrs. Rolfe, this is Dr. Black.” The sheriff walked up, offering the introduction as she motioned the other man inside.

“We’ve met.” She addressed Sheriff Green then turned her attention back to the doctor, clasping his hand. “Thank you for coming.” She gestured to Ben. “He’s bleeding badly.”

“Let me take a look.”

Dr. Black moved directly to the bedside and set his bag on the dresser. With quiet efficiency, he examined her husband. A guttural moan escaped the wounded man’s lips. Evie walked over to the foot of the bed as Ben opened his eyes and lightly touched his leg.

“The doctor’s here.”

Ben looked up at the man beside him then down at Evie. He tried to move then stilled when the doctor placed a hand on his chest. His breath labored, perspiration covered his face. Pain twisted his expression into a grimace. She averted her gaze to stare at the blazing fire.

Dr. Black laid a hand on her arm. “I’ll need hot water and whiskey if you have some.”

After a few seconds, she nodded then with a swish of her skirts, stepped away. She reached up on the shelf and pulled down the large flour tin. Cheeks aflame, Evie avoided the men’s curious gazes as she dug out the bottle she’d hidden. That it was half-full startled her a moment then, with a sigh, she put the container back. Ben had obviously found it.

Her mouth twisted into a travesty of a smile, she handed the liquor to the doctor. She moved to the hearth, lifted the heavy, steaming pot from over the fire then set it down on a folded cloth in the middle of the table. After that, she added soap and some bowls then hovered, watching the doctor spread out his own supplies.

“Your husband is in good hands.”

“I know.” Although grateful for the reassurance, her voice came out hollow.

“You know Dr. Black?”

Evie nodded. Her gaze never left the doctor as he helped her husband swallow some whiskey. He turned from his patient, washed his hands then started on Ben’s shoulder. She watched him clean out the wound without a noticeable flinch but her eyes widened as he threaded a needle. When the sharp metal pierced her husband’s flesh, she felt the blood drain from her face.

Saliva gathered in her mouth. Poise crumbled. She swayed but couldn’t look away. Evie heard the sheriff speaking to her as if from a distance.

“Ma’am … ma’am, maybe you should step outside?”

Her mind fuzzy it took a moment before Evie understood what he’d said and her gaze swung to him. She stared at the tall man a few seconds, blinked then stumbled outside. Crisp, cool air feathered her face.

“You were telling me about some men?”

Evie started. The sheriff had followed her outside. She turned and found him right behind her. “I was?” Movement caught her eye. On her left, a few yards away, was a horse, picketed. “Oh, yeah, yesterday late afternoon…” She heard a groan, paused, flicking a glance back at the cabin. Worried, on edge, she couldn’t stand still, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. “Some men showed up, mad about Eddie Talbert getting hurt.”

“Do you know who they are?”

“Other than they must work for the Talberts’?” Evie shook her head. “I’d never seen them before.”

“Would you or your husband recognize them?”

“Ben wasn’t here and I doubt I could. They were riding all around, yelling, and firing shots. I was scared.” The doctor appeared in the doorway and gestured for her to come. Evie took a step toward home then stopped, looking back at the sheriff. “But Mr. Talbert would know. He told me he fired those men.”

“Interesting.” He inclined his head. “I believe I’ll head out now ma’am. I’ll be back out soon to speak to your husband.”

As the lawman loosed his horse, Evie walked away without another word, ducking back inside. She scooted around Dr. Black and moved to Ben’s side. He rested, eyes closed. She leaned down, brushing a damp lock of hair off his sweaty forehead.

“Is he going to be okay?” Her gaze went to the man next to her in the midst of drying his hands.

Dr. Black gave her a kind smile. “I need some wide strips to bind his ribs.” He waited until she moved to the table and started to cut the sheet before he continued. “I’ve stitched up the knife wound.” With swift, sure motions, he took the cloth from her and worked it around Ben. “He’ll likely have a nasty headache given the size of that goose egg and these ribs will take a while to heal.”

His neutral tone and carefully chosen words didn’t escape her notice. Evie put the scissors down, watching him finish the binding with her arms hugged around her waist. “So you think he’ll be okay?”

“As long as that shoulder doesn’t get infected, yes.”

Dread settled in her gut. Her mouth dry, she didn’t speak for a moment. She inched closer. “Is that likely?”

“All we can do now is pray.” His gaze held compassion.

“I will.” Evie moved back to the bedside. Her hand touched Ben’s arm for needed contact. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” The doctor started to repack his bag.

“What do I owe you?”

“It’s late. I’ll be back tomorrow to check on him.”

“But-”

He patted her hand. “We’ll settle up then.”

“All right.” She didn’t have the heart to protest further.

“The best thing for him is sleep.” Dr. Black shrugged into a light jacket and donned a narrow brimmed hat. He gestured to the bottle still covered with bits of flour. “If he wakes up in too much pain, give him more.”

Evie walked him to the door. The control she’d held so tight threatened to fall apart. Emotion inexplicable, tears gathered. She exhaled a shaky breath. “He could’ve died.”

“But he didn’t.” Gentle fingers cupped her chin, tilting her face up so Evie looked into his eyes. “The best thing you can do for Ben now is get some rest. You need it.”

“I will.”

Without another word, the doctor left. Evie sank down in the chair beside the bed. Weary, she laid her head down, resting her cheek on Ben’s arm. Her eyes drifted shut. Sometime later a touch on her hair startled her awake.

“Doll.”

“Ben?” She lifted her head and opened her eyes to look at him. At first, he didn’t respond. His eyes still closed, she thought perhaps he’d fallen back asleep.

“Hurts.”

“What hurts?”

“Head. Side. Shoulder. Everything.”

Evie pushed up her feet, poured some liquor in a cup. She slid an arm under his shoulders and helped him up enough so that he could drink. He never opened his eyes or spoke again. She settled Ben back down then eased away from him. His breathing deepened, in minutes it was clear he slept.

Unable to go straight back to sleep herself, Evie moved around the room, restless. She threw his stained clothing and towels in a basket then pushed it under the bed. Exhausted, her head throbbed. She started to clear the table and swayed. One hand reached out, pressed against the wood surface and steadied her. After a moment, she trudged back to Ben’s side, resigned to sleep again in the chair.