him in shadows. And there's a deep cut in his leg. It's been treated and wrapped.”
Karlee watched her hand shake as she replaced the blanket over Daniel's face. Several Buchanans were on the porch waiting for orders. There weren't enough beds now for everyone at the farm. Daniel would need a room and quiet to recover. Here she'd have help, but he'd get little rest.
Karlee glanced at the porch crowded with caring people. They'd take Daniel in, but he might keep them awake.
“Is our house still standing?” She looked back at Wolf hoping for the right answer.
He nodded. “But the town's a mess. It'll be days before there's any order.”
“Then we take him home.”
Wolf frowned. “But you can't take care of him and the twins all by yourself. I'm not sure I can help much. I've got my hands full until Daniel's brothers get here. They should be well on their way. I wired them two days ago about the wild boy the Rangers brought in. Until they arrive, I've a prisoner to watch. I've got to keep him from killing me while I try not to kill him.”
From the porch, Granny shook her head in disapproval. “You can't take care of the preacher and the twins, Child. Leave the girls here until he recovers.”
Karlee looked at Daniel's sleeping form. “He'd want his daughters with him,” she voiced her thoughts. “Thank you for the offer, but I'll manage. You've got your hands full here.”
Granny nodded. “Then I'll get you medicine for his burns. And as for his eyes, put a cool cloth on them three times a day and leave it for a spell. Don't let no bright light reach him for at least a week. If the day gets warm, wet sheets and hang them across the windows. It'll help the breeze be cool. Any heat or light will bother him.”
Karlee listened carefully as she hurriedly gathered her things.
An hour later, Wolf set up a bed in the sparsely furnished parlor and carried Daniel in from the warming sun. The preacher still hadn't opened his eyes, but he thrashed restlessly in his sleep.
“I have to go.” Wolf shook his head as though hating to say the words. “I don't want to leave Danny, but it's not fair to have old Deut watching the wild kid. There ain't enough menfolk left at the farm to hold him down if he gets untied.”
“I understand. We'll be fine here.”
“While I've got the wagon, I'll smuggle him back into town and keep him in the barn loft. It ain't the best place, but don't you worry, I'll tie him good. There are some folks around, if they knew he was here, who would kill him on sight.”
“But why?”
Wolf shook his head. “I've lived most of my life with half the world hating the other half. During the war it was Rebs and Yanks. Men who looked just alike except for the color of their uniform. That didn't make no more sense then this does. Spilling blood over land when there's plenty to share.”
Karlee knelt beside Daniel's bed. “I know Daniel would help you if he could.”
“You're right, Cousin. But now, you got to help him. There ain't no one else. You'll be lucky if the doctor makes it by once a day. Do what you have to do, but keep Danny alive.”
Karlee promised bravely, but as Wolf left the weight of her task almost overwhelmed her.
She fed the twins quickly and left them playing with their tent-table in the kitchen. It was time to see what she could do for Daniel.
“We'll be fine.” She lifted his burned hands. “I can do what needs to be done.”
Slowly, with great care, she lowered one hand into the pan of cool water beside the bed. Daniel jerked in pain, but she held the hand fast.
“Granny gave me some salve,” she whispered not really caring what she said, only wanting to calm him. She washed Daniel's charred flesh in cool water. At first she was reluctant to touch him, but slowly she grew accustomed to the feel of him.
“She says she made it from elderberry bark, lard, rosin and beeswax. She made me repeat the mixture twice so I could make it if I had to.”
Daniel moaned as she worked. Carefully she placed his hand atop her apron and patted it dry with a clean cloth. Then, feather light she began rubbing the salve over his hands.
His eyes never opened, but she knew he was awake. At first he stiffened when she brushed her fingers over the tender flesh, but slowly his hand moved in rhythm to her caring touch.
“Wolf said four blocks of the town burned, with damage to the blocks all around. Some of the cotton on the dock is still burning but everything is under control.”
She circled to the other hand still talking. Karlee didn't want to think too much about what she was doing, she only wanted to help him and then leave him in peace.
“He says some folks are blaming the fire on a man who came here right after the war, presuming to control the former slaves. He was quoted as saying the whole town would have to burn before the freed men got their rights.”
Daniel seemed to relax as she talked on about every detail she could remember of what Wolf said and all about her adventure last night. The fire might have been wild and crazy, but sleeping in a room with an eight-month pregnant woman and two three-year-olds was no picnic.
He made no comment when she wrapped his hands in cotton strips. She hesitated only a moment before starting on his face.
With two fingers wrapped in damp cotton she began to clean. At first he froze at her touch just as he had with his hands, then relaxed, allowing her to pull slivers of glass away from cuts and brush his hair free of ashes with her fingers.
When she brushed her finger over his lips, now swollen, he opened his mouth slightly and she remembered their kiss.
“That was some kiss,” she said. “I'll probably never be kissed like that in my whole life ahead. I wished I could have told you thanks. You needn't worry about me asking again. If there's one thing I am it's true to my word. I said I'd only ask once. But I got to tell you preacher, you sure don't do nothing halfway. I always figured preachers to be the milk toast on the banquet of life where passion was concerned. You proved me wrong.”
He didn't answer. She wasn't sure he was awake but she had to keep talking if only to calm herself. She was so close to him she could feel his breath on her throat as she worked. In another time, another place, what she was doing, running her fingers through his hair, might be considered a very forward act.
“Would you like me to help you pull your shirt off?”
He didn't respond.
“Well,” Karlee reached for her sewing basket. “I guess I could cut it off. I'd probably hurt you if I tried to take it off any other way. Plus there's not enough cotton left to patch the thing.”
She placed the scissors at his throat and began cutting away the material. There were red splotches on his arms and chest, but no more burns or open cuts. She washed him as best she could. His skin felt warmer than hers, as though a bit of the fire remained.
“When I finish, I'll get you something to eat. I brought back stew and biscuits from Granny.”
His bandaged hand covered hers as she ran a dry towel over his chest. She froze. He was awake.
“How long 'til dawn?” he whispered in a low voice.
Karlee blinked away tears as she glanced at the bright afternoon sun coming in from the parlor windows.
“I don't know,” she answered as calmly as she could. “But I'll be right beside you until then.”
“Good.” He relaxed against the white sheets, his blond hair reflecting the sun's rays. His breathing grew slow, and he drifted into sleep.
Even with the cuts and burns, she couldn't help thinking he was one of the handsomest men she'd ever seen. When he was awake, there was something in his manner that held folks at arm's length. But asleep, she could see a young man who must have once dreamed and laughed, and loved.
Karlee leaned close, resting her head lightly against his chest. The solid rhythm of his heart welcomed her while he was asleep as his arms never would when he was awake.
“All right, Lord,” Karlee whispered. “I got about all the adventure I can handle right now.”
