When Davie brought his rope, Charlotte tied it around the man’s chest under his arms. Davie led his horse to the opposite side of the wagon. She tossed the free end to her son and he tied it to Scout’s saddle horn.
“Now help me get him on his feet and leaning against the side.”
Davie returned to help her and Jimmy pitched in as well. Together they were able to get Mr. Craig leaning against the wagon with his arms on the bed.
Davie raced around to the horse. “Come on, Scout, back up. Back. More back. Good boy.”
“Jimmy, climb on the wagon and make sure his face doesn’t get banged up when he lands.”
She felt the weight lessen when Scout had backed and the rope went taut. Slowly Mr. Craig slid up and into the wagon bed. She climbed up and arranged him on the blanket.
“Whew, we did it.” Davie sounded triumphant as he loosened the rope from the saddle.
She tied Scout and the man’s two horses to the rear of the wagon. Davie and Jimmy set the wagon’s side back in place.
Already Charlotte wondered how they would get Mr. Craig from the wagon into the house and a bed.
Dear Lord, you planted Mr. Craig in our midst. I have faith you’ll provide an answer to get him into the house. Amen.
Chapter Six
Charlotte peered at the buggy parked at their house.
Susie!
She was there alone. Heedless of the patient, Charlotte snapped the reins to speed up the horses. As they drew closer, she recognized that the horse and buggy belonged to Reverend and Mrs. Pendleton.
Charlotte muttered, “Thank you, Lord.”
Davie looked at her. “What did you say?”
“I believe that’s the buggy of our preacher and his wife who’ve come to call.”
Jimmy leaned forward. “I hope she brought a cake or cookies.”
“James Thomas Dunn, do not—I repeat—do not ask her if she did. You will use your best manners, understand?”
Jimmy pouted. “I don’t see why it hurts to ask. She most always brings something.”
She sent him a stern gaze. “Do we need to have a talk about this?” A ‘talk’ usually included punishment.
His eyes widened. “No, Mama, I’ll remember.”
She parked the wagon almost touching the porch and as close to the front door as she could.
The preacher came out to greet them. “Sorry for dropping by uninvited. Susie said you were on a mission of mercy.”
Charlotte was so happy to see him she could have hugged his neck. “You know you’re always welcome, Reverend Pendleton. That’s especially true today. I had no idea how we could get Mr. Craig into the house and onto a bed. He appears to be injured seriously.”
“I’m not as young as I used to be but I believe between the two of us and Davie we can manage. Jimmy, how about being in charge of the doors?”
Jimmy puffed out his chest. “Yes, sir.”
Mrs. Pendleton came to the porch. “I wanted to learn what had happened.”
The preacher took full charge. “You can find out all about it after this injured man has been treated. Kathryn dear, could you go turn down the covers so we can put him to bed?”
Charlotte looked for her daughter. “Susie, show Mrs. Pendleton where Papa and I… I mean where I sleep.” She told the others, “We can put Mr. Craig in there and I’ll share with Susie.”
After removing the tailgate, they scooted the blanket on which the patient lay and him with it. Although only an inch or so taller than she, the preacher was obviously strong. He hauled Mr. Craig by the chest while she and Davie carried his legs.
Once they reached the bedroom and deposited him on the bed, they all let loose a sigh of relief.
The pastor signaled Davie. “You and I can get his outer clothes off of him while your mother fetches her medical supplies.”
Charlotte strode to the door. “They’re still in the wagon. Let me know when you’re ready for me.”
When she went through the kitchen, Susie and Jimmy were eating cake at the table.
Jimmy swallowed with a gulp. “Mrs. Pendleton offered. Susie ‘n me didn’t ask.”
The preacher’s wife winked at Charlotte. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“You’re very kind. The meal you sent home with us from the funeral was a great comfort to us.”
By the time she had retrieved the medicine box and she and Kathryn gathered towels and a bowl of warm water, Davie had come to summon her.
“Mr. Craig is in bed and ready for you to see about his wound. Guess I’d better put the wagon and horses in the barn.”
“Thank you, Davie. You’re a great help.”
Indeed, she wondered what she would do without his assistance. She tried not to depend on him too much because he deserved a childhood. She’d had no choice since her husband’s injury and death. Thank goodness Davie, Susie, and Jimmy were good children.
In the bedroom, the preacher stood on one side of the bed and she and his wife stood on the other.
Mrs. Pendleton gathered Mr. Craig’s clothes and folded them neatly at the foot of the bed. “His clothes appear new and of good quality.”
“I noticed that, too. Everything appears new.”
Mrs. Pendleton peered at the injured man. “Seems to me he has the soft look of a man who doesn’t work with his hands. I wonder how he earned his living.”
The preacher rolled Mr. Craig to his side to give Charlotte access to the gash on the back of his head.
Charlotte cleaned blood from the matted hair. “This probably needs stitches.”
Reverend Pendleton met her gaze. “Do the best you can with the ointment and bandages. On our way home, we’ll stop by Dr. Ross’ office
