“I haven’t seen him drink alcohol. I imagine keeping him on broth and liquids will be as hard as keeping him still. Although, he’s probably going to feel pretty rough when he regains consciousness.”
“If his fever goes up, keep bathing him. As soon as you can get it down him, make him a warm drink with this second packet. Directions are written on each.” He laid the two envelopes on the table. “Spuds said he hit the ground hard?”
“He landed with a loud thump. I searched to see if he’d hit a rock but it was just grass and packed dirt. Still, the sound was loud.”
Dr. Ross pried open Austin’s eyes then carefully felt of his head and neck. “Might have popped his neck. You know, when people fall hard, they bounce. I suspect sometimes the second landing hurts them as much as the first because it snaps their neck.”
The breath left her body. “Y-You don’t think his neck is broken, do you?”
The doctor waved aside her concern. “No, but that doesn’t mean it won’t hurt when he regains consciousness.”
“I hope he wakes soon. I want to know he’s all right even if I have to dose him with laudanum afterward.” Drat, her tears started again.
“I understand, Mrs. Wright. Well, I think you have things in hand here. I’ll come around tomorrow and see how the patient and you are doing. Spuds didn’t look too perky either.”
She smiled through her tears. “Spuds treats Austin as if he were Austin’s parent. I know he’s terribly worried, as am I.”
When the kindly doctor had left, Mina resumed her periodic bathing of her husband’s upper body. She was surprised when she started counting the days since she and Austin had met. To her, it seemed they’d known each other for months, maybe years. In reality, she’d known Austin just eight days.
How could she care this deeply for him after such a short time?
Chapter Fourteen
Mina sat with Austin, willing him to open his eyes, but he remained unconscious. After sending up another prayer, she heard voices from the kitchen. Spuds could handle guests but she remained by her husband’s side.
Cindy rushed into the room. “I came as soon as I heard what had happened.” She leaned over and hugged Mina.
Mina stood and wept on her cousin’s shoulder. “Oh, Cindy, thank you so much for coming. You don’t need to stay, but having you here even for a few minutes helps more than I can say.”
Cindy held both Mina’s hands. “All I heard was that one of the miners shot Austin. Tell me how all this happened.”
Mina explained, starting with the first time Austin visited the miners and was threatened. “We were on our property today.”
“I knew he’d teach you to fire a gun. I hardly suspected that he’d be shot.”
“We were shocked when that man approached.” She sat on the bed so Cindy could have the chair. “Did you come by yourself?”
Her cousin nodded then sat on the chair. “Ben went with the posse but before he left I told him I’d come here. Of course he wasn’t surprised.”
“Did you come in your new buggy?”
Cindy laughed, and that made Mina feel better. “Wasn’t that a nice surprise? And it’s so nice, but I rode my horse because that’s so much faster. Dusty put him in the barn for me. I brought a change of clothes so I can stay and help.”
Mina laid a hand at her throat. “Oh, Cindy, we don’t have a place for you to sleep. Neither of our spare rooms has a bed.”
Cindy appeared resolute. “Don’t worry. I’ll work something out if you need me. Mrs. Coats is with the twins. They like her and I trust her. She’s really like a grandmother with them.”
“Just having you has helped me. I didn’t realize how much I’d come to care for him in the short time I’ve been here, but I have. Of course, I’d be upset regardless.”
Cindy looked at Austin. “I’m glad to know you’re falling in love, Mina. He’s a good man. The second best man in Texas.”
Mina gazed at her husband. “He certainly didn’t deserve this. I hope they capture that awful man who shot Austin.”
“Have you eaten anything?”
“Yes, Spuds brought my supper in here. Have you eaten?”
“Mrs. Brown insisted I eat before I left. Aren’t we both lucky to have someone to look after us? I depend on her a lot. When no one else is there, I call her Hazel and she calls me Cindy. Does that shock you?”
“Not at all. I wanted to tell all the men here to call me Mina but I didn’t think Austin would approve. I’ll ask him… when… when he wakes.” Mina couldn’t help sobbing.
“Dear Mina, it won’t be long.” Cindy squeezed Mina’s hand.
“He lost so much blood. You can see how pale he is even under his tan. I was so afraid he was going to bleed to death before we could get him home and inside.”
“You’ll see how tough he is. He’s not going to fade away.” Cindy stood and hugged Mina’s shoulders. “I’m going to go see what I can do about a bed. Then I’ll come spell you for a while.”
Mina held Austin’s hand. “I’m so glad you’re here, Cindy, but I’m not leaving Austin’s side.”
“I’m sure I’d feel that way if it were Bert lying there. I’ll bring you coffee or something else. Do you have a request?”
“A cup of coffee would be nice.”
Cindy left and soon Mina heard voices from the kitchen then silence.
Her cousin appeared with two cups of coffee. She gave one to Mina and sipped the other one. “There are a
