Mina returned to the chair beside Austin. He was such a fine man. She thought he was far more perfect than Bert, no matter what Cindy said.
She bathed his skin once again. Afterward, she sat holding her husband’s hand. She was so tired but knowing the doctor was pleased encouraged her.
Time passed slowly. Cindy quietly brought her a sandwich and fresh coffee.
For a little while, she’d rest her head on the bed. Surely that would be all right. Holding his hand would let her know if he woke or if his fever climbed.
Bent forward, her head could rest on the bed beside Austin. Except for Spuds soft snores, the house was quiet. She wondered what Cindy was doing. Maybe she was resting, too.
Mina woke because someone stroked her hair. When she looked up, Austin gazed at her.
She rose enough to kiss him. “Thank heavens, you’re conscious. I promised I’d let Spuds know. It’s the only way I could get him to rest.”
After turning, she gently woke Spuds. “He’s awake.”
Spuds gave a wide smile and came to stand by the bed. “Your wife was real worried about you. Wouldn’t leave this room until she knew you were all right. I figured you were too ornery to let a bullet hole stop you.”
Mina held Austin’s head so he could sip a glass of water. “We’ve all been worried about you. Cindy’s here. Bert was but he went home. He’d ridden with the posse and so did Buck.”
He pushed away the glass. “Ferguson?” His voice was raspy.
She set the glass on the table. “Dead. They were using that monitor thing inside the cave and the cave collapsed on them. The posse dug them out but they were both dead. The miners hadn’t added a chemical and were using plain water.”
“So, it’s over… and they… won’t be able… to poison the creek or river.”
Spuds crossed his arms over his chest. “Sheriff Cornelius wants to arrest Bailey for fraud. He sent a wire to Houston’s sheriff.”
“Bailey started… the whole thing.” His voice sounded slightly better the more he spoke.
Mina gestured to a bottle. “I have laudanum here if you’re in pain. Spuds made you beef broth as the doctor requested. Spuds had already started it before the doctor came, though.”
Spuds uncrossed his arms. “I’ll be back in few minutes with a cup of broth. You need it to build up your blood.” Spuds hurried from the room.
Mina held Austin’s hand. “You lost so much blood. I was afraid you were bleeding to death. Buck went for the doctor but we had no way of knowing when Dr. Ross would come. Spuds told me what to do and I sewed up your wounds. Dusty and Chico held you down for me.”
Austin frowned. “You sewed me?”
“I did and the doctor didn’t change the stitches. He’s been here twice.” She grinned at him, elated he was awake, and brushed her hand across his brow. “Dr. Ross admired the rosebuds I stitched on your back.”
His mouth tipped upward slightly in a grin. “I’ll bet.”
“He said it’s better than a tattoo.” Unable to resist, she laid her head on his pillow. “Oh, Austin, I was so worried. Even with your tan you were pale. You have to promise me we’ll grow old together.”
“That’s my plan.”
Spuds returned with the broth in a mug and coffee for Mina. “This ought to help you. Reckon I’ll go on to bed now for a spell. Mrs. Kennedy said she’d make a meal when it’s time.”
“Sleep well, Spuds.”
Mina helped Austin drink the broth.
Doing so appeared to tire him. He lay back on the pillow, slightly rolled to his uninjured side.
“Tell me what hurts besides the bullet hole.”
He grimaced. “Everything.”
“You need to take a dose of laudanum. Dr. Ross left two herbal tinctures for me to give you but that can wait until you wake again.”
Cindy came in with a cup of coffee. “This should help you, Mina.”
“Thank you, Cindy.”
Austin asked, “What time is it?”
She reached for his pocket watch on the table. “Five o’clock in the evening.” After uncorking the laudanum bottle, she poured the liquid into a spoon. “Open wide.”
He did and swallowed the medicine but then looked into her eyes. “How old do you think I am?”
She gasped. “Oh, I’m sorry. Guess that sounded the way I coaxed when I gave medicine to my niece and nephew, didn’t it? I know how old you are because you told me you’re twenty-nine.”
“Not up to it now but when I wake up, we need to talk.” His eyes closed. Soon he was sleeping.
Mina worried. What would the subject of their talk be? Surely he wasn’t upset with her. He said he planned for them to grow old together. He could have that plan and still be angry, couldn’t he?
She stretched out on the bunk bed and fell asleep.
When she woke, Cindy stood on the opposite side of the bed helping Austin drink broth.
Mina sat up and rubbed her eyes before she reached for the pocket watch. “Our days are upside down. I slept during the day. Now it’s midnight and I’m awake.”
Cindy looked at her. “Spuds is still asleep. I laced his coffee with laudanum so he’d rest. He thought he had to take care of everyone and just couldn’t give in and relax.”
Mina stood, wondering if she should go check on him. “I hope he’s all right.”
Cindy nodded. “I’ve checked on him but don’t tell him any of this. That poor man was worn out.”
Austin pushed the mug away. “If I drink any more broth I’ll start mooing.”
Cindy raised her eyebrows at Mina. “Then I’ll put this in the kitchen, check on Spuds, and go to bed. Good night.”
Mina called,
