She caressed her husband’s hand. “You must be feeling a bit better if you can complain.”
“I’m mad as all get out. I didn’t ride with the posse. Instead I was laid up here while others took care of the problem.”
“You’re forgetting that your being shot was why the posse rode in the first place. No telling when those men would have been discovered.”
“Aw, I’m just out of sorts from being laid up like this.”
“You’ll be even more out of sorts when you learn the doctor said the bullet punctured the top of your lung and you need to stay in bed at least three weeks.”
He pointed at her. “Now that is not going to happen. I have a ranch to run.”
Mina put her hands on her hips. “Oh, do you? Suppose you get up and around and that lung starts bleeding. You could drown in your own blood before anything can be done to help you. Is that what you want?”
He glared at her and clamped his mouth shut.
“You had better stay in bed until the doctor says otherwise. If I have to, I’ll get rope and tie you to that bed. Don’t doubt me for a second, Austin Wright.”
“I don’t doubt you’d try.”
“Your men think a lot of you. They’ll help me protect you.”
“If you expect me to stay in bed you’d better lie beside me instead of in that bed over there.”
She shook her head. “I could hurt you if I moved wrong.”
“You won’t. Just let me curl up to you. I’m sure I’ll sleep better.”
“I need to make up a tincture to give you.”
He made a grim face. “Cindy gave me some awful concoctions. I’m sure one was poisonous.”
“Since Dr. Ross left them, I don’t think so. I must have really been sound asleep.”
“I suspect your cousin dosed your last cup of coffee.”
She gestured to the table. “But the bottle is right here. I would have seen her.”
“We have a bottle in the kitchen, too. Keep it on hand in case someone is badly hurt or Spuds’ back pains him too much.”
“Why that little imp. Wait until I see her again.”
“She did you a favor.”
“I guess so now that you mention it. Spuds’ back was hurting him, which is why he laid down in here. I’m sure it was bad or he wouldn’t have admitted it to me. I’m glad she made sure he’d sleep well.”
He patted beside him on the bed. “Bedtime.”
“All right, but you have to promise to tell me if I hurt you.” She carefully laid down with her back to him.
He curled to fit her until they were spooned together. “Ahh, that’s better. I can sleep now.”
“So can I, but I’m leaving the lamp burning low. Wake me if you need more laudanum.”
Being close to her husband again reassured her that their normal life would resume soon. She was determined to keep him quiet and in bed until Dr. Ross said he could be mobile. He lay on his uninjured side with his arm draped across her. Secure in the warmth of his embrace, she sent up a prayer.
Dear Lord, hallowed be thy name. Thank you for Austin’s survival and return to consciousness. Bless Cindy, Spuds, Dusty, Chico, Buck, and Bert. Bless Dr. Ross and the sheriff and all the men who rode with the posse. Thank you that they were unharmed.
Forgive me for the anger I harbored in my heart against Mr. Ferguson for shooting Austin. The depth of my anger frightened me. Forgive Mr. Ferguson and his partner for creating a dangerous situation. Accept them into your loving arms, Dear Father, and give them your peace that passes all understanding. Amen.
Chapter Sixteen
Mina woke when Austin moaned. He had rolled flat on his back. She slipped from bed and grabbed the pillow from the bunk.
After walking around to the opposite side of the bed she tried to lift him so she could slide the pillow against his back. That would prevent him pressing on his back wound, which was the more serious of the two. He wouldn’t budge and she was afraid of hurting him.
She caressed his face, now prickly with whisker stubble. “Austin? Austin, roll over a little.”
He looked at her as if trying to focus. “What? What did you say?”
“You’re pressing on your back injury. Let me slide this pillow to your back so it prevents you pressing your shoulder against the mattress.”
He did as she requested. “Ah, sweetheart, I’m lucky to have you taking care of me. No, I’m lucky to have you at all.”
Hearing him use an endearment and say something so nice almost sent her crying again. “I’m grateful to hear you say so, Austin, but I’m the reason you were shot. If you hadn’t been teaching me to fire a gun, Ferguson wouldn’t have popped up and shot you.”
“Wrong, if I hadn’t had you to restrain me, I would have charged into their camp and been shot and killed. Having you saved my life. I’ll be interested to learn how you managed to get me home and in here.”
She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’ll tell you all about it when you feel better.”
“Tell me now. I’d like to know. First, come back to bed.”
After walking to the other side of the bed and stretching out next to her husband, she explained what happened after he fell off his horse.
“A slicker for a tent? I knew you were clever but that shows real resourcefulness.”
She was pleased he was being so sweet when he must be in pain. “Lily and I used to make a backyard playhouse from anything Mama would let us use. A slicker is
