“That is my hope and my dearest wish,” Daniel said, his gaze still boring into her.
“My Prudence will bake you two a fine wedding cake, and we can scare up a few musicians for a dance,” Fred continued. “Seeing you wed will make my wife happy. Don’t know why exactly, but she’s always had a soft spot for you and Charles.”
Maybe on some level Prudence sensed that Frederick’s life had been saved from a horrible fate today, and Daniel and Charles were responsible. She hoped the couple would have many more years together. Meredith placed her hands on Daniel’s chest. “Where is Charles?”
“He’s in the back of the wagon. Doc gave him laudanum to keep him asleep and out of pain during the ride home.” He took her by the hand and led her to the wagon. “Come on, Oliver. You can sit on the buckboard with Mr. Klein. Meredith and I will ride in back with Charles. Let’s go home.”
“Where are the mules?” Oliver asked as he took his place on the buckboard.
“They’re stabled at the livery in town. Lucy took a stray bullet, and the livery owner knows quite a bit about doctoring animals. He’s tending to her.”
Daniel helped her get settled before he sank down beside her and took her hand in his. “I left both mules there for the time being. They don’t like to be separated, and Lucy will heal better if Harriet is nearby.”
Oliver snorted. “You named one of your mules Harriet?”
“Not that it makes any difference, but they’d already been named when we acquired the pair.” Daniel leaned back against the side of the wagon and closed his eyes. “Lord, I’m spent.”
“Stress will do that.” Meredith sniffed and swiped at her eyes, glancing at Charles’s prone, sleeping form. “I don’t suppose you have a handkerchief. I can’t seem to stop these tears.”
“I’m sorry, Meredith. I didn’t think to put one in my pocket this morning.”
“Here you go, Miss MacCarthy,” Frederick said. He handed her a neatly folded square of cotton.
“Thank you, and please call me Meredith.” I know your great-great-granddaughter. She longed to tell him, but couldn’t. She accepted the handkerchief, wiped her eyes and blew her nose, but still the tears kept coming. All the pent up fear and worry must be seeping out of her in a single deluge.
“We did it, Daniel. We stopped the trio of terror once and for all.” She hiccupped. “We’re going to have to boil some water and sterilize a bunch of bandages.” She glanced at poor Charles again. He was going to be in a world of pain once he woke, and she knew few doctors in this era paid attention to cleanliness when it came to treating wounds. As many soldiers who fought in the Civil War died from infection as did those who died from their wounds.
Daniel slid his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. “Aye. I have a recipe my granny passed down to my mother. It’s a salve that prevents infection better than anything the doc gave us. Will you help me make some for Charles? I’m sure we can gather what we need nearby, and honey is a main ingredient, which we always keep on hand.”
“Of course, and I’ll help you nurse him back to health.” She rested her head on his shoulder. Exhaustion wrapped around her like a thick fog. She and Daniel had done what they’d set out to do, what she’d come back through time to accomplish. Right now, all she wanted was to savor the victory without thinking ahead.
Releasing a long breath, she snuggled closer to Daniel and closed her eyes. She’d have to remind herself to mention to Oliver they’d be staying a little longer. Charles would need help to get back on his feet, and Daniel couldn’t do everything on his own.
17
Daniel ladled aromatic chicken soup into a bowl and placed it on the wooden plank he’d use as a tray. Shortly after they’d arrived home, folks from town had started showing up with food and well wishes for Charles’s quick recovery. They’d all wanted to hear from Daniel’s own lips what had occurred in the ravine. Charles slept peacefully through the entire afternoon.
He suspected their neighbors from town also came to get a closer look at Meredith. Frederick must have spread the word about the embrace he’d witnessed. He smiled at the memory as he sliced off a piece of freshly baked bread and slathered it with butter and honey. For as long as he lived, he’d never forget the way Meredith had run into his arms, tears streaking down her face. Lord, it was good to be alive and in love.
“He’s fully awake now,” Meredith announced, heading for the sink with the basin of soapy water in her hands. The two of them had cleaned, salved, and wrapped Charles’s wound in sterilized bandages once they’d finished concocting the healing medicine. She’d remained to tidy up, and he’d moved to the kitchen to fix supper.
Daniel picked up the makeshift tray and started for his friend’s room. He found Charles propped on his good side with his eyes closed. “Are you hungry?” Daniel asked.
“More like nauseated. My head is throbbing as painfully as my side.” He opened one eye and squinted at him. “I suppose I should try to eat something though. Perhaps doing so will settle my stomach, and I need to build my strength.”
“I’m sorry you’re in pain.” Daniel set the tray on the nightstand.
“Sorry?” Charles huffed out a laugh, followed by a groan. “For God’s sake, Danny—I’m alive. I’ll take the pain over the alternative any day.” His voice broke.
“We’ve Meredith to thank for that, aye?” He helped Charles swing his legs over the side of the bed and to sit up.
“And you.” Charles met his gaze. “You’re the one who haunted Garretsville long enough to meet
