“Hurry, Minnie, not sure how long I can sit up,” he groans, and she jumps and pulls a button on shirt around him.
“Okay sit back, arms, next,” she slips one arm in each side and glances at his bandage, chewing on her lip with concern. Sweat has beaded on his forehead and Minnie grabs a cloth in the bowl of water. Squeezing it, she wipes it over his forehead.
“Thank you, Minnie,” he whispers and leans back letting her take care of him. How long has it been since someone cared for him? He starts to drift to sleep.
“Dad wants you to take this for pain,” she taps his mouth with a spoon and giggles when he cocks one eye open at her.
“What is it?”
“Just something to help with the pain. Do you trust me, Sterling?” she asks.
Both eyes open, piercing her, “Yes.” He takes the medicine and flinches at the taste.
“Now, you have guests waiting,” she buttons his shirt slowly and sighs. “If I think they are overtaxing you, I will kick them out, Sheriff or not,” she snaps.
“Yes, Ma’am,” he sits back and fights back a fresh wave of pain in his side.
“You will feel better soon,” she hurries to show Abbie and Tucker inside.
“Don’t keep him too long. I just gave him medicine for the pain, and it will make him sleepy,” she whispers.
“Of course,” Abbie replies. When she walks in behind Minnie, she gasps.
Sterling is pale with dark bags under his eyes, a two-day beard and he’s flinching to hide the pain he’s in. “Abbilene!” he sighs. “I was so worried.”
She runs to his side with Tucker behind her. “Sterling, it’s good to see you.”
Abbie grabs his hand, unable to stop touching him. Hearing he was shot and seeing it, is two different things. “I have so much to tell you, Sterling.”
Minnie watches him closely, hovering in case he needs her. Sterling keeps glancing at her to make sure she’s okay and Tucker has to smile.
He walks over to Minnie, “Miss Minnie, I can’t thank you enough for taking care of Sterling.”
Minnie smiles at Tucker and they chat softly, and Abbie watches as Sterling grows agitated. “Sterling?” she calls.
He glances at her, but he’s intent on how close Tucker is standing to Minnie.
“Tucker asked me to marry him and I’ve accepted,” she murmurs.
“That’s nice.”
“Marcus Hayden planned the explosions. I’m not sure how he did it, but he confessed before Tucker shot him.”
“What!”
Abbie explains everything and Sterling stares at her in horror.
“He killed innocent people on purpose,” he closes his eyes thinking of Burton.
Tucker walks over, “Wyatt and Cooper arrested three men working with him and one was found dead.”
“It’s going to be alright, Sterling. We will rebuild in honor of the lives lost. He won’t win. The children are fine and now you need to focus on taking care of yourself.”
“Thank you,” he hisses when another wave of pain racks his body.
Instantly, Minnie is at his side, “Breathe,” she whispers and bathes his forehead in a damp cloth. He grips her wrist when the pain passes and keeps her at his side when she tries to pull back.
A strange warmth is rippling through his body, taking the pain with it. “That’s nice,” he murmurs.
Minnie smiles at them, “The morphine is hitting.” Gently, she pulls away and steps out to speak to her father.
“Sterling, I don’t want you to worry about anything. I have everything under control at the store and mill. Cooper and Wyatt are handling security. We are going to have a town hall meeting as soon as you’re well enough.”
“Thanks, Abbie.” He frowns as his eyes trace the room. “Minnie?” he calls out growing agitated when he can’t see her.
“I’m here,” she hurries back to his side and grips his hand, calming him down instantly.
“Gonna sleep, now,” he says and Minnie blushes at the looks Tucker and Abbie are giving her.
Abbie’s eye shine with joy as she looks at Minnie. “Pastor Jacobs told me that for every trial we face, the Lord has a blessing waiting for us. I’m so glad it’s you, Minnie.”
Minnie smiles through tears and nods as she stares at his hand still gripping hers.
Chapter 61
December 20
“It was a beautiful wedding,” Abbie says glancing at Tucker.
“Yes, it was. Not as perfect as ours,” he teases.
They married at his home on Thanksgiving Sunday. Neither wanted to wait. It was a simple, small ceremony with family and friends.
“Are you sure about this?” Tucker asks.
“Very. My home is with you,” she replies and pats Coralie’s back.
“That’s right. Don’t forget it,” he teases.
Sterling and Minnie are glowing as they walk over to them. “Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert, congratulations,” Tucker says and shakes Sterling’s hand.
“Thank you,” he grins proudly at Minnie.
“Sterling, we have a wedding gift for you,” Abbie says and Tucker plucks Coralie from her arms.
“Thank you,” she smiles and accepts the envelope from Tucker.
“Abbilene, you’ve done enough,” but she stops him.
“Not quite,” she smiles. “This is the deed to the house. We want you to have it to start your life together.”
They stare at her in shock. “Abbie, it’s too much,” Minnie gasps.
“No. Burton loved that house, but my home is with Tucker on the farm. I was going to sell it, but I think Burton would be happier if he knew you were loving it,” Abbie insists.
“If you decide you don’t want it there will be no hard feelings,” Tucker insists.
“Thank you,” Sterling’s voice is hoarse. “I remember sitting with him going over the designs, no details were overlooked. I would be honored to live in it and make it ours.” He glances at Minnie who nods
