Lori Connelly Read Online Free PDF Page B

she laid a fresh towel over torn flesh. “Other than Mr. Talbert, I … ”
    “You think Mr. Talbert is responsible?”
    “I don’t know but the other night some of his men-”
    A welcome sound drifted through the walls, sent a wave of relief over her. Evie held up a hand and shook her head when the sheriff started to say something. She thrust the bowl on the dresser and almost ran to open the door.
    In front of the cabin, a buggy rolled up. A slight built man dressed in all brown from trousers to string tie stepped out of the vehicle. With short light brown hair, plain features and wire-rimmed spectacles, the medical bag in his hand was the only thing of note about the man.
    “Mrs. Rolfe, this is Dr. Black,” The sheriff walked up, offered an introduction as she motioned the other man inside.
    “We’ve met,” she addressed Sheriff Green then turned her attention back to the doctor, clasped his hand. “Thank you for coming.” She gestured to Ben. “He’s bleeding badly.”
    “Let me take a look.”
    Dr. Black moved directly to the bedside, set his bag on the dresser. With quiet efficiency, he examined Ben. A guttural moan escaped his lips. Evie walked over to the foot of the bed as her husband opened his eyes and lightly touched his leg.
    “The doctor’s here.”
    Ben looked up at the man beside him then down at Evie. He tried to move then stilled when the doctor placed a hand on his chest. His breath labored, perspiration covered his face. Pain twisted his expression into a grimace. She averted her gaze to stare at the blazing fire.
    Dr. Black laid a hand on her arm, “I’ll need hot water and whiskey if you have some.”
    After a few seconds, she nodded then with a swish of her skirts, stepped away. She reached up on the shelf and pulled down the large flour tin. Cheeks aflame, Evie avoided the men’s curious gazes as she dug out the bottle she’d hidden. That it was half-full startled her a moment then, with a sigh, she put the container back. Ben had obviously found it.
    Her mouth twisted into a travesty of a smile, she handed the liquor to the doctor. She moved to the hearth, lifted the heavy, steaming pot from over the fire then set it down on a folded cloth in the middle of the table. After that, she added soap, some bowls then hovered, watched the doctor spread out his own supplies.
    “Your husband is in good hands.”
    “I know.” Although grateful for the reassurance, her voice came out hollow.
    “You know Dr. Black?”
    Evie nodded. Her gaze never left the doctor as he helped her husband swallow some whiskey. He turned from his patient, washed his hands then started on Ben’s shoulder. She watched him clean out the wound without a noticeable flinch but her eyes widened as he threaded a needle. When the sharp metal pierced her husband’s flesh, she felt the blood drain from her face.
    Saliva gathered in her mouth. Poise crumbled. She swayed but couldn’t look away. Evie heard the sheriff speaking to her as if from a distance.
    “Ma’am …  ma’am maybe you should step outside?”
    Her mind fuzzy it took a moment before Evie understood what he’d said and her gaze swung to him. She stared at the tall man a few seconds, blinked then stumbled outside. Crisp, cool air feathered her face.
    “You were telling me about some men?”
    Evie started. The sheriff had followed. She turned, found him right behind her. “I was?” Movement caught her eye. On her left, a few yards away, was a horse, picketed. “Oh, yeah, yesterday late afternoon,” she heard a groan, paused, flicked a glance back at the cabin. Worried, on edge, she couldn’t stand still, shifted her weight from one foot to the other, “Some men showed up, mad about Eddie Talbert getting hurt.”
    “Do you know who they are?”
    “Other than they must work for the Talberts?” Evie shook her head. “I’d never seen them before.”
    “Would you or your husband recognize them?”
    “Ben wasn’t here and I doubt I could.