“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 her outside. She turned and 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, flicking a glance back at the cabin. Worried, on edge, she couldn’t stand still, shifting 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. They were riding all around, yelling, and firing shots. I was scared.” The doctor appeared in the doorway and gestured for her to come. Evie took a step toward home then stopped, looking back at the sheriff. “But Mr. Talbert would know. He told me he fired those men.”
“Interesting.” He inclined his head. “I believe I’ll head out now ma’am. I’ll be back out soon to speak to your husband.”
As the lawman loosed his horse, Evie walked away without another word, ducking back inside. She scooted around Dr. Black and moved to Ben’s side. He rested, eyes closed. She leaned down, brushing a damp lock of hair off his sweaty forehead.
“Is he going to be okay?” Her gaze went to the man next to her in the midst of drying his hands.
Dr. Black gave her a kind smile. “I need some wide strips to bind his ribs.” He waited until she moved to the table and started to cut the sheet before he continued. “I’ve stitched up the knife wound.” With swift, sure motions, he took the cloth from her and worked it around Ben. “He’ll likely have a nasty headache given the size of that goose egg and these ribs will take a while to heal.”
His neutral tone and carefully chosen words didn’t escape her notice. Evie put the scissors down, watching him finish the binding with her arms hugged around her waist. “So you think he’ll be okay?”
“As long as that shoulder doesn’t get infected, yes.”
Dread settled in her gut. Her mouth dry, she didn’t speak for a moment. She inched closer. “Is that likely?”
“All we can do now is pray.” His gaze held compassion.
“I will.” Evie moved back to the bedside. Her hand touched Ben’s arm for needed contact. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” The doctor started to repack his bag.
“What do I owe you?”
“It’s late. I’ll be back tomorrow to check on him.”
“But-”
He patted her hand. “We’ll settle up then.”
“All right.” She didn’t have the heart to protest further.
“The best thing for him is sleep.” Dr. Black shrugged into a light jacket and donned a narrow brimmed hat. He gestured to the bottle still covered with bits of flour. “If he wakes up in too much pain, give him more.”
Evie walked him to the door. The control she’d held so tight threatened to fall apart. Emotion inexplicable, tears gathered. She exhaled a shaky breath. “He could’ve died.”
“But he didn’t.” Gentle fingers cupped her chin, tilting her face up so Evie looked into his eyes. “The best thing you can do for Ben now is get some rest. You need it.”
“I will.”
Without another word, the doctor left. Evie sank down in the chair beside the bed. Weary, she laid her head down, resting her cheek on Ben’s arm. Her eyes drifted shut. Sometime later a touch on her hair startled her awake.
“Doll.”
“Ben?” She lifted her head and opened her eyes to look at him. At first, he didn’t respond. His eyes still closed, she thought perhaps he’d fallen back asleep.
“Hurts.”
“What hurts?”
“Head. Side. Shoulder. Everything.”
Evie pushed up her feet, poured some liquor in a cup. She slid an arm under his shoulders and helped him up enough so that he could drink. He never opened his eyes or spoke again. She settled Ben back down then eased away from him. His breathing deepened, in minutes it was clear he slept.
Unable to go straight back to sleep herself, Evie moved around the room, restless. She threw his stained clothing and towels in a basket then pushed it under the bed. Exhausted, her head throbbed. She started to clear the table and swayed. One hand reached out, pressed against the wood surface and steadied her. After a moment, she trudged back to Ben’s side, resigned to sleep again in the chair.
The night seemed endless. Every time her husband made a sound, Evie jerked awake, fear clawing her heart. It took long moments to calm each time. When morning arrived at last, she felt worse than the night before.
Her eyes burned. Muscles stiff and aching, Evie stumbled through chores then returned, collapsing onto her chair. Hours passed. Her hair went uncombed, face unwashed, dress unchanged, she did nothing but sit by Ben who mostly slept until the doctor arrived around noon.
As Dr. Black checked her husband over, he woke for more than a moment.
“What happened?”
Evie leaned close and spoke softly. “You were attacked.”
“I was?” Discomfort clear, he responded with effort. His eyes closed. For a second she thought Ben had fallen asleep yet again, and then he spoke again. “By who? Why?”
“I was hoping you’d tell us.”
“I don’t know. Sorry.” He took a breath. “So I’m
