the bullet,” Doc Connor reported as he came to stand at the foot of the bed. “Adam should come around in a few minutes. But don’t tire him out.” He handed Julia a bottle of laudanum. “Give him another dose to help him sleep and keep him sedated for several days.”
Five minutes after Julia had introduced Lone Wolf to the men who had congregated in the room, the physician bid them good-night and promised to return the following day. Frank Slater, the foreman, and two of the cowboys eyed Lone Wolf cautiously before they also took their leave.
A moment later Adam’s eyes fluttered open.
Julia pressed a kiss to his peaked forehead. “Hey, big brother.” She smiled affectionately. “I’m glad to hear that you’re going to be all right. That is, if you follow doctor’s orders and rest while I take care of things for you. I get to boss you around. I’ve always wanted to do that.”
The faintest hint of a smile trailed across Adam’s ashen lips. Then he fixed his dazed eyes on Lone Wolf. “Make sure no harm comes to Julia,” he wheezed. “But I need to warn you—” he paused to swallow and lick his lips “—she can be a handful.”
Lone Wolf didn’t doubt it. Even when Julia was at her worst, overcome with grief and anguish, she had spunk, spirit and courage in spades. She had braved the dangers of South Side to find him quickly. Plus, he remembered well how she had retaliated when he had accidentally touched her in an inappropriate manner.
“I’ll be on my best behavior while Lone Wolf is underfoot,” Julia promised. “You won’t even recognize me.”
Adam’s smile faded and his eyes drooped. “You need to tell Maggie—”
“You can tell her yourself later,” Julia cut in as she offered him a dose of the sedative. “Right now you need to rest. I’ll be back to check on you after I get Lone Wolf settled in for the night.”
He swallowed dutifully as his focus drifted to Lone Wolf. “Thank you for coming to help. Now I owe you one.”
When Adam drifted off, Julia heaved herself to her feet. She looked exhausted but mightily relieved that her brother had survived. Lone Wolf wondered what it felt like to be loved so devotedly. The affectionate bond between brother and sister fairly radiated in the room. No doubt, they had grown very close after losing their mother, and then their father.
Aware of the strong attachment and family connection the Prestons shared made Lone Wolf realize something was missing from his life. It had been almost two decades since he had felt as if he belonged anywhere. He had also gotten used to knowing that he was probably the only one who gave a damn whether he even existed. But at least he was the master of his own soul. There was a lot to be said for that.
“I’ll show you to your room,” Julia murmured as she breezed past him. He tried very hard not to get lost in her feminine scent again. But it was difficult, especially when the aroma of jasmine clung to his clothes after she had hugged him gratefully.
“No need for a room,” he insisted, following her into the hall. “I’ll camp outside.”
Julia stopped short, spun around then tilted her head to stare up at him. “No, you will not,” she countered firmly. “The whole point is for you to be close at hand in case Sol decides to send his henchman to finish the job on Adam.”
Lone Wolf’s eyes widened. “You want me under the same roof with your kind?” He snorted at that. “You’d be laughed out of town by your highfalutin friends. Half-breed bounty hunters aren’t prized houseguests so don’t bother trying to be noble. I don’t miss what I’m not used to.”
Julia looked him squarely in the eye and said, “Do you want to hear the truth, Lone Wolf?”
“Yeah, don’t mind if I do. That would be a refreshing change, considering the ruthless, backstabbing, two-faced liars I usually have to contend with in my line of work.”
Julia studied him consideringly, trying to imagine what his life was like, knowing he had been stigmatized for reasons beyond his control. No matter what anyone else thought of him, she admired the countless talents and skills that had earned him the reputation as one of the most formidable shootists and capable trackers in the West.
She also wondered if the fact that her emotions had been all over the place the past few hours accounted for her unexpected attachment to him. She certainly hadn’t developed an interest in any of the fortune hunters who had tried to charm her into marriage the past few years.
But her connection with Lone Wolf was different. He had been there when she needed a shoulder to cry on and had offered her moral support when she returned to the ranch. He had also helped her brace for the worst before she climbed the steps to determine if Adam had survived.
Of course, it was pretty clear that he didn’t want any involvement with her, but he had been there for her whether he’d wanted to be or not. That made him special to her.
“Well, the truth is,” she said belatedly, “that my maternal grandfather didn’t think my father was good enough for my mother, which was, of course, ridiculous. Snobbery, society’s dictates and prejudices are wasted on me. I have been encouraged to think and speak for myself and to stand up for what I believe in. I’m not, nor have I ever been, a shrinking violet who is easily controlled. You need to know that from the start.”
His low, rumbling chuckle startled her. She grinned when she saw him smiling wryly at her.
“I figured out that you had gumption and spunk, right off.” He rubbed his stubbled jaw. “You also pack a mean wallop. I didn’t think I had that retaliation coming since it was unintentional. You weren’t who I was expecting.”
Julia blushed furiously, remembering the feel of his hand on her breast. She had reacted instinctively, unaware that he had mistaken her for Harvey Fowler. “You’re right,” she admitted. “You didn’t deserve those hard slaps. I apologize. It was just my self-preservation instinct kicking in.” She returned to the matter at hand. “You will be using my suite during your employment. No argument.”
He scowled.
Julia lurched around to stride down the hall before he had the chance to protest again. “I want you next door to Adam. On the same side as the balcony, in case someone sneaks up on him. That is sensible and practical.”
“And where will you be sleeping while I’m lounging in your bed?” he asked, close behind her. “What makes you think this mysterious sniper isn’t coming after you next—because you can identify him. I need to know exactly where you are if trouble arises.”
The comment caused her to jerk up her head, and she noted his grim countenance. He might be right, but she refused to cower, even if she and her brother might be targets of Sol’s revenge.
“I’ll be in the guest room across the hall,” she said, gesturing over her shoulder.
Lone Wolf opened the door then gave a low whistle as he surveyed the palatial suite that surpassed anything he had ever seen. Expensive furnishings lined the walls. Velvet drapes cascaded beside floor-length windows that provided a view of the moonlit gallery and the rolling hills beyond. These were definitely accommodations fit for royalty.
But he was as far from royalty as you could get.
“Nice place, Julia. I always wondered what the lap of luxury looked like.”
