Quicksilver Passion (100 page)

She nodded and swallowed hard.
Wildflowers. Of course, if that’s what you want.”

There were so many things he wanted to say to her and had never had the nerve; he was just an ugly nobody and she was so very beautiful. Last week, when he had realized that his time had about run out, that if the cancer didn’t get him, the smallpox might, he had sent a letter up to Julesburg so the eastbound Pony Express would get it to St. Joe, then to Chicago. In it, he had told the authorities he took full blame for Brett’s murder and the robbery. He didn’t want Silver to be afraid for the rest of her life.

His strength was fading fast. He had to tell her about that letter.
Don’t be afraid,” he whispered.
Don’t be afraid. I did it because I love you, Silver, I wanted to help you ... I wouldn’t trade this past year for a chance to live to be a hundred . . .” He had to tell her what he had done to protect her, but he didn’t seem to have the energy to get the words out. He was so very, very tired and the room was growing so dark.
Letter . . . I love you, Silver, I ...”

Silver held on to his hand as if, by doing so, she could stop him from going.
Yes, Al?” He was trying hard to tell her something.
Yes, Al?”

Doc sighed and leaned over and put his hand on her shoulder.
Silver, he’s gone.”

Gone?” For a long moment, the words didn’t register although Al lay very still, an ugly man with wide shoulders who had killed a man to help her.
Oh, no!” She put her face against him and cried until there were no tears left.

That afternoon, she followed the wagon carrying the crude, hastily built coffin out to the little graveyard and watched as some of the prospectors dug a grave next to Hank and Zeke and all the others. She was too weary and felt too bad to even cry anymore.

Doc looked at her, worry etching his face.
Silver, are you all right? You don’t look too good.”

I’m fine. I can’t get sick, too many people need me.” Almost woodenly, she gathered an armful of wild flowers and spread them over the graves.
Oh, Doc, when this town’s boom days are over, and everyone’s gone away, who will look after the graves?”

Emma and I will as long as we live,” Doc said softly.
We expect to live out our lives here. And maybe people who haven’t even been born yet will care enough to come by now and then, say a prayer, and leave flowers.”