The Lawman's Betrayal (17 page)

“Yes. Bring her this way please.”

Wes followed the old lady down the hall and into the bedroom. She pulled the quilt back, and Wes laid his precious cargo, belly down, on the bed.

“Oh my, that looks like a bullet wound.”

“Yes, ma’am, it is,” Wes answered. “The slug is still in there.”

“Who did this to her?”

“The same person that killed your grandson.”

Virginia’s eyes widened, but she merely nodded. She opened the drawer of the bedside table and pulled out a pair of scissors. She turned to Naomi and cut the dress from around the wound. Wes admired the old woman’s steady hand. “You look to be an old hand at that.”

She shot him a wry smile. “Seen a few gunshot wounds in my day, young man, especially during the late unpleasantness.”

In a few minutes, Wes heard the front door open and Matildy’s voice guiding the doctor. The physician bustled in, took one look at Naomi, eyed Wes suspiciously, and then sent for boiling water. He tried to send Mrs. Johnson from the room too, but she refused.

“I’ve dug a lot of bullets out of men during the war,” she said through gritted teeth, “probably more than you have, and I’m not leaving that girl.”

“Very well. Let’s get this wound cleaned up.”

“All right. Marshal, you tell Matildy to give you something to drink, something strong, you hear me?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Wes left the room. Although he’d seen his share of bullet wounds in his day, he couldn’t bear to see them cut on Naomi, the only woman he’d ever loved. The thought of losing her made him sick to his stomach. He hunkered down at the kitchen table. Without a word, Matildy brought him a bottle of brandy and a glass.

The minutes ticked by, then hours, and soon afternoon shadows darkened the room. Both women hurried to and fro with hot water and bandages, worried looks on their faces. The level of brandy continued to dwindle. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the doctor came out, Virginia on his heels. He rolled his shirt sleeves down and nodded at Wes. “She’s going to be all right, Marshal.”

Wes breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks. I don’t know what I’d have done if I lost her.” He stood up. “And now I’m going to go bring in the sonofabitch who shot her, and I hope he tries to escape.”

****

Through the haze of pain, Naomi fought her way back to consciousness. Her eyelids felt so heavy she could barely open them. When she did, she didn’t know where she was. Pillows were propped behind her back, and a dull ache reminded her she’d been shot.

Wes?

Where was he? Had he been killed? She had to find out. She threw the covers back and then regretted it. It felt like someone had stuck a red hot poker in her back and now it twisted. She bit down on her lip, sat up, and inched her way to the edge of the bed.

“Oh, no, you don’t, young lady.” Virginia followed her voice into the room, Matildy behind her. She gently pushed Naomi back and stuffed pillows behind her. “You get back in bed. Matildy has some hot soup for you.”

“How did I get here? Wes?”

“Your young man brought you, and I must say he’s a handsome devil. So big and tall. He stayed right here by your side for a whole week until you were out of the woods.” Virginia perched on the edge of the bed, took the soup from Matildy, and held out the spoon to Naomi. “You need to eat this to get your strength back?”

Naomi had no choice but to gulp down the soup. Then she pushed the spoon aside. “You mean he’s all right? Wes is all right?”

“Yes, child. He’s fine, but he sure has been kicking up a ruckus in town. Even arrested Sheriff Russell—and the governor. Wes said there was enough evidence hidden out at your ranch that would put the governor away for a very, long time. He cleared your name, that he did.”

“I wanted it cleared so I could change it,” Wes said as he entered the room, a wide grin on his face. “Naomi Cooper. Now that’s a fine-sounding name.” He knelt beside the bed and took her hand. “I almost lost you once, and I can’t, I won’t, take another chance. I love you, Naomi. Will you marry me?”

“Naomi Cooper? Hmmm.” She repeated it several times. “It does sound good I must confess.” She reached out and stroked his cheek. “Are you sure, Wes? I mean, what with Roy and all he did.”

“Oh, I’m sure, but I want you to be sure, too. I don’t want Roy’s ghost, his memory, standing between us.”

“Memories aren’t much to have—they only have what life you give them. That part of my life is over. So, let’s see. Naomi Cooper, Mrs. Wes Cooper. Yes, I like it.”

“Oh, I like it too,” Virginia chimed in.”

“And me too,” Matildy added.

“Then it’s settled,” Naomi said. “Yes, I will marry you, Marshal Cooper.”

“Good. Let’s seal the bargain with a kiss.”

A word about the author...

Sandi resides in Tampa, Florida, with her husband Howard. She has two children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. When she’s not writing, Sandi likes to go motorcycling with her husband.

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