Bought and Paid For by Everly Ryan

Author:Everly Ryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Everly Ryan
Published: 2017-01-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Wesley’s figure completely dominated the doorway, blocking out the light from the hallway and leaving the hard lines of his face cast in shadow.

Carrie’s heart thundered against her rib cage as their gazes locked.

Wearing nothing but his gray woolen uniform trousers, suspenders dangling, he was beyond handsome. In the bed, it was easy to forget just how big a man he was.

His gaze left her and quickly scanned the room, stopping abruptly on Jenny as he lowered his pistol.

He took several steps into the room. “Why didn’t you tell me about her?” His tone was blunt.

“I…” Carrie stammered. Her stomach plummeted.

Wesley’s attention, however, was on Sefronia. “I want you to go down to the depot and find Dr. Deering Grimshaw.”

Sefronia nodded.

Realization sank to Carrie’s toes. She tried to swallow but couldn’t manage it. He was going to have the doctor brought to see about Jenny!

Wesley continued. “You tell him Colonel McEwen has sent for him. You tell him my wound is worse.”

Sefronia’s head bobbed.

“Don’t mention her,” he said, gesturing toward Jenny. “I’ll take care of that when he gets here. Understand?”

“Yes sir.”

“Go quickly then,” he said.

Sefronia disappeared in a whirl of faded orange calico.

He turned back to Carrie. “Why didn’t you tell me about her?” he reiterated. Anger flashed in his eyes. “Do you not care any more about your servants than that?”

Carrie gasped. “How dare you!” she hissed. “I love this woman more than my own mother. She raised me!”

Wesley gripped Carrie’s arm and he gave her a fierce shake. “Then why didn’t you ask me immediately to call a doctor?”

She swallowed. “I…I didn’t think you’d do it. Besides, when the doctor came to take off your arm, he refused to care for an old black woman.” Her voice was hushed. “No white doctor will see her.”

“Mine will. I’ll see to it,” he said, copying her quiet tone. His gaze swept past her and he moved to the fireplace to turn the log and rake the hot embers to the front.

Something in Carrie’s heart twisted. He did not even know the warmth of one of Jenny’s hugs, the rich sound of her laugh or the soothing timbre of her voice when she sang softly and yet, he was fussing over her like a mother cat.

“Thank you, Wesley,” she whispered. A lump welled in her throat and she sank onto the side of Jenny’s bed and hugged herself.

Jenny had fallen back into a fitful sleep. Thank the Lord she wasn’t aware of Wesley’s presence! Carrie would die if Jenny knew what she was doing to keep a roof over their heads.

Quietly, he leaned the poker against the mantle and then gestured with his head for Carrie to follow him into the hallway.

Rubbing her arms, she padded after him.

His eyes narrowed as he practically pinned her to the wall, blocking any retreat with his arm and body. “Have I given you the impression I’m a callous lout?”

Her heart raced at the dramatic change in him. “No!” She felt her eyes grow wide.

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