The Marshal's Promise by Rhonda Gibson

Author:Rhonda Gibson
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2012-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Rebecca’s gaze went to Seth’s pale face. The doctor had washed off the blood and placed a bandage around his forehead. She wondered where he’d gotten the cloth to create the dressing and then saw that one of the sheets had been torn into bandages.

“Is the baby sleeping?”

Rebecca nodded.

“Good. Go to the livery and ask Hank to come over here. Then go to the blacksmith shop and see if Dan can come, too. I’ll keep an ear open for the babe.” He never looked up from his work. His fingers prodded the open wound.

She hurried from the room. Fresh tears filled her eyes when she heard Seth yelp in pain. Within moments both Dan and Hank were rushing to the marshal’s house. Rebecca followed them inside. She listened as the doctor gave them instructions on where to stand while he removed the bullet.

Rebecca hurried to the guest room and scooped up a sleeping Janie. She hurried from the house to avoid the sounds of surgery. If Eliza hadn’t already left for the pie supper over at the church, Rebecca would have taken Janie home. Tears blinded her as she carried Janie to Mrs. Brown’s house. She prayed the older woman wouldn’t mind watching her baby.

Mrs. Brown met her at the door. “Hello, dear. What brings you here?”

She cradled the baby to her. “I was wondering if you would mind watching Janie for me. I will be back in a couple of hours to get her.”

“I’ll be happy to, Miss Ramsey.” The older woman extended her arms to Rebecca.

She handed her Janie. The baby continued to sleep and suck her thumb. “She should sleep until I return.” Rebecca brushed the hair off the baby’s forehead.

“I’ll take good care of her. Now hurry back to the marshal, dear.”

Rebecca looked deeply into the older woman’s eyes. “How did you know I’d be going back to the marshal’s?” Did the woman think that she wanted to get rid of Janie to spend time with Seth? The desire to reach out and take her baby back from the woman threatened to overtake her.

“Oh, the old gossips have already been by the house. Is he as shot up as they say he is?” Mrs. Brown tucked a little black curl behind Janie’s small ear.

“He’s pretty bad off. I’m heading back to see if I can do anything to help the doctor,” Rebecca replied. Hadn’t she already said that? Rebecca couldn’t remember. Her mind wouldn’t focus on anything more than getting back to Seth.

The old woman nodded. “I’ll take care of the baby, don’t worry.”

“Thank you,” Rebecca said and then turned to leave.

“Rebecca?”

She stopped at the sound of her name. “Yes?”

“If you ever need a friend to talk to, these old ears will listen.”

She smiled at Mrs. Brown. “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

The crickets began to chirp their happiness at the coming of nightfall.

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