She knew it couldn’t be jealousy because she and Davis didn’t have that kind of a relationship. She was fond of Davis, enjoyed his company, and no doubt could depend on him. But she still loved Peter.
With a jolt she realized she hadn’t thought of Peter in a while. What did that mean? Then again, she had other things to occupy her mind. Smiling, she put her hands over her stomach in the age-old way of expectant mothers. A baby! She couldn’t believe it.
“Help! Get the doctor.” The sound of running and shouting pulled Emma from her thoughts. Crowds of people gathered in a circle, staring down at something. She hurried over to where Nate lay on the ground, blood pouring from what appeared to be a gunshot wound in his side.
Strong hands jostled her aside as Dr. Bennett worked his way through the crowd. “Stand aside, everyone, give me room to work.” He quickly bent and examined the soldier. Sweat poured from his pale face as he gulped air. Emma hoped the bullet hadn’t punctured his lung.
“One of you women start heating water, and bring me all the clean cloths you can gather.” He glanced around and spotted Emma in the crowd.
“Miz Cooper, we need a place to work on Corporal Hale. Can we transport him to your wagon? It’s the closest.” Without waiting for confirmation, he moved to get up. “Some of you men carry him carefully into the Cooper wagon.”
Confusion reigned as several men tried to move Nate. The pool of blood left on the ground after the men picked him up turned Emma’s already sensitive stomach. Dr. Bennett had placed a cloth over the wound to absorb some of the blood as they walked. By the time Nate reached the wagon, he’d passed out.
Taking off his jacket, and rolling up his sleeves, the doctor turned to Emma. “Ma’am, do you have a pair of scissors handy?”
Emma reached into one of her boxes and fumbled around until she produced the scissors.
“You’re going to have to cut his jacket and shirt off, Emma, so I can get a good look at this.” The doctor returned his attention to the patient.
Emma’s vision blurred and she kept swallowing as her stomach rebelled at the sight of the blood and gaping hole in Nate’s side.
“Woman, get busy with those scissors, so I can work on this man!” Dr. Bennett shouted over his shoulder as he pulled things from his bag.
Emma shook her head, knelt, and began cutting. About halfway through, she gave out a small moan and passed out on top of an unconscious Nate.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“For God’s sake, is there anyone here who can help me with this soldier?” Dr. Bennett shouted. “Get this woman out of here and get me someone who can stay on her feet.”
Davis strode up in time to see his wife collapse on top of Nate and hear the doctor’s words. He scooted into the wagon, picked her up and carried her outside. Abigail Preston joined Dr. Bennett in Emma’s place.
“What happened here?” Davis asked one of the bystanders.
“It looks like Corporal Hale got hisself shot. Dr. Bennett wanted Emma to help him, but she passed out. I guess all that blood got to her.”
Davis laid Emma down and began softly tapping her cheek. “Get me some water, somebody, please.” He opened the top buttons of her dress and continued trying to revive her. Emma’s lashes fluttered open, confusion clearly plain on her face.
“What happened? Why am I lying on the ground?” She struggled to get up.
“Here, darlin’, d
rink some of this water. You passed out.” He put his arm under her shoulders and lifted her up so she could drink. “It looks like Corporal Moron got himself shot up. I don’t know any more than that. But when Dr. Bennett asked you to help, you up and fainted dead away.” Grinning, he leaned down and said quietly in her ear, “I’m sure your ‘condition’ had something to do with that.”
“Shh.” Emma glanced around, going from pale white to bright red in seconds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometime later, Dr. Bennett climbed out of the wagon, rolling his sleeves back down. His gaze swept the area, then he strode over to Davis and Emma. “Are you feelin’ better, Miz Cooper?” Squatting down alongside her, he tilted her face up and looked in her eyes.
“Yes, I’m fine now, Dr. Bennett. I’m so sorry I passed out in there before.”
“No matter, ma’am, I’m sorry I was so rough on you, but the man was losing blood fast. I guess I should have asked someone not in a family way to help.” He chuckled and stood up, shrugging on his jacket. “Davis, I’m going to need to leave Corporal Hale in your wagon for a bit, will that be a problem?”
“As a matter of fact, Dr. Bennett, that indeed might be a problem. Why does he need to stay in my wagon?” He tried to hang onto his temper as he glared at the doctor.
“Because he can’t be moved just yet. And he’ll need a few days, or a week even, before he can sit a horse again. That hole needs to heal a bit.” He shook his head, mirth dancing in his eyes. “Some of these soldiers are their own worst enemy.”
“What happened back there?” Davis nodded in the direction of the soldier’s tent, still irritated over having to play host to his nemesis.