Chapter Eleven
For the next few days Spring divided her time between her place and helping with McCray’s care so Colt could get some sleep. Odell and Whit took turns, as well. Colt showed them how many drops of laudanum to put in his tea to help him sleep, and how to change the dressings covering his back. The laudanum was alternated with bark tea. The bark tea wasn’t as effective, but Colt didn’t want Garrett to become dependent on the opium-based laudanum. On day four Dr. Crane, the Chinese doctor in Green River, sent word that Colt’s help was needed with yet another measles outbreak, this time at a different mining camp.
As he prepared to leave, he told Spring, “I’d rather stay here and look after my patient, but babies are dying up there. Promise me you’llsend someone for Lucretia if he gets a high fever or his healing stalls.”
Lucretia Watson was the local midwife, and the grandmother of Anna’s best friend, Livy. “I promise. Don’t worry.”
“Okay. I’m going by home to pack a bag, kiss my wife and children, and ride to the camp.”
His weariness was plain, and she wondered when he’d get the rest he needed. “Be careful. Send word when you arrive so Regan won’t worry.”
“Will do. Take care of McCray. I’ll be back as soon as I’m able.” Picking up his medical bag and bedroll, he left the office. Watching through the window as he rode off, she sent up a silent prayer for his safety. During her wilder younger days, her outrageous behavior had caused a deep rift in their relationship. No matter how many times he tried to talk her into mending her ways, she’d refused to listen. Now, thanks to Regan, they were in a better place. It wasn’t perfect and because of their personalities it might never be, but she was glad to have him back in her life, and she couldn’t be prouder of his dedication to his profession.
That evening as she slept on her bedroll on the floor of the back room, she heard Garrettstirring. Still half-asleep, she got up, placing her hand on his forehead to assess his temperature.
He croaked, “Spring?”
Elated that he’d finally awakened, she replied, “I’m here.”
“Where am I?”
“Colt’s office.”
He made a move to sit up, but she stalled him gently. “You have to lie still. You’re hurt pretty bad.”
He quieted for a moment as if assessing her words. “What happened?”
“You were shot. Hold on, let me light a lamp.”
She did and when she glanced his way, found him asleep again. Sighing, she doused the lamp and returned to her bedroll.
Garrett opened his eyes, glanced around the small windowless room, and didn’t know where he was. Sleep tried to drag him under again, but he fought it to clear his mind enough to make sense of his surroundings. He tried to sit up, but pain dropped on him like an anvil, making him pant until the agony lessened somewhat.
The door opened. Odell appeared. “I see you’re awake.”
Garrett, still riding the wave of pain, thought he nodded but wasn’t sure.
“How are you feeling?”
The call of nature was strong. He whispered, “Need to relieve myself.”
“Got a chamber pot here.”
“No. Outside.”
“Letting you up is going to get both of us in trouble with Spring and Lucretia, but I understand.”
Odell walked over to the cot. Garrett managed to get himself upright and sat head down on the edge of the cot. Shaking from lack of strength and doing his best to ignore the roaring pain in his back, he fought to catch his breath. He glanced at the loose nightshirt he was wearing and its origin was another mystery. “What happened to me?”
“You were backshot.”
“When?”
“About five days ago. Ben found you and brought you here. Colt patched you up.”
“Spring?”
“Been here with you the entire time. She went to eat. I’m watching you until she gets back.” Odell assessed him. “You sure you want to go outside?”