Nate shot a glance at the doctor.
“It’s better for her to remain unconscious, son. It will wear off in a little bit.”
Grimly, Nate watched the procedure, all the time praying this woman who had become the center of his life would be all right.
The minutes ticked by. Angel’s skin felt pale and cool to his touch. She lay so still, as if in death. Sweat trickled down his face, and he swiped it with his sleeve. Dr. Penrose and his wife worked quickly and efficiently. She anticipated what the doctor needed, and had it ready. All of this became so much background movement to Nate, who concentrated on every breath his wife took.
After a while, Dr. Penrose turned from the table and washed up again. Mrs. Penrose tied a bandage over the pad of cloth covering the sewn up bullet hole.
“She’s doing well, Nate.” The doctor shook his wet hands, and then dried them on the towel his wife held out. “She’ll have a scar there, but otherwise heal fine. I’d like to keep her overnight in case infection sets in.”
Nate slumped. “Thanks, doc, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.” He rubbed his eyes with his fists. They felt gritty, as if dirt had invaded them.
“It’s okay, go on home and take care of that family of yours.”
“I’ll get Mrs. Darby to handle the children, and I’ll return to sit with my wife. I want to be here when she wakes up.”
As Nate entered the front room of the house, Sheriff Travis walked in.
“Where are the children?” Nate looked behind him.
“I dropped them off at Mrs. Darby’s house. She said she would bring them to your house and stay overnight with them.”
“Thanks, Sheriff, I appreciate it.”
“How’s your wife?” The sheriff wanted to know.
“Doc’s finished working on her. He said he thought she would be fine. He’s keeping her overnight to watch for infection.”
“Well, if you have everything under control here, I’m on my way to find Lucy.” Nodding, he tugged his hat back on and left.
Nate shoved his hands into his pockets and walked to the window, staring out at the bustling town. Long shadows formed where the scant sun slid behind the horizon. He thought about Lucy, and the impact of what she said finally hit him. She had been responsible for Amy’s death, and had planned to make him a widower again.
Shaking his head, he realized she would be headed to jail. Any sympathy he would have had for her vanished when he watched his wife having a bullet wound sewn up. He felt sorry for Eli, but was glad Sylvia would be there to help him through this. But mostly, he hoped the sheriff would find Lucy and she would finally leave him and his family in peace.
After about ten minutes of musing, he turned when Dr. Penrose came out, rolling his sleeves down. “Mrs. Penrose and I put Angel in a clean nightgown, and moved her to a bed in the room down the hall. You can sit with her there.”
Nate followed him to an open doorway where Angel lay. Her breathing appeared steady, but she remained very pale.
“Another thing.” The doctor continued. “The baby seems to be fine. I don’t think there will be any problems.”
Nate frowned. “The baby? What are you talking about? I mean, what baby?”
The older man laughed, slapping him on the back. “The new little one your wife is carrying. I guess she hadn’t gotten around to telling you.” Chuckling and shaking his head, he said, “You can go in and sit with her now. She should be waking up soon.”
Angel’s shoulder burned. She’d never felt such pain before. The dryness in her mouth resembled a wad of old cotton, and she couldn’t orient herself. Pale sun streamed through the window on her r
ight. Her fuzzy gaze wandered the room, over the pink flowered wallpaper, and the maple furniture, not a room she recognized. And why in heaven’s name was she lying in bed in the middle of the day? She turned her head to the side at the sound of low voices. Nate spoke with Dr. Penrose.
“Nate?” Angel rasped.
He turned from the doctor and went down on one knee next to her. He smoothed back the hair from her forehead, and gently placed a kiss on her lips.
“What happened?”
“Lucy’s gun went off and the bullet hit you in the shoulder. It went clean through, though, so Dr. Penrose cleaned it up and stitched it. Your lovely body may be marred with a small scar, but otherwise you’re fine.”
She closed her eyes, and then opened them abruptly, her hands on her stomach.