Tori groaned and dabbed at her eyes with the handkerchief he’d given her. Jesse switched both reins to one hand and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. They sped up, rocking back and forth, leaving gales of laughter behind.
He hustled Tori into his house, still hot with anger. When they went into the bedroom, he examined her. Appalled, he viewed her swollen eye, the shattered spectacles, and the small scratches on her face. Her dress was torn at the shoulder, and three buttons were missing.
“My God, look at you!” Jesse lifted Tori’s chin, and moved her head one way, then another. “You’ll have a black eye by morning!”
“I’ve...I’ve been telling you...all the way home my eye hurt, and...and I couldn’t see.” Her words came out in between sobs. “And I...I...hurt all over. I think someone hit...hit me...me on my back with one of the signs.”
Yanking off his jacket and tie, he rolled up his shirtsleeves as he headed toward the kitchen. “I’m getting a hot bath for you. You need to soak those aches and pains away. You also have a couple scratches on your face that need attention.”
Tori moaned and collapsed on the bed. He heated the water and filled the bathtub. When he had everything ready, he returned to find Tori sprawled on the quilt, sound asleep.
“Come on, darlin’, you have to get into the tub. If you don’t soak those aches and pains, you’ll be stiff as a board in the morning.”
“I’m so tired,” Tori mumbled.
“I know, honey, but let me help you get your clothes off.”
Between the two of them, they removed her clothing, and Jesse eased her into the tub. She already sported some black and blue marks on her ribs, back, and legs. He shook his head, thinking about civilized women in a barroom brawl.
While Tori soaked, he gathered cold cloths for her eye and salve for the scratches. He took a trip next door and asked Rachel to search for an extra pair of spectacles and Tori’s nightgown.
“I heard a bunch of ladies got into a fight at the saloon, got arrested, and have to appear at the jail tomorrow.” Rachel handed the requested items to Jesse.
“Yeah, that pretty much covers what happened.”
“Ah, this is a strange question, but is Tori one of the women?” Michael entered the room and leaned against the wall with a smirk.
“Not so strange, son. I don’t know much more than you do right now, but yes, Tori landed herself in jail with all the women involved in the scuffle. That’s why she’s at my house right now, soaking away bruises.”
Michael and Rachel shared open mouth grins, but one chuckle from Rachel, and all three of them burst out laughing.
“I heard the mayor’s and pastor’s wives were involved,” Rachel said in between wiping tears from her eyes.
“Yep. Saw them both when I collected your aunt.” Jesse rubbed the back of his neck. “That reminds me, Rachel, can you get me a change of clothes for Tori for her appearance at the jailhouse in the morning?”
“Oh, this is too much.” Rachel still wiped at her eyes. “I can’t wait to hear the whole story.”
“Neither can I. But, on a serious note, these women can be in big trouble.” Jesse’s voice grew grim. “When Caleb Johnson presses charges, they’ll have to appear before a judge, and who knows what will happen from there.”
“Well, for now, just take care of Tori.” Michael walked him to the door. Jesse nodded and, juggling Tori’s clothes, shoes, and spectacles, left the house.
When he returned home, he found Tori sound asleep again, this time in the bathtub. He tried not to dwell on his naked wife right there in his house. Gritting his teeth, he woke her, dried her off, put her in the white cotton nightgown, and tucked her into bed. Before he could tend to the scratches on her face, a knock sounded on the front door.
“Oh my.” Mrs. Bonner hurried through the door, balancing a large bowl in her hands. “I heard Tori and other women created some trouble today at one of the saloons. Is she all right?”
“She’s all right, but then again, not so all right.” He took the bowl from her hands. “She’s all in one piece, but that one piece is a bit beaten up.”
Mrs. Bonner tsked between a grimace. “Where is she?”
“I just put her to bed, but I don’t think she’s quite asleep yet, though she’s already fallen asleep twice since we got home.” He showed her to the bedroom.
“Oh, you poor thing,” Mrs. Bonner said upon seeing Tori’s battered face. Jesse watched as her worried gaze filled with concern and the lines around her mouth deepened. “Look at you.”
Tori gave her a half smile.
“I brought you some soup. It will make you feel better.”
“Thanks. I am a little hungry.” Tori adjusted her position until she sat against the headboard.