Wild Abandon

If he recalled accurately enough, the man had said something to Dancing Cloud’s assailant about having lost a son in the Civil War, himself.

But that had not stopped the flow of this man’s compassion for an injured man from the South.

Dancing Cloud had passed out before he had actually been transported to the city.

Yet he would never forget the very instant that he was shot, nor by whom.

“Dancing Cloud, can’t you remember how this happened?” Lauralee pleaded. “Can you describe the man who shot you?”

“I remember most of it,” Dancing Cloud said, wincing when a fresh rush of pain flowed through his wound. He looked slowly around. “Where am I? Who cared for my wound?”

“A Dr. Kemper cared for you and performed the operation,” Lauralee murmured. She stroked his cheek. “To date, Mattoon has no true hospital. Dr. Kemper has turned his private home into a medical center. It seems to me that thus far it is serving the community adequately enough. The proof is in how the doctor was able to operate on you to remove the bullet, and to repair the damage the bullet caused.”

Footsteps entering the room caused Lauralee’s eyes to shift upward. She gave Dr. Kemper a sincere smile as he walked toward the bed.

“I see our patient has awakened,” the doctor said, stopping to stand beside the bed. Everything became quiet as he leaned over and listened to Dancing Cloud’s heartbeat with a stethoscope, while with his free hand he felt the rhythm of his pulse.

Lauralee looked adoringly at Dancing Cloud. She was grateful that he had finally awakened. She now even believed that he would have a full recovery. Soon Dancing Cloud would be well enough to leave the hospital.

She would make sure that he did not take off right away for his home in the mountains. He needed adequate time for total recovery. She would enjoy doting over him.

Her only concern was that the Petersons might resent her asking them to allow him to stay at their house. She had seen how her uncle felt about Dancing Cloud the instant he had seen her attentiveness toward him.

She had to chance going against their wishes.

For Dancing Cloud, she would chance any and everything.

Her love for him was total.

“Seems you’re farin’ well enough,” Dr. Kemper said, slipping the stethoscope into his front suit pocket. “Ready for some food, young man? It’s way past suppertime but I made sure some broth was kept steamin’ on the stove for you.”

“I appreciate your kindness,” Dancing Cloud said, his throat dry, his lips parched.

“And I shall get much delight in feeding him,” Lauralee said, smiling up at the doctor.

“Then, young lady, once he has had his fill of broth, I recommend that you go on home with Abner and get yourself a good night’s sleep,” the doctor softly urged. “Your aunt is awake now and farin’ well enough.”

Lauralee was relieved to hear the news about her aunt. She felt guilty for having given more attention to Dancing Cloud than to her aunt Nancy.

But her aunt had Abner.

While Dancing Cloud was so far from his home and family, he had no one but Lauralee.

“I’m so glad that Aunt Nancy is all right,” she said. “She will be well soon, Dr. Kemper?”

“With a heart condition, no one is ever totally well again,” the doctor said, slipping his hands into his front suit pocket. “She’ll require plenty of tender lovin’ care.”

“I’ll be sure she doesn’t want for a thing,” Lauralee said softly.

“Remember now, after you see that this young man is fed, I advise you to leave,” Dr. Kemper said bluntly. “Your uncle has been given the same advice. Your aunt and this young man need a full night’s rest. You can come tomorrow at the break of dawn, if you wish, and feed him some more solid food for his breakfast.”

“I would love to.” Lauralee smiled. She then gave Dancing Cloud a soft, wondrous gaze.

“A nurse will bring the broth soon,” the doctor said, turning to leave. He gave Dancing Cloud a lingering gaze over his shoulder, then left the room.

“There goes a dedicated man,” Lauralee said. “This city of Mattoon is lucky to have him. He not only gives up his home to the ailing people of the community, but gives his undivided attention to those who are ill.”

“The doctor said something about your aunt having a heart attack?” Dancing Cloud said, reaching a shaky hand to touch Lauralee’s face.