“What’s going on out there?”the outlaw repeated, trying to sit up.
Doc leaned back and looked out the door.He couldn’t see either Horner or Dodger.“I don’t know.They’ve been gone for a while.”
He again turned his attention to the injured arm.To save it, he’d need to dig the bullet out soon.Dodger said the medical supplies and equipment were outside.He considered going out to fetch his things.To slow the bleeding for now, he grabbed one of the washed bandages, put it over the wound, and wrapped the young man’s own bandana tightly around it.
“I got a knife in my boot,” Lucas told him.“If you’d stand me on my feet near the door, I can kill one of them when they come back in.Maybe both them.You can grab for their guns and?—”
“Hush.Somebody’s coming.”
Horner strode back into the shack and scoffed at the sight of Doc bent over the wounded man.“No point in that.”
“He’s bleeding to death.”
The sheriff kicked an empty barrel across the floor, where it banged hard against the wall and rolled away.
“I don’t give a damn,” he shouted.“He ain’t gonna…”
Horner stopped abruptly.He was staring at Mrs.Fields.Doc saw it too.The woman had flinched when he kicked the barrel.
“She’s awake.”
The sheriff moved to the cot, and Doc got there right after him.The patient’s eyes were closed.She said something under her breath and rolled her head from side to side.
“Wake up,” Horner poked her on the arm.
“She’s hallucinating.It’s the fever.”
“I say she ain’t doing nothing but faking it.”
“Feel her forehead.Have you never seen a sick person in your entire life?”
Mrs.Fields’s face was flushed, her hairline and the collar of her dress were soaked with sweat.Doc laid his hand on her forehead.
“The woman is burning up.No one can fake this, Horner.”
The sheriff’s hands rested on his pistols, and he kept his eye on her.“When will this stuff you gave her wear off?”
“I told you, maybe tomorrow morning.”
“There’s gotta be a way you can wake her up sooner.”
“There isn’t.”Doc decided he needed to change things up a little.“Who is she, anyway?”
“I told you before.It ain’t your concern.”
“Dodger said I don’t know something.What is it?”
Horner ignored the question, continuing to stare at her face, waiting for her to flinch or show some hint that she was conscious.
Doc motioned toward Lucas, lying on the floor.“Why are these outlaws…and you…so eager for her to get better?”
“She can die, for all I care.But I want to talk to her before she does.”
“Why?”
“You really don’t know?”
Doc ran a weary hand over his face.He hadn’t shaved in days.He’d barely slept.“I reckon she’s someone they planned to use to collect ransom.That’s why they kidnapped her and brought me to see to her wound.But if you’re telling me something different…”
