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He also recalled the Yankee’s threats about what he would do if Noah revealed that it was he who had fired the shot.
That made Dancing Cloud even more grateful to the farmer for having saved his life. He was taking his own life in his hands by doing it, as well as those of his entire family.
Dancing Cloud managed to empty the bowl of broth, then drank down slow gulps of water.
As Lauralee eased his head back down on the pillow, he closed his eyes and sighed.
“It’s wonderful that you were able to take so much nourishment,” she murmured as she kissed his brow. “But I can tell, darling, that you do need your rest. Although I hate having to, I will leave you now. But I shall be here again early in the morning.”
Dancing Cloud eased an arm around her shoulders. He drew her lips to his. He gave her a kiss that left her shaken with desire.
Her face was flushed as she rose away from him. She smiled, then left the room, feeling that the promise of her future was bright again. Although she enjoyed her beautiful room at the Peterson House, she would willingly leave it behind to be with Dancing Cloud.
This time when he left Mattoon she would be with him.
She met Abner in the corridor. He gave her an affectionate hug, then placed an arm around her waist and ushered her toward the front waiting room.
“I wanted to see Nancy,” Lauralee said, giving an anxious look over her shoulder at the closed door of Nancy’s room.
“She’s asleep and resting comfortably,” Abner said, walking her on outside, to the horse and buggy. “She knows your thoughts are with her. You can sit with her tomorrow.”
“Would you mind if I gathered some flowers from your garden to take to Nancy tomorrow?” Lauralee asked. She smoothed the wrinkles from her skirt as she sat down on the cushioned seat of the buggy. Abner soon flicked the horse’s reins and rode away from the hospital.
“Yes, Nancy would like that,” Abner said, nodding. “Snapdragons. They are her favorite.”
They rode awhile in silence. Both were lost in their own thoughts.
But when Abner took a swing away from the Peterson House when they reached it, and traveled down a road away from it, Lauralee looked over at him with surprise.
“Uncle Abner, where are we going?” she asked softly. “You’ve gone past your house.”
“There’s someone who needs to be thanked,” Abner said, casting Lauralee a quick glance.
“Oh?” Lauralee said. An eyebrow raised quizzically. “Who? It’s getting quite late.”
“It’s never too late to say a polite thank you,” Abner said, laughing softly. “And who might we both be saying a thank you to, Lauralee? Noah Brown. That’s who.”
Lauralee looked quickly over at him.
“My dear, Noah saved your young man’s life today,” he said. He smiled at her. “I am taking you there to give you the opportunity to thank him yourself.”
Stunned, Lauralee looked away from him. Of course she knew that Noah Brown should be thanked. She wanted to oblige him with a heartfelt thanks. But having seen her uncle’s coolness toward Dancing Cloud, she had to wonder what his true motive was for taking her to the farmer’s residence.
“Noah has a son, Lauralee,” Abner said, eyeing her speculatively as she gave him another quick, questioning glance. “I think you might enjoy meeting him. He’d make some lucky woman an excellent husband.”
Lauralee’s spine stiffened. Now she understood. She understood that Abner was not truly concerned about taking “thank you’s” to Noah. Her uncle wanted to push another man on her in hopes that she would forget all about Dancing Cloud.
“Lauralee?” Abner turned quizzical eyes her way. “Aren’t you anxious to meet the son of such an honorable man as Noah Brown?”
Lauralee frowned at him and refused to answer. She most certainly was not going to play this matching game with him.
When Abner drew his horse and buggy into a narrow drive that led to a small farmhouse, Lauralee’s pulse raced.
She felt trapped.
Totally trapped.
And without even having met Noah’s son yet, she felt as though she was a part of the betrayal that Abner was forcing upon her.
