AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She sighed. “His vital signs are stable. As to when he’ll wake up, there’s no way to tell. All we can do is wait and be patient.” Truth be told, this was the most uncertain and fearful part of the procedure. Some patients woke up right away. Some, even after a flawless procedure, didn’t wake up at all.
The pressure of the clot was gone, but Chase was still comatose—not the best of signs. But she wasn’t ready to tell Webb that.
“Can we move him to the bed?” Webb asked. “He’d be more comfortable there.”
“Let’s give him a little time. When he starts to wake up, then we can put him on the cot. Meanwhile, I could use a few minutes to clean up. You too, Logan. Webb, could you keep an eye on Chase? If you notice any change at all, call me.”
“You couldn’t tear me away from him now,” Webb said.
Kristin beckoned Logan out of the room and softly closed the door behind them. After what she’d heard from Webb, there was no way she was going to leave the two men alone together.
But now she had other concerns.
“What is it?” Logan asked as she came out of the bathroom after washing her hands and removing her apron and cap. “I can tell you’re troubled. Is Chase’s condition worse than you’re telling us?”
“I’ve done all I can for Chase. The next few hours will be critical. And I’m worried about Webb, too. I don’t know what he’ll do if he loses that precious boy. But this is something else.” Kristin felt as if her world was shifting. Part of her yearned to feel Logan’s arms around her, but this wasn’t the time.
“I was trying not to listen when you and Webb were talking,” she said. “But I couldn’t help overhearing my brother’s name mentioned. That Mason should be involved in smuggling liquor, and that he had innocent boys like Joseph helping him—it’s unthinkable. And I had no idea. Until now, I didn’t even suspect what was going on.”
“I didn’t know about him either until Joseph told me,” Logan said. “Otherwise, I’d have told you myself. I’m sorry, Kristin.”
She shook her head, still processing what she’d learned. “Mason’s always been something of a rascal—especially with women. I thought he’d learned his lesson. But he’ll go to prison for this. And what it will do to Joseph, his own son, and to our family breaks my heart.”
A knock at the door interrupted their talk. Kristin opened it to find the sheriff on the porch. The flash of gray morning light behind him made her blink. Where had the time gone?
“Good morning, Sheriff. Come in,” she said, stepping aside for him to enter. “What can I do for you? Please sit down. Can I make you some coffee?”
“That’s all right. I won’t be long.” He glanced down at his boots, then, as if forcing himself, he met her gaze. “I’m afraid I have some news to deliver. I thought it best that you hear it from me, and not through the grapevine.”
He took a breath—and in that brief interval, Kristin knew what he had to tell her.
“Your brother, Mason Dollarhide, was arrested last night on charges of illegal liquor trafficking,” he said. “He’s in jail now, awaiting transport to Miles City tomorrow, where his trial date will be set.”
“I guessed as much.” Kristin’s legs were unsteady. She sank onto the sofa. “Does his mother know?”
“She knows, all right.” The sheriff shook his head. “She was there when we came to take him in. The old woman put up more of a fight than her son did. First, she drove us back with a bullwhip. Then she set her dogs on us. I had to threaten to shoot them before she called them off. I wouldn’t want to tangle with that lady again.”
Logan spoke up. “I witnessed part of that gun battle with the truck. Did you know those men had a couple of young boys guiding them?”
“Not until it was too late to stop the shooting. I saw one boy ride away, and another one crawl into the grass. I hope they’re all right. I’d have handled things differently if I’d realized.”
“They’re fine,” Logan said. “But another boy, Webb Calder’s son, Chase, knew about the plan. He rode out to warn his friends and was winged on the head by a stray bullet. He’s still unconscious after surgery. His father is with him now.”
“Oh Lord, I’m sorry for that!” The sheriff looked stricken. “I had dinner with the Calders last night. Chase heard me tell Webb about the plan. If there’s anything I can do—”
“Only if you’re a praying man,” Kristin said.
The sheriff turned to take his leave, but Logan stopped him. “One more thing before you go. Webb accused me of being the one who told you about the shipment. I wasn’t, of course. But it would help to know who really told you.”
“That’s confidential,” the sheriff said. “But it’s someone you know. If you think about it, you should be able to figure it out. He earned the reward and he’ll get it.”
Logan paused, then nodded. “I think I just did.”
“I’ll be leaving town once this case wraps up,” the sheriff said. “I hope you’ll let me know about Chase. I feel partly to blame for what happened.”
“You couldn’t have known about the boys,” Kristin said. “Of course, I’ll keep you informed.”
After the sheriff left, Kristin slipped back to the surgery to check on Chase. She walked in to find Webb standing by the table, slumped over his son. Was he praying or weeping? Maybe both.
