Brodie's Gamble (15 page)

“I’ll go.” Gwen, one of the women who’d worked at Buckie’s the longest, pushed herself up from her hiding place behind the bar. “I’m sure you have more urgent things to do than round up the girls, Deputy. I’m certain they’ll be glad to help.”

Touching the brim of his hat, Sam smiled. “Thank you, ma’am. Doc also asked that one of the ladies go to the clinic and watch over an unconscious patient. I need to find the sheriff and see how many more people are injured.”

“You tell Brodie that Gwen is helping out here. He’ll know not to worry.” She winked, then picked up her skirt and dashed up the stairs.

Sam walked up to the bartender who continued to space out the tables, wiping each down. “Thank you.” He turned to leave, then stopped at the man’s words.

“You can thank Gwen when this is over. She and the MacLaren men go back a ways. She’d do anything for them.” A slight grin split his face. “Thought I’d let you know.”

Although he didn’t care about Gwen’s friendship with the MacLarens, Sam was grateful for the information. He walked outside as Vickery came up.

“They’re ready for you, Doc. Gwen is getting the girls together.”

“Ah, Gwen. Yes, she’s a good one.” Leaving Sam outside, the doctor stepped through the broken doors to survey the scene. “Everyone take seats where you can. I need to see you in the order of those most critical, and I mean life-threatening or ready to lose an arm or leg.” He walked to the bar and set out his supplies, letting the injured decide their own severity. Turning, he offered a reassuring smile to a young boy lying on a table, whimpering, holding an arm bent at an odd angle. A woman, most likely his mother, stood next to him, stroking his forehead.

Doc Vickery leaned over him. “Have you ever had a broken arm or leg, son?”

Gritting his teeth and squeezing his eyes shut to stop the tears, he shook his head. “No, sir.”

“Well, I’ve seen many of them, and we’re going to put yours back just like new. All right?”

Although his lower lip trembled, he nodded. “Yes, sir. That would be real good.”

When the quake started, Brodie tried to reach the clinic, needing to check on Maggie, make sure she was safe. Cries from down the street had him running in the opposite direction, calming citizens and checking for injured. A rancher stopped long enough to tell him Doc Vickery had set up a makeshift clinic at Buckie’s. Brodie wondered if Sam had stayed with Maggie or left to check on the damage and those who’d been hurt. Surely they wouldn’t leave her alone.

A strange sense of panic surged through him. Glancing around to confirm he’d done all he could for now, he hurried to the clinic, shouldering his way past small groups of people, most appearing to be in a daze.

“Doc? Sam?” He saw no activity in the front part of the clinic, and no one responded. Slamming open the door to the room where he’d left Maggie, he stopped at the sight of Gwen.

“I wondered when you’d get here, Brodie.” She returned her gaze to Maggie.

Staring at her inert form, he stepped to the side of the table, seeing no change from when he’d left.

“She’s been like this since I arrived. Before he left for Buckie’s, Doc said her breathing is better.” Gwen glanced at him. “He’s at the saloon, treating those injured in the earthquake.”

His gaze didn’t waver from Maggie. “Aye. That’s why I came back. To make sure someone watched over her.”

Gwen had known Brodie several years. Like she’d done for some of the older MacLaren cousins, she’d introduced him to what happened between a man and a woman, and how to treat a lady when in her bed. She knew he’d never courted any of the women in town, had no desire to be tied to one person—not yet anyway. The way he looked at Maggie, though, she wondered if that might soon change.

“I heard she escaped from your jail.”

“Aye.”

“How did this happen?” Gwen nodded at Maggie, then leaned back in the chair, stretching her arms above her head.

Brodie sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Sam and I had been searching for her all over town. We spotted her at the docks. Unfortunately, Maggie saw us and ran. When we finally found her again, Sam was at one end of the street and I was at the other, trapping her between us. She panicked and ran into the street, right in front of a wagon. The horse reared back and…” He scrubbed a shaky hand down his face, his voice fading.

“If you’re thinking her getting hurt is your fault, Brodie, you’re wrong. She put herself in the situation by escaping, then running away from you and Sam.” Her compassionate but firm voice got his attention. “I heard she killed her husband.”

“She admitted to hitting him with a skillet, but I don’t think that’s what killed him, and neither does Doc Vickery.” He took another look at Maggie before turning toward Gwen. “Can you stay a bit longer?”

“As long as you need me to, Brodie.”

He nodded. “Thank you, Gwen. I need to go speak with August Fielder.”

Her eyes widened. “You think he can help her?”

“I believe he might. Now that we’ve found her, I need to tell him what I’ve learned and do my best to convince him to be her attorney.”

“I understand he takes few cases and charges a lot to represent someone. If Fielder does agree to help her, can she afford him?”

He shook his head. “Nae. The lass has no money. After he hears what I believe happened, I’m hoping he’ll consider doing it anyway.”

“I suppose all you can do is ask the man.” She pursed her lips, her face neutral. “You go ahead. I’ll stay until you or Doc return. And, Brodie, trust me when I say it will all work out.”

Chapter Ten

It took Brodie over an hour to go the few blocks from the clinic to Fielder’s house. With all the debris in the streets, he’d chosen to walk rather than ride. Everyone stopped him, most scared and confused, having no idea what to do next. He did his best to reassure them, directing the injured to Buckie’s, and requesting they stay close to home in case another earthquake struck.

Stepping up to Fielder’s front door, he knocked, hoping the man would see him. An older woman wearing a black and white uniform opened the door, letting her gaze wander over him until she saw the badge.

Removing his hat, he took a step forward. “I’m Sheriff MacLaren. Is Mr. Fielder at home?”

“I know who you are, young man.” She crossed her arms, not budging from her spot guarding the entrance to the house. “Mr. Fielder went to the Gold Dust Hotel to check for damage. He mentioned something about inspecting the entire town. I believe he hoped to find you.”

“How long ago did he leave?”

She glared at him. For a moment, Brodie didn’t think she’d answer. “He left not long before you arrived.”

“In case I don’t find him, please let Mr. Fielder know I need to speak with him. It’s urgent.”

“As urgent as an earthquake?”

Ignoring the way her voice dripped with sarcasm, Brodie thought about Maggie. The horror on her face when she saw he’d found her, fear taking control as she ran into the path of the horse. “Aye, it is. Thank you, ma’am.”

Walking back to the street, he looked around, noting the minimal damage to the homes. As he hurried back to the jail, he checked businesses along the way to make certain no one else needed his help. Thankfully, few buildings had collapsed, most being old shacks located along the docks.

“Brodie, wait up.”

He turned to see Stein Tharaldson ride up to him and dismount. Taking a closer look, he saw numerous scrapes and bruises on his friend’s face and arms.

“Are you all right?”

“As good as can be expected. The front wall of the feed storage barn is in pieces and one of the lofts collapsed. At least no one was inside when the earthquake hit.” Stein settled his hands on his hips, making a slow turn to survey the damage. “Not as bad as it could’ve been.”

“Aye. We were lucky this time.”

“I already have my boys working on repairs. Thought I’d ride in to see if you needed any help. Ma said she’s available to tend to anyone who’s hurt.”

Like Stein, his mother had a huge heart, always offering to help those who needed it, whether it be repairing damage to their home or taking care of someone who’d fallen ill.

“Doc Vickery set up a temporary clinic at Buckie’s. Let’s go talk with him, find out if he needs more help.”

“Who’s helping him now?” Stein asked as he climbed into the saddle, holding his hand out so Brodie could swing up behind him.

“From what I’ve heard, some of Buckie’s ladies and a few of the local church women.”

Stein laughed. “Well, that ought to be a real sight to see.”

“Millie, would you come help me calm this young man so I can take care of his leg?” The boy squirmed while Doc Vickery held a bandage to his forehead. He couldn’t be more than six or seven, yet he seemed determined not to cry.

“What can I do, Doc?” Millie walked up, placing a reassuring hand on the boy’s arm as she smiled down at him.

“Hold this bandage to stop the bleeding while I work on his leg.” He leaned toward her to whisper in her ear. “You’ll need to hold his arms down tight when I tell you. What I need to do is going to hurt like a, well…it will hurt a lot.”

Brodie and Stein walked in, seeing the doctor tending the child, Millie at his side.

“Do you need some help, Doc?” Stein moved closer, nodding at Millie, then looking at the determination on the boy’s face.

Doc lowered his voice. “Millie will need help holding him down while I straighten his leg.”

Stein moved to the other side of the table to help secure the other leg and arm. “Whenever you’re ready, Doc.”

Another minute went by as Vickery got ready, then glanced at Millie and Stein, and nodded.

“Now.”

The boy’s scream pierced the air as tears streamed down his face.

“You’re a brave young man, son.” Vickery continued to work at a rapid pace, thankful he had Millie and Stein to help him. “We’re almost done, then you can show us where you live. All right?” He’d been looking for the boy’s mother or father to walk through the door. So far, no one had shown up looking for him.

The boy closed his eyes and nodded.

Brodie’s gaze moved from the boy to the other tables, watching women, who couldn’t have been more different, work together as if they’d known each other their entire lives. It amazed him how people who’d never think about talking to each other on the street thought nothing of coming together during a calamity.

“Appears you have all the help you need, Doc. If you don’t mind, I need to find August Fielder.”

“You go ahead, Sheriff.” Vickery turned to look over his shoulder. “If you find anyone else who needs help, we have room for more injured.”

Brodie clasped a hand on Doc’s shoulder. “Thanks.”

He crossed the street, walking toward the jail. People were already picking up broken wood, sweeping shattered glass from the boardwalk, and moving smashed signs out of the way. As he stepped up to the jail door, he heard a loud, familiar whistle, his mouth tilting up at the corners.

“Hey, lad. Do you need some help?” Quinn slid off his horse and looked around, his face somber as he surveyed the damage. “Aye, it appears you do. The others are right behind me. They stopped to help move a tree blocking the street.”

A moment later, his brother, Fletcher, along with Blaine, Colin, Bram, Camden, and Sean rode up.

“How is the ranch?” Brodie asked as they dismounted.

“We could feel the earthquake, but haven’t found any damage so far.” Fletcher slapped his brother on the back. “Ma wanted me to make sure you were all right.”

“It took
all
of you to do that?” Brodie glanced at each of them, a wave of emotion coursing through him.

“Aye. There was no question about any of us staying behind.” Colin stepped beside him. “What can we do?”

“You’re sure?”

Colin crossed his arms, cocking a brow. “We wouldn’t be here if we weren’t.”

The others nodded, settling the matter.

“Divide up. Check with as many people as you can to find out what help they need. I’m sure Fielder will call a meeting of the town council so they can decide what aid can be provided.” Brodie drew in a breath, wondering if his father, Ewan, a member of the town council, would ride into town. He hadn’t seen him since accepting the job as sheriff.