Sarah's Surrender (26 page)

Maybe after she moved into her house and realized that dream, she could think about marriage, especially if Claire's family never came for her. But she couldn't dwell on that right now. She was worried about Jack.

She set the brush on the crate she used for a table, walked to the tent's opening, and stared out. She yawned, longing to shed her clothing and don her nightgown, but she'd decided to wait until Jack had returned.

Behind her, Cody slept on a quilt next to Claire's pallet. Their soft breathing comforted her, making her feel not so alone. At least she'd have Claire to keep her company—she hoped—after Jack and Cody returned home. No one had come to claim the girl yet, but she knew that news traveled slowly, and it could take months before the child's family discovered her whereabouts. Sarah nibbled her lip. She didn't want to give up Claire. She'd already come to love her.

A noise drew her gaze outside again. She spun around and tugged the gun Luke had given her from her satchel. She could hear the jingle of harnesses drawing closer, which meant whoever had ridden onto her property wasn't Jack. But who could be out at this hour? She rushed back and turned down the lantern, hoping the stranger hadn't already crested the hill and seen it.

Her heart thudded as she listened to the vehicle draw nearer and nearer. She breathed in a ragged breath. A deep voice called, “Whoa.”

Sarah tightened her grip on the pistol. She tried to call out, “Who's there?” but her voice wouldn't work.

“Miss Worley? It's Dr. Worth.”

What was
he
doing here at this hour? In spite of the odd timing of his visit, she was relieved it wasn't a stranger who'd come calling.

“Your brother got into a fight and was injured. I've brought him home.”

Sarah gasped. She wasn't sure what concerned her more—that Jack had been fighting or that he was injured. She shoved her gun back into the satchel, kicked the bag under her cot, and then grabbed the lantern. She flipped her hair over her shoulder, turned up the lantern, and rushed out of the tent.

Dr. Worth had climbed down from his buggy and was helping Jack descend on the passenger's side. He moved slowly as if in pain and grunted loudly when his feet hit the ground. What could have happened? She'd never known Jack to get in a brawl. Yes, his life had been rough before he became a Christian, but not since then. Not in all the years she'd known him had she ever seen him lose his temper. She hurried to his side and held up the lantern, unable to hold back her gasp at his swollen and cut face. And he reeked of whiskey. “Have you been drinking?”

“Of course not.” He grunted out the words as if they cost him to utter them.

“He needs to lie down,” Dr. Worth said. “Where is his tent?”

“About ten yards behind mine.” She held up the lantern to light the way as the doctor assisted Jack.

She hurried inside the tent and lit Jack's lantern, setting hers on the crate beside it. The doctor helped Jack inside and lowered him to his cot.

He sat there, head hanging. “I feel as if I've been run down by a herd of stampeding cattle.”

“What happened? Were you robbed? Can I get you anything?” Her heart ached at seeing him so battered.

The doctor touched her arm. “He could use some water. I have some powder I want him to take that will ensure he gets a good night's rest. The questions that I'm sure are running around in that pretty head of yours can wait until tomorrow.”

She wanted to ask him how she was supposed to sleep when she had so many questions, but she didn't. “I'll get him a drink.”

She grabbed her lantern and returned to her tent, where she kept a bucket of water in case she or Claire got thirsty overnight. As she filled her tin cup, the questions flooded her again. Was Jack so upset over this being the eight-month anniversary of Cora's death that he'd gone drinking? It seemed so inconceivable that she couldn't believe it was possible.

In Jack's tent, she handed Dr. Worth the cup. The doctor mixed in the powder then passed the cup to Jack. He grimaced as he slurped the water. His eye would surely blacken, and something was obviously wrong with his stomach, because he kept his hand pressed against it. He gave the cup back then slowly reclined, moaning as he did. He turned onto his side and curled up. The doctor tugged off Jack's boots. Sarah laid a light blanket over him then turned down the lantern.

She flipped her hair over her shoulder, grabbed her lantern, and walked the doctor back to his buggy. “What happened?”

“I don't know exactly. Jack didn't say much, I'm guessing because his mouth hurts.” He inhaled a loud breath. “The man who helped him to my office said he'd been in a fight at one of the saloons. When I talked to him the other day, I didn't get the impression he was the kind of man who frequented those places.”

“He's not.” Sarah hated the way her voice rose in her defense of Jack. “He's a pastor and a good man.”

Dr. Worth eyed her, as if he wasn't convinced.

“Look, Doctor, you don't know Jack, and I do. If he was at a saloon, he had a reason for being there.”

“You and the children shouldn't be alone. Jack won't be any help should you have trouble. And a tent isn't exactly safe if a wild beast or someone bent on trouble came around.”

“Are you trying to frighten me?” Sarah lifted her chin.

“No. I'm concerned for your safety.”

She relaxed her spine. “I have a gun, and I know how to use it.” She offered a teasing smile. “In fact, I had it pointed at you not too long ago.”

His eyebrows lifted. “Is that a fact?”

“It is. Would you care for a cup of coffee before you ride back to town? It's probably not too warm, but we always keep a pot on the coals.”

“No, thank you, but I would like a cup of water, if you don't mind. I've lived in both the Oklahoma and Indian Territories, and you'd think I'd be used to the heat by now.”

“Early September is almost always hot, even this time of night, but give it another month, and things will start to cool down.” She placed the lantern on a tree stump. “Excuse me while I get your water.” She hurried into her tent, checked on the children, and dipped out another cup of water.

Outside, the light from the lantern created a warm glow, illuminating the doctor. Insects buzzed, and crickets and tree frogs serenaded them from the darkness outside the ring of light. Sarah handed the doctor the tin cup. “Thank you for bringing Jack home. I was worried about him. It's not like him to ride out at twilight, but I'm sure he had his reasons.” His mind had been on Cora, she was certain of it, but it wasn't her place to tell the doctor that bit of personal information.

He downed the water and handed the cup back. “If you'll show me where to put your brother's horse, I'll tend to him.”

“I can do it. I'm sure you need to be on your way.”

“I don't mind.” He walked around to the back of the wagon and untied Jack's gelding. “Where does he go?”

“We just hobble them in a grassy patch since we don't have a corral built yet.” They walked a short ways from the tent, and Dottie nickered to her. “This is fine. I can move him in the morning.” She set the lantern down and found the leather ties in Jack's saddlebags. While the doctor removed the saddle and bridle, she hobbled the gelding. She patted his neck then picked up the bridle and lantern while Dr. Worth lugged the saddle and pad to Jack's tent.

“A smart man would have removed the saddle before taking the horse out to pasture.”

Sarah smiled. “I suspect you're a smart man or you wouldn't be a doctor. I should have thought to take off the saddle, but this hasn't exactly been an ordinary evening.”

“No, it hasn't. But I sure don't mind the company.”

Sarah shot a quick glance at Dr. Worth. She certainly had misjudged him. “I can't tell you how much I appreciate that you brought Jack home instead of doing the easy thing and keeping him overnight at your office. I doubt I'd have slept a wink, not knowing where he was. And what would I have told Cody in the morning?”

“Cody?”

“He's Jack's son.”

“Oh, that must have been the young boy I saw last time I was here.”

“Yes.” Sarah held back the tent flap so the doctor could deposit the tack in the tent.

“Thank you, again.” She cleared her throat. “How much do I owe you for Jack's care?”

“Your brother already took care of that. I'll come back by tomorrow to see how he's faring.”

“Can you tell me why he kept holding his stomach?”

“It's badly bruised, most likely as result of someone's fist pummeling him over and over.”

Sarah gasped. “Poor Jack.”

“You might want to reserve your sympathy, Miss Worley, until you learn the full truth of what happened.”

Once again, Sarah stiffened. “No need for that. I know Jack. He's not a fighter.”

Dr. Worth offered a sad smile in the flickering light of the lantern. “I hope, for your sake, you're right. Good evening.” He tipped his hat and stepped up into his buggy.

She watched him go, both grateful to him and annoyed with him. But then, he didn't know Jack as she did. She smiled in the dark. He'd probably be coming out in the near future to apologize again.

C
arson guided his buggy toward town—at least he hoped he was headed in the right direction. He glanced at the rising moon on his left, making sure it stayed on the same side of the buggy. Thankfully, Sarah lived close to Anadarko. He should see some lights from town any minute.

As the buggy jostled across the barren land, his thoughts turned back to Sarah. His strong attraction to her surprised him, especially after their initial meeting. He'd been wrong that day and had let his prejudice overrule his normal compassion, but then he did think that she and Jack were not caring for Claire as they should be.

He smiled, remembering the stubborn tilt of Sarah's chin when she was angered and how her dark eyes sparked, even in just the light of the lantern. And the sight of her hair down, flowing clear to her waist like a dark velvet cape, had made his mouth go dry. He still thought she had no business living on the prairie, especially if her brother was going to leave her at night and get into fights. But Sarah was stubborn and determined.

He realized that his grip on the reins had tightened, and he forced himself to relax. That stubbornness he first despised would probably be the very thing that would help her make a home on her land. That was, if some unsavory man didn't take advantage of her one night while Jack was off gallivanting. The day Carson apologized for how he had misjudged Jack and his sister at their initial meeting, Jack had seemed understanding and forgiving. Was he doing the same thing again—misjudging Jack when he didn't know the whole story?

As he drove into town, he thought about Sarah and the children out there alone in nothing but a tent. He didn't like how unprotected they were with Jack passed out thanks to the laudanum Carson had given him for the pain. When he'd visited Sarah's previously, the family working on the barn had made camp near the river, but he hadn't seen or heard them tonight. Had they finished the house and left? It had been too dark to tell. But if the house was completed, why was Sarah still sleeping in the tent?

He slowed the horse as he pulled up in front of his office. Instead of driving around to the barn, he stopped. Tapping the seat, he thought over the plan that had taken root in his mind. He didn't like the idea of going into his house and sleeping in his bed when he was so edgy. There was only one thing he knew to do, so he set the brake, hopped down, and unlocked his office. He quickly penned a note concerning his whereabouts, tacked it to the front door, and locked it. He hurried upstairs, grabbed his quilt and pillow, and drove back to Sarah's.

After tending to his horse, he tossed his quilt down a proper distance from the tents and sat down, leaning against a tree. His rifle rested in his lap. No one would bother Sarah—or the children—now. He yawned. All was quiet except for the normal nighttime sounds. Before long, his eyelids felt as if they had weights on them. His mind blurred, and he caught himself dozing. Sitting up straighter, he concentrated his thoughts on the pretty woman who slept not far from him—surely that would keep him awake.

Sarah's bed shook as if she were experiencing an earthquake.

“Wake up! Sarah! Didn't you hear me say there's a man sleeping outside?” On his knees, Cody bounced beside her on the bed. “C'mon, Sarah. Wake up.”

A man? Outside? She bolted upright. Had Jack awakened and stumbled out of his tent and fallen?

Cody tugged on her hand. “Come and see.”

Sarah glanced at Claire's pallet. The girl was sitting up, gnawing on a bread crust. She held it out, grinning, and rattled off a string of jabber. “Where did Claire get that bread?”