Part 2b

Rose Cross heard the sound of horses and hurried to the front door. She opened it and smiled as she hurried into the yard to meet her husband.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, Billy. Thanks for bringing him home, Dave!”

“You’re welcome, Ma’am. Billy, let me know if you need me!”

“I will.” Billy assured him before turning to his wife. “Honey, Dave told me two men rode in.”

“Yes, they rode in and one of them was hurt…bad. I sent for Jenny and she’s up there with him now. Someone shot him…”

“Rose, you shouldn’t have taken such a chance.”

“You know I couldn’t turn them away, Billy.” She smiled as he pulled her close and kissed the top of her head.

“He’s in bad shape,” Rose explained as they walked arm in arm towards the house. “Ryan and Chet came back around supper time.”

“Did they find Andy?” He asked as they stopped in the doorway.

“No, and he hadn’t been to the bank.”

“Damn it! What have I got to do to get that boy in hand?”

“You’ve got to stop thinking of him as a boy, Billy. He’s a man and he makes his own choices, good or bad.”

“Yeah, I know, but it doesn’t make it any easier. I’ve decided to tell him to go find his own place. I can’t keep going like this and expect to keep the ranch.”

“I know how hard this is for you, Billy, but maybe it’s just what Andy needs to wise up and make a man of himself.” She held him close and smiled as she caught the rough scent that spoke of the trail and hard work. Her husband worked hard to keep the ranch running and she knew how disappointed he was in his brother’s actions. They entered the house and headed towards the kitchen, but Billy pulled her to a stop.

“Is Dr. O’Neil still here?”

“Yes, she’s with Chris Larabee…”

“Larabee?”

“Yes, he’s a peacekeeper from Four Corners. Do you know him?”

“I know he’s got a reputation as a fast gun, but I also heard him and his bunch are doing good things for that town. I know they had a run in with Guy Royal and Stuart James and came out on top. Anyone who does that is okay by me.”

“I’m glad…come on and I’ll get your supper.”

“Not yet. I want to see our guests first,” Billy explained as they headed for the stairs. They walked side by side and entered the room in time to see the physician placing her stethoscope against the injured man’s chest. Neither spoke until the doctor removed the item and smiled at them.

“How is he doing, Jenny?” Rose asked.

“Right now I’d have to say he’s doing a little better than I expected at this point, although he is beginning to get a fever.”

“From the bullet wound?” Billy asked.

“I’d say it’s a combination of everything and we’re going to have a lot of work to keep it from going too high. Rose is there any coffee?”

“Certainly, Jenny, I’ll be right back.”

“How bad off is he?” Cross asked.

“His right arm is broken along with several ribs, not to mention the bullet wound to the back. He’s got several deep lacerations that I’ve taken care of and is probably suffering from the effects of a concussion.”

“Can he be moved?”

“No…not right now. Any movement could lead to him being paralyzed or worse it would probably kill him. You weren’t really planning on having us move him were you?”

“No, you know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him,” Billy assured her. “Are you gonna be able to stay until he’s better?”

“It depends on whether someone else needs me. Right now he’s the only patient who needs constant care and I told Emmett where he could find me.” 

“If you need anything just let me know,” Cross told her

“I will, Billy, and I’m sorry about your brother.”

“Me too. Think maybe I’ll go see what Rose has cooking. If you need me to, I can sit with Larabee while you get some rest.”

“Thank you, I just might take you up on that.” Jennifer O’Neil watched as the man left the room. Billy Cross was a good man and she knew how much he was putting into the ranch. She turned back to her patient as she thought about her feelings for the man and how she would never act on them. She knew she’d lost Billy Cross once he met Rose and at first she resented the beautiful Irish woman who’d taken something from her, but they’d become friends since that first meeting. She begrudged her nothing, in fact she was doing everything she could to help them start a family. Returning her attention to the blond she began washing him once more and realized how easily she could fall for someone like him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jacob moved on the cold ground and cried out as he tried to sit up. Pain slammed into his chest and he looked down, but could see nothing in the darkness. His hand slowly came up to touch the darkening stain that spread over his shirt and jacket and he closed his eyes as his stomach churned and the world around him spun in ever increasing circles. He knew he’d been shot and he knew it was Andrew Cross who shot him, but at first he could not remember why. He turned his head to the right and opened his eyes. There was no doubt that Hank was dead evidenced by the hole between his eyes and the sightless orbs that stared at him.

“B…bastard!” he cursed and tried once more to sit up. He struggled for several long moments before darkness won out once more and he surrendered to the painless world of unconsciousness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Andy rode steadily towards the ranch he called home, but was in no hurry to get there. He needed to come up with a plan before he confronted Billy, but he wasn’t sure his brother would believe him. He knew if the older man didn’t believe him he would have to kill both him and Rose and anyone else who got in his way. Standish and Larabee were probably already there and had told their story. He would have to make sure his story was more believable. The more he thought about it, the more his plan gained momentum. All he had to do was make sure Billy had reason to believe him, and there was one thing that he could do to make sure his brother felt some sympathy towards him.

Andy quickly dismounted and tied his horse to a small tree branch. He lifted his gun from his holster and walked a short distance away from the animal. Taking a deep breath he cocked the pistol and placed it against his left side. All he wanted to do was make a wound that looked believable, but wasn’t serious and he closed his eyes as he eased back on the trigger. The sound of the shot echoed around him and he flew backwards with the force of the blow.

“Sonofabitch!” he cried and remained still as pain washed over him. He remained where he was for several long moments as he pressed against the wound in an effort to stop the bleeding. Finally able to lift his head he looked down at his hands, shocked and afraid by the amount of blood he saw there.

“Fuck’n’ stupid!” Andy cursed his luck as he realized he’d been mistaken in his ability to keep the wound shallow. The bullet had gone through, but it was deeper than he thought and he cried out as he struggled to his feet. Swaying dizzily, Andy staggered to his horse and tried to mount him, but the smell of blood made the animal skittish and it moved away from the injured man.

“Stupid fuck’n’ animal…put a b…bullet in ya if ya don’t stay still!” He grabbed for the reins once more, but his vision blurred and he missed as he sank to his knees. The fall jarred his side and he knew he was losing consciousness as he fought back from the darkening abyss.

“Gotta fuck’n’ get home…kill t…that bastard!” Again he reached for the reins, but his hand found empty air and he slumped the rest of the way to the ground.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ezra woke to the sun shining in his eyes and he turned away from the blinding light. He shifted on the bed and licked at dry lips before his eyes snapped open and he sat up on the edge of the mattress. Memories came crashing down on him as he looked around the room and reached for his clothing. He pulled on his pants, shirt and boots and hurried out of the room. He knew which room housed his friend and he headed directly towards it as voices from below reached his ears. Ezra ignored them and hurried into the room where he found the physician talking in soothing tones to her patient.

“How is he?” Standish asked as the woman turned towards him.

“You can’t tie him down!”

“I won’t have a choice if he doesn’t lie still. I can’t chance him opening that wound or driving a rib into his lung. Talk to him, make him hear you!”

“E…Ezra…y…you o…okay?” Larabee’s weak voice was music to the conman’s ears. The green eyes were fever bright and remained unfocused, testament to how badly the gunman felt. He clenched his hands in the pillow someone had placed in front of him and tried to control his breathing as Standish stared at him.

“I’m perfectly fine, Chris. It’s you we’re worried about. How do you feel?”

“P…probably as bad a…as I l…look. N…need to g…get up!”

“Why?”

“B…back hurts…n…no…burns. B…back burns.”

“That’s normal, Chris. It’s actually a good sign,” O’Neil told him.

“N…not t…to me!” Larabee groaned and tried to get comfortable

“Can’t you give him something?” Standish asked worriedly as Larabee’s eyes clenched tightly.

“Chris, I’m going to give you a shot of morphine, but first I need you to do something for me,” O’Neil said and replaced the conman on the chair once more.

“W…what?”

“I need you to move your legs for me. Can you do that?”

“T…try…”

“That’s all I ask. Try your right one first.”

“O…okay,” the blond mumbled and concentrated on moving his leg. Sweat beaded on his brow as he put what little energy he had into accomplishing a feat he’d been doing all his life. Finally, as if something had suddenly kicked in his leg moved slightly and he lay gasping for breath.

“Well done, Chris, now what about the other one?” O’Neil asked and watched for several agonizing seconds as nothing happened.

“D…damn…can’t…”

“Try a little harder!” the physician ordered and was rewarded when Larabee’s leg moved slightly. “Very good.”

“H…how come…takes s…so long?”

“Well, Chris, it probably has to do with my taking a bullet out of your back yesterday. Right now there’s a lot of swelling and it’s affecting your spine, but I don’t think there’ll be any long-term effects as long as you do as you’re told. Now, I’m going to give you a shot of morphine, but first I want you to drink a little water, tea, and broth for me. Okay?”

“O…okay…tired.”

“I know you are. Ezra, would you ask Rose to send up a tray for Chris?”

“Certainly,” Standish said and hurried from the room.

“Doc?”

“Yes, Chris.”

“W…will I be able to w…walk a…again?”

“Oh, I think so, but again it depends on you doing everything I say even if you don’t feel like it!”

“Sound l…like Nathan.”

“Is he a friend?”

“More t…than a f…friend. M…might not h…have p…papers, but n…never m...met a finer doctor!”

“Does he live in Four Corners?” O’Neil asked as she readied a dose of the narcotic.

“Y…yeah…t…takes c…care of u…us!”

“From the looks of the scars you certainly need someone to take care of you. I saw several gunshot wounds and maybe a knife or two as well!”

“C…comes with the t…territory,” Larabee explained as Standish returned with Rose Cross.

“Thank you, Rose.”

“You’re welcome, Jenny. As soon as you’re done breakfast is ready.”

“Thank you,” the physician said and began feeding Larabee the liquids. By the time she finished she could tell he was in need of the morphine and she quickly readied a spot on his left arm.

Chris winced as the sharp tip entered his arm and the medication was injected into his vein. It wasn’t long before the agony that had raced through his mind and body faded and he surrendered to the sleep brought on by the drug.

“Jenny, you and Mr. Standish can go eat. I’ll sit with Mr. Larabee until you get back. Billy is in the kitchen waiting for both of you!”

“Rose, I don’t know how you do it,” O’Neil said, smiling at the other woman as she gestured for Standish to leave the room with her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Andrew Cross opened his eyes to the bright sunshine coming through the trees and stabbing at his eyes. He couldn’t remember why he hurt so much or why he was lying on the ground with his blood seeping from his body. Wincing, he tried to sit up, but was brought up short by the twisting knifelike pain in his left side. Andy waited for his breathing to even out and once more set his mind on the goal he’d set for himself. He had no idea how long he lay there, but he was finally able to sit up and take stock of his own situation.

He looked towards his right as the sound of his horse munching grass met his ears and he knew he had to get into the saddle before he died of the self inflicted wound. Cursing his luck, Andy fought to get on his feet and breathed through clenched teeth as he finally made it. The landscape took on a decidedly skewed appearance and he staggered towards his horse, only to have the skittish animal shy away from the scent of blood.

Andy reached for the reins with his right hand and tugged the horse towards him. “Stupid fuck’n critter. Put a bullet in that little brain if’n ya don’t stay put. Gotta get home ‘fore I bleed out!”

Reaching the animal, Andy released his hold on his injured side and grabbed hold of the saddle horn. Grunting in pain he lifted his foot and placed it in the stirrup and made it into the saddle where he clung precariously to the reins in an effort to stay in the saddle. Turning the animal towards the ranch he desperately held onto the saddle.

“Damn fine job…ain’t no way Billy’ll believe I did this ta myself,” he whispered as the horse made the first step towards home.

Jacob knew what he had to do and if it was the last thing he ever did he would see Andy Cross hang for murder. He’d managed to get the wound to stop bleeding, but the pain continued to keep him from climbing to his feet. He’d crawled several hundred yards before spiraling blackness threatened to send him back into the hellish nightmares he’d been having. There was little doubt that he was going to die, but he would not let that happen until he exacted his revenge on his one time friend. Without realizing he’d managed the task, he soon found himself standing against a tall evergreen. Sucking in air he kept the blackness at bay and forced one foot in front of the other.