Page 4 of Cade’s Quest (The McIntyres #1)

Chapter Three

O n the fourth day on the trail, Cade made camp under a rock outcropping. He started to stop at one of the four stagecoach way stations, but it looked crowded, and he preferred the wide open spaces. Tomorrow he’d be in Eagle Flat. He prayed his sister would still be there.

He gathered some mesquite wood for a fire and hid his money pouch under a rock. His gut whispered a warning that trouble was near, so he took no chances. Listening to every sound, he made coffee and ate hardtack and jerky instead of hunting game for his supper. It was best to stay close to Buck.

He couldn’t say exactly what spooked him other than the glimpse he caught of riders following. He was glad he wore a gun. That made him feel a little better.

Darkness had fallen and he was preparing to crawl into his bedroll when a voice hollered, “Hello, the camp!”

Cade pulled his Colt. “Come on in.”

Three riders walked their horses into the camp. The flickering light illuminated an older man and two younger ones. All wore hard faces.

“I have some coffee if you boys want some. Got a cup?” Cade slid his Colt back into the holster.

“We’re obliged. Thanks.” The speaker opened his saddle bag and removed a cup. He was tall and skinny with pimples covering his face. “Name’s John.”

“Hi, I’m Cade. I was just about to turn in.”

The other two sauntered to the fire and filled their cups, emptying the pot. They introduced themselves as Joe and George. Fake names for sure.

“Where you boys headed?” Cade asked.

John glanced over his cup at the older man who appeared to be the spokesman for the group. “The Waggoner ranch. We plan to hire on.”

Cade untied his bedroll. “Do you have experience?”

“Don’t need any.” This time the speaker was young Joe. He tied his dirty hair back into a ponytail that went halfway to his waist.

“I see. We’re going close to the same place. I have business in Eagle Flat.” The trio’s faces suddenly changed at the mention of business and John began to edge closer to Cade. It was time to listen to his gut. “You know, I think you boys had best ride on. I’ve changed my mind about companionship.”

“I don’t think so.” John pulled a weapon and brandished it. “Hand over your money.”

“Yeah, make it fast,” Joe snarled.

“Who said I have money?” Cade demanded. Could he draw and shoot before John pulled the trigger?

George, the older man, snickered. “We know you got money if you have business in Eagle Flat.”

“I’m going to find my sister,” Cade insisted, wondering if he could get any of the three to see reason. “That’s my business. My sister. She’s been missing. You come into my camp and I’ve been hospitable, offering you coffee. But it’s time for you to ride on.”

“Well, we’ll just see about that. We think you’re lying,” George said, raising his voice.

“Shoot him, John!” yelled Joe.

Cade dove to the ground, firing his Colt on the way down.

Someone shouted they were shot as a bullet tore into Cade’s shoulder.

He dropped his Colt. Pain shot through his body as he fought to stay conscious.

The trio was ransacking his saddlebags and everything in his camp, getting angrier by the second.

One of them stomped over and began kicking him. The others soon joined him. Cade’s eyes filled with dirt and he was blinded. Someone came down on his head with a heavy boot and blackness descended on Cade.

When Cade came to, the trio had left, and Buck was nudging him with his big head.

The campfire had gone out and the contents of his saddlebags littered the ground.

Dragging himself to a sitting position, he spat out a mouthful of blood.

His entire body was a throbbing mass and sand stung his eyes. He couldn’t see. They’d blinded him.

It didn’t improve after wiping the blood from his eyes. He patted Buck’s muzzle. “Good horse.”

At least he wouldn’t have to go looking for the faithful roan. Standing, he bent double for a moment, sucking in a deep breath against the pain. Slowly he gathered what he could of his belongings and stuffed them back in his saddlebags. He picked his Colt from the dirt and stuck it in his holster.

When he finished, he lifted the rock hiding his money. Now to find a doctor.

With an injured arm, he had no way to put his saddle on Buck’s broad back. He’d have to leave it. After pulling his saddle behind some rocks, he added the saddlebags. He’d have to leave them for now. Grabbing a handful of mane, he pulled himself up on the horse.

The sun came up before he’d gone too far, and the day heated to a fine fettle. With each mile, Cade had a harder time staying on Buck. Once, he caught himself an inch from the ground. The day wore on and at times he wasn’t sure he was going the right direction.

Finally, sundown came as Cade found himself entering a town. Which one remained to be seen.

A man saw him and came running. “What’s wrong, mister?”

“Doctor,” Cade mumbled. “Shot.”

“Give me your reins and I’ll walk you to Doc Perkins just down the street.”

He wanted to say thanks and ask the name of the town but it proved too difficult. Whatever place this was didn’t much matter at the moment. It had help.

Before he knew it hands were lifting him down and carrying him into a room. Relief flooded over him. He made it.

They laid him on a bed and a man leaned over him. “Cowboy, I’m Doc Perkins.”

“Don’t let me die.”

“Well, I’ll do my best but you might test my skills.” He turned to a woman. “Nurse, we’ll have to get this blood off him.”

“Yes, Doctor. I’ll get water and cloths while you undress him and wash out his eyes,” the nurse said.

The man of medicine got scissors and went to work on his clothing. He tried to object but couldn’t get his tongue to work. All he could do was moan. Finally, the doctor draped a sheet over him. Then he went to work washing the grit from Cade’s eyes.

“I need to take care of my horse,” Cade mumbled.

“Relax, someone already did,” the doctor answered.

“Good.”

“To save your vision, I’m going to have to wrap your head with gauze to keep out the light,” the doctor said.

“You mean I’ll be blind?”

“Only for a few days. I feel certain this is the best way to save your vision.”

Sometimes the only way didn’t mean easiest, but Cade guessed he had little choice.

“I understand. Do what you have to, Doctor.” Cade touched his arm. “Can you please tell me what town this is?”

“Eagle Flat.” The doctor chuckled. “The town without a frown.”

“Thank you.” Satisfied, Cade relaxed and let the doctor work.

The nurse returned and gently started bathing him. Her touch was like an angel’s. He wished he could see her. He knew she must be quite pretty.

“Looking for…sister,” he managed to get out.

“Mister, I sure hope you find her,” the nurse murmured, washing an arm. “She must be awful worried about you.”

“My horse?” Cade asked. He couldn’t remember if he already had or not.

“Someone took your horse to the stables, remember?” the doctor asked.

“Oh, yeah. I’m having trouble remembering things.”

After the doctor finished wrapping his head, he bent to Cade’s ear. “I’m going to give you something to ease your pain and will remove the bullet. You’ll feel a pinprick.”

A moment later, Cade found himself drifting into blessed sleep where there was no pain, no blood, and no lost siblings.

The nurse stared down at the young cowboy with the bandaged head on Doc Perkins’ table. He’d sure gotten a raw deal. From what she could tell, he appeared to be quite a handsome man.

Working for the doctor had given her a lot of experience for which she was extremely grateful but she longed for family.

However, she had little hope. This northern part of Texas was wild and occupied by a lot of bloodthirsty men.

That would all change as soon as towns hired more sheriffs and marshals.

But for now, people did the best they could to get by.

She rested a palm on the patient’s chest. What was his name and more importantly what was his story? How did he end up in such pitiful shape?

Tears trickled from the corners of his closed eyes. She tenderly wiped them away, her heart aching for him. He’d mumbled that he was looking for his sister. Even unconscious, he continued to worry about something. His fingers kept moving on the sheet.

With gentle fingers, she touched his dark hair that had settled in waves around the layers of gauze. He needed a barber. Dark growth covered his jawline. He hadn’t shaved in a while.

Dan Bodine, the town deputy knocked lightly on the door then entered. “I took the stranger’s horse to the stables.”

“He’ll appreciate that. He seems like a nice kid.” She gave Dan a smile. He’d been kinda sweet on her and she thought he might be leading up to a marriage proposal only she’d told him from the start that she wasn’t looking for a husband. It hadn’t seemed to make any difference though.

Maybe one day she’d think differently but for now she was content with her life as it was.

“How is he?” Dan asked.

“I think he’ll make it if infection doesn’t set in.” She gazed at the stranger who tugged on her heart. “I hope it doesn’t make his situation worse. He seems a decent sort but crossed paths with some bad people.”

“No name yet?”

“The only thing he said so far is that he’s looking for his sister. No name for her either.” She picked a bloody cloth from the floor and put it into a bucket. “Is town quiet?”

“So far and I think it’ll stay that way unless those cowboys from the Waggoner ranch ride in to blow off some steam.” Dan gripped his hat and shifted his weight. “Can you come out in the hall for a minute?”

“Sure.” She followed him out. “What do you need?”

Dan glanced down the hall that led to the doctor’s living quarters. “Will you go with me to my brother’s wedding day after tomorrow? They’ll have quite a party with lots of dancing.”

“Yes, I’ll go with you. It sounds fun.”

There was a slew of Bodine brothers. Ten to be exact. Their poor parents couldn’t have anything but boys. Those boys toed the line though and were all hard workers. The oldest was getting married after sweeping the banker’s daughter off her feet.

“Great.” He slipped an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. “You’ll make me quite a lucky man.”

She smiled, patting his chest. “Just remember, you promised to take me on a picnic Sunday. You do remember that? Don’t you?”

He chuckled. “How can I forget? You make the best fried chicken.”

“Food? That’s all you can think about?”

“Well no.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Plenty of other things occupy my thoughts too.”

“Remember our agreement to just be friends for now.”

“I know. I know. I keep wondering why I agreed to such a thing. Must’ve been out of my mind.”

At the sound of gunshots in the street, he released her. “I’ve got to go. Duty calls.”

“Be careful, Dan. Doc Perkins is busy enough tonight without having to dig bullets out of you too.”

He hurried out and closed the door. She returned to her patient who was stirring.

“Hi there, cowboy,” she said softly. “Glad you woke up.”

He tried to sit up but was too weak and fell back onto the bed. He lifted tentative fingers to feel the gauze around his head. “My horse.”

“It’s been cared for. The deputy took it to the stables. You don’t have to worry. The stable owner will take good care of it.”

The patient relaxed. “Good.”

“Do you know who assaulted you?” she asked.

“Only first names. It was an older man and two boys about my age. All I heard was George, John, and Joe. No last name. I got the feeling they weren’t from around here, but they said they were on their way to the Waggoner ranch.”

“Well, I know the foreman there and he wouldn’t hire people like that. They run a top-notch outfit.” She filled a glass about halfway. “Would you like a drink?”

“I sure would. Do you know what happened to my horse?” Cade sure hoped Buck was being looked after.

“Your horse is at the stables, remember?”

“Oh, yeah. Sorry.”

She helped raise his head and put the glass to his lips. He gulped the water, draining the glass. “You were thirsty.”

Delicious aromas drifted into the room. “Something smells really good,” he said.

“The doctor’s wife is cooking supper—meatloaf I think. Are you hungry?”

“I sure am. Must be my lucky day.” His wide grin took her breath.

To think he was lucky seemed odd given the shape he was in. But someone had taught him to be grateful and who was she to dispute that?