Heart of a Texan Read Free Page B

of gray metal. “That didn’t come from a rifle. He was shot with a pistol.”
    Roberta’s stomach clinched. She had shot Nate.
    “He ought to be okay now,” the doctor said, “but you’ll have to watch him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he develops a fever. He could have gotten a concussion when he fell out of the saddle.”
    “What do you do for a concussion?” Roberta asked.
    “You keep him on his feet and awake until you’re sure he’s okay.”
    “He’s unconscious and unable to move.”
    “Then you’d better hope he doesn’t have a concussion. We don’t need the biggest rancher in the area suffering from brain damage.”
    Roberta felt faint. “What can I do?”
    “Watch him. If he wakes up, send someone to let me know.”
    “I’m the only one here.”
    The doctor looked thoughtful. “I guess you are. Well, take your father’s shotgun and fire away. After today’s ruckus, that ought to bring someone from town, and they can fetch me.”
    She was so infuriated that he would refer to the murderous attack as today’s ruckus she nearly said something rude. Remembering her father was dead was almost like hearing it for the first time. It was still hard to believe only a few hours ago her father had kissed her good night and gone off to bed with plans to pick beans and tomatoes early the next morning. Boone had promised to buy all the vegetables her father produced. Roberta didn’t know if he needed that much produce, or whether he was trying to buy her affection.
    “What do I feed him? When do I feed him?”
    “Don’t feed him anything until he wakes up, or you’ll probably drown him. After that, a clear broth for a day or two. Vegetable broth will do, but beef or chicken would be better.”
    “I don’t have any beef, and the chickens were scattered.”
    “I’ll make some broth,” Mrs. Pender offered.
    “Once everybody hears he’s here, you’ll probably have every unmarried woman in town offering food,” the doctor said. “He’s got to be one of the most eligible bachelors in Texas.”
    “I would expect her to receive offers of food from every woman, unmarried or not.” Mrs. Pender’s tone was less than respectful. “The citizens of Slender Creek are always quick to help anyone in need or distress.”
    “So they are.” The doctor wasn’t quailed by Mrs. Pender’s reprimand. “Roberta will need it since some of Slender Creek’s citizens are responsible for her present situation.”
    “It couldn’t have been anyone in town, I’m sure,” Mrs. Pender stated with certitude. “Now unless you need me,” she said to Roberta, “I’ll be going. My men would starve if I weren’t there to feed them.”
    “Remarkable woman,” the doctor said after Mrs. Pender had left. “Very remarkable. I’m just glad she’s not my wife.”
    Dr. Danforth was a widower. Much to the distress of several hopeful women, he had shown no interest in changing his marital state. He said his patients were as much of a family as he wanted.
    “How long do you think he’ll be here?” Roberta asked as the doctor was putting the last touches on the bandage.
    “A week if things go well. Maybe two if they don’t.”
    “What do you mean— if things don’t go well ?”
    “Fever or infection, but he looks like the kind of healthy young man who will bounce back quickly if you take good care of him. If he comes through the next day okay, you ought to be able to relax.”
    “How can I relax with a sick man in my house for at least a week?”
    The doctor looked at Nate’s unmoving body. “I don’t think he’ll be getting in your way.”
    “He’s in my way just by being here.”
    “Well, he can’t be moved just yet, so you’ll have to get used to it. Now I have to go. Mrs. Millican’s baby has jaundice, and Mrs. Grady’s third boy broke his arm… again. Good thing I never had a hankering to be a rich man. This town would be in a mess of trouble if I left.” The doctor gathered his equipment,