One Texas Night

CHAPTER 7

Annalane spent her first few days in camp setting up the long, narrow room at the front of the infirmary to serve as a doctor’s office and operating room. She wasn’t sure if it was curiosity, or the long absence of an infirmary in camp, but people dropped by to help and to complain about small ailments. Two of the three women in camp were pregnant and happy to see someone they could talk to.

Her brother walked in on the third day to nod his approval at the job she was doing. Shelves filled with organized and labeled supplies lined the wall. He talked of his excitement at being posted at his first fort, but said little about medicine. When she asked a few questions about where to put tools, he seemed unsure. She knew medical school was mostly two terms of lectures and some work on cadavers if students could afford them, but she was shocked at his lack of knowledge. A nurse, a week into training knew the names of medical supplies.

Before she could begin to ask more questions or suggest he might help set up his own office, Devin announced, “I’ll be riding back along the stage line to inform the owners of their loss of employees. Not that it’s the army’s fault—we warned them not to try a run this far north. Teamster wagon trains a hundred long were safe enough to move from fort to fort, but it is far too early to even think about establishing a stage line.” He pointed at her. “You were a fool to take a stage. You should have waited at Dodge until supply wagons with guards could have delivered you.”

She hated the way he talked down to her, never thinking to ask if she’d had enough money to wait in Dodge. Before she could fire back, he stormed toward the door.

Glancing back, he added, “I’m assuming you can handle everything here while I’m gone.”

“How long will that be?” Annalane asked, thinking one, maybe two days there and the same back should do it. What if the camp needed a doctor while he was gone? She wondered if her little brother had yet had his hands covered in warm blood. She doubted it. Being a doctor to him was more theory and grandeur than reality.

“I’ll be gone a week,” he said without meeting her gaze. “Maybe more. I have army business to take care of that doesn’t concern you.”

She straightened. “Devin, I’m here to help you, not do all the work. Don’t you dare treat me like your servant.”

He frowned. “Or what? Or you’ll pack up and leave? Go ahead. You’ve never been much good at staying around. I doubt if it ever occurred to you that all those years during the war your family might have needed you around. Times were hard then, you know.” For a moment he looked like the boy she remembered and not the man before her.

Annalane fought down words she knew she’d regret saying. She didn’t have the funds to go anywhere and he was well aware of the fact. She might be able to make it back to Fort Worth, or even Austin, but then she’d be penniless, looking for a job. She wanted to also point out that if he thought it was hard at home, he should have tried being at the battles.

But she wouldn’t tell him. That was the past. Hopefully he’d never know war, and in time her memories would fade.

When she didn’t snap back, he softened slightly. “Look, sis, I know it’s hard on you, but you’re used to hard times. I want to help you, I really do. My plan is simple. Help me set up this place and get it started, then maybe one of the single officers will see how useful you are to have around. Lieutenant Dodson is a widower with three kids and having a hell of a time. If you play your cards right, you could be married to him by Christmas and have a man to take care of you.”

“You’re delusional.” Who would take care of Dodson . . . and the three children . . . and the house . . . and . . . She frowned, knowing her brother would never understand that marriage is not a ticket out of work.

Devin laughed. “Come on, Annalane, you need a husband and Dodson can’t afford to be too picky. It might not be a marriage of love like you and your first love thought you had nine years ago, but it would be practical. He’s been in the army for over ten years, so he’s made of sturdier stuff than the kid you called husband for an hour.”

Annalane fought the urge to slap her only kin. If Sergeant Cunningham hadn’t walked through the door, she might have. Devin had always been spoiled as a child and he hadn’t changed much.

Cunningham saluted Devin, then addressed her. “I’m sorry to bother you this early, but I’ve been sent to tell you or the doctor that Private Price’s wife is going into labor and everyone in camp knows Victoria is a screamer when she’s not happy.”

Devin headed for the door. “Take care of it, Annalane. I’ve got men waiting for me. Surely even you can handle a birthing.” He was gone before she could answer.

Annalane grabbed a basket she’d put supplies in and shoved it toward the sergeant. “Let’s go. Babies don’t wait.”

Cunningham led the way. “Did your brother ever deliver a baby?”

“Not that I know of,” she answered, aware that most of Devin’s experience had probably been on corpses.

“That’s what I figured. He looked a might pale. How about you?”

“I’ve delivered a dozen or more near battlefields. Wives wanting to see their men one more time before the baby came.” They moved through the tents and corrals along the outside of a wooden stockade that held supplies, as she added, “The hospital where I worked only treated veterans, but some women didn’t know that until they arrived, already in hard labor. We kept a room ready for emergencies like that. Over the four years I was there, I welcomed many a life into this world and helped the mother mourn the passing of a few wee ones who didn’t make the crossing.”

The sergeant smiled. “Mrs. Price will be real happy you’re here. She didn’t much like the idea of having the doc come. She tried to talk to your brother last week about how to prepare, her being still two years from twenty and all. He told her she had no business following her man into unsettled territory and should try to make it home before she went into labor.”

Annalane thought that sounded exactly like what Devin would say. She stepped into one of the new two-room cabins built for married men. The smell of fresh-cut wood greeted her, along with the sound of a woman crying for help. She sounded far more frightened than in pain.

“Set the supplies down, please, Sergeant. I’ll need a stack of towels and a large washtub, cleaned and scrubbed with soap and hot water.” She passed a man standing at the bedroom door, looking like he might pass out at any moment. “And, Sergeant, take Private Price with you.”

Sergeant Cunningham followed orders.

Annalane moved to the bed already stained with blood. “I’m here to help, Victoria, so don’t you worry. Together we’re going to deliver this baby.”

A girl not out of her teens looked up, wide-eyed and near panic. “I don’t know what to do,” she shouted, as if Annalane might be deaf.

“I do,” Annalane answered. “You can call me Anna. I’ll help you through each step. We’re going to climb this mountain one step at a time.” She pulled a small pair of scissors from her apron pocket. “First, I’m going to place these under the bed right below you. My grandmother used to tell me they will cut the pain in half for the rest of your labor.” Annalane smiled, realizing the girl believed her. “And when the baby comes, I’ll know right where the scissors are when it’s time to cut the cord. Now, Victoria, the first thing I want you to do is lean back and relax. When the next contraction comes take deep, slow breaths and let the tightness roll over you, knowing that it’s not pain, but just your body practicing for the job it’s got to do.”

The girl followed orders and Annalane did her job. Nine hours later, she carried a newborn son to the private, who still looked like he might pass out. He kissed the top of his son’s head, then walked into the bedroom.

“You did a fine job, Anna.” Sergeant Cunningham smiled.

She collected the stained towels and sheets. “She did all the work. I only helped.”

When Anna got back to the infirmary, a meal was waiting for her. She hadn’t expected her first duty to be delivering a baby, but she was glad. It reminded her of why she loved nursing. Not the dying and hurting, but the healing and helping.

She was almost asleep in her chair when someone stepped into the little clinic.

“I beg your pardon. Is it too late to call?”

Anna stood. “Lieutenant Dodson?” He was not a big man, in size or manner. She would have had to slump to be eye to eye with him, and Anna refused to slump. Despite what her brother thought, she wasn’t interested in a man who planned to consider her because he “couldn’t afford to be picky.” “Is there something I can do for you, sir?”

His gaze darted over her as if taking her measure. She saw intelligence, but not kindness.

“I heard what you did today and I commend you,” he began formally, then rolled his shoulders, forcing himself to relax. “I lost my wife to childbirth last year, so I know what a trial it is. My children are in Kansas City with her folks while I finish this tour, then I hope to have them back with me.”

“You must miss them,” Anna said, watching him closely, wondering why he’d come so late.

“It’s not that, ma’am. It’s the fact that they belong with me. I’m their father.” He frowned. “I know I’m a military man, but I’ve always believed a wife belongs with her husband, and the children should be raised and disciplined by their parents. There is an order to things, in and out of the army.”

“I see,” she said, then waited for him to explain why he’d dropped by.

He glanced around the office, frowning at the piles of supplies still remaining to be organized, then continued. “I planned to ask you to dine with the officers tonight, but I see you’ve already eaten.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant, but you needn’t worry about me. I’ll be fine here.” She’d found the officers’ dinner boring. “I prefer to eat my evening meal in silence. It’s become my habit over the years.”

“You are a woman too long alone.” He said the words slowly, as if he thought they might frighten her. “And this is not a country for women alone. It’s the nature of things that men and women should be married. If not for love, then for convenience.”

“I’ve been on my own since I was nineteen.” She met his stare. If he expected her to be helpless and needy, he was about to be disappointed. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll turn in.”

He puffed up slightly, as if not used to anyone dismissing him. Then he nodded once and mumbled good night.

Anna stood in the doorway watching him walk away, but her thoughts were on Ranger McCord, not the lieutenant. If Wynn had stepped into her quarters, he would not have left without touching her, and one touch would have made all her exhaustion vanish. He’d told her that what was between them was not finished, and she agreed. He might bruise her lips with his kisses and hold her so close to him she couldn’t breathe, but she knew he was attracted to her, he wanted her, needed her. There was no “convenience” in his passionate touch.

Dodson seemed about to propose a business arrangement. He hadn’t even taken the time to get to know her. Anna had the feeling that, in his mind, any woman would do.

Anna would never settle for so little. She’d rather have one honest day with Wynn McCord than a lifetime of convenience.

“Miss Anna?” Private Clark’s voice sounded from the other side of the porch. “Just wanted you to know that I’m on guard tonight. I’ll put my bedroll in front of your door once you’re inside so you won’t have to worry about anyone else coming along just to visit.”

She smiled. Clark was a good kid. He would have to be, for all the Texans to accept him. “Thanks,” she answered. “I’m going to turn in soon, but thought I might circle the camp once to get some air.” The smell of blood still lingered in her lungs. “Would you mind walking with me?”

“I’d be honored,” he answered as he set his rifle just inside her door threshold before offering his elbow. He didn’t seem to notice that her hair was a mess and she still wore the stained apron she’d had on all day.

She tucked her hand on his arm and they walked, talking quietly as the sun set. The camp was like an ant bed of activity with movement tonight. Someday, if the camp grew into a fort, the place would be surrounded by walls, but now most of the buildings and tents circled the stockade of supplies. Teamsters had brought in a line of wagons and everyone seemed to be helping with the unloading.

She watched the movements but spoke low to Clark. “You were listening to what the lieutenant said to me.” It was a statement, not a question.

“It was hard not to. The door was open,” Clark said, defending himself.

Anna smiled. “I got the feeling he’d come to ask me something.”

Clark laughed. “I swore I heard the trap door about to fall, but you played it smart.”

“Maybe we’re just guessing what he wanted. Maybe he just came to thank me for helping with the birthing.”

“Maybe,” Clark answered. “My guess is he didn’t know about McCord or he wouldn’t have even been hinting.”

She stopped walking and looked at the kid. “What about McCord?”

“He’s your man. All the enlisted men know it. I’m surprised the officers don’t.”

Anna had to ask. “How do they know it?” She couldn’t imagine McCord talking about their time together.

“McCord told us before he left. He said every one of us better keep an eye on his Anna or there’d be hell to pay when he got back.”

Anna started walking again, pulling the private along beside her. “I’m not his Anna and he’s not my man.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Clark said as he fell into step beside her. “He also said not to argue with you no matter what crazy thing you said.”

“Oh, he did,” Anna said, more to herself than the kid. She wanted to get home and think about what Clark had told her, then decide whether to kill McCord when he came back. A few kisses and touches did not define ownership, even if those kisses still filled her dreams at night and the memory of his touch still warmed her each time she thought of it.

When they stepped back into the infirmary, she noticed Clark’s rifle was missing beside the door, a moment before she saw two men standing in the shadows. Clark’s muscles beneath her hand tightened, and she prayed the kid wouldn’t go for his Colt. Maybe they should have locked the door before leaving, but they’d both felt safe inside the circle of the military.

“Evening,” one stranger said as he stepped forward, a rifle pointed at Clark’s chest. “We’ve come to ask you, lady, if you’d like to take a ride with us.” He smiled, showing rotting teeth in a face weeks past needing washing. “There’s a gambler who says he has a little game to finish with you. He says you ran out on him before all the cards were on the table.”

The stranger laughed as if pleased with his politeness, then glared at Clark. “I guess you’re coming too. If we kill you it’ll draw attention, and I’d like to ride out of here the same way I rode in. Unnoticed. A soldier riding along with us will make us look all the more legal.”

Anna panicked. “No. Tie him up and I’ll go with you without a sound.” She guessed they’d kill Clark when they were far enough away from the camp that no one would hear the shot.

“No,” Clark answered calmly, his eyes staring at the man without any fear showing. “I go with her. I’m her guard. If I’m not outside someone will come check on her, but if we’re both missing they’ll think we’re somewhere in camp.”

Anna closed her eyes, wishing he wouldn’t be so logical. He was signing his own death warrant.

The second stranger, a bookend of the first outlaw, moved out from the shadows. He had the same wide-rimmed hat that his partner wore, but his clothes were buckskin, not wool. If possible, he looked even meaner than the first, with a touch of insanity flickering in his whiskey-colored eyes. Both were men who would not be welcome in anyone’s home. Something about them seemed more animal than human.

Clark raised his hands as the men took the Colt at his side and tied his hands.

“That’s the way, boy,” the first outlaw whispered. “Come with us nice and easy and we’ll make the end quick for you.”

The mad twin tied her, spitting out a giggle when his hand kept slipping to brush against her. He was having so much fun, he didn’t notice when she twisted her wrist wide as he pulled the knot.

“Where are you taking us?” Anna demanded.

“Luther and me ain’t got no orders to kill you, if that’s what you’re asking. We’re just planning on delivering you.”

Anna decided the smart one was dumb as a cow patty and his partner, Luther, smelled worse than one. When she opened her mouth to ask more, Luther wrapped a dirty bandanna across it.

“Make a sound,” the leader added, “and we kill your bodyguard. We weren’t told to bring him along anyway, so if one of our knives happens to slip between his ribs we know it won’t matter one way or the other to the boss.”

Anna had no doubt he meant what he said. Luther pulled a long knife and began poking them with it.

While the leader waited and watched for full dark, Luther pressed the point of the knife against her throat and giggled when he drew a drop of blood.

Anna stood perfectly still, refusing to move or cry out. She knew she couldn’t get away if he wanted to kill her, but she wouldn’t play his game.

Each cut drew one bubble of blood. Two, three, four pricks. Luther watched each drop slide down her throat and melt into the lace of her collar.

“It’s dark enough,” the leader whispered as he shoved Clark and her out of the infirmary and around to the back where they’d left horses tied. A small wagon train of settlers had been picking up supplies before dark and the outlaws had no problem blending in among the other visitors.

Anna forced her mind to notice every detail as she dug her heel hard into the ground before they lifted her onto the horse. The outlaws had brought two extra horses. She knew they hadn’t planned on Clark, so the other mount would have been for McCord.

She smiled. It had been three days since McCord left. If they expected to pick him up here, then they hadn’t caught, or killed him. He was alive and she had no doubt he’d be coming after her.

All she had to do was stay alive until he reached her.