Chapter 44

“Asia, what kind of condition is Callie really in?” Wyatt drank the coffee Rosalinda poured them.

“It’ll take some loving care to get her over this. Not only is she bruised badly and the shoulder is going to be sore, but she needs some nourishing food to build up her resistance. The woman doesn’t eat correctly. I think while she’s been in New Mexico she’s been getting the only good food she’s had in years.”

“It won’t take Rosalinda long to see she’s eating right all the time.”

Asia sipped the coffee. “It helps that no bones were broken. I gave her something to help her rest. She should sleep for several hours. I told your wife to get Rosalinda to make her some good soup and have it ready when Mrs. Thorn wakes up.”

“No man should beat his wife the way this poor woman is hurt.” Thourgood spoke for the first time.

“You’re right about that.” Asia shook his head. “A man who would do that should have to spend some time in jail.”

Wyatt nodded as the door opened. Mrs. Kerr came in and sat plates around the table. “Miz Rosalinda is cooking breakfast. She says you’re to eat.”

“We need to get back,” Asia said. “I don’t want Mildred and Cora Sue to be alone. I’m sure Hezekiah Thorn will show up sometime this morning.”

Wyatt frowned and Asia went on to explain about him going to the Colley place with Doctor Donavan.

“But you’re going to eat first.” Rosalinda came in with a plate of ham. She handed it to Wyatt. “I’ll be right back with the eggs.”

It didn’t take long for her and Naomi Kerr to have all the breakfast items on the table.

As Naomi was leaving the dining room, Wyatt said, “Mrs. Kerr, please have your husband go into town and fetch the sheriff.”

“I will, Mr. Singleton.”

“Do you think he’ll do anything? You know not much is said when a man hits his wife,” Asia said.

“I don’t know what he can do, but I do know for sure it’ll scare the hell out of Hezekiah Thorn. He’s afraid of anyone who stands up to him.”

“Do you think you should get the sheriff involved, Wyatt?”

“Yes, I do, Thourgood.”

The door opened again. Juan pushed Ben’s wheelchair into the room. “Have they arrested the rascal?” he asked as he was put at his place at the table.

“I’ve sent for Jeff.” Wyatt put eggs on his plate and passed them on to Asia.

“Good,” Ben said. “Poor woman looks terrible. Edwina will be here in a minute. She wants to talk to Asia before he leaves.”

It was only a matter of minutes until Edwina, dressed in her green skirt and white blouse, came into the dining room with Adam on her hip. When the men started to stand, she said, “Please keep your seats.”

She moved to the chair on Wyatt’s right and put Adam in the makeshift high chair next to her. “Eat,” Adam said.

Rosalinda came into dining room with a small plate with scrambled eggs and sat it before the baby. “Here you go, sweetheart.”

Adam looked at the men around the table and his eyes got big. Then he spied Wyatt. “Dada. Eat.”

“Yes, Son. You eat all you want.”

“He’s a handsome boy, Wyatt,” Asia said.

“Thank you. We’re proud of him.” Wyatt smiled at Edwina. “Aren’t we, honey?”

“Yes, we are.”

Naomi Kerr came in with a cup of coffee and a plate for Edwina. “I sent Terrence for the sheriff, Mr. Singleton.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, Wyatt, I’m so glad you did that. Aunt Callie didn’t deserve what her husband did to her.”

“You’re right about that, honey,” Ben said. “We’ll see that nothing like that ever happens to her again.”

“Shouldn’t somebody be with her?” Wyatt asked.

“Dena’s with her. I told her I’d come and relieve her as soon as I fed Adam.”

Naomi paused at the door. “I’ve had breakfast, Mrs. Singleton. I’ll go sit with Mrs. Thorn as soon as Rosalinda is finished preparing breakfast.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Kerr.” Edwina turned to Asia. “Now, please tell me what I can do to help my aunt.”

* * * *

Hezekiah Thorn was five minutes into a prayer that would have probably gone on much longer if Doctor Donavan hadn’t interrupted and said, “And I say Amen. Now, Preacher I think it’s time you and I left this family to mind their work. Mr. Colley is resting well and with his wife’s tender care, I’m sure he’ll be up and around soon.”

“Thank you so much, Doctor.” Mrs. Colley wiped the corner of her eye with her apron. “Are you sure you won’t stay for some breakfast?”

“I need to hurry back. I may have patients waiting. You take care of Herman and don’t worry too much about the work around here. Just do what you need to.”

“I’ll help Ma, too,” her son said.

“We all will,” a young girl of about thirteen added.

“Remember,” Hezekiah said, “you need to be mindful of the things I’ve told you. Make sure your husband gets on his knees more often and there won’t be so many accidents. The devil is out to get him, you know.”

“My husband’s a good man.” She eyed the doctor.

“Of course, he is,” Michael Donavan said. “He provides well for you and the children.”

“Yes, but his spiritual life is—”

Again the doctor interrupted. “We all know what you think of the spiritual life, Thorn. Let’s go.”

Without giving Hezekiah time to answer, Donavan ushered him to the door. He turned back to Mrs. Colley. “I’m sorry I brought him. I didn’t realize what an irritant he could be.”

“It don’t matter, Doctor. All I want is for Herman to get well. I guess a few extra prayers can’t hurt.”

The doctor nodded and went out the door before Hezekiah could speak to the woman. He climbed into the buggy and waited for the preacher to get in, too.

“I don’t see what the big rush is. I’m hungry and the woman said she’d cook breakfast. Why didn’t you let her?”

“She’s got enough to do. She don’t need to be waiting on two able-bodied men at a time like this.”

“Women are supposed to wait on men,” Hezekiah snapped. “I’ve met too many women in the west who think they’re as good as the men. At least my wife knows her place.”

“I don’t know your wife, but I pity the poor woman. One would have to be a saint to put up with you.”

Hezekiah frowned, but before he could speak, the doctor went on. “I’ve heard enough of your preaching tonight. I’ve worked hard and long setting Herman Colley’s bones and I’m tired. I want you to sit there and keep your mouth shut. It’s a long drive back to town and I don’t want to put up with your mouth. I might just put you out of this buggy and leave you to the rattlesnakes and the scorpions.”

Hezekiah gasped. “You wouldn’t do that!”

“As much as I’d like to, as a doctor, my conscience won’t let me do it. Of course, if you push me too far, I may just forget I’m a doctor.”

Hezekiah started to speak, then seemed to think better of it. Without another word, he crossed his arms across his chest, sat back and stared at the open prairie.

As soon as they reached town, the doctor stopped the buggy in front of the Bird Cage Café. “Get out,” he demanded.

Hezekiah hesitated.

“If you keep sitting there, I’ll have to shove you to the street.”

* * * *

Hezekiah stepped out of the buggy and his hat fell to the ground. Without bending for it, he stared as the doctor drove off. He couldn’t believe this treatment. Though he’d been rebuffed and yelled at and even made fun of, he’d never been so rudely treated.

Well, maybe at the Singleton ranch.

He shook his head and muttered, “I sure will be glad to get back to Virginia where my congregation and my wife treat me like a man of God should be treated.”

He picked up his hat, dusted it off and headed into the café. Though he didn’t like spending the money, he was hungry and he wanted to eat before he figured out how to get back to the Reeson ranch.

Inside, he nodded at the sullen waitress and took a seat near the window. The place wasn’t crowded, though there was a man sitting two tables away. He looked like a businessman, but Hezekiah didn’t speak.

No need to try to help these fools any longer. They’re just going to ignore my teaching. I’ll simply turn my back on the lot of them.

In a gruff voice, he ordered eggs and bacon. As the waitress started to move away, he asked, “Do you happen to know anyone who’s going to go to the Reeson ranch this morning?”

“No, sir, I don’t.”

Hezekiah shook his head, but said nothing else. Why bother trying to find anyone to help him. He’d just wait around a while. Maybe Thourgood would come into town. He did most every day.

The preacher was so intent on his own thoughts he didn’t notice the businessman pick up a plate of food and head out the door with a wide grin on his face.