5

Clay Taggart awoke in unfamiliar surroundings, and with a pounding headache. He was flat on his back in a comfortable bed, covered by a clean sheet. He opened his eyes to see a whitewashed ceiling. He groaned and touched a hand to his head. Most of his hair had been shaved away, and a bandage covered a good part of his scalp.

Hearing the Ranger moan, the woman at his bedside stirred.

“Ranger Taggart? Are you awake?” she softly asked.

Taggart turned his head to see a woman in her late thirties.

“I reckon so, ma’am. Might I ask who you are? And where am I?”

“My name is Bea Collins. You’re at the Triangle C Ranch.”

“Collins?”

“That’s right. Jesse Collins’ mother. How are you feeling?”

“I’ve got a wicked headache, but other than that not bad. Plus I’m a mite puzzled. How’d I get here? Last thing I remember was gettin’ shot.”

“Bobby Madison and Jesse. They were going fishing when they stumbled across you. Evidently you’d fallen over an embankment after that bullet struck. The boys found you there. I’ll let them tell you the entire story, but somehow they got you back to the trail, then came for help. My husband brought you here. You were too weak to survive the trip to town. That’s another seven miles. Doctor Palmer came out here to treat you. He confirmed our suspicions. You probably would have died before reaching Uvalde. The doctor said you have a rather severe concussion from the bullet wound. Fortunately, your skull wasn’t fractured. Another quarter inch lower, however…”

“You don’t need to finish that, ma’am,” Taggart smiled, weakly. “Where is Jesse? I’d sure like to thank him. Bobby too.”

“The boys are in school. They’ll be along later. So will Lucy Squires. They’ll be pleased to see you’ve regained consciousness.”

“Lucy Squires? The schoolteacher?”

“That’s right. Doctor Palmer said you needed to be watched twenty-four hours a day, until you awakened. Several women from town have been taking turns helping me do just that. Tonight is Lucy’s turn.”

“Well, what d’ya know?” Taggart whispered.

“What was that, Ranger Taggart?”

“Nothing. And please, call me Clay, ma’am.”

“All right. As long as you call me Bea.”

“It’s a deal.”

“Fine. Now, can I get you anything?”

“I am a bit hungry,” Taggart admitted. “Just how long have I been unconscious?”

“Two days,” Bea answered.

“Two days. That means I’ve got no chance of catchin’ up with Travis Burnham.”

“Travis Burnham?”

“The outlaw I was trailing, and the hombre who undoubtedly shot me,” Taggart explained. “He’s probably in Mexico by now. Don’t matter. Once I’m outta this bed I’ll be on his trail again.”

“That won’t be for several more days, at least,” Bea answered. “I can’t do anything about Travis Burnham, but I can surely do something about your empty stomach. You’re not ready for a big meal yet, but how does beef broth and coffee sound?”

“That sounds just wonderful.”

“Fine. I’ll heat some for you. By the time you’ve finished eating, the boys should be here. I’ll send for the doctor, too. He wanted to examine you once you awakened. Now you rest while I get your meal.”

“Thanks, Bea. I appreciate everything your family’s done for me.”

“We only did what any decent folks would do,” Bea answered. “So don’t trouble yourself about that. Just recover as quickly as possible.”

“Doctor’s orders?”

“My orders, and no one disobeys them,” Bea retorted, as she headed for the kitchen.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Taggart had finished his meal and been dozing for an hour when Jesse and Bobby burst into his room.

“Clay! You’re awake!” Jesse shouted.

“I am now,” Taggart grinned.

“I told you he was sleepin’, Jess,” Bobby scolded.

“You were? I’m sorry, Ranger,” Jesse apologized.

“No need to apologize, Jess. I’ve slept long enough anyway.”

Bea hustled into the room.

“Clay, I didn’t realize these boys were here. They snuck past me. I hope they didn’t wake you.”

“No harm done,” Taggart assured her. “In fact, I’m glad for the company.”

“Well, if you’re sure. I have to start supper. However, if these boys are a bother you call me. Jesse, Bobby, don’t you wear out Ranger Taggart. He still needs rest.”

“We won’t, Ma,” Jesse promised.

“All right. Then I’ll leave you men to talk.”

Once Bea had left, Taggart propped himself higher on his pillows.

“Jess, Bobby, I’ve gotta thank you for bein’ so brave. I understand if you hadn’t hauled me outta that gulch I’d be coyote bait by now. I appreciate what you did.”

“Shucks, Ranger. It wasn’t much,” Jesse demurred.

“That’s right,” Bobby agreed. “Your horse did most of the work. That, and you have Jesse’s horse to thank for us findin’ you. Freckles’s the one who made us take that trail. Guess you were right. Pintos sure ain’t dumb.”

“Except for Freckles tossin’ me over his head,” Jesse corrected.

“Freckles? Mebbe you’d best explain,” Taggart said.

“Sure. We were goin’ fishin’,” Bobby began.

“When we came to the old trail to Peter’s Bluff, Freckles wouldn’t take another step,” Jesse broke in.

“Whoa, Hold on, boys. One at a time,” Taggart ordered. “There’s no hurry. I’m not goin’ anywhere, so take it slow and easy.”

And the boys did. For the next hour, they regaled the Ranger with their version of his rescue from the bottom of Peter’s Bluff, embellishing the story but little. They were breathless by the time they finished their tale.

“And that’s everything, Clay,” Jesse concluded.

“Well, that’s quite a story,” Taggart answered. “Once I’m up and around I’ll make sure your horses get an entire sack of peppermints. And I’ll find something special for you boys, too.”

“That’s not necessary, Clay,” Bobby protested.

“I know it’s not, but you deserve a reward,” Taggart insisted.

Jesse’s mother poked her head in the door.

“Speaking of rewards, I just finished mixing a cake. Would you boys want to lick the icing bowl?”

“Would we?” Jesse exclaimed, then hesitated and looked at Taggart.

“Go ahead,” Clay chuckled.

“Thanks!”

The boys raced from the room.

“Clay, I was afraid they were tiring you out, so I used that cake as an excuse,” Bea explained. “But if you’re up to it, the rest of the family is home. I’d like you to meet them.”

“Sure,” Taggart agreed.

“I’ll bring them right in.”

Bea departed, returning shortly with a rugged- looking man about her age, and two children who bore strong resemblance to Jesse.

“Clay, this is my husband Benjamin, Jesse’s older brother Frank, and my daughter, Mary. Ben brought you here, and Frank fetched the doctor for you. Mary’s been helping me care for you.”

“Well, I’m beholden to all of you,” Taggart stated.

Introductions completed, the Collins’s and Taggart spent a few minutes in conversation, until they were interrupted by a tapping at the bedroom door.

“I hate to interrupt, but may I come in? I need to examine my patient.”

“Certainly, Doctor,” Bea answered. “Clay, this is Doctor Thaddeus Palmer.”

“Glad to meet you, Doc,” Taggart said.

“And I’m very pleased to see you awake,” Palmer replied. “I couldn’t be certain just how severe your concussion was. Now folks, if you can leave us.”

“Of course. Supper is about ready. And don’t forget you’re joining us,” Bea reminded him. “We’ll see you shortly.”

“Ranger, you gave everyone quite a scare,” Palmer chided. He held up his right hand and extended two fingers.

“How many fingers do you see?”

“Two.”

“That’s fine. Do you have much dizziness? Any nausea? Blurred vision?”

“Nope. I’m just a bit lightheaded, Doc. And I’m starved.”

“That’s good. I’ll permit you a light meal once I’m finished.”

Palmer cleaned and readied Taggart’s scalp, then took his temperature. He checked the Ranger’s pulse, then put a stethoscope to Taggart’s chest to check his heartbeat.

“You’re doing fine, Ranger Taggart,” he concluded. “You should make a full recovery.”

“So I’ll be outta this bed in a couple of days?”

“Not quite. You’ll have that lightheaded sensation for a while, and that concussion will affect your balance. Riding a horse will be impossible, for at least a week. However, I am pleased with your progress. I’ll return in three days to reexamine you. If you are still doing well, then you’ll be able to get up for short periods. But no more.”

“Doc, I can’t do that. I’ve gotta get after the hombre who shot me,” Taggart objected.

“Leave that to Sheriff Moran. And let me make this plain. If you get out of that bed too soon, you’ll finish the job Burnham started,” Palmer warned. “Now, I have other patients to visit. Follow my instructions, and I’ll see you in three days. Don’t, and you’ll be dead. Is that clear?”

“As crystal.”

“Good. I’ll see myself out.”

“Doc?”

“Yes, Ranger?”

“Thanks.”

“You’re quite welcome.”

After Palmer departed, Taggart lay brooding. Despite the physician’s stern warning, the desire to get after Travis Burnham burned like a fire deep in the Ranger’s gut. He

wasn’t aware of Bea Collins entering the room with his supper until she called his name, twice.

“Clay. I was afraid you’d passed out again,” she said.

“Nah. Just thinkin’. Lucy!” Taggart exclaimed, when he spotted the schoolteacher standing alongside Bea.

“I told you I’d see you again, Clay,” Lucy smiled. “However, I seem to recall you promised not to have your hide punctured, to use your words.”

“Luckily the bullet hit my thick skull, so there wasn’t much damage,” Taggart answered.

“That does explain a lot,” Lucy retorted.

“I’m going to leave you two. Lucy, make sure he eats everything,” Bea ordered.

“You won’t have to worry about that. I’m famished,” Taggart answered.

“I’ll take good care of him,” Lucy promised.

After Taggart finished his meal, he and Lucy talked for some time, until sleep once again claimed him. With Doctor Palmer still wanting the Ranger observed constantly, Lucy remained with Taggart, finally dozing off in her chair.

Bea Collins, checking on the Ranger before retiring for the night, tucked a blanket around the sleeping

schoolmarm, then put an extra quilt over Taggart. She smiled once she had finished.

Looks like one good thing might come out of this, she thought. I’d better tell the preacher to get ready for a wedding.