family legend. But I’m exercising my right to slightly modify the event, so our future children, grandchildren and great grandchildren won’t know that you wagered…your happiness with me.”
“I’m good with that too.”
She tilted her head back. “Since we’re in public, a proper kiss will do. But next time we’re alone? I expect the other improper ‘kiss and make up’ type of kiss that you showed me.”
Smiling, he nuzzled her cleavage. “Liked that, did you?”
“Mmm-hmm.” She puckered her lips. “Kiss me quickly.”
“Nope. I’m gonna kiss you right.”
And kiss her he did. By the time he finished, she was grateful for the brick wall behind her holding her up.
Silas straightened her clothes. “By the way, sugar pie, I love them britches you’ve got on. Feel free to wear them any time you want.”
Chapter Fourteen
Saturday night Dinah hastily donned her apron outside the door to Doc’s examining room as she juggled the hot teakettle.
An exasperated female voice said, “You’re being ridiculous. I’m fine.”
“You’re bleedin’, madam. Mrs. Mavis said she’d box my ears if I didn’t bring you here and I’m way more skeerd of her than I am you,” Jimmy blurted out.
So the midnight patient was Madam Ruby.
Dinah stepped beside Doc and poured the warm water into the ceramic bowl he’d placed on the table.
It’d been a long day for him and he looked a fright with his hair sticking up all over and his robe thrown on over his long johns. He dried his hands on a towel. “Dinah, dear, bring that lantern closer so I can see the damage to Miss Ruby’s cheek.”
Doc had rigged up a lantern in a long, milky-white glass tube that was much brighter than a regular lantern. He’d attached it to a base with a rope and pulley system so he could move it and adjust it to various heights. He turned the flame to high and light blazed across the space.
Miss Ruby’s eyes were wide, her gaze moving between Dinah and Doc. She held a frilly lace handkerchief cloth to her face—it might’ve been ivory but now it was bright red.
“Turn your head, please.”
Ruby dropped her hand and stared at the ceiling. Blood ran in a thin red stream from the apex of her cheekbone and dripped onto the table. The skin around the wound had already become swollen, making it difficult to see the size of the cut.
“Ruby, dear. Tell me how you got this gash.”
Her gaze zipped to Jimmy then back to Doc.
Without missing a beat, Doc said, “Jimmy, wash your hands and go to the icebox. Break off a big piece of ice, wrap it in a clean rag and bring it to me.”
“Yes, sir.”
As soon as Jimmy was gone, Ruby said, “Thank you. Although I don’t know why I feel the need to protect him.”
“Because he’s a good boy with a soft heart,” Doc said as he began cleaning the wound. “Continue.”
“We had a new customer. Traveling salesman of some type. He acted like a big spender and I sent him to Millie, who is my best girl. After he finished with her—they were in the room for about five minutes—he complained I was cheating him with a new whore. He claimed that a seasoned whore would’ve spent the entire fifteen minutes arousing him. Then the snooty bastard demanded his money back or he wanted his remaining ten minutes with an experienced whore. Namely…me. I refused, told him to leave and never return. He backhanded me with the finesse of a man used to striking a woman. Of course he wore a big, tacky ring to inflict more damage.”
Dinah was absolutely riveted and repulsed.
“Dangerous business you’re in,” was all Doc said.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve personally had to deal with this. Millie was so outraged by his insult to her skills and that he’d dared to hit me, that she kicked him in the bollocks.”
Doc winced. “And then?”
“I grabbed my Winchester and poked him in the ass with it until we reached the door to Sackett’s. Blubbering fool was bent over, clutching his cock when I left him with Dickie. Then Mrs. Mavis called for Jimmy and forced him to bring me here.”
“It’s likely no surprise that you’ll need stitches. Six, maybe seven.”
Dinah’s stomach turned over. Ruby was a stunningly beautiful woman with flawless skin. No pockmarks, or scars at all. She didn’t even have wrinkles, so it was impossible to gauge her age. She had to be devastated by the fact her perfection would be ruined.