the injured man might walk among the corrupt. She wanted to believe he had the same values as she yearned to find. Then again, she’d never learn the truth if he died.
Chapter 5
Casey stole into the bedroom where Doc labored over Morgan. A yellow glow from a lantern lit up the blood-soaked cloths on both sides of Morgan’s chest, and a pan on the floor held another blood-soaked cloth. The harsh, acidic smell of carbolic spray met her nostrils and burned her eyes. The odor was characteristic of Doc. A few years back, she’d heard him say it kept his instruments clean and free from dirt that could cause infection. She’d seen a few other doctors who worked in filth. They said cleaning everything was a waste of time, but they lost a lot more of their patients than Doc ever did.
“Did you wash up?” A sable and silver beard covered Doc’s face, and the same color of coarse hair sprouted from every exposed portion of his body. He did look and sound like a grizzly.
“Yes, sir.”
“Hold this lantern over him,” Doc said. “He’s lost too much blood, girl, and I still need to yank out that bullet.”
She snatched up the light. Morgan looked bad, really bad. She thought he must be dead, but Doc wouldn’t be working so hard if he was.
Doc’s huge fingers wrapped around a two-pronged instrument. “I want that lantern right over the hole.” He adjusted the light to suit him, then dug through the raw flesh. A few moments later, he released a heavy sigh and pulled out a bloody piece of lead. It landed with a ping in a pan. He proceeded to stitch up Morgan’s chest and then bandaged him. The process intrigued her, but doctoring always had. Doc didn’t speak or lift his gaze until he finished.
“What do you know about this man?” He picked up the blood-soaked instruments and tossed them into the pan with the bullet. “You can set that lantern on my dresser.”
“Not much.” She obliged him, then studied Doc’s face. “He was after Jenkins, but he ended up saving my life. You know him, don’t you?”
“I might.” He wiped his hands on a clean cloth. “In my profession, it’s best not to offer much information. Could prove dangerous.”
Casey stared into Morgan’s pale face. “It’s hard to trust anyone, Doc, and when you do, well, someone gets hurt.” She hesitated. “Is he going to make it?”
Doc picked up the pan and walked into the next room, where he lifted a hot kettle of water from the stove and poured it over the instruments. “Hard to say, Casey. He’s strong and a fighter, but it’ll take several hours before we know. Right now, both of you need to get some sleep. There’s nothing more you or I can do for him but wait.”
“Jenkins might be here anytime about his bad leg.”
Lines creased Doc’s brow. “You aren’t going to do anyone any good in your condition. Tomorrow morning we’ll work out this mess.” He took another clean cloth and dipped it into a bucket of water. Wiping her cheek, he shook his head. “I’m not looking at this blood a moment longer. At first I thought it might be yours.” He swiped at the other cheek. “I’d like to offer you better sleeping quarters than the floor, but he has my extra bed. If Jenkins does need my attention, I’ll have the other room free.”
She rinsed and dried her hands. The calluses stained from dirt and blood stared back at her. Some things never came clean. “The floor is just fine, Doc. Believe me, I’m just grateful for what you’ve done. Helping me with him and knowing Jenkins is after us puts you in a real nasty position.”
“I’ve been there before.” For the first time, he smiled. “Jenkins isn’t going to bother me. If he does, who’s left to piece together the rotten bunch around here?”
She liked Doc. The first time she’d met him, nearly three years ago, one of Jenkins’s men had gotten shot. The fellow died while Doc tried to remove a bullet. She remembered the sweat dripping from his forehead as he worked to save the man’s life. The droplets hadn’t been from fear of the outlaw leader but from the intense effort to keep the man alive. Doc had impressed her as a man of honor and respect, something she craved even then.
“I’ve heard rumors.” He filled the kettle with fresh water from a bucket. “And I