Conner's Contrary Bride by Barbara Goss (accelerated reader books .txt) 📗

“Let’s go,” he said. “And I want to know where the money from the bank robbery is, too.”

Before leaving with his prisoners, Babcock turned to Conner. “You can keep that man here until he’s well enough to join his friends. Is he armed?”

Conner lifted the sheet covering the man, removed his gun belt, and checked his boots for other weapons. “He’s clean, now.”

“I’ll come back tomorrow for their gun belts and the knife.” With that, Babcock tipped his wide-brimmed hat, and said, “Goodnight.”

As soon as they’d gone, Elsie moved to Conner’s side near the unconscious bandit. He put his arms out, and she flew into them.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“I am now,” she whispered.

He tightened his hold on her. “You’re very brave, Elsie. How did you fetch the sheriff?”

“When I went in to get the food, I told Bertie to go out the backdoor after the men had eaten and bring him back. I thought Babcock would never get here.”

“We’ll have to thank Bertie.”

Bertie poked her head through the door connecting the clinic to the house. “Did I hear my name?”

“Thank you for getting the sheriff,” Conner said.

“It was all Elsie’s idea. Trouble was, the sheriff was out of the office for supper. I looked for him at the eatery, but he wasn’t there, so I had to go to the hotel dining room, and there he was, calmly finishing his supper while I told him what was going on. He was so calm about it.”

“Well,” Bertie said, “I have to finish washing up these dishes, then I’m off to bed. I’ve had enough excitement for one day.” She closed the door.

Elsie sighed. “I think I’ll do the same. Will the patient be all right?”

“I think he’ll live. I had to put him under to operate, and I’m fairly sure he’ll sleep all night. Even if he wakens, I doubt he’ll go far in his condition, so, I’m going to bed, too.” He took her arm. “I’ll walk you to your room.”

When they reached Elsie’s room, Conner thanked her for helping.

Elsie had so much respect for the man. When he’d told the bandits to take him instead of her, it had melted her heart. He was one of the humblest, kindest, and the most handsome man she’d ever known. She got a thrill whenever he was near her, and she thought she just might be in love with her husband.

“Did you mean it when you told the bandits to take you instead of me?”

“I did. There are more ways they could harm you than me. Besides, they’d need me to keep their brother—or friend, whoever he is—alive.”

Elsie smiled up at him. “It was the noblest thing anyone’s ever done for me. Thank you.”

Conner gave her a half-smile, said, “Goodnight, Elsie. Sleep well,” and he turned and walked into the room across the hall.

Elsie didn’t knit or crochet. She undressed, washed in the basin Bertie always left for her, put on her nightgown, crawled into bed, and wondered how one went about thanking God—if there was one—for saving them. She blew out her lamp, folded her hands, and whispered, “God, if You’re there, thank You. You can’t blame me for doubting You’re real since I’ve always thought You weren’t there for me while I was growing up, but I feel strongly that You were there for me today. Is it because I’m going to church now? It really isn’t that bad, and I’ve been listening to the preacher, but I faked the praying. I guess I didn’t know what to say. If You are real, could you make Conner and me a real married couple? I want to be his wife in every way... You know what I mean, right?” Elsie chuckled. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I’m supposed to ask You questions. I wish I could because I have a lot of them. For now, I just want to be Conner’s wife in every way. Thank You, God.”

Conner woke up early to check on his patient, who had awakened and was moaning in pain. “Easy,” Conner said as he rubbed the man’s shoulder with compassion. “What’s your name?”

“Robert MacDonald, but everyone calls me Mac.”

“Are you in pain, Mac?”

“Hel—Heck, yeah.” Conner knew he’d been about to say something else, but he saw Bertie walk into the clinic.

Conner examined his wound and changed the bandage. “If you can stand the pain, I’ll let you rest, otherwise, I’ll give you something to take the pain away, but I warn you, it will knock you out for the rest of the day.”

“I don’t reckon I’ll be leaving soon anyway, so give me the stuff for pain. Before you do, though, where’d my brothers go?”

“The sheriff stopped by, recognized them, and took them to jail. You’re safe enough here, at least until you’re well enough to join them,” Conner said.

Mac sighed. “Give me the pain medicine, then.”

Conner gave the man a shot and then turned to Bertie. “What is it, Bertie?”

“Elsie’s eating breakfast, and she’s wondering if you’ve eaten yet. I told her you hadn’t, and she’d like for you to join her.”

Conner joined Elsie at the kitchen table. “How did you sleep?”

“Like a baby. I didn’t even stay up to knit.”

“Remember that I promised to take you to look at some land? How about we go out today? The banker told me there were two nice parcels for sale.”

Elsie gave him the smile a kid wears on Christmas morning. “I’d love to! Can we walk there, or do we need the buggy?”

“The buggy, I think. It’s not far, but it’s a rough, dusty walk. They’re small lots that most folks in Hays City don’t want since there aren’t enough acres to farm or raise