Stunned, Travis loosened his hold on him.
Howard ripped away. Turning, he planted a fist first in the side of the sheriff’s head, then his gut. Travis stumbled back. Another punch sent him careening to the ground. Howard swept up the gun he’d lost fighting Cody. He pointed it at Travis. “Looks as though you’ll be going the way of your friend.” He sent Ella a grin full of malice. “Two men you care about, gone in one day. All because of you.”
Pain threatened to swallow her, but she pushed to her feet. The cold metal in her hand felt heavy. But if Cody had a chance of survival, if Travis could be saved—she had to do something.
Ella lifted the gun. Everything Cody taught her flooded back. She took aim. “Drop your weapon, or I’ll shoot.”
Surprise flashed over Howard’s face. He quickly masked it with a scoff. “You’ve never shot a gun in your life. Put that down and admit you’ve lost.”
“No.” Fire pumped through her veins. Her hand held steady. “I’m an excellent shot. I won’t miss.”
Howard sneered. “I don’t believe you. We’re both about to see the truth.” He turned back to a stunned Travis. His finger tightened against the trigger.
Ella pulled hers first.
CHAPTER 26
Two days later, Ella sat by Cody’s side in one of Helena’s hospitals. The staff were considerate and caring. Even so, a pall hung over her as she held her husband’s hand, waiting and praying that he would wake up.
Extreme blood loss.That’s what the doctor said. Between the shot to his upper chest and the one to his side, Cody had bled enough to faint after his fight with Howard. Then it had taken another half hour to get him to the hospital to begin the treatment that might save him.
Now all they could do was wait.
Marshal Quincy had revived after a full day in the hospital. The gash on his head looked worse than it was. They’d found the stable boy asleep in a stall, having given in to exhaustion right after providing sugar cubes for the horses.
Howard lay in an adjoining room. Ella’s shot had proved true. She hadn’t aimed to kill, but to disarm. The bullet passed through his right shoulder, disabling him. He’d cursed her—loudly—as Travis found his footing and arrested him. Later that day, the jailer brought Howard to the hospital. The wound had gone putrid. Shortly after, he lost consciousness.
Ella didn’t dwell on his situation. She was too concerned with her husband’s survival. Reaching out, she smoothed a hand down his arm. “Happy birthday, Cody.” Tears stung her eyes. She sniffed. “It feels wrong that you’re spending such a wonderful day fighting for your life.” Leaning closer, she placed a hand on his chest. “Please wake up. Our children need you. I need you.” A tear dropped onto his shirt. “We’ve only known each other for three months. We have a whole lifetime ahead. But you need to get better.”
Two hands came to rest on her shoulders. Through hazy eyes, she glanced up to see Travis standing behind her. His face looked mottled, but otherwise, he’d survived the scuffle with Howard unscathed. He squeezed gently before sitting beside her. “Any change?”
“None.” Her jaw worked. “He’s going to be okay, right?”
Travis took her hand. “Cody’s always been a fighter.”
“That’s not an answer, Travis.” Fresh tears burned her eyes.
He sighed. “I know. I wish I had an answer, Ella.”
She rested her head on his shoulder and let her tears fall. Travis wrapped his arm around her. They sat silently, keeping watch over Cody.
After a while, Travis stood. “You haven’t eaten all day. You need sustenance.”
“I’m not hungry.”
His brow twitched. “If not for yourself, think of your baby.”
Her gaze shot up. “How’d you know about the baby?”
“Cody prayed aloud whenever we stopped to rest the horses. Usually I couldn’t hear him, but at one point, I grabbed his canteen to refill it, and I heard him mention the baby.”
“It’s a suspicion at this point. We don’t know for sure.” Ella’s hands went to her stomach.
Travis’s gaze followed the motion. “But you have a feeling, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“I thought so.” He gave her a half smile. “I’ve learned to never discount a woman’s intuition.”
