She wasn’t waiting for him to regain his feet. Charlie threw her a glance and took off running after Ben. She lifted her skirts and followed. Ben was already a block ahead, storming toward the livery stable, as if he would smash through anything in his path. She picked up her pace. They needed to go home together.
Charlie caught up to him, calling out and tugging on his loose shirt. Ben’s hat and coat? He’d left them. Should she go back?
Ben halted his headlong charge and turned to the boy. He dropped down to one knee. They spoke, and Charlie threw his good arm around the man. But then, Ben ruffled the boy’s hair and pointed toward her. Charlie back-stepped while Ben tromped ahead double-quick.
Not good. Cora halted and placed her hand to her chest.
Charlie plodded up to her. “He said I had to wait and come home with you.”
If Ben had waited, they could have all traveled home together. “That’s fine. We’ll fetch his hat and coat and meet him at home.” Why did her stupid voice have to tremble?
“I can go get it.”
“Hold on.” She placed a hand on his shoulder, adjusting the loop of the sling away from his neck. “What else did Ben say?”
The boy lifted his chin. “Not much. That he’d missed me and that he was glad I didn’t get too hurt from the fall. I told him I didn’t like the doctor. And I understood Dr. LeBeau said something mean to him. And that I think the doctor is trying to steal you.”
“Me?” Cora winced. That’s the last thing Ben needed to hear. She pressed her lips together. She wouldn’t scold the boy.
Charlie wiggled a finger against the opening of his cast. “The doctor’s sneaky with his money. I took his nickels and dimes, but I know what he’s up to.”
She tapped her fingers to his back. “Go fetch Ben’s coat and hat. Then meet me at the livery stables. We need to get home.”
Dear Lord, help that man listen to reason.
CHAPTER 31
Cora’s stomach wobbled as she drove the wagon through the ranch’s open palisade gate. According to Mr. Dawson at the livery stables, Ben had returned to Weatherford with forty or fifty head of cattle. Where were the other three hundred he’d written about? She pulled the horses to a halt in front of the open stable. Maybe Ben had run into some of Goodnight’s men on the trail and sold them the cattle? But if that was the case, why the glum look, and why had he been so quick-tempered at the café? Something was wrong. She set the brake.
Charlie scrambled out of the wagon back. “I’m going to see Ben.”
“No.” Her voice cut sharp. “I need to talk to Ben, and you need to rest after everything you’ve been through with your arm.”
“I’m not tired.” He groaned. “It’s not even close to dinner time yet. I haven’t seen Ben in a long time.” He edged toward the door.
“I said no.”
He made a face, then brightened. “I could unharness the horses and feed them while you talk.” So he could be right therein the stable overhearing what was said. He ran over to Sandy, his hand already on the bridle.
Cora hopped out of the wagon. “Charlie, listen to me.” She walked over and slid her hand under his chin, drawing his gaze upward. “Ben and I have things to discuss. Grownup things. If you want to help, you can unharness the horses here and now with my assistance. Then you take them to the well, give them a drink, and walk them to the far field to graze. And you stay put. If I see you any nearer to the stables than the well, you’ll go to bed without supper, and you won’t see Ben until the morning. You hear me?”
“The well is all the way across the yard.”
Not nearly far enough. “I asked if you heard me.”
He squirmed and frowned. “I hear you.”
“Then do as I say.” She released his chin and started loosening the harness.
“Everything is going to be all right, isn’t it?” He gazed up at her.
“Of course.” It sure wasn’t all right at the moment. Ben had been quick-tempered, thought the worst, refused to listen, and Arthur had been an incendiary, fueling the fire until it exploded in his face. Worst of all, he’d besmirched all of their reputations, himself included, with his breach of patient confidentiality. She’d ride to the next county before she went to see that man again.
Horses unharnessed and Charlie headed for the well, Cora climbed the stairs to the loft and knocked.
Rustling and movement whispered through the hardwood, but no voice. The odors of manure and hay wafted up from the horse stalls below.
“Ben.” She knocked again. “We need to talk.”
