Jonah started to move, but not to lie flat. He pushed like he was trying to sit upright. “I’m…” A deep grunt broke through his words as he reached a sitting position.
He whooshed out a breath, then heaved another in, taking in loud, lung-filling breaths as he recovered from the effort. He still gripped his shoulder, and she could see it better now.
Blood saturated Jonah’s coat over the entire shoulder and had turned his hand crimson. Naomi glancedat Heidi, hoping she’d step in and take charge. Her face had lost its color, and she didn’t back away. Nor did she offer instructions.
Naomi was the one who’d been raised by her doctor grandfather, whose twin sister was a talented physician. She should know what to do.
She reached for the flap of Jonah’s coat. “We’re going to slide your arm out of this so we can stop the bleeding.” He would be cold, but if he lost too much blood, keeping him warm wouldn’t save his life.
Jonah shifted to give her access, his face twisted in pain.
She unfastened the buttons. She’d never undressed a man, not even to take off his outer coat. She glanced up to where Eric and Two Stones held Harvey in the snow. The guide was with them now, crouching as they talked. They had things in hand there, and as far as she knew, none of the men had much doctoring experience.Help me, God.
Her frozen, clumsy fingers took too long, but at last she had the coat unfastened. When she peeled the garment off his shoulder, Jonah’s face scrunched even more. She hated to be the cause of so much pain.
Blood plastered his shirt to the muscle beneath, and the bullet hole gaped like a dark eye. She’d half expected to see blood bubbling out of the wound, but that wasn’t the case. Was it still bleeding? His shirt was so soaked, it was hard to tell.
She should press fabric against the spot to stop the flow, if there was one. She grabbed Jonah’s coat and pressed the inside lining to his shoulder.
“Let’s see what’s happening over here.” The guide’s voice beside her nearly made her jump.
He crouched down and peered at Jonah’s shoulder. He must be at least fifty, maybe more. He was so grizzled from years in the elements, it was hard to tell. Maybe he knew a bit about doctoring. He certainly didn’t seem ruffled by Jonah’s injury.
“He was shot in the shoulder. I’m trying to stop the blood.”He probably already knew those things, but she couldn’t think of anything else to say. Nothing helpful anyway.
“Yer doin’ it well. Would ye mind if’n I take a look? I’ve nursed a few gunshot wounds through the years.” Though his voice was as weathered as his face, his respectful way of offering help eased a little of her tension.
“Here.” She eased backward, keeping the coat pressed to his shoulder until the man could take over. “I’m Naomi Wyatt, by the way. And this is Jonah Coulter. And Heidi.” She fumbled with each introduction. Civilities were the least of their worries just now, but it would help if they all knew each other’s names.
The guide took over applying pressure to the wound, then eased in as Naomi vacated the spot. “Pleasure to meet ya. Name’s Silas Grant.”
He peeled the coat away slowly, peering underneath. At last, he revealed the bloody shirt and dark hole. He shifted to look at Jonah’s back, then moved around to study the wound. “Jonah, son. Reckon the bullet’s pressin’ a nerve or two in there. That’s why it’s extra painful. Hang on a moment an’ we’ll see what we can do for it.” He reached to his side and lifted a long hunting knife.
Naomi sucked in a breath, and Jonah jerked backward. “You’re not poking that thing in me.”
Mr. Grant chuckled. “Naw. Just need to cut yer shirt open a bit. I won’t get the skin, you can count on it.”
Jonah moved back to his position, though he eyed the blade with a narrow-eyed glare.
Naomi hovered nearby as Mr. Grant examined the wound. A few steps away, Eric and Two Stones finally stood. Harvey lay on his belly in the snow, hands and ankles bound, with a rope connecting them together.
Eric turned and met her gaze, but then his focus scanned the rest of their scene, and a frown twisted his expression. “He was shot?”
Naomi pushed to her feet and stepped away from Jonah so she could share the details with Eric and Two Stones. Before she spoke a word, Eric reached her and wrapped his arms around her.
She’d not planned to fall into his arms, but the moment he offered his support, she clung to him. Her body laid down its defenses, allowing the fear and vulnerability and pain to pour out of her. Tears burned her eyes and warmed her cheeks.
Eric wrapped his hands around her, one at her back, the other cradling her head. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.” His murmur wove through her, adding strength where she was weakest. She couldn’t fully vent her emotions now, not with Jonah injured and all these people around. But at least she could let herself fully comprehend that she was safe.
Harvey couldn’t hurt her again. God had stopped him, using Jonah and all these wonderful people.
She squeezed her eyes shut.Thank you. Then she inhaled a long, steadying breath, and when she exhaled, she let the turmoil of emotions flow out with the spent air.
She eased back from Eric. He seemed reluctant to let her go, but she didn’t plan to go far, just far enough to turn to see what was happening with Jonah. When she did, Eric kept one arm around her waist.
She sniffed and cleared her throat. “Mr. Grant said he’s nursed gunshot wounds before.”
The man sat back on his heels and sent a glance her way. “Call me Silas, ma’am. I can get the bullet out, and it'll bring some relief. It’s gonna hurt like hell fire while I’m doin’ it, though. The other option’s to head back to Fort Benton an’ find the doctor there."
