Chapter Fifteen
AS THE DAYS PASSEDwith no sign of anyone lurking about the farm, Levi’s worries didn’t diminish. Twice was too many times to be a coincidence. Someone was keeping an eye on him, and he had the sinking feeling that the someone was associated with Prather.
Next week, he decided. He would ride into town and talk with the sheriff. The sooner he got help, the sooner he could get Prather out of this valley. And the sooner he wouldn’t have to worry about his family.
He’d think about what came next with his job later.
Levi continued riding south for several hours each day, losing valuable planting time on the farm. A couple of times he went at night, but the fatigue wore him down. No matter what time of day or night it was, he was even more wary than usual. But, thankfully, he spotted no one.
He was returning from an early morning visit to watch for Prather when he heard an anguished cry come from the barn.
Not hesitating a second, Levi swung himself down from his horse and raced into the barn. He was vaguely aware of the door to the house opening, and Rebecca crying out, “Roger!”
The dawn provided just enough light to see by, and Levi spotted Roger immediately.
The little boy was sitting on the floor of the barn, Levi’s saw lying on the floor at his side, and one arm cradled in the other. A dark red stain pooled against the sleeve of his shirt.
Levi fell to his knees beside Roger as Rebecca burst through the door behind him. He yanked his coat and hat off and tossed them to the side.
“Roger! What happened?” Rebecca fell to the floor beside Levi.
Roger took a gulping gasp. “I don’t know!”
“I think he cut himself. Here. Let me see.” Gently, Levi pried Roger’s cradled arm away from him.
Roger sucked in air through his teeth. Fearing what he might find under the blood-soaked sleeve of the boy’s shirt, Levi turned to Rebecca.
“Bring me water, a bandage, alcohol, and a clean cloth.”
Rebecca raised a hand to cup Roger’s cheek. “I’ll be right back. Do everything Levi tells you,” she said. Her voice shook slightly but held steady. Then she jumped up to run back to the house.
He wadded up his coat and pressed it against Roger’s arm, hoping to stanch some of the bleeding before pulling the sleeve back.
“I didn’t mean to,” the boy said between sobs.
“I know.” There would be plenty of time later to have a serious discussion about using dangerous tools without asking first. Right now, he needed to keep Roger calm. “I know it hurts, but you’re going to be fine. Take slow, deep breaths.” Levi rested his free hand on Roger’s shoulder.
Roger nodded, trying to obey but still fighting tears.
He needed distraction. “Did I tell you about the crooked table my brother and I made when we were kids?”
Roger shook his head, and Levi launched into the story, keeping pressure on the wound. When Rebecca returned,Roger’s panic had subsided, and Levi had even gotten a small smile out of the boy.
“I brought everything I could think of.” Rebecca set the items on a towel she’d also grabbed and then took Roger’s free hand. “I can tend to the wound if—”
“It’s all right. I have plenty of experience.” Levi set to work, carefully peeling back Roger’s sleeve to expose the injury before cleaning it. It was deep, but loss of the blood was the only real concern, thankfully.
Rebecca murmured reassuring words to her son as she grasped his hand and watched Levi work. He finished with an expert wrap of the bandage before sitting back on his heels.
