“The stage was attacked about ten miles south of here. Indians killed everyone. Will’s mother and sister were among the passengers. He just identified their bodies.”
“How terrible. Oh, this is truly awful. I couldn’t understand how he just walked out into the street without looking. Now it makes sense. Oh, the poor man.”
“Indeed. I doubt he even knew what hit him.”
The hospital was only a block away, and it took no time at all for Edward to bring the buggy to a halt. He set the brake and jumped down. Laura followed before he could offer his hand.
They made their way into the hospital. The men who’d brought Will were putting him onto a gurney while two nurses and a doctor were doing what they could to assess the situation.
“Who is he?” the doctor asked.
Edward spoke up. “His name is Wilson Porter. Most folks call him Will.”
The doctor glanced up. “What happened, Deputy?”
“He walked out into oncoming traffic. Horse knocked him to the ground, then came down pretty hard on him. I tried to stop him but couldn’t reach him in time.”
“He just walked out in front of me without even trying to stop,” Laura added. “I pulled back to halt the horse, but it was too late.”
The doctor nodded as he examined Will’s abdomen. “I fear he’s bleeding internally. I will need to operate.” The nurses grabbed hold of the gurney along with the doctor and moved down the hall at a rapid pace.
Edward and Laura stood watching, along with the men who’d brought Will to the hospital. It would seem there was nothing more they could do.
Laura felt horrible for having any part in Will’s accident. He had just had the worst possible news and then this. She wanted only to offer whatever help she could. She turned to Edward.
“I’m going to get my father. I’m sure he’ll want Will to have the best possible care.”
Edward nodded. “He’s going to need it for sure. He looked pretty bad.”
She knew he was right but didn’t want to admit it. “We should definitely pray. I’ll stop by your house and let Marybeth know what’s happened. She can get the others praying as well.”
“That’s a good idea. Tell her I’m back in town and doing just fine. She’ll fret over me otherwise.”
Laura nodded and hurried back outside. She had barely taken her seat in the buggy when tears came to her eyes. This was such a tragedy. She’d heard Will mention at church how much he was looking forward to his mother and sister coming to Cheyenne. And now they were dead, and he was injured.
“And it’s my fault that he’s hurt.” She sniffed back tears and put the horse in motion.
After making a quick stop at the Vogel house, Laura hurried to locate her father at the store. She had nearly reached his office when she heard what sounded like something being thrown against the wall. She peered into her father’s office and saw him shaking his fist at what looked to be a very frightened young man.
“You’ve been warned about this before, and if it happens again”—her father’s voice lowered—“I’ll kill you. Do you understand me?”
The man nodded. His eyes were wide in fear. “I didn’t ... I mean I won’t, Mr. Evans. I’m sorry. I just started to—”
“Shut up. I have no desire to hear your excuses.” Her father moved back to his desk. “Get out of here, and get back to work. You know what’s required of you, and if you fail me this time ... well, you know what the consequences will be.”
Her father glanced toward the door as he motioned for the man to leave. He caught sight of Laura, and he looked even angrier than he’d been a few moments ago. Laura bit her lower lip, afraid of what her father might say or do. She didn’t know this man. He was a complete stranger to her.
The younger man hurried through the open doorway, nearly colliding with Laura. He offered a quick apology, then rushed past her without another word. The look in his eyes was one she would never forget. He was scared ... and so was she. Whatever had prompted her father’s outburst, it wasn’t a pleasant situation.
“Laura, come in here,” her father called.
She stepped into the office with slow, precise steps. Keeping her distance, she grabbed the back of the chair that faced her father’s desk. It was comforting to have something between them.
“I’m sorry you had to witness that. Sometimes I must befirm with my employees. I just caught that clerk stealing from me. I’ve caught him before, but nothing has seemed to dissuade him.”
“Why, uh, why don’t you fire him?”
Father surprised her by laughing. “Yes, I should. But I made a promise to his mother. You see, she’s a widow, and they have no money. I gave her son a job and have kept him on despite his thievery.”
