“I’ll personally be responsible for the cost of his medical needs,” Laura’s father declared, “and I’ll pay for a nurse to sit with him around the clock.”
“I wish I had a nurse to spare,” the doctor replied. “With the railroad’s decision to press westward instead of stopping for the winter, we’ve had so many injuries to care for and a very limited staff. We’ve advertised back east for more nurses and orderlies, but so far, few have answered the call.”
“I could take care of him,” Laura offered. “I’ve had some nurse’s training. In college, we had classes that taught us basic home healthcare and midwifery, as well as injury treatment. I learned how to care for broken bones and lacerations.”
“Are you sure you want to take on the responsibility?” her father asked. “It sounds as though Mr. Porter’s troubles are multifaceted.”
“They are indeed, but if you feel up to the job, we could certainly use the help.” The doctor’s expression was hopeful.
“I know I can manage. Will is known to me from church, but we aren’t intimately associated. I can be objective in his treatment. Besides, Father, it was my horse who rendered him in this condition.”
The doctor continued to encourage the idea. “You could come to the hospital every day, and we’ll show you what’s to be done for him. Once he’s home, you’ll need to watch over him in case of infection and keep him from overdoing things. There will be some issues of care that would be better suited to a man, however.”
“We could get Mr. Grayson to help with those things, couldn’t we, Father? Or Curtis?”
“I suppose we could.” Her father considered the matter for a few moments. “Yes. Yes, I believe we can make this work.”
“Wonderful,” the doctor replied. “Miss...”
“Evans. Laura Evans.”
“Well, Miss Evans, if you wish to be here first thing in the morning, I will have the nurse train you in his care. It will benefit Mr. Porter greatly to have you at his side. There’s no telling if he’ll make it through, but his chances will be better with you than without.”
“I’ll be here. I know that I can do the job, and when he’s ready to leave the hospital, we could bring him to our house, couldn’t we, Father?”
Granite Evans appeared taken off guard, but he nodded. “Yes, I suppose we could. We can prepare a room for him downstairs.”
“Mr. Evans, it’s wonderful what you’re willing to do for this young man.” The doctor extended his hand. “I’ve heard wonderful things about you, but it’s my first time to encounter you in such a life-and-death situation. You are quite the man.”
Laura’s father smiled and shook the doctor’s hand. “I thank you for such high praise, but honestly, I believe it’s my duty to do what I can for the citizens of this town and territory. And since this young man is a friend of my daughter’s, it makes it seem even more important.”
“Well, just the same, you have my highest regard.” The doctor looked to Laura. “And you do as well, Miss Evans. Few people are as concerned and caring, especially when the situation isn’t their fault.”
“He needs help, not an assignment of blame. I want to do whatever I can. He deserves that much.”
That evening, Laura thought about Will and her promise to care for him long into the night. Lying safe and warm in her own bed, the thought of him near death was overwhelming, and she prayed constantly for his healing.
She wasn’t completely sure why she felt so compelled to take a stand and do what she could for this man who was nearly a stranger. Even though the accident wasn’t really her fault, Laura couldn’t help but feel it was her responsibility to assist Will in whatever way she could. He had lost everything and now faced his own mortality as well. When he woke up, he would remember that loss and feel alone. Laura didn’t want that for him. She wanted him to know that someone cared.
She gazed upward. “Lord, help me to do whatever it is that You are calling me to do. I feel so compelled to help Will that it surely must be You who has put this upon my heart. Please show me how I might offer him encouragement and hope. Amen.”
7
After a week in the hospital, Will was more than ready to leave. The doctor, however, made it clear that he couldn’t leave without being under constant care. Laura Evans had volunteered for the job, and while Will appreciated that someone—anyone—cared about his well-being when it felt as though God and the entire world had turned against him, he didn’t want her attention.
For reasons beyond his understanding, she was a constant reminder of his losses. He supposed it was because she was a caring young woman like his sister and mother had been. Perhaps it was her firm belief in God and her assurance that He had not deserted Will. That alone prompted memories of his mother. And right now, he didn’t want to think of her or his sister. Not when he could still see their faces after Edward raised the blankets for him to identify their bodies.
They were dead.
Dead because they were making their way to him. Dead because he had nagged them to join him immediately and not wait until spring to come to Cheyenne. Dead becausethe very people he wanted to help had risen up in anger and indiscriminately killed a stagecoach full of people.
Will pounded his fist into the hospital bed at his side. The action caused him more pain than he’d expected. He moaned, forgetting that Laura was sitting quietly next to the end of the bed.
“Are you all right? Do you need more medication for the pain?”
She was quickly at his side, gazing down at him with those beautiful brown eyes. He shook that thought from his mind. She was beautiful, but he had no desire to consider her appearance.
“I’m fine.” He couldn’t keep the anger from his voice.
