“I came off a horse and got kicked before I could get myself off the ground.” The words came out a growl.
Emily watched, mesmerized as Faith took the towel and first aid kit from him and pushed him toward the lazy boy. She spread the towel on the back of the chair before he laid his head back. Then she opened the first aid kit on the nearby end table. Jake’s calmness and Faith’s efficiency impressed Emily. This was not the first time Faith had dressed Jake’s wounds.
How many times had something like this happened? And what would Jake have done if his mom wasn’t here? Did Lottie ever dress his wounds?
“Oh, Jake, you grabbed one of Lottie’s good towels.”
“So, I’ll give her a raise,” he growled.
“You pay her plenty,” Faith said. “Now let me look at this.” She peeled back the handkerchief. “Oh dear, it’s a bleeder. You should go get stitches.”
“No. Stitches will leave a scar.”
“You’re as stubborn as your father was.”
“Why, thank you,” Jake said, a semblance of a smile on his face. Until Faith touched his wound, then he grimaced.
“That wasn’t a compliment. Now hold still.” Faith eyed the wound for a moment then pulled clean gauze from the first aid kit and pressed it to his wound. “Hold this. I’ve got to get something to clean it with.”
Faith left the room, and Emily continued to stare at Jake.
He opened one eye and looked at her. “Looks like we’ll have matching black eyes.”
“Are you sure you’re okay? Shouldn’t you go to the hospital?”
“Na. They haven’t got anything I don’t have here. Besides, Mom’s the best nurse in the county.”
“And you have a well-supplied first aid kit.”
“Yep.”
“Okay,” said Faith returning with a glass of water and a bowl of soapy water. She set the bowl down on the end table and handed Jake some tablets from the first aid kit and the glass. “For the headache.”
He took them without complaint.
“Now, let’s get the bleeding stopped.”
Faith took a small bottle from the kit and squeezed some liquid on the wound. Jake sucked in a sharp breath and clenched his jaw. After a few moments, she cleaned the wound. Faith tried to be gentle, but Jake’s hands balled into fists as he repeatedly winced.
“Jake, this really should have stitches,” Faith said. “It’s right on the bone.”
“No, just put some glue on it and a butterfly bandage.”
Faith made sounds of exasperation as she followed Jake’s instructions, and Jake groaned and winced.
“These butterfly bandages are too long, and the cut is too close to your eye.”
“Cut them smaller then,” he growled. His patience was obviously wearing thin.
A few moments later, as Faith finished, Zane walked in carrying Jake’s hat.
“You all right?” Zane asked.
“Yep. Did you get him settled down?”
“Yeah, he should be good to go.”
Emily leaned forward, ignoring the twinge of pain in her ribs. “You’re going to get back on the horse?”
