“Maude will do it when she retrieves the doctor.” Doris lowered her voice. “Are you all right, Frances?”
She looked up at her sister, feeling like her world was crumbling. Frances wanted to reverse time and go back to when Nick had said he loved her. She’d take back what she’d said, wipe the pain from his face. What if he died?
Watching his life spill out from him while she helplessly watched made all the feelings she’d been holding inside seem to gush out. Just like Nick’s life blood.
“Oh, Doris, I love him and never told him.” France’s throat had gone tight, so the words came out raspy. “I’ve ruined everything. How can I live without him?”
“He’s only been shot in the shoulder, dear. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
“But he’s going back to Texas. We’re going to annul our marriage.”
“Whyeverwould you do that? You’re mad about each other.” Doris sounded outraged now. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Same here,” Nick croaked.
“Oh, Nick,” Frances leaned over to kiss his cold lips.
“Did you mean it?” He put a trembling hand over hers. “Doyou love me?”
“Yes. I’ve been such an idiot. Please don’t leave.” She sniffed and wiped her face against her shoulder. “I couldn’t bear it.”
“I won’t stay unless you’re my wife.”
She gave him a shaky grin. “I guess we’ll have to tear up the contract then.”
“I’d like that.” The corner of his mouth turned up, and she leaned over to kiss him again.
“They’re back with the doctor,” Marshall said, running to open the front door as Luke came bounding down the stairs with an armful of towels.
“No one said anything about two patients.” Old Doc Turner had served in the Civil War and knew how to handle triage. He gave Uncle William’s bleeding arm a quick glance before kneeling next to Nick.
He lifted the fabric, declared it wasn’t life-threatening, and shooed the women away. As the doctor began giving instructions to the men, Frances started to argue with him.
“We can help,” she said.
“We don’t know anything about doctoring,” Doris said.
“I’ve helped with a few gunshot wounds. I can assist the doctor.” Charles took Frances by the shoulders and made her meet his gaze. “Leave it to the trained professional.”
“You’re covered in blood,” Judith added. “I’m sure Nick would much prefer to see you cleaned up when it’s all over.”
Itwouldgive her something to think about besides Nick being operated on in the dining room. She looked down at his blood on her hands.I know I’ve been a fool, Lord. Please give me a chance to make it up to Nick.She heaved out a breath.
“Fine.”
“Let’s get her upstairs to the bathroom, so she can wash.” Doris took Frances’s arm. “She can tell us what happened there.”
Frances told them about everything but the little scrap of paper now in her locket.
“So you never found it?” Judith asked, holding out a towel.
“Not during the search.” Frances dried her hands. “I remembered it just before Uncle William showed up. I didn’t even get a chance to tell Nick.” She closed her eyes and said another prayer for him. “I’ll have to retrieve the key though.”
She went to Maude’s window, opened it, and put her hand in the deep snow to the side. Shivering, she turned around and held up the skeleton key, while Maude hurriedly closed the window again.
“We’ll have to talk about this later.” Judith pointed at a policeman who was striding up the walk.
“Maybe not.” Frances indicated Luke who’d hurried out to greet the man. For once she was glad to leave her brother to handle things. “Come with me.”
