Page 43 of Scarlett

Two men helped the sheriff get the man to his feet, while another dragged an injured man closer to where Emmett and Scarlett were.

“He’s been shot.” The man stated the obvious.

Emmett took Scarlett by the shoulders. “Gladys is coming, help her see about the man’s injury. I’ll take care of things here.”

Glad to be of help, Scarlett hurried to the man just as Gladys reached him. The woman looked to her. “Hold this over the injury on his left side while I look at the one up here.” The woman tore open the man’s shirt to reveal a gunshot to his upper right chest area.

The smell of blood and gunpowder filled Scarlett’s nostrils and a part of her wanted to pull away. However at the man’s grimace, she was determined he would not die.

Gladys worked steadily, instructing men to bring a wagon so the injured man could be taken to the clinic. Emmett was already headed back in a separate wagon with the boy and his mother.

Curiosity filled Scarlett as she watched the town come together, grim faced and determined. The people seemed to each know their role in the situation. Some cleared pathways, others accompanied the sheriff, while women came together splitting into groups to either pray or go to assist with the injured boy’s mother.

Gladys motioned with her head to a young boy who neared. “Go see about letting his wife know to come to the clinic. Tell her, he’s been shot, but should be fine. Take someone with you to stay with their youngin’s.”

As the young man raced off, several came and helped lift the injured man onto the wagon they’d procured.

When they arrived at the clinic, it was another burst of activity as people were already there waiting to help.

A few minutes later, only Scarlett, Gladys, another man and Emmett saw to the injured. The boy’s mother sat on a chair with a young girl, who Scarlett assumed was her daughter.

Several people came and went asking what they could do to help. No one seemed at all put off by Emmett’s gruff responses, as a matter of fact some even smiled widely when he told them to fetch this or that.

The boy’s father arrived, his ashen face filled with concern. He hurried to the bed where Emmett saw about his son. “How’s he doing Doc? Tell me please.”

“He’s stopped bleeding and once I finish stitching, I’ll talk to you. For now please go over there with your wife.” Emmett motioned with his head as he washed out the boy’s wound.

Scarlett was fascinated, as Gladys didn’t pay the interaction any mind. She deftly held the man down while probing the wound for the bullet.

The man groaned and Gladys looked over her shoulder. “I’ll need a couple of you to come help hold him down.”

Men rushed in from the porch as if they’d been expecting such a call.

An hour later, things finally quieted down.

Despite their efforts, the young boy died and Scarlett cried along with the parents. Men had to subdue the father who wanted to go to the sheriff’s office to shoot the man who’d killed his son.

Emmett pulled the man aside and sat with him for a long time talking as the mother grieved over the boy’s body.

The man who’d been shot twice would live. His wife arrived, her face etched with worry. “He was working out at the mill,” the woman explained. “Came to town to run a quick errand. How could this happen?”

Although unconscious, the man had regained coloring and would in all probability recover. However with a gunshot to the hip, he’d probably limp and not be able to work for a while. Not good news once winter set in.

A group of people came to take the dead boy’s family away. Everyone including the town preacher offered help. The family would not be left alone, but cared for by the community.

Gladys washed up the blood and Scarlett helped. She was bone tired, but satisfied at doing what had to be done.

Emmett neared the injured man’s wife and placed a hand on her shoulder. “How are you feeling Mrs. Abernathy? You can remain here for the night. The cot is comfortable. The stove keeps the place plenty warm. I sent for food to be brought from the restaurant for you.”

The woman nodded and wiped her face. “I’ll be fine. Thank you Doctor Jones, you are a blessing to our town.”

“Thank Gladys,” Emmett said. “She’s the one who saw to him today.”

“Let’s go get something to eat,” Emmett told Scarlett, who couldn’t imagine cooking after a day like they’d had.

She walked with him out the door, surprised when he guided her down the walkway away from the house. “Where are we going?”

“To the restaurant,” he explained. “I can’t expect you to cook after such a long day. I know you have to be as exhausted as I am.”