The face swirling above her was kind and familiar, but she didn’t have the strength to respond to its gently spoken words. Her eyes drifted closed again, and she could hear a rich baritone issuing orders and demanding answers from someone. Suddenly she was floating. A warm breeze teased the hair at her temples as she felt herself moving through the air. It was the last thing she knew before darkness claimed her again.
“You mean to tell me that with all those gun wielding men around, Katherine was the only one that would stand up to that thieving maniac?”
Jacob Johnson paced back and forth across the lobby of Dr. Edward’s office. His spurs jangled loudly and the floorboards creaked with each furious step. Carson, his brother, sat perched on the windowsill. His own jaw clenched at the memory of their young friend lying unconscious in the dirt throughway, surrounded by men who had done nothing to protect her. She was defending another young woman, Abigail Boone, who was being forced to leave with the local land baron, George Mason, and his posse. Fear of the notorious crew rendered every man silent. The only one who had attempted to come to Abigail’s aid was Katherine, who paid the price with a hefty beating.
That any man could stand by and watch a woman be treated so brutally enraged them both. Jacob slammed one gloved fist into the palm of his other hand. “If we had been there, this would never have happened.”
Carson looked up at his brother, better able to control his anger. But then, he wasn’t in love with the girl in the other room.
“If we had been there, blood would have been spilled, and it would have solved nothing. There’s more going on here than a kidnapping, Jacob.”
“I would have stopped Kate from getting hurt.” His brother said, shaking his head.
Just then, the doctor walked in. Both men moved to stand before him, dwarfing him by half a foot.
“How is she, Doc?” Jacob asked eagerly.
“She’s fine.” Doctor Edwards said. “She took some pretty hard hits to the head and belly, but she’s coming around quite nicely now. I would suggest that she remain in bed for a few days, though.”
“Oh, I’ll make sure of that.” Jacob said. “Can I see her?”
“Sure you can.” Doc said, and pointed him down the corridor.
Jacob moved before the words had left the doctor’s lips. His booted steps were muffled as he marched down the carpeted hallway. Hat in hand, he eased open the wooden door and caught sight of Katherine. She lay motionless on her side with her curls spread upon the pillow. One hand fisted under her chin and the other at her temple, reminiscent of the pose a juvenile would assume to ward off monsters in a dream.
His heart softened for her, as it often did when in her presence. The need to care for and protect her burned in his chest, but was nearly consumed by the frustration of being unable to curb her reckless nature. One day that fierce spirit was going to get her in a whole heap of trouble, and unlike today, it may cost her more than a lump on her head and sore ribs.
Jacob moved quietly to perch himself on the doctor’s stool that sat next to the bed. Reaching out, he drew a coil of ebony hair from where it lay across her brow. The movement woke Katherine, and her eyes opened heavily. For a moment her gaze met his and they both stilled. Jacob smiled softly.
“Hey. Feeling any better?”
Before his very eyes, he watched as she suddenly began to recall the events of the past hour, and in the blink of an eye she was sitting upright, fists clenched and breathing heavily with renewed anger. She was back.
“Where’s my horse?” she demanded. Her brown eyes tossed sparks of amber at him. Jacob threw back a formidable glare of his own.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
“Jacob, you can go- ah!” Her injuries reminded her of their presence with white hot pain. She raised a hand to her temple and another to her ribcage in an attempt to press it away.
“And that’s exactly why. You’re in no condition to ride after anyone. Doc says you need to take it easy for a while, and I agree.”
“Well I don’t care what you and Doc think.” She said through clenched teeth. “Abby needs my help. This town full of cowards wouldn’t do anything to help her, so I will!” She took a deep breath and sat quietly for a long moment, then squinted sideways at him.
“She’s got no one else, Jacob.” Katherine said, having calmed a bit. “Lord knows what he plans to do with her.”
“I know,” he said, “but you can’t just go riding out of town with a horse, a hickey, and a shotgun. You need a plan.” Jacob sighed. “Come back to the ranch with me and Carson so we can talk it over with Pa.”
Katherine paused. “Big Jake won’t want to get wrapped up in this. He’s got no beef with Mason.”
“Trust me. He won’t just sit idly by while an innocent girl is turned into some old man’s love slave. And anyway, she’s like a sister to you, which means she’s like family to us too. We take care of our own.”
Katherine’s entire demeanor changed. Her lips tightened and she ran a hand through her hair, then she turned to Jacob and gave him a look that spoke volumes.
His blue eyes deepened as he read the message, knowing her almost as well as he knew himself. “Your welcome, Kitty.”