Page 4 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
He ran around to take Mikey and set him on the ground, and then he reached up to lift Emily down. She was of medium height and weighed hardly a thing. Though, he might be feeling just a bit protective of her.
He took Mikey by one hand and Emily by the other and led them into the doctor’s office.
Doc Baker looked up, saw the condition of Emily’s clothes, and bounded to his feet. “What do we have here?”
“They were passengers on the stagecoach. It’s been robbed. I found it at the bottom of Knotley’s Hill.”
“The driver and his friend?”
He led Emily to the nearest chair, and she sank to it with a groan before he answered the doc. “They’re in the back of the wagon.”
Doc nodded, understanding his meaning. “I’m sorry.”
Jesse drew the doctor a few steps away. “This is Emily and Mikey. Emily can’t remember anything but her first name.”
Doc nodded. “I’ll examine her.” He turned his attention to his patients. “Shall I look at the youngster first?” Doc didn’t expect an answer. “How about you sit up here, young man?” He patted the examining table.
“’Kay.” Mikey scrambled up and sat facing the doctor, his eyes revealing wariness.
“I’m not going to hurt you.” Doc ran his hands along the boy’s body as he spoke. “Can you tell me what happened?”
Mikey rattled off an explanation that was mostly unintelligible. Between the odd word Jesse understood and the way Mikey waved his arms, Jesse understood bad guys had chased them. They shot guns, and then they flew through the air. “Owie.” He pulled up his trousers to show a scraped knee.
Doc examined it carefully. “I think it needs a cleaning and a dressing. What do you think?”
Mikey nodded. “’Kay.”
Doc poured water into a basin and gently cleaned the wound, then covered it with a wide swath of bandaging. “How’s that?”
Mikey nodded. “Good.”
Jesse watched Emily as she kept her attention on Mikey and the doctor. A tender smile curved her lips; evidence that this boy held a special place in her heart.
Doc helped Mikey from the table. “Now, let’s look at the young lady. Jesse, would you take Mikey into the waiting room? I’ll call you when I’m done.”
Jesse held his hand out to the boy. Mikey hesitated.
“It’s okay,” Emily said. “Go along with the nice man.”
Mikey nodded and obediently took Jesse’s hand.
Jesse paused at the door and looked back at her. She sat on the edge of the table, much as Mikey had, and looked every bit as apprehensive. Jesse wanted to offer her some kind of assurance. But before he could speak, she looked in his direction, correctly read his concern, and smiled.
“I’m okay. Don’t worry.”
Ironic that she felt she had to reassure him when he’d wanted to reassure her.
He pulled the door shut behind him.Father in heaven, help her remember who she is.This woman deserved to be with those who loved her. Parents. A brother or a sister. An aunt or an uncle. Perhaps even a husband, though she wore no wedding ring.
Did that mean she was unmarried?
Perhaps she’d be able to tell him after the doctor did his examination.
Jesse sat down.
Mikey pulled a children’s book from the nearby table and handed it to Jesse. “Read me.” He waited for Jesse to take him on his knee.
Jesse lifted him and turned the pages of a brightly colored book. “Ball. Cat. Dog. Apple.” He read the words and pointed out the pictures without paying attention as he tipped his head toward the door, listening to the murmur of voices.
