Read Online Between Love and Lies by Jacqui Nelson - Free Book Online
Authors: Jacqui Nelson
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this could also be from shock brought on by tonight’s events.”
A rumpled dark-blue suit jacket hung from the man’s stooped shoulders, making Noah think he hadn’t seen his bed in a while.
Rhodes rummaged through his beat-up case before he shut it with a snap and a sigh that spiked Noah’s frustration. “Not much we can do besides make her comfortable and give her some quiet.”
Noah glared at him. “There must be something more.”
The doctor’s hunch became more pronounced like a porcupine curling up in defense. Why wasn’t he offering options? Didn’t doctors swear oaths to cure people?
Rhodes turned toward the door.
“You’re not leaving, are you?” Noah roared in disbelief.
Spine ramrod straight, Rhodes spun to face him. Anger flashed in the depths of the man’s dark eyes. “There really is nothing I can do. Meanwhile a dozen more patients are waiting on me.” Inch by inch, the hunch reclaimed his shoulders as he muttered, “Maybe I can help them. Maybe I can’t. Some days I wonder if I’m doing any good for anyone in Dodge, what with the shootings and the like.” His gaze cut to Gertie. “Has she been taking the medicine I prescribed?” When Gertie nodded, his expression turned remote. “Then she’s in the Lord’s hands.”
Noah fought the urge to shake the doctor until he said differently. Instead, he pulled the thin blanket over Sadie’s trembling body. Worn and threadbare, it was the only covering on the bed. She continued to shiver beneath its meager weight. He felt his scowl deepen.
He removed his sheepskin coat and draped it over her. The garment engulfed her slight frame. When her tremors lessened and her breathing eased, he hunkered down by her bed again and stroked her hair away from her face. The vibrant red strands highlighted skin as white as death.
His heart clenched at that possible outcome. “This medicine you mentioned—”
A knock on the door cut him off.
Grumbling at the intrusion, Gertie crossed to open the door. A man in his twenties with dark hair and a compact body stepped over the threshold. Gertie’s downturned mouth lifted into a welcoming smile.
“Marshal Masterson,” she purred. “Wonderful to see you. It’s always a pleasure when you visit the Northern Star.”
Masterson tugged the brim of his hat. His eyes crinkled at their corners as he returned Gertie’s smile. “Pleasure’s all mine, Madam. Unfortunately this ain’t a social call.” The lawman’s face shuttered as he surveyed the other occupants of the room. His gaze lingered on Sadie’s prone form before coming to rest on Noah. “Heard tell a man got killed tonight.”
Noah had never been on the wrong side of the law before. He regretted that he’d ended a life, but if he had to do it all over again, he’d still pull the trigger. He’d save Sadie.
“By all accounts, the deceased was a cheat ’n abuser of one of our lady folk. However…” Masterson’s gaze narrowed, but his hands had yet to go anywhere near the pair of Colt revolvers resting in their silver-studded holsters. “Doling out punishment in Dodge is my business. So you’ll have to come with me. We need to discuss you…getting between me ’n my business.”
Noah glanced at Sadie. She was resting easy under his coat. “I’ll be back,” he promised her, even though he knew she couldn’t hear him. Then he rose to his feet and addressed Gertie and the doctor. “I want to know more about Sadie’s medicine.” A handful of strides brought him to the door and the lawman filling it.
Masterson stepped aside and gestured for him to go first. “Jus’ follow yer nose until you reach my office across the street.”
He knew what awaited him across the street —a sturdy brick building with bars on the windows.
When he paused on the jailhouse porch, Masterson snorted a laugh. “Don’t you think you’ve come too far to turn back?”
Noah glanced over his shoulder at the Star.
“Eyes to the future, boyo. My
A rumpled dark-blue suit jacket hung from the man’s stooped shoulders, making Noah think he hadn’t seen his bed in a while.
Rhodes rummaged through his beat-up case before he shut it with a snap and a sigh that spiked Noah’s frustration. “Not much we can do besides make her comfortable and give her some quiet.”
Noah glared at him. “There must be something more.”
The doctor’s hunch became more pronounced like a porcupine curling up in defense. Why wasn’t he offering options? Didn’t doctors swear oaths to cure people?
Rhodes turned toward the door.
“You’re not leaving, are you?” Noah roared in disbelief.
Spine ramrod straight, Rhodes spun to face him. Anger flashed in the depths of the man’s dark eyes. “There really is nothing I can do. Meanwhile a dozen more patients are waiting on me.” Inch by inch, the hunch reclaimed his shoulders as he muttered, “Maybe I can help them. Maybe I can’t. Some days I wonder if I’m doing any good for anyone in Dodge, what with the shootings and the like.” His gaze cut to Gertie. “Has she been taking the medicine I prescribed?” When Gertie nodded, his expression turned remote. “Then she’s in the Lord’s hands.”
Noah fought the urge to shake the doctor until he said differently. Instead, he pulled the thin blanket over Sadie’s trembling body. Worn and threadbare, it was the only covering on the bed. She continued to shiver beneath its meager weight. He felt his scowl deepen.
He removed his sheepskin coat and draped it over her. The garment engulfed her slight frame. When her tremors lessened and her breathing eased, he hunkered down by her bed again and stroked her hair away from her face. The vibrant red strands highlighted skin as white as death.
His heart clenched at that possible outcome. “This medicine you mentioned—”
A knock on the door cut him off.
Grumbling at the intrusion, Gertie crossed to open the door. A man in his twenties with dark hair and a compact body stepped over the threshold. Gertie’s downturned mouth lifted into a welcoming smile.
“Marshal Masterson,” she purred. “Wonderful to see you. It’s always a pleasure when you visit the Northern Star.”
Masterson tugged the brim of his hat. His eyes crinkled at their corners as he returned Gertie’s smile. “Pleasure’s all mine, Madam. Unfortunately this ain’t a social call.” The lawman’s face shuttered as he surveyed the other occupants of the room. His gaze lingered on Sadie’s prone form before coming to rest on Noah. “Heard tell a man got killed tonight.”
Noah had never been on the wrong side of the law before. He regretted that he’d ended a life, but if he had to do it all over again, he’d still pull the trigger. He’d save Sadie.
“By all accounts, the deceased was a cheat ’n abuser of one of our lady folk. However…” Masterson’s gaze narrowed, but his hands had yet to go anywhere near the pair of Colt revolvers resting in their silver-studded holsters. “Doling out punishment in Dodge is my business. So you’ll have to come with me. We need to discuss you…getting between me ’n my business.”
Noah glanced at Sadie. She was resting easy under his coat. “I’ll be back,” he promised her, even though he knew she couldn’t hear him. Then he rose to his feet and addressed Gertie and the doctor. “I want to know more about Sadie’s medicine.” A handful of strides brought him to the door and the lawman filling it.
Masterson stepped aside and gestured for him to go first. “Jus’ follow yer nose until you reach my office across the street.”
He knew what awaited him across the street —a sturdy brick building with bars on the windows.
When he paused on the jailhouse porch, Masterson snorted a laugh. “Don’t you think you’ve come too far to turn back?”
Noah glanced over his shoulder at the Star.
“Eyes to the future, boyo. My
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