Page 25 of A Groom for Millie
“She’s a midwife. I don’t think she will be able to help him.”
“And there isn’t another doctor in town?”
Millie thought for a moment. “I think Carrie wrote to a doctor. Maybe I’ll head over to her farm.”
“Might as well get the sheriff involved as well. Don’t forget to get some rope from the mercantile.”
“Rope? Why would I need rope?”
“That man will be swinging from the rafters as soon as the town gets its hands on him.”
“Momma, he’s an outlaw. A thief. A murderer.”
“I don’t think he is.”
“And you know this just from spending a few hours on a stagecoach with him?”
“Listen to me, Millicent.” Regina stabbed her finger in the air. “He made sure that the driver’s body was returned and not left for the vultures. He tried to stop that man from shooting us. If he was an outlaw running with those men, wouldn’t it make sense that he would ride off with them, and not make sure we were safe?”
Millie sat down in the chair. “It doesn’t make sense. I just know I don’t know how to help him.”
“Let’s get him inside and look at that wound. Then you can decide what to do from there.”
Millie nodded and put on her wrap. “I need some water heated up on the stove. The pump is here on the porch.”
Regina waved her away. When Millie reached the barn, she turned to find her mother filling a cast iron kettle.
Taking a breath, she walked through the barn to the furthest stall. She stopped just shy of the pen and tilted her head, waiting for the slightest noise.
“Are you still there?” Millie called.
“Yes,” a hoarse whisper replied.
“You aren’t going to hurt me, are you?”
“N-no.”
Millie walked to the stall entrance. Her foot hit something buried beneath the straw. Kicking the straw aside she saw leather saddlebags. “Are those yours?”
The man looked over and nodded.
“What’s your name?”
“Robert. Call me Robert. Can you help me?”
Millie noticed beads of perspiration dotting his forehead and upper lip. His jaw was clenched, and his hands were shaking. All color had left his face, leaving him even pastier than before.
“Alright, Robert. I’ll help you. But I’m telling you now that if you even so much as think about harming anyone in that house, I will hunt you down and shoot you myself.”
“I’m not a murderer.”
“Can you get up?”’
Robert rolled over onto his knees and then stood. Millie watched him waver and flail his arm for something to hold onto. Millie quickly rushed to his side, draping his arm around her shoulder. She wrapped her other arm around his waist and guided him toward the barn door.
When they reached the door, Millie popped her head out and looked around. Not seeing anyone, they made a beeline for the door. Robert was having difficulty putting pressure on his leg, but he hobbled along with her.
“Momma!” Millie yelled. Regina opened the door and held it open. “Sit at the table,” Millie directed him.
