Page 39 of Redeeming the Outlaw
“Why not?” Briggs asked. “You were the closest place. You can take care of him.”
Esther moved forward, her fingers reaching for the man she loved. “Is he...?” she choked out, unable to finish the question.
“Still alive,” Bass Pickett answered gruffly, “but barely. Let’s set him down, Marshal.”
“Dear God,” she yelled at the sky, tears streaming down her face. “Please, don’t take him from me.”
“Easy now, Esther,” Marshal Briggs warned, his face creased with worry as they laid Whit on the ground. He didn’t even look like himself. Bruises and blood covered his face. His labored breaths filled the air, each one echoing in Esther’s soul like a plea for help. She felt a desperate need to do something, anything, to save him from slipping away.
She turned to look at Sarah. “Why can’t he stay here? I can watch him.”
Sarah moved to the front of the porch. “I told you I don’t want trouble coming to my door. Those outlaws may be on their way here now. This is my land, and I’m telling you to get off it and take him with you.”
Briggs’ hands trembled as he took off his hat, clenching and unclenching it in his hand. His face contorted in anger, and Esther could see the muscles in his jaw tensing. She worried he might throw his hat onto the ground in a fit of frustration.
Slamming the hat against his leg, he pointed his finger at Sarah. “Sarah, I don’t have time to get him home. He can either stay here and you tend to him. Or you hitch your wagon up and get him to the Hartman ranch and let Annamae do it.”
Sarah looked at Briggs, her eyes flitting between him and the battered form of Whit on the ground. “I can’t,” she whispered, the words trembling as they left her lips.
Briggs moved so close to Sarah, Esther had to strain her ears to hear the words he spoke to her. “Vangie, this is beyond you now. Whit needs your help.”
“Marshal,” Sarah finally replied, her voice low and strained, “my place is here, with these boys. I’ve made a life for myself, hidden from the world. I can’t risk it all by stepping back into the fray.”
“Then let me go!” Esther interjected, fire blazing in her eyes. “Let me take Whit to his family. I owe him that much.”
“Why is it so important to get him back to the Hartman Ranch?” Sarah asked.
Briggs placed a hand on her arm and paused. Exhaling loudly, he said, “Whit is a Hartman. He’s your brother.”
“Can you try not to hit every rock?” Esther grabbed her back as the buggy bumped along the road toward the Hartman ranch.
“I apologize if the ride isn’t smooth enough for you,” Sarah called over her shoulder. “How is he?”
Esther pressed a cool hand against Whit’s forehead. “He’s still not awake, and he feels very hot.”
“It could be because there are three of us tucked into the seat.” Sarah glanced over at Esther, who was trying to hold Whit up in the middle of the bench. “We’ll be there shortly. Gee!” A crack of the whip snapped through the night as the buggy raced down the road.
They pulled in front of the Hartman homestead, and the door swung open. Rex Hartman stepped out, followed by Annamae holding a rifle. His eyes widened as he recognized Esther stepping out of the buggy.
“Whit’s hurt bad,” Esther said urgently. “We need help.”
“Why did you bring him here?” Rex demanded. “I saw both of you in the clearing two nights ago.”
“Briggs told us to bring him here,” Sarah said, walking around the buggy. “He’s at the Chapmans, and they need as many men as possible. The Richards gang are going to get retribution for the Chapmans hiding a little boy.”
“Let’s get him inside.” Rex stepped back, allowing them to carry Whit inside the warm interior of the Hartman home. Rex carried his torso, while Esther carried one leg and Sarah carried the other.
“Rex, what’s going on?” Annamae asked, handing him the rifle.
She looked at Whit and rushed over to him; her hands gently brushing against Whit’s bruised face. “His room is the second door.”
With careful coordination, the three of them hoisted Whit’s limp body and carried him into the bedroom. As they gently laidhim on the bed, Whit let out a soft moan, causing Esther to jump back in surprise.
“I need to get back home,” Sarah said. “I hope he heals.”
“Wait,” Esther moved from the bed and put her arms around Sarah’s shoulders. “Thank you for helping us.”
Sarah nodded and left the room. Annamae ran to get water and linen strips as Rex prepared to gather men to send to the Chapmans’ before riding over to Baxter’s house.
