Page 44 of The Unlikely Wife

“You remember me, don’t you, girl?”

Banjo dipped her head the opposite direction.

Michael dismounted and so did Selina.

He loosely wrapped the reins around a bush and took two steps toward Jake and stopped. “Wait here.” He glanced back at her. “Please?”

She looked at the dog and nodded.

Michael was grateful she listened to him this time. Unsure what Banjo would do, he didn’t want her getting hurt.

He extended his hand toward the dog and slowly approached him, talking to her in a calm voice. When he reached Banjo, he let the dog sniff his hand. “I’m here to help him, girl.”

Keeping his eye on the dog, which still looked uncertain, he slowly knelt beside Jake and laid a hand on him. His body was warm—he was alive. Michael eased Jake over onto his back.

Blood and dirt covered one side of his face and forehead where a nasty cut oozed. “Jake, can you hear me?” Michael looked over at Selina standing near the horses. “Grab my water canteen from off my saddle.”

Selina tied Macy’s reins to the same bush as Michael’s horse and grabbed his canteen. Michael turned his attention back onto Jake and continued to call the man’s name.

She handed him the open canteen, then squatted on the opposite side of Michael.

“That’s a mighty nasty cut he’s got there. I reckon he’s got a concussion.”

Hearing her say the word concussion, he wondered how she’d ever learned such a big word.

“We need to take him to his house so I can clean that up.” She examined the cut. “It’s deep. He’s gonna need stitches.”

“I think what he needs is a doctor. Would you mind riding into town and getting Doctor Berg?”

“No need for that. I can fix him up just fine.”

“I know you can. What I’m concerned about is his unconscious state.” Michael laid his canteen against Jake’s lips and let the water run into the man’s mouth.

Jake stirred and groaned.

“Can you hear me, Jake?” Under his closed eyelids Michael could see Jake’s eyes shifting and rolling before they fluttered open.

“Michael? What are you doing here?” he rasped. Jake started to sit up but stopped. He clutched his head and lay back onto the uneven ground.

“I’m going to take you to your house, Jake. Do you think you can handle riding my horse?”

Jake managed a nod. “Nice to see you again, Selina,” he slurred, then turned mocking eyes up at Michael. Remembering Jake’s jeering comments about Selina when he’d first met her, Michael darted a warning glance at the man.

Jake turned a slow but cocky grin toward Michael. Even injured, he never stopped his jesting, only this time he’d done it with his eyes and his smirk-laden grin.

Michael had half a mind to leave the man here.

“We’d better get you to the house so I can clean that up.”

“You ain’t touching me,” Jake groused.

“I ain’t gonna leave you like this.” Selina stared at Jake.

Michael knew that look well. It meant she was going to do what she was going to do and nothing or no one would stop her.

Look out, Jake, he thought, then he remembered Jake telling him that he knew who would be wearing the pants in his family.

Was Jake right?

“Help me get him up, Michael.”

Jake again sent him a smirk.

“No. I say we just leave him here. I’m sure some bear or coyote needs something to eat for dinner tonight.” Michael stood and looked down at him.

Jake’s eyes widened with fear. He glanced up at Selina, then back at Michael. “You heard the lady,” Jake said, and no smirk covered his face this time.

Selina and Michael helped put Jake atop Michael’s horse. Up the hill and to the house they went, Michael leading the way.

Inside Jake’s house, they settled him onto his mattress.

“What happened anyway?” Michael asked.

“I heard the dogs barking and wolves howling. Figured the wolves were after Banjo’s pups, so I thought I’d take my shotgun and scare them off. Never got a chance, though. Went looking for Banjo’s puppies. Slipped on a piece of rock and tumbled down the hill. Last thing I remember was hitting my head on something hard.” His words were strained.

“When was that?”

“Before sunrise.” He rubbed his wound, staining his fingers with blood and dirt. “Don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t come along. I’d still be down there.” He frowned, then flinched, then reached to touch the wound again, but Selina moved his hand away and placed it at his side. “Why did you two come over here anyway?”

“To see if you had any more pups left.”

---