All his life, King had been amazed how fast a day could go south faster than a coal car on a greased downhill track. “A bride?” He glanced at Fancy, completely dumbstruck. “You told this…this woman…I’d marry her?”

“Well…” Boone got one word out of his mouth before King exploded.

“I don’t want a wife! I don’t need a wife!” He paced back and forth in front of the big stone fireplace. “Knowing how I felt, you went behind my back and made promises for me that you had no right to make!” He threw his hands up in the air and then pointed at Fancy. “And this is the woman you chose?”

“Cap…” Reno said the word with a hint of warning. 

King drew his black hat farther down his forehead. “How could you ever imagine I would want this woman as my wife?”

Fancy had had enough! So, this man didn’t want her, she might’ve known this was too good to be true. Still, he had no right to be so rude. “Stop! Quit yelling at your friends!”

Her sudden exclamation took them all by surprise. Even King stopped pacing to look at her.

“Of course, they didn’t choose me,” she murmured softly, laughing, hiccupping a sob. “Who would choose me? Your friends were fooled. This was a trick. Payback.”

“You tricked them? How? By putting in some phony picture of your prettier cousin so men wouldn’t know your true appearance?” He sneered at her, so angry he could have bitten the thorns off cactus.

The men shuffled uneasily on their feet.

“So, I didn’t trick you or them.” Fancy hung her head. “The joke was on me as much as it was on you.”

“What is she talking about?” King only gave the woman a scathing glance. Looking at her brought him no pleasure whatsoever.

Clay cleared his throat as he placed a hand on Boone’s shoulder, saying to him without words that he had this. “Unfortunately, the agent with the Hearts and Hands matrimonial column recognized your name.”

“What do you mean?” King felt like he was asking the same question over and over again and receiving no comprehensible answer.

“You see, Captain,” Gentry said, trying to be clear and rational, “unbeknownst to any of us, the agent we were dealing with was none other than Jubal Pierce. We sent a letter enquiring after another young woman and Jubal, seeing your name, decided to interfere. He chose this woman to take the place of the one we selected and then led this poor woman to believe the offer was for her.”

Hearing it all put so plainly, Fancy blanched with humiliation. She felt so vulnerable and raw, listening to these men discuss her as if she was a flawed shell without feelings.

“Jubal!” King spat out the name like it tasted bad. “What an unholy mess! He’s still striking out at me. What did he think would happen? Did he think I would marry this…woman just because she showed up on my doorsteps?” He nailed Reno with a stare, then turned it on Boone and the others. “I don’t care what kind of beauty you picked out for me, did you think I would just fall at her feet and beg for her hand?”

“Well, you didn’t see Anita Mae Droddy.” Jericho chuckled nervously. “I think you might’ve done just that.”

“Well, there’s nothing else to do.” King placed his hands on his hips and met Fancy’s eyes. “You’ve got to take her back. The cattle drive starts tomorrow, as soon as we get those doggies transferred into the hands of the trail boss, she’s gone. For now…” he waved his hand disparagingly, “get her out of my sight.”

His disparaging attitude angered Fancy. “This is not my fault!”

“That doesn’t mean I have to marry you!” He snapped, his face contorted in anger. “I wouldn’t…couldn’t… You aren’t the type of woman I could ever stomach…”

“I understand that now!” Fancy cut him off. “I was stupid to think you’d chosen me because of something good I’d done.” She covered her eyes, then dashed tears from her cheeks. “This is a mess.” She took a deep breath, then sighed. “I came in good faith, but I understand you didn’t ask for this. Your friends only had good intentions. The person responsible for the mistake isn’t here. So, in a way, we’re all innocent of wrongdoing.”

“She’s right, Cap.” Clay, ever the peacemaker, sought to bring things down a notch. “Why don’t we just take it easy and get ready for tomorrow.”

King dry-scrubbed his face. “You’re right. There isn’t anything to be done about the matter now.”

He lifted his eyes and nailed Fancy with a stare.

“What’s your name, Miss?”

Fancy was exhausted. “It doesn’t matter. I won’t be here long enough for you to remember.”

When he just glared her, she relented. “Fancy. Fancy Grace.”

His snort of derision was not unexpected. Fancy ignored it.

“Well, we’ve got a lot to do. No one has time to babysit you. So, just stay out of trouble until we get back,” King said, then stomped off, leaving Fancy with the others.

“Sorry about this, Miss Fancy,” Jericho muttered as he took his leave. He’d been the most vocal about the misunderstanding, but he seemed to have mellowed after hearing everyone’s point of view.

“Yes, just make yourself comfortable and we’ll take you back tomorrow.” Boone pointed to the rear of the house. “There’s a spare room back there, you can place your things in it.”

Fancy felt odd, another man welcoming her into King’s home. “Okay, I’ll stay out of the way and out of trouble until you all return.”

Boone, Clay, and Reno just tipped their hats as they all filed from the room and out the door, leaving Fancy behind to fend for herself.

She stood frozen for a few seconds, letting the ramifications of all that had happened flow over her. In just a short amount of time, she’d been swept from a mountain top of elation to the valley of despair. Now, what was she going to do? Where was she going to go? She’d quit the last job she’d held with Mr. Wilkins, and she really had no desire to go back and beg him to let her return to the drudgery of taking care of his ungrateful family. No, she would truly be starting over somewhere new, with nothing, as usual.

Just imagining what was in store for her made Fancy tremble. She’d never felt so alone in all her born days. In her mind, she’d built up this fantasy world where she’d walk into Kingston Ramsay’s life and it would be a fairy tale. He’d fall instantly in love with her and she’d set out on the wondrous task of making him glad he’d taken a chance on her. “Oh, poop,” she whispered, as she remembered the flights of fancy – cooking him meals, taking care of his home...giving him children.

Oh, well, so much for that.

Glancing around, she took in the state of the house. Everything was covered in dust, there were clothes and other clutter lying around. Maybe she could straighten a few things, it would give her something to do. Checking everything out, she went in search of some cleaning implements. After wandering from one room to the other, she had to admit the house was wonderful, all it needed was a woman’s touch. Her heart sank at the thought. Hopefully, King would open his heart and find someone someday. It wouldn’t be her, but everyone deserved happiness. Fancy was sure he was a nice man, he had so many friends. Just because he wanted nothing to do with her, she couldn’t really judge him for that. They’d both been caught up in very strange circumstances.

As she crept through his house like a small, sad, ghost, she came upon the kitchen and saw it was badly in need of attention. Placing her hands on her hips, she decided to use the hours before her in a productive way.

... “Who are you?”

The young male voice caused Fancy to jump a country mile. She’d been working steadily for a good three hours, taking a break only long enough to drink a mug of water and eat the heel from a stale loaf of bread. Hopefully, the food wouldn’t be missed, and if it were, maybe King wouldn’t mind her eating it. During this time, she’d dusted all the furniture, swept and mopped the floors, and cleaned the kitchen of dirty pots and pans. She’d also found enough provisions in the root cellar and the smokehouse to make a big pot of soup, a ham, two pones of cornbread, three plain sugar pies, and several dozen syrup cake cookies. At least they’d all eat well tonight…and tomorrow would be another day.

“Oh, you frightened me.” She held a hand over her fluttering heart. “I didn’t hear you come in. My name is Fancy.” The boy standing before her couldn’t have been any older than twelve or thirteen. His brown hair was longish, and his cheeks were rosy. He looked well cared for. “Who are you? Ace?”

“That’s right, I’m Ace.” His eyes brightened. “Boy, something smells good. Are you the new cook?”   

“No.” Fancy shook her head. “Sorry. I’m just passing through.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re here now!” He proceeded to take a seat at the table. “Could you spare one of those cookies and some milk? I know there’s plenty to spare, I milked Betsy first thing this morning.”

“Of course. I found the milk hanging in the well to keep cool, I’ve worked in enough homes to know how it’s done. So, do you like living here?”

“The men are good to me. They took me in when I was stealing from them. Isn’t that something?” His smile grew wide as she handed him two cookies and poured a glass of milk. “My sister was kidnapped by Indians and my folks were killed in the raid.”

The way he spoke between and during bites, detailing the sorrows of his life like he was talking about the weather endeared the boy to Fancy. She understood how a person survived by treating such sorrows as if they weren’t earthshattering. “You are very lucky to have been found by these men. They seem to be very noble and kind.”

“Did they find you? Were you in trouble too?” he asked in all innocence.

“No, not really. Different circumstances.”

“These are really good,” Ace said, waving his second cookie in the air as he swallowed the last bite of his first one.

Fancy was just about to thank him when she heard the door open and bootsteps sounding on the floor. “I think we have company.”

“Something smells fantastic!” Gentry exclaimed as he came into the room, followed closely by King.

“Thank…you,” Fancy stammered, her hands waving about nervously. “I didn’t know what else to do with myself all day. If you’ll gather everyone up, I’ve prepared a meal.” She glanced at King who was frowning. “I hope that was okay.”

“A little damn late to be asking now,” he grumbled, but walked to the black stove to check in a pot. He’d had this monstrosity hauled from St. Louis on a wagon and this was the first time it had been used properly. After all the burnt attempts he and Jericho had managed on it, he was a little amazed at what this scrawny woman had been able to accomplish. “Looks fit to eat.”

Looks fit to eat? Fancy hid a smile. Not exactly a compliment, but she’d take it.

“Good. I’ll set the table for eight. I’m sure there’s plenty.”

“Nine!” Ace chimed in. “Counting you.”

“Oh, I don’t count,” Fancy said quickly as she went about putting plates and silverware on the table.

King heard her comment, but said nothing to challenge it.

As she readied everything, the men came in one by one. Some commented on the aroma, some complimented Fancy on the way the house looked. Soon, they were all sitting around the table and she was serving up the food, passing the dishes around the table.

“Aren’t you going to join us?” Boone asked.

“Uh, no. If there’s anything left, and Mr. Ramsay doesn’t care, I’ll eat when you’re finished.”

King pressed his lips into a hard, straight line. “Eat. Why wouldn’t you eat? You cooked it.”

Fancy didn’t say anything about the many times she’d gone hungry, even after preparing sumptuous meals for the people who owned her. “Thank you.”

After everyone was eating, she took a bowl and ladled a small portion of soup into it, taking a seat next to the stove. Periodically, someone would look over at her, but for the most part – they just kept eating. And eating.

Finally, Ace broke the silence. “King, I think Fancy should be our cook. We could eat like this every day.” He glanced around. “And everything looks so good. I didn’t know the house was so dirty until I could see it all cleaned up.”

Jericho chuckled. “She has my vote.” He looked over at Fancy. “How about it? Since the marrying thing isn’t going to work out, why not let her stay and work for us?”

Fancy was ashamed of the hope that flashed through her. Yes, she’d been sorely disappointed. Mortified, in some ways. Yet the possibility of finding a place here, even in the role of a servant, was so much better than the idea of returning to the city to begin the search for a way to survive. “Oh, yes, please.” She set the bowl she’d been eating from on the floor and jumped up, her eyes clashing with King’s. “I’m strong. I can do anything in the house, whatever you need down in the cabins, or elsewhere. I can garden. I can chop wood. I can cook. I can do the washing. I could take care of you – all of you.”

All the men turned to King, awaiting his verdict. He took another bite, swallowed it, then shook his head. “No.”

“Why not?” Boone asked, seeing the stricken look on Fancy’s face.

King shook his head. “It wouldn’t work, I wouldn’t be comfortable.” He didn’t say ‘because I said so’, but it was implied.

After King’s decree and seeing no one was going to argue with him, Fancy gave up. She didn’t finish her food. There was a lump in her throat. She was in the depths of despair.

As soon as everyone finished, she began to pick up and clean the kitchen. The men didn’t linger, and a very downcast Ace took his leave, heading out to bunk with Reno. As Fancy worked, King left the room, only returning when she was about finished. “Follow me. I’ll show you where you’ll sleep.”

“Okay, just a moment.” Fancy went to find her reticule. “All right. I’m ready.”

King led her to the east side of the house, opening the door to admit her to a small room containing an army cot and an army blanket. “Sorry for the sparse accommodations.” She noted that he didn’t sound sorry. “The outhouse is just out the backdoor. There’s a washbasin on the table by the window, you can fill it in the kitchen. There’s a towel on the doorknob. Don’t get too comfortable, you’re not staying.”

His hard attitude ate at her like ants crawling on her skin. “I understand. Thank you, this is wonderful.” Without another word, he left her. She couldn’t find the will to be angry at him, he hadn’t asked for this, he hadn’t asked for her. Fancy opened her bag and drew out her threadbare gown. As she handled the worn material, tears began to flow, and she couldn’t hold back the sobs.

A few steps away, King heard her. Despite his resolve, he felt regret at how everything played out. His men had made a mistake, but with the best intentions. And this woman, who was sobbing her heart out, was an innocent. Caught up in the situation through no fault of her own. He spoke before he could stop himself. “It’ll be all right. Goodnight.”

Fancy undressed, she had no fear that he would disturb her. Knowing he was within hearing distance, she spoke to him. “This isn’t a good night for me. This will be the worst night I’ve ever spent.” She tugged the gown over her head. “And I’ve spent some horrible ones, believe me. I’ve lived on the streets. I’ve been in jail. I’ve been beaten and hungry. But this is worse, because this morning I had hope and now I have none.”

King beat it out of the house as if the devil were after him. He didn’t want to feel anything for this woman – not sympathy, not… Refusing to analyze his feelings, he made for the front door in dire need of fresh air. As soon as he pushed out onto the porch, he saw that he wasn’t alone. Reno was sitting in one of the rockers, smoking a cheroot.

“Running from something?”

“No.” He didn’t see the need to explain himself, not after everything that had happened.

“Want to talk about it?”

“No.” King sat down next to Reno, leaning forward to rest his forearms on his knees. He stared up into the stars. “I can’t believe this.”

“What? That you have friends who care enough about you to do something drastic when they think you’re in trouble?”

“Stop it. This was too much. Too far.” He glanced over at Reno, looking him square in the eye. “I’ll take her back myself, tomorrow.”

“No, I’ll do it,” Reno said. “Although, I have to ask this.” He rocked back and propped his boots on the bannister. “Why? Fancy’s not much of a looker, but she’s not the type to throw herself at you or any of us. I think she’s been knocked down so many times that it doesn’t take but one word of discouragement to dissuade her.” When King didn’t respond, Reno went on. “She’s interesting. She can talk up a storm about anything. Plus, she can cook and clean. I bet if you give her a chance, she’d be loyal to a fault. Ace could sure benefit from her presence, we all could.”

“I don’t think so.”

Reno felt compelled to continue his argument, even when it didn’t make much sense. “She won’t take up much room, that’s for sure. She’s so thin. Her clothes just swallow her up.”

“Stop trying to make me feel sorry for her.”

Reno stood up and let out a long breath. “I don’t feel sorry for her, King. I feel sorry for you.”

After his friend left, King sat there. Alone. With his thoughts and his misgivings.

* * *

 

The next morning, Fancy awoke early. She dressed quickly, then padded out to the outhouse to do her business. When she was through, she hurried back inside, surprised to see on the big grandfather clock that it wasn’t yet four. Knowing the men would all be up early, she decided to make breakfast. As she worked, she pretended all was well.

“Why, of course, honey. The food will be ready in a jiffy.” She laughed. “Really? Why, thank you. I think you look nice this morning too.”

From a few feet away, around a door, King listened.

“Yes, just sit down. I’ll pour you a cup of coffee and you can tell me what you have planned for the day.”

Torn between compassion and his stubborn nature, King retreated, then made enough noise for her to hear. He didn’t want her to know he’d been eavesdropping and witnessed her sad playacting.

When she heard footfalls, Fancy cleared her throat, putting the finishing touches on a pan of biscuits. Glancing over at King, she could see the look of embarrassment on his face. He’d heard her talking, he was just pretending like he hadn’t. “Don’t worry, I’m not crazy. I’ve always pretended, I did it a lot as a child.”

“Yea, so did I.” He didn’t choose to elaborate.

“I was imagining that this morning is different than what it is. Instead of leaving, I’m staying.”

“You’re not going to change my mind.” He poured himself a cup of coffee from the pot she’d brewed on the stove.

“I’m not trying to.” She laid out some bacon in a pan to fry. “I’ve suffered setbacks, I’m used to it. Are there any more eggs?”

“Ace gathers them, he should be coming in any second with a basket full.” He chuckled at the thought. “When it comes to food, he’s no slacker.”

“Good.” Fancy stared out the window, fascinated with the new dawn and how the light was slowly bringing the world into view. “The world doesn’t seem to be the desolate place I’d feared it to be this morning. I’m glad it’s not raining, that would make everything seem sadder.”

King didn’t know what to say, he was relieved when Ace came barreling in, swinging the basket a bit too robustly. “Morning, Miss Fancy!”

“Morning, Ace!” She gave him a big smile as she took the eggs before they were all cracked. “How does scrambled sound?”

“Wonderful!” As was his routine, he set the table for everyone. “What else are we having?”

“Biscuits and gravy with bacon. How does that sound?”

King watched their byplay for a moment, then rose, picked up his cup of coffee and left. When the other men came in, she had everything ready. They tried to make small talk with her, but Fancy kept her replies polite, but distant. Pretending to herself was one thing, pretending for others was a bit too painful.

As soon as Ace cleaned his plate, she handed him another plate covered with a napkin. “Take this to King. I’m sure he’s hungry.”

Fancy turned to the others. “I know you’ll all be busy with the cattle drive, but when someone can spare the time to return me to town, I’ll be ready.”

“What will you do?” Reno asked, remembering the hard times she’d told him about.

Shrugging, Fancy went about cleaning the pots and pans. “I don’t know. Will you take me to Waco? I think there’s more opportunities there than in Kingsland.” She’d probably have to stay in Waco, she had no money to buy a stagecoach ticket back to Kansas City.

“Sure.” He rose and doffed his hat. “I’m sorry about this, Miss Fancy.”

“Me too,” Domino said. “Unfortunate turn of events for everyone concerned.”

The others made their apologies and soon, Fancy was alone with her thoughts.

…Out near the river, King was sitting astride his horse, watching the Chisolm trail crew ride over the ridge and head in his direction. This trip, King’s Ransom was sending twenty-five hundred head north to Kansas.

A cattle drive was a big operation with the trail boss, a dozen cowboys, each with five horses, a horse wrangler, and a cook who drove the chuck wagon. The wagon carried the bedrolls. The men drove and grazed the cattle for most of the day, moving them in relays by night. They moved the herd about ten miles a day, so none of the stock lost too much weight. The normal wage would’ve been forty dollars per cowboy and seventy for the boss, all payable once the cattle were sold. Since Domino was going along as camp doctor, King had been able to get a reduced price. With all the expenses they’d incurred in the last year, they couldn’t agree to pay full price, not knowing what the price of beef would be at the end of the line.    

By the time they drew closer, Domino had arrived to join King.

“Got your stuff together?”

“Sure do, King. I’ve got enough medical supplies to start a small hospital,” he joked. “When I get back, I think I might hang my shingle in town. Maybe man the office three days a week, that way I can still do my share of the work here, plus provide medical attention for our growing hamlet.” He waved his hand at one of the cowboys approaching. “I think I recognize Troy Hewitt. He and his wife bought a small spread nearby.”

“Yep, that’s what I learned last time I went to town,” King said, leaning forward to rest on the saddle horn. “Two other couples have made inquiries at the land office too, I hear.” He gestured toward the chuckwagon. “They’ve got Stinky Rodriguez cooking for y’all. While you’re on the trail, feel him out and see if he might want to come work here at the ranch when the drive’s done. I’ll make it worth his while.”

“Dammit, King. I never considered you to be a cruel man before.”

King jerked his head toward the doctor, only to find him riding off to meet Boone and Gentry, who were herding Ransom cattle out to meet the drive crew.

“Hell.” He wasn’t used to disappointing his men.

Over the next hour, the cowboys of King’s Ransom ran a count of their herd, checking brands, and culling out the weaker or younger ones. King made sure none of the breeding age females made it into the lowing throng. Getting off his horse, he went to open a gate to separate a few head he’d rounded up. Holding the reins of his horse, he swung the heavy wooden gate toward him, then remounted to begin driving the ones he’d selected to pen. Kneeing his mount, he ventured out into the uneasy cattle, spotting one large Longhorn cow he wanted to guide into the corral.

“Come on, easy now.” He soothed the horse as she picked her way between the nervous cattle. They’d sent herds on the drive before, but this group was about double the size of the last two. In the distance, he could see his men working the cattle, keeping them contained as the last preparations could be made. Managing this many animals out on the open range was a challenge. He knew the drive cowboys were anxious to get started. They’d brought their own lead steer, a veteran of the trip. The steer knew the way and once they were headed out, the other cattle would naturally follow him, and the riders would just have to deal with stubborn strays.

“There she is,” he muttered to himself as he saw big Longhorn again. The cattle weren’t as dumb as some people think, they understood when something was amiss, when something was different, and they would act accordingly. Moving into the milling mass, King urged his mount toward his target, cutting her out of the melee and urging the cow toward the corral. It took several maneuvers, because other animals kept spooking the Longhorn. The cow didn’t realize she was been selected to live instead of being driven to the feed lots of Kansas.

“All right, girl, in you go.” The big cow shook her head, on edge because of the constant lowing and stirring of the other cattle. After two attempts, King managed to get the Longhorn headed in the right direction. He didn’t know which of them was the most worked up, him or the cow. His own attention was splintered due to the turmoil caused by the young woman who’d been thrust into his life unexpectedly.

Domino’s parting words disturbed him, he’d never seen himself as cruel before either. He tried to process why he felt the way he did, but his emotions were jumbled and unchecked. “That’s it, in you go.” King gave the horse her head and she pushed forward, forcing the much bigger beast through the open gate.

“Good girl.” He jumped off his horse to close the gate, but he wasn’t fast enough. With his decreased concentration and the Longhorn’s agitation, things deteriorated quickly. As he ran to close the gate the cow charged forward hitting King broadside in the chest, knocking him to the ground. The last thing he knew, he’d hit the ground with a one-ton animal doing its dead level best to keep him there.

  … “Hey, Boone, something’s wrong.” Reno rode up next to his friend, gesturing toward the holding pens. “Jericho is waving his arms at us.”

“Hell, what now? All we need is a damn stampede before this shindig even gets under way,” Boone grumbled as he turned his horse toward the confusion across the way.

They galloped over, both seeing the body on the ground about the same time. “What the fuck?” Reno shouted. “King?”

“He’s been trampled!” Jericho shouted. “Find Domino! He looks to be hurt bad.”

“Damn it all,” Reno whirled his horse around and gazed out over the milling herd. Spotting the doctor, he galloped over to get his attention. “Domino! King’s down, he needs you!”

…Up at the house, Fancy was at a loss. Without disturbing too much, she’d cleaned what she could, not out of any sense of obligation, but from sheer boredom. Not allowed to take part in the drive preparations, Ace had been her constant companion. During their time together, he’d opened up a bit, telling her about his mother and the memories of happier times. “I remember how she’d hug me up if I was sick or scared.”

“Do you?” she asked as she dusted the spines of a whole wall of books. “You’re lucky, I don’t have many of those kinds of memories.

“I suppose. And my dad was a good man too, he taught me how to hunt and fish. He didn’t lose his temper, even when I deserved it. I miss him.”

Feeling his loss, she gave the boy a hug. “I bet you’ll make a whole lot of good memories with these men. You’ve got a whole bunch of fathers, now.”

“Yea, but no mother,” he whispered. “And my sister is gone. She ain’t never coming back. She might even be dead by now.”

“Don’t say that.” Fancy felt his pain. “Until you know one way or the other, there’s always hope.”

Bang! Bang!

A commotion at the door caused them both to jump. When she saw Domino and Clay carrying King, Fancy ran to hold open the door. “What happened?”

“He got trampled and gored from the looks of it.”

Behind them came Boone and Jericho. “Let’s put him in his room. What can we get you, Domino?”

Domino looked over his shoulder as they carried King’s inert body down the hall toward his room. “My bag is already in the chuckwagon. Go get it for me, please.” Jericho headed out to do as the doctor requested.

“Fancy, heat some water on the stove, will you?”

“Of course.” Seeing King helpless made her heart hammer and her limbs weak. “Is he going to be okay?” Even as she asked the question, she was running to do the doctor’s bidding.

As she worked, adding wood to the fire and filling a kettle with water from the barrel, she listened to the men tending King.

“His chest looks to be badly bruised.” She could hear Boone talking. “Look, Domino, there’s a hoofprint forming on his skin.”

“Yea, I’m sure he has broken ribs as well as a busted leg. I just hope a rib didn’t puncture his lung.”

Jericho came running back with the medical bag. “Here you go.”

Fancy felt helpless, there was nothing more frustrating than watching water heat to boil. She stoked the fire, her hand shaking. Yes, she’d been hurt when King rejected her, but she didn’t want anything bad to happen to him.

“How’s that water coming?” Domino shouted.

“Not even simmering yet,” she yelled back.

“Get me some clean rags, Clay.” Domino pointed to the kitchen. “I need to listen to his lungs to see if his breathing is clear.” Using a new gadget called a stethoscope, Domino leaned in to place the metal disc on King’s chest.

“What do you hear?” Jericho asked, his hands stuffed in his front pockets.

“Just his heartbeat and clean breathing, that’s a good sign.”

“Why ain’t he waking up?” Clay squatted on the far side of the bed, saying a little prayer in his mind.

“He was kicked in the head and that damn cow stepped on his neck. It’s a wonder it’s not broken. Fancy!”

“Almost!” Fancy grabbed a rag and removed the kettle from the fire, pouring the near boiling liquid into a basin. Picking it up, she tried to keep it level and not spill any on herself. She was somewhat successful. “Ow, ow, ow,” she chanted as the hot water splashed on her hands and arms.

“Easy, here, let me have it.” Reno met her in the hall and took the basin.

Fancy followed, anxious to see how King was doing.

Domino wet a rag and began to clean the blood from the wounds on his head and neck. “Damn fool, he takes too many chances.”

“What’s the verdict, Dom?” Boone asked, knowing their options were limited.

“Well, first I’m going to set his leg, then I’ll need some linen to wrap his ribs. Fancy, see if you can find an old sheet you can cut into strips.”

Fancy immediately began to search to find where the sheets were stored. She found them in a trunk at the foot of his bed. Running back to the kitchen, she found a knife, then proceeded to cut a dozen lengths of cloth. When she had them ready, she hurried back to King’s room to find Domino running his fingers over King’s scalp.

“One danger we’ve got to watch for is brain swelling. If that happens, we’ll have to drill a hole in his scalp to ease the pressure.” He opened one of King’s eyes to check his pupils. “So far, I don’t think that’s going to be a problem, but he’s got to be monitored. We’ve also got to make some splints for that leg. I think it was a clean break, but it’s got to be kept still. When he wakes, he’s going to jerk around and try to get up. Until we get that leg braced, he’s in danger of hurting it beyond repair. All I can do right now is splint it.”

Fancy lingered near with the strips. “I know how to make a cast, but I’ll need some plaster.”

When Domino jerked his head around to look at her, he appeared to be amazed. “How? I never even saw Doc Halliday do that?”

“I lived next to a bonesetter in St. Louis. She taught me how to care for broken bones.”

“Good, you can teach me how to make a cast.” Domino nodded toward Boone. “Get me some narrow boards for splints, then take off for town to find plaster for Fancy. If they don’t have any at the mercantile in Kingsland, you’ll have to go on to Waco.”

“You can’t stay, Domino,” Reno explained. “The drive leaves today and you’ve got to go with them. If you renege, the agreement we made is off, it’ll jeopardize the whole effort. You know King wouldn’t want to lose out on this deal.”

“What about King? You all won’t know what to watch for and somebody has got to keep him off his feet. What with all the work to be done, King would be on his own for most of the time.”

“I’ll watch him,” Fancy said the words quickly, before she could change her mind. When the men looked at her, stunned, she just began to talk fast. “I know he doesn’t want me here, but I’ll only stay as long as necessary. I have experience caring for injured people, I’ve worked in a dozen homes over the years and I’ve seen almost everything. While I’m here, I’ll take care of the house and King. As soon as he’s able, I’ll go. No resistance.”

The men looked at one another. “What other choice do we have?” Boone asked. “The ranch work has got to be done and she’s more qualified to take care of King, anyway.”

Domino still didn’t look convinced. He cut his eyes toward Fancy. “What’s in this for you? Why would you want to do this? We can’t even pay you until the money from the cattle sale comes through.”

“I don’t want money. Room and board is more than enough.” She glanced at King, willing the unexplained feelings she had for the man to go away. “This will give me a chance to make other plans. I burned all my bridges when I pulled up stakes to come here.”

“I think it’s a good idea,” Reno spoke up. “King won’t like it, but we needed the help before she came, and we need it more now.”

Domino seemed to accept the idea. “Well, I’ll need you to pick up some more laudanum. I’ll need to take what I have in stock on the trip.” Glancing at Fancy, he blew out a long breath. “When he wakes up, he’s going to give us all hell, especially you.”

Fancy nodded. “I expect you’re right.” She gave a faint smile. “I look forward to the challenge.”