Free The Officer and the Southerner (Historical Western Romance) (Fort Gibson Officers Series, Book 2) by Rose Gordon Page B

actually become friends when Jack was assigned to come here. Through it all, Wes had always been one with a quick smile and a glib remark. It was good to finally find a way to rattle him.
    Lunch was to be served soon, not that he’d be joining the others. He needed to check on Ella. But first he’d stop by the kitchen to see about getting something to take up to her in case she was hungry and wanted to eat.
    There wasn’t much unfortunately. Supplies were slow to arrive this far out. Some days, it felt as if the army had forgotten that they’d sent men out here to live and keep peace between the Indian tribes they’d relocated. Their job entailed other duties, as well. They were also supposed to protect the stray traveler who came through. Most times, they were to do this by giving them a full escort to their destination or at least to a safer part of the country, which is exactly why he arranged for Ella to have a personal escort into town. Wes, however, had thought to protect his charge a little differently: by marrying her to keep her safe. In the end, it worked out, he supposed.
    Sighing, Jack scooped up a few crusts of bread for Ella to eat. Nothing else looked like it would hold much appeal to someone who wasn’t feeling well and the last thing he wanted was to make her sicker.
    “Ella,” he whispered, opening the door. He walked inside and closed the door behind him, then went over to where she lay against the pillows.
    “ How do you feel?”
    A soft groan was her only response.
    “It’s time for more medicine.”
    She grunted.
    Chuckling at her response, he said, “I’m sorry, but it’ll make you feel better.”
    She opened one eye a fraction. “Jack?”
    “Hmmm?”
    “ It’s cold.” Her voice barely a whisper
    He put his hand on her forehead and swallowed. “No. You’re not cold, sweetheart. Your skin is very hot.” Reluctant to remove his hand from her, he stroked his knuckles across her cheek. “How does your stomach feel?”
    “Empty.”
    He smiled. “Good. Then the medicine worked. Do you feel like eating?”
    A groan was her only response.
    “ Can you try?”
    She groaned again.
    “All right, I won’t force you.” He stood and adjusted her covers for her again. “I’ll be right back.”
    Accepting her slight nod as understanding, he left.
    Water. She needed water. He filled the pitcher, poured her a glass of water, then uncorked the vial of medicine he’d gotten from Charles and poured it into her water. “Here, you need to drink.”
    She sat up, took the cup from him with trembling fingers and took a drink. She handed the cup back and lay back down. “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome,” he murmured, pouring water into the basin. He then took the cleanest handkerchief he had in his drawer, folded it and dipped it into the basin. Once it was saturated, he pulled it out and wrung out some of the extra water.
    “ This will be cold,” he whispered, bringing the wet, folded cloth to her forehead.
    Her body jerked, and then she sighed.
    A brief surge of elation shot through him. He’d finally done something right where she was concerned. Not wanting to dwell on it too long and make another mistake, he left her to rest and spent the rest of his lunchtime putting their room to rights.
    The afternoon dragged by slower than a caravan of ten thousand people crossing the desert. Or so it seemed.
    “Ella,” he whispered again, coming into their room after he’d gotten off work.
    “ Hmmm,” she said on a groan.
    He allowed himself a small smile. She was more vocal than the last time he’d come to see her. That was good, wasn’t it?
    “Are you hungry? I brought you some broth from the kitchen?”
    She shook her head with wild abandon. “Nooooo.”
    “Are you thirsty, then?”
    She didn’t say anything but nodded with the same wild abandon.
    Shaking his head at her, he walked over to the water pitcher and poured some into a tin cup that was resting on the table. Charles had said