Free Summer Breeze by Catherine Anderson

can tell me more than that. Did you fetch Doc Halloway? Was he able to get the slug out? What is the prognosis?
    Does he think Darby's going to— die?"
    Joseph had given her all that information earlier. "That's a mighty thick back door you've got. I guess you didn't catch a lot of what I said earlier. " Resting his arms over his upraised knees, Joseph once again recounted the events of that afternoon, how Darby had come riding into his place, barely clinging to the saddle, and how Joseph had staunched the bleeding and gone for the doctor. "Doc seems to think he's going to make it. The bullet shattered a couple of ribs, but it missed the lung and kidney. "
    "What of infection?"
    "Doc dressed the wound with honey. "
    "Honey?" she echoed.
    "He swears by it Says honey fights infection and has healing properties. He slathered all he could over the wound before bandaging Darby up, and he left some for my brother, Esa, to use when he changes the wrappings. "
    Silence. And then, voice quivering, she asked, "So your brother is looking after Darby?"
    "Because I had to come over here, Esa volunteered. " Actually, it had been more a case of Joseph's twisting his brother's arm, but he didn't think she needed to know that. Esa had a good heart, and he'd do right by the old man.
    "Darby has it in his head that you're in some kind of danger, " he expounded. "When he first got to my place, he kept telling me to forget about him and come straight here to make sure you were safe. "
    Another silence, a long one this time. After a while, Joseph grew concerned. "Miss Hollister?
    You there?"
    He thought he heard her take a taut breath. "Yes. Yes, I'm here, Mr. Paxton. " Another silence ensued, and then she added, "That's the first thing you've said all evening that makes me think you may be telling the truth. "
    That was a step up, Joseph guessed. Only what part of what he'd said had been to her liking? She gave a shrill little sigh that reminded him strongly of his mother. Dory Paxton was a great one for sighing.
    "Well, now for your supper, " she said. "That was the bargain, after all. " He heard the faint clink of china. "I'll hand it through to you. Please stand well back, or I shall have to shoot you. I'm sure you're no fonder of that idea than I am. "
    Joseph grinned. "Have you shot a number of folks?"
    "Not as yet, " she informed him. "But don't take that to mean that I will hesitate. "
    His grin broadened. He was starting to like this lady. She had pluck. He was also starting to wonder if she wasn't crazy like a fox. Someone had shot Darby
    today, and both Joseph and David agreed that the bullet had been meant to kill. Wasn't it possible that Rachel Hollister had known for years that her life was in danger? Maybe David had hit the nail right on the head, and her hermitlike habits stemmed more from fear than lunacy.
    Joseph lighted his lantern and then, honoring her request, stood well back from the hole in the archway to wait for his food. When Rachel appeared at the opening, he noticed that she didn't have to duck her head to look through at him, putting her height at several inches less than his own. He also noticed that she had small, fine-boned hands, her slender fingers gone pink at the tips where they gripped the bowl. Eyeing him warily, she thrust her arms through the opening.
    "Here you go. "
    Not wishing to startle her, Joseph moved slowly forward, taking care to stop when the bowl was within reach. Even then, she was so skittish that she nearly dropped the dish before he could get a good hold on it.
    "Thank you. "
    She retreated several steps, her gaze wide and wary. "You're welcome. "
    "I know that this is an uncomfortable situation for you, " Joseph said as he carried his meal to the table. "You don't know me from Adam. But ask yourself this. Would Darby have sent me here if he didn't trust me?"
    Standing some three feet back from the opening, she hugged her waist, the blanket tucked under her arms like the ends of a shawl. "I