Free Whirlwind Wedding by Debra Cowan

said.
    â€œYou’ve got Andrew.”
    â€œI heard about him after he was born, but didn’t meet him until about a month ago. My mother talked about him in her letters.”
    The whiskey finally took hold, just enough to blunt the fierce discomfort in Jericho’s leg. “Why weren’t you with your family?”
    â€œMy parents came to America from Ireland. They were to meet my uncle in Texas, but not knowing what was in store down here, they left me with the Sisters of Mercy in New York City.”
    â€œHow long?”
    â€œFourteen years.”
    Jericho frowned, resting his head against the wooden headboard as he struggled to draw in deep breaths. “That’s a long time.”
    â€œMy mother lost her parents in the potato famine in Ireland in the late forties, and she nearly starved to death when they did. She didn’t want to bring me to Texas until she knew if she and my father could survive here.”
    Jericho certainly understood a mother’s concern over raising her children. His own mother had grown old years before her time because of it. “And did they survive?”
    â€œUntil recently. They’re both gone now.”
    â€œSo there’s only you and Andrew?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œDid you leave someone special behind in New York?”
    â€œSpecial?”
    â€œA beau.”
    Horror chased across her delicate features. “No.”
    Did that mean she didn’t have a beau? Or just not one who was back East?
    â€œThere, I think I’m finished.”
    He wanted to know more. Told himself he needed to learn as much as he could because of her possible connection to the McDougal gang. But in truth he was curious about her. He gingerly poked at his leg. “What do you think?”
    â€œI did the best I could.”
    â€œI’m grateful for that.” He touched her hand, which rested near his knee. “I meant do you think I’ll keep my leg?”
    â€œYes.” She smiled into his eyes for the first time since coming into the room. “I didn’t see any signs of infection.”
    He found himself smiling back. Her hands were small, but there was nothing weak about them as she rebandaged the wound. The throbbing ache in his leg was fierce, but she had most likely saved his limb. “Thank you.”
    â€œYou’re welcome. I hope I didn’t scar you.”
    â€œIt’s fine if you did.” He touched the scar on his cheek. “You can see it won’t be the first.”
    â€œHow did you come by that?”
    â€œBullet creased me.”
    â€œWhile you were chasing the McDougals?”
    â€œNo.” He smiled weakly. “I was in a shoot-out about five years ago with another gang, down in Round Rock.”
    â€œI have a feeling they ended up worse off than you.”
    She smiled, and he thought this much pain might be worth it if she would do that more often. “I appreciate you putting me back together.”
    She deftly folded a bandage and tied it around his thigh, somehow managing not to touch anything but his leg. “I should’ve tended you last night. I’m sorry.”
    There were other ways Jericho would like her to tend him, but he knew there was no future in that. He was glad to see the sheet now lay flat in his lap.
    â€œDo you think you can eat?”
    He nodded.
    â€œI’ll get you some biscuits and ham.” She picked up the bowl of water. “And some coffee. Unless you’d rather sleep for a while?”
    â€œI’d like to eat.” He felt drowsy and weak; maybe some food would help. She was a good woman. He didn’t see how she could be mixed up with the McDougal gang, but he couldn’t let himself be distracted by her sweet curves and compassion.
    â€œLater I’ll wash those sheets and your unmentionables.”
    He grinned. “If anyone can mention them, I’d say it’s you, Miz Catherine.”
    She smiled shyly, turning