Cotton's Devil (9781101618523) by Phil Dunlap

bit disagreeable with you, Doc. I reckon I wasn’t myself. Henry is very important to me. Hesaved my life for the second time by jumping in front of a bullet that had been intended for me. Please accept my apologies.”
    â€œNo apology necessary, Miss Emily. I had it comin’.” He sighed deeply and took another draw on the cigar. “Your Indian’s going to survive, Miss Emily, but he’ll need rest for a few days. He’s too weak to travel just yet, however.”
    â€œSince Cotton is away, I’ll ask his deputy to help me take him down to the sheriff’s house. Maybe he can rest up there until I can get him back to the ranch.”
    The doctor nodded, turned back inside, and began to gather up the bloody instruments and carry them over to a large copper tub full of water. He tossed them in, lifted the tub, and placed it on the stove. Emily watched for a moment, then turned to go find Cotton’s deputy, Memphis Jack Stump.

Chapter 12

    A ll saddled and ready to go at dawn, Cotton and the three others prepared to mount up and get on their way. Delilah had gone back inside, presumably to say good-bye to Thorn. Cotton hadn’t bothered. He’d told Mrs. Hardin of his plans to return in three days and bring back her horses. He figured she would pass the word on to McCann. He was hoping by then Thorn would have healed up sufficiently to be able to travel, even if it was lying flat on his back in a buckboard.
    Seeming hesitant, Delilah started to come out on the porch, then stopped in the doorway to glance back over her shoulder. The sour look on her face suggested indecision. Cotton saw she was having a problem.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, Delilah? We best get goin’ if we aim to get back to Apache Springs in the daylight.”
    â€œI-I’m staying here with Thorn. He may need me. I’m sorry, I just can’t leave him.”
    Damn
, Cotton thought,
Thorn McCann’s gone and gothimself all tangled up in a woman’s skirts. Wonder what she’ll say when he tells her he figured all along to return to the life of a bounty hunter
.
    â€œI’d advise against it, but you’re free to do as you please. I plan to return in about three days to take you both outta here. I doubt Thorn will be in any shape to ride a horse, so I figure to bring a buckboard.”
    â€œThank you for understanding,” Delilah said, as she gave him a halfhearted smile and a nod and stepped back inside.
    Mrs. Hardin looked up at the sheriff. “Don’t blame her, son, she’s likely in love. It’s just one of those silly things women do now and again.” She gave a sigh and followed Delilah, closing the heavy door behind her.
    â€œKeep those rifles loaded at all times!” Cotton shouted after the lady. He wasn’t certain if she heard or not, but for now his job was to get the other two to safety in Apache Springs. He motioned for them to fall in behind as he led the way.
    Emily didn’t have to look far for Jack. He was just coming out of the sheriff’s office. He paused for a moment to allow his eyes to adjust to the brightness of the afternoon sun. When he looked up, he saw Emily Wagner rushing toward him from the direction of Doc Winters’s office.
    â€œJack, thank heavens I found you. I have a favor to ask of you.”
    â€œWhy, of course, ma’am, what is it?”
    â€œA man showed up at the ranch a few hours ago. He tried to shoot me, but Henry took the bullet instead. The one intended for me. Doc’s got him patched up, but I can’t take him back to the ranch, at least not yet. Since Cotton’s out of town, do you think we could take Henry to his place, just long enough for him to get some of his strength back?”
    â€œI’m certain ol’ Cotton wouldn’t mind. C’mon, I’ll lend a hand gettin’ him settled. Who did you say shot him?”
    â€œI didn’t say, mainly because I