A Veiled Reflection (31 page)

As he approached the jail, Mac could see the flames. He prayed that no one was still inside, knowing that it would be impossible to survive. Coming around the side of the small building, Mac made out the shadowy form of someone lying in the alleyway. He rushed to the body and rolled the man over. In the dancing glow of flames, Mac easily identified the man as Zack.

“Matthews!” he called out, feeling the heat from the fire. “Wake up, Matthews. Talk to me.”

Zack groaned and seemed to try to open his eyes, but he quickly fell silent. Mac had no idea what was wrong with him but knew he had to get Matthews away from the intense heat. As he slipped his arm around Zack's body, Mac instantly became aware of a wetness. He held his hand up to the light of the flames and saw that he was covered in Zack's blood.

By now other people were starting to gather around. He stood up and motioned to Zack. “I need some help getting the sheriff to my office. He's bleeding pretty badly.”

A couple of men came forward, and one man took hold of Zack's arms while the other grabbed his legs. Mac nodded. “If anyone else is hurt, come to my place.” He left the rest of them fighting the fire and hurried after the men. Mac feared the shock of seeing Zack might be too much for Jillian, so he quickly bypassed the men and raced to his door.

“Jillian!” he called out. “We've got an injured man.”

Jillian stood in the middle of the room, apparently pacing. She stopped, however, and looked past Mac as if expecting the man to be right behind her husband.

“It's Zack Matthews,” Mac said.

Jillian's expression changed to one of extreme concern. “Is he badly hurt?”

“He's bleeding,” Mac replied, as if that said it all. He turned and motioned. “In here, men,” he instructed as the two men maneuvered through the door with Zack's body. Mac stood between them and Jillian, hoping to protect her from witnessing something that would further upset her. He knew how she was about the superstitions regarding death. How in the world would she face the possibility of watching this man die?

“I'll get Gwen,” Jillian told Mac.

He nodded. “That's probably a good idea.” He forgot about his arm and hand being stained with Matthews' blood as he reached out to her. She paled instantly.

“Is that from him or are you injured?” She trembled noticeably but held her ground.

“I'm fine. It's Zack's blood.”

“I'd better hurry,” she managed to reply. Mac would have loved to have comforted her for a moment, but there was no time. Sooner or later she'd have to learn that as the wife of a doctor, there would be many unpleasant moments where life and death hovered in the balance of his actions.

He went to work lighting several lamps and placed them around his examining room just as the men managed to deposit the goodsized sheriff onto the table.

“Thanks,” Mac told the men. They left as quickly as they had appeared, and Mac set to work on his patient.

Examining Zack's head, Mac found a gash about three inches long on the back. Someone had hit him hard, knocking him unconscious and leaving him for dead.

He set to cleaning the wound, causing a fresh oozing of blood, just as Jillian and Gwen returned to the house.

“Mac!” Jillian called out as she entered.

“In here,” Mac replied. “Come and help me.”

Jillian came into the room with Gwen close on her heels.

“Is he all right?” Gwen questioned, sobbing at the sight of her fiance
.

“I hope he will be,” Mac told her, “but I can't be sure. Someone has hit him pretty hard. I'll know better when he regains consciousness. Jillian, I need a basin of hot water and some towels. You should find everything you need over in that cabinet, but you'll have to set a fire in the stove and get some water on to boil. Can you handle that?”

Jillian nodded. “I can do it, and Gwen can help me. Come on,” she said, pulling at her housemother's arm. “Mac can handle this part without us.” Gwen refused to move, however, and Jillian went to the cabinet to retrieve the needed items without her.

Mac glanced up to give Gwen a reassuring nod. “He doesn't look too bad, but I need to get his head stitched up. Go ahead and help Jillian.”

Gwen nodded and reluctantly joined Jillian. No sooner had she gone than Zack moaned, twisting away from Mac's hold.

“Whoa now, Zack. You're safe,” Mac told him.

Zack's eyes opened and closed very quickly in succession before he finally managed to hold them open. “What happened?”

“I was hoping you could tell me.”

Zack closed his eyes and shook his head. “I don't remember.”

“I figured as much. It's not a problem. You have a bad gash on the back of your head. I'm going to have to stitch it up. Gwen and Jillian are getting me some hot water.”

“Gwen's here?” he asked weakly. “Thought I wouldn't get to see her again.”

“Nah, you're too hardheaded to pass on from a mere blow.”

“How'd you find me?”

“Someone set fire to the jail. I'm presuming it has something to do with your Navajo guests. I'm hoping they escaped before the fire was set.”

Zack opened his eyes and looked up at Mac. “I figured they were up to something. They were just too quiet. Cooper came and tried to talk sense with them, but apparently it didn't help matters.”

Mac nodded. “Just try to rest. You aren't bleeding too badly right now, but you've lost a good bit of blood.”

Zack let out a long breath and closed his eyes. “You're the doc.”

“You need any help in there?” Mary Barnes called out before entering the examination room. Her hair was knotted in a hasty bun and her clothes showed marks of soot.

“Have they managed to contain the fire?” Mac questioned.

“For the most part. Ain't a whole lot close enough to catch fire since they moved the livery away from the jail.”

“Do you know if anyone else is injured?”

“Didn't hear anyone say they were,” Mary admitted. “They know you're here working on the sheriff, so I figure they'll come here if needed.”

“Mac, this water is hot. Where would you like it?” Jillian announced as she came into the room with Gwen right behind her. “Mary! Are you all right? Is Hope all right?”

“We're both fine. I left Hope with Kate and came on over here to see if Mac needed help. I figured you'd be with your folks.”

Jillian shook her head. “It's a long story, Mary, but one I promise to explain.”

“Right now we need to get this wound sewn up. Jillian, you may put the water on the counter here and then you and Gwen rest in the other room while Mary helps me.”

Jillian looked as if he'd somehow hurt her feelings, so Mac quickly added, “Mary's done this before, but soon I'll train you to help me.” She nodded, seeming to understand, then reached to take hold of Gwen's arm.

Gwen moved forward, then turned away and went quickly to Zack's side. Leaning down she pleaded, “Oh, Zack, please don't die.” Tears slid down her cheeks and onto Zack's face.

Opening his eyes, he gave her the tiniest smile. “Can't die. I'm gettin' hitched tomorrow.”

Mac laughed. “See, there's too much orneriness in him to die. Everything is going to be just fine.”

“Couldn't hurt to pray, though,” Mary told the women.

Jillian smiled. “Mary's right. We should have done that first thing. Come on, we'll get started.”

After she and Gwen left the room, Mac turned to Mary. “You best say one for me, as well.”

Mary laughed. “You're a fine doctor, Mac. What has you so stirred up?”

He gathered his instruments and sat down at the head of the table to work on Zack's head. “I'll explain it all later. Suffice it to say, God has His work cut out for Him.”

TWENTY-TWO

BY THE TIME MAC FINISHED UP with Zack and felt confident about putting him to bed in a room just off the examination room, it was nearly two in the morning.

Yawning, Mac suggested they all get some sleep. “Morning's going to come before we know it.”

“I don't want to leave him,” Gwen announced. “Please let me stay here with Zack.”

Mac nodded. “There's another cot in that room. If you don't think it will tarnish your reputation too much, you're welcome to stay.”

Mary yawned. “Well, I'm heading back to the hotel. You want to walk with me, Jillian?”

Jillian looked at Mac, uncertain what she should say. She opened her mouth to speak, but Mac took charge.

“Jillian will be staying here as well. We . . . ah . . . well, that is to say,” he stammered, actually looking ill at ease. Blushing like a schoolboy, he blurted out, “We got married tonight!”

“What!?” Both Gwen and Mary declared.

“It just sort of happened.” He grinned sheepishly and shrugged as though that explained everything.

“Well, not exactly,” Jillian replied, feeling the need to explain more. “I don't know exactly how to say this, but my father forced our plans. He found me talking to Mac and unfortunately assumed the worst.”

Mary chuckled and Gwen hid a smile. “Well, this is some wedding night,” Mary said. “You sure you wouldn't like me to stay here with Zack?” She looked directly at Mac as if Jillian had no say in any of it. “You two could go take my room at the hotel.”

Jillian swallowed hard and turned away. She'd tried unsuccessfully not to think about those moments when she'd have to be alone with Mac. They hadn't finished their conversation, and she still longed to tell him all that was in her heart. She hoped he would believe her when she told him how much she loved him. But what if he didn't?

“We'll stay here, Mary,” Mac announced. “I want to be close in case Zack needs something more.”

Mary nodded. “Well, I guess I'll see you in the morning, then.”

After Mary left, Mac arranged Gwen in the sickroom, leaving her with extra blankets should Zack grow chilled in the night. He quietly came back through the examination room and took Jillian by the hand.

“I know this is a difficult situation and it's very late,” he said, pausing by the bedroom door, “but I feel there are some things that must be said.”

Jillian knew he felt her trembling. Why did she have to be so obvious in her fear? Although it wasn't really fear—it was more an anxiety of sorts. She hadn't expected this turn of events, and now she wasn't at all sure what was expected of her.

“I don't have any of my things,” she offered weakly. It was all she could clearly think of to concentrate on.

“That's all right. You can use one of my nightshirts.” He said it as though there was nothing at all unusual about having a woman share his things.

He opened the door to the bedroom and gave Jillian a light nudge in the small of her back. “Sorry for the mess.”

Jillian smiled at the sight. Medical journals stacked haphazardly around the room vied for space with thick dusty books. Clothes had been strewn carelessly over the back of a chair, the end of the bed, and on the bedpost itself.

“I'm not much for housekeeping, I guess,” Mac said, turning her to face him. He studied her for a moment, making Jillian quite uneasy. “I don't want you to regret this. I know you didn't plan on becoming my wife. I know this was all a game to you, but now it's not. Now we're married, and I don't believe in divorce. I guess I should probably have told you that from the beginning. I know some folks get them, but I won't be one of them.”

Jillian lowered her head to keep from smiling. She wasn't about to get a divorce from the only man she'd ever fallen in love with. “I understand, Mac,” she said softly.

He gently touched her chin with his finger. “Look at me, Jillian.” She did and found his expression almost pained. “I want you to be sure about this. I know you started this out to put an end to your mother's meddling, but now it's gone beyond that.”

“I know that, Mac. I'm not a child,” she said, feeling slightly irritated at his speech.

“No, you most certainly are not a child,” he said, his voice low. “I want you to be sure about our marriage. I want you to share my bed, but only when you can say that you love me.”

“But—” Mac put a finger to her lips and wouldn't let her continue. “Marriage has to be more than feelings and more than plotting against someone else's plans. My parents loved each other a great deal. They filled a need in each other. I thought I might have that kind of love with Abigail, but it never happened. I want that kind of love with you.”

She thought he might kiss her, but instead, he moved away and began gathering up his clothes. His separation, even of a few feet, caused Jillian an immediate sense of loss. “I'll put these aside,” he continued. “You sleep in here tonight, and I'll take the sofa. That way if Zack needs me, Gwen won't have far to come.”