Rumor has it

[Lovely]

July 28, Year 1


he was smiling and biting his lip in anticipation of spoiling her when he gets a chance... Watching her as she hurried down the street

She walked past him almost as if she didn't see him, but then paused and slapped him. "Oh and a message for your greasy brother... tell him to shove his penny where the sun doesn't shine!!"

"What in blazes...?" He held his hand on his cheek where is rightly stung, a fire of confusion in his gaze. "Ciara???"

"Mr Carlisle.. I would appreciate it if you would not address me so familiar.. Miss Palmer is fine, if you must address me... and at the moment I see no reason for you to need to do that." Slaps him again and turns away.

His hand went up in defense as she struck him again, recoiling and moving back, folding into himself to hide the water in his eye that the sting brought forth. What had happened since he'd seen her last? Was he so drunk the night before... ? Would have been a good excuse if he'd been drinking at all. He watched her turn her back and followed at a distance. "Ci... Miss Palmer... beg pardon, miss.."

"Beg pardon? Oh.. that's rich.. you should.. but not my pardon.. why don't you go.. do the right thing.. by the girl you need to be doing it by.." She barely got the words out, nearly choking on them as tears shone in angry and hurt eyes.

His hand rubbed absently at his cheek as it went slowly numb and looked around the street, stepping closer to speak quietly. "What girl? When? There's a story I don't seem to be hearing the once upon a time about here... care to tell me what you're fussing over?"

Her hand raised and then dropped as she sighed a trembling breath out, fighting to hold back tears she refused to cry in front of him. "What girl? The one from Tessa's... the one you have been carrying on with.. the one who is.. the one.. you got with child!" She whispered the words though the anguish and emotion was clearly carried in her quiet voice.

He staggered a step, his eyes wide as he shook the cobwebs from his head and ears. "What?" He glanced around the street again. "I'd ask you to repeat that slowly, but I'm sure you're still mistaken... I'm no father."

"You're going to be..." She folded her arms and had to look away from his as her voice broke. Taking a deep breath she looked back to him, not able to meet his eyes. "I heard her telling your sister... asking for help.. in convincing you to do the right thing.."

A look of concern and panic washed over him, taking the color from him as it traveled with the chill. A colder determination settled in his spine, building on the denial.. it couldn't be true and he was determined to prove it. The glimmer in his eye turned pale then darkened like his brother's, a slow fury building. "Which girl?"

[Lovely]

She swallowed, closing her eyes as she tried to place a name with the face... A face she would never be able to forget. "I don't know her name... I'm not that familiar with the girls to know all their names."

"You're saying that I am?" He took mild offense. His reputation was what it was, but he always was a gentleman regardless of the rumor. He knew this and had hoped that Ciara would as well. He shook his head. "It's as true as the man in the moon, Miss Palmer. Whatever you heard was a story and nothing more."

"She was asking your sister for help!" She exclaimed a little more loudly than the whispered words. "You're telling me she went to your sister.. for.. a story?"

He huffed gently, trying unsuccessfully to be convincing. "Miss Palmer... Ciara... please... it's not the truth... regardless of what you heard."

"Why would she say it.. and to your sister no less?"

He raised an eyebrow, wanting to bring certain things to light about his adoring sister. "I don't understand that part either, but when I find out, you'll be the second to know, hopefully," he said, softly insisting still, hoping that she might know him well enough to give him benefit of that doubt. "She may be with child, but it's not mine."

The back of her hand came to cover her mouth to hold back the sobs that threatened dangerously to overtake her. "You.. are positive about this?" She whispered, very distressed, her heart racing in her chest as she searched his face.

His pale green eyes were as full of worry as her own, but the genuine warmth met her as it had the night at the creek. "Positive, Ciara," he whispered, reassuring.. lovingly. He reached to brush her cheek if she would allow him.

His fingers touched her face and a tear worked it's way free from the corner of her eye, slowly rolling down her cheek.

"There's only one woman I'll ever father a child with," he whispered, taking the tear gently away. "Whatever she wants, she won't have it from me... it's not my place."

She'd been nearly sick with the agony this news had brought to her.. her heart feeling shattered and torn to pieces. Now as he stood before her, she wanted to believe him.

[Lovely]

The cackle was unmistakable as the horse came up behind, disturbing a cloud of dust. "Well if it ain't the gay Irish rover... planting a new crop this year, I hear, Carlisle... what's it gonna be? A boy or a girl, hm?"

Cody's voice settled as uncomfortably on his ears as the dust did on his face. "Get away, Westgate," Alex sneered, not taking his eyes from Ciara, still insisting that it was a hoax.

She looked up at Cody and felt the street pitch and turn. Her breath was laboured as she fought to remain standing. Her brow covered in a light sheen of sweat. She'd been hiding the wound for days.. and she grew weaker and less able to carry on in a normal fashion. "Good... day.." She whispered in a pained voice, turning and making her way slowly up the street towards the shop. She leaned heavily on the railing where she could, feeling breathless and begging for the strength to make it inside safely. It looked as though she might, but she collapsed at the doors to the merchantile.

"Ciara?!" Alex tossed another sneer at Cody, "Your help would be more appreciated elsewhere." He spat the dust from his mouth and ran to help the girl.

Cody laughed and trotted to the doorway, sliding cleanly off his horse, stepping up to the girl to hoist her up gently before Alex had run the distance to meet up with them. "Go find your girl, Alex. She's ...expecting.. you, you know." Cody carried her to his horse to get her to the doctor quickly.

Ciara moaned softly as she was lifted, her eyes fluttering and her arm falling away from her middle where it had curled around her. Her dress was wet with a dark liquid that had soaked through.

He'd heard enough, the sound of Cody's voice alone being a spark on his fuse. As soon as he'd secured Ciara to ride safely, Alex stepped up to him, sniffing a playful whiff with a hint of danger Cody was usualy blind and deaf to. "Westgate.. you're a fine upstanding man..."

Cody turned to the compliment, briefly confused by Alex's tone, only to find the air cut by a fist that sailed through it to his jaw. He spun around, letting fly the pink spittle as his lip was cut.

"Much better when you're not so upstanding," Alex grinned, lithely taking to Cody's horse and making off to the doctor's with the girl. "Hold on Ciara... you'll be fine.... right as rain."

He'd hardly spun the full way around. "Carlisle!!! You'll pay!"

She did not respond to his words, the blood that soaked through her dress seeping into and wetting his shirt.

[Lovely]

He looked down at the dampness and cringed, riding as quickly as he could to the far end of town to the doctor's. It wasn't far, but seemed miles as he watched her color drain. "Hold on, Ciara, almost there... Doc!... Samuel!?" He called loudly to anyone that would hear as he slid from the horse to help her down.

She all but fell from the horse into his arms, clinging to him weakly as her eyes fought to stay open. Her pained gaze moved over his face. "Alex.." She gasped, her eyes slipping closed.

Samuel jumped and bustled up from his nap.. he'd fallen asleep reading a book at his desk. "Alex? Alex is that you?" He called as he came to the door. "What in the devil.. you scared me.." His voice trailed off at seeing Alex holding the girl. "What's happened?" He didn't recognise her as her face was turned away. "Bring her in.."

"I wish I knew. She didn't exactly say before she was whispering to the floor," he said in a rush, carrying as gently as he could. "She's losing blood and probably has been for a while. Can you help her? What can I do?"

"Lay her on the table there." He motioned and pulled up the cart with his tools and such on it.

A chill traveled through him as he looked at the jagged bits of metal on the tray. He gently stretched her on the table and stayed close, his hand finding hers to offer comfort.

He had no one to assist him, but Alex at the moment, giving his littlest brother a smile he motioned the tray and the bottle to douse instruments as he needed. "Alex... " He looked down at the blood on his shirt. "Are you hurt.. or is that belonging to the young lady?" He looked down and brushed a lock of hair from Ciara's pale cheek. His hands moved down and he motioned for a sharp tool to cut away her dress where the blood soaked through.

Ciara moaned softly at the movement of being laid on the table and her fingers curled around Alex's hand lightly when he took hers, but otherwise she didn't stir.

"What?" He looked to Ciara's palor and then to his brother, slowing following the comment and the gaze. He reached for the snips and shook his head mechanically. "All hers.. I'm fine... fine," he said distantly.

Outside the door a loud and broken curse against their family name ruptured the peace as Cody caught up and stumbled in, his boots hitting the boards heavily as he came in to the room. "That is the last time, Alex... I will not be made fool in my own town."

"Mr Westgate.. if you please..." He motioned to Ciara, pale and motionless on the table. "I need to attend miss Palmer. Would you be so kind as fetch one of her brothers or her father?" His gaze turned coldly to the man as he tromped into the room. His hands were deftly cutting away the cloth, under her dress was a white corset that was soaked through as well. A large stain of dark crimson covered the side of the corset. Sam whistled and looked to find the closest seam. "I need to get this off.. the wound is underneath and appears to be bleeding terribly."

"What about him?" Cody demanded defiantly, wondering why Alex would be allowed to stay if he wasn't. "Gotta get a gander at every girl in town anyway you can, Alex?"

[Lovely]

"Westgate shut up!" Sam barked. "I am asking you to go fetch her family because you are friendly with them... Please, news that their girl is bleeding badly on my table is not likely to go over well.. taken better coming from the kind face of a concerned friend." He was normally a calm quiet man, but when angered... lord help those within his reach. "Post haste Cody.. before the poor girl takes her last breath without a single kin at her side."

His head twisted back as if he were physically struck by the shout, but his expression remained coldly focused on Alex. "Yeah... of course, Doc... be right back."

The gaze was returned as coldly, but only briefly. "Please, Cody," he said, holding the contempt and bile in his throat back as he pleaded. "Hurry."

He threw the cloth he'd been using to dab his own lip in the bin as he stomped out hurriedly, the sound of him setting his horse in motion a moment later being heard in the room.

"Sorry, Sam... what do you need me to do? Please... I have to help."

"You're going to have to help me.. undress her part way... Had I a woman close enough.. I'd not ask such a thing.. But time is precious.. I need to see what is bleeding." He sighed. "You think you can help a lady out of a corset?" He'd cut her dress cleanly away to her waist and up her ribs.

He found little humor in the slight, the look he gave carrying to coldness to Sam's side of the room. "I'll thank you kindly to address her and not redress me just now, Sam... that's a soreness I can't abide at the moment." He pulled Ciara up gently to his shoulder to brace her, his fingers nimble at the tiny connections that held the corset in place, preventing the need to slit it and destroy it.

"I was asking if you could..." He sighed. "Never mind you none.. Just asking for your help Alex.. Perhaps later you'd like to tell me what has you so sore hmm?" His hands moved to help the corset off once Alex had undone the bindings. "There we are, lay her back and grab a cloth to cover her front please." He carefully kept the alarm out of his voice at what he could already see, and the amount of blood that dripped from the corset and her side.

She moaned louder and her arms tightened around him briefly as she was lifted and rested against Alex. "Pl.." She started to say something and it was lost to another sound as Sam shifted her and the corset away. Her side was aching badly, and a light fever seemed to have come over her in the last few hours.

Alex nodded, setting her back gently and moving to the cupboard for a clean cloth that he draped over her tenderly, looking only briefly at the wound and feeling some amount of sympathy pain for her. He recognized it as it was, and marveled at her strength. "Why was she shot?"

Sam inspected the wound carefully and as gently as he could. "Hopefully she'll recover and be able to tell us... I don't know Alex... Do you know.. " He paused the wound was recent but had obviously happened before today. "She sometimes takes deliveries out, for the shop... has she gone on any recently.. perhaps.. though I don't understand why she was not brought to me directly?" His worried gaze lifted to Alex and then returned to Ciara. He reached for a bottle and poured the liquid over the wound to cleanse it. Taking a scalpel in his hand and another thin flat piece he gently pulled the angry wound open.

Alex winced on her behalf, looking away from the hole, feeling a bit faint himself. He thought back the few days, knowing for certain when she wasn't injured and moved forward to the current day. He shook his head, though it started to hurt from the thoughts and fears that swam in it. "She appeared fine... never said a word. I wonder why," he mused, his eyes misting slightly with his worry.

Ciara cried out as the wound was cleansed and opened, her eyes finally opening for more than a brief second. She blinked, whimpering and then her eyes closed again.

Sam nodded as his fingers probed into the hole and she stirred, he paused watching as her eyes opened and closed. He sighed and nodded. "Good news.. it appears the shot went clean through.. nothing stuck inside... though the angle is.. odd."

[Lovely]

His gaze rose to meet his brother's. "Odd.. in what way? She'll be alright... won't she?"

"Close range I'm guessing.. as in the pistol was probably pressed against her and she most likely was bent over... maybe struggling?" He shook his head. "All I can do is speculate... but.." He pulled his fingers from her, covered in blood. "I can stitch her up and hope to prevent the infection from going further... I can see it's started just here.." He touched the pink flesh. "But someone has done a decent job tending to her.. d**n lucky... but she's not been stitched and the wound has not been able to close properly.. she's lost alot of blood... " Sam spoke as his nimble fingers were rinsed and he reached to begin stitching up the wound. "Hopefully she has some strength left to make it through."

"Few stronger," he muttered, his attention diverted to the sounds of horses outside.

"Ci? Where...?" Chance ran in, ushering his hat from his head as he rushed, stopping short when seeing her on the table. "Ciara?" His voice became small behind the shock.

Cody stepped in slowly this time behind Chance, not looking at the others as he spoke. "Sloane and Josh will be here soon enough. Done my deed... going back to town unless you need me."

"Unless her brothers would like you to fetch anything.. I think I will soon have enough hands to help." Sam's voice was considerably calmer than when he'd barked at Cody earlier. "Thank you mister Westgate." He didn't even look up from the delicate stitching. Anyone watching might swear he'd be fine at woman's embroidery as he made neat and tiny stitches in the girl's side. His head lifted as he tied off the last and he glanced at Chance. "She's alive... A girl being shot and not brought to me right off... you're lucky she's still breathing on this here table." He scolded lightly, assuming her brothers would have known of her injury and that it had been one of them tending her before she's collapsed.

"Shot?" Chance glanced at Alex and then at Cody who wandered off to the door. "What do you mean by 'shot'?"

Cody paused at the words, but seeing the look he was given, he continued on out the door. "Never laid a hand on her," he defended, taking to his horse and heading off.

Alex looked back timidly. He'd been too close to the older Palmer boy's rifle too recently and never trusted Chance and his mood swings. He shook his head, not providing any answer either. He was as curious to know as their brothers.

"She was shot... In here out here.." Sam pointed to the wound he'd been stitching, he also pointed to the bloody but unmarred corset and soiled bandage that had been stuck to it. "I'd say less than three days old.. You didn't know?" His eyebrow raised and he glanced at Alex, thinking of his earlier speculation. He wondered what would make her keep something like this from her brothers. A most distressing thought occured to him and he frowned. "Alex.. you may want to step out... Chance you as well.. Though I am asking your permission to examine her.. elsewhere and determine if she has any.. other injuries." His voice was a restained whisper.

She murmured softly, mainly incoherent moans and barely heard words, her eyes closed.

[Lovely]

"s'ok... she's delerious with pain and blood loss.. .she can say what she wants ..and fever." He whispered softly to her as Sam talked to her brothers, letting his voice hold and keep her with him. "... c'mon.. say it... 'I love you, Alex'.."... He grinned gently. "kidding.."

"I love you Alex.."

blinks and looks at Sam.".. bastard... quit it.. she's unconscious."

Shakes head, raised brow. "I didn't say anything.. and my voice isn't that soft."

He blinks again and leans closer, concerned..." Ciara?"

"Alex.." Very softly, like a whispered breath past his ear.

"Here, luv," he whispered back, a slight accent hitting her own ear. "Sam's got you.. be good as new in no time."

"I...I'm sorry..." She whispered in a strained voice. She murmured something as she slipped 'under' again.

His fingers curled with hers gently and he clasped his other hand over them. "Nothing to be sorry for, lass... nothing at all," he whispered before looking up at Sam then to her brother who stood quietly across from them. Alex wasn't keen on saying anything more, certain she could still hear the conversations a little.

"Doc... what happened to her? When? Did someone rob her at the store?"

"I don't know when." Sam answered honestly and then looked from Alex to Chance. "You were not aware of her injury.... and it's at least a couple of days old..." He closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose a moment. "What reason would she have not to tell you of a wound of this serious in nature?" He'd asked to examine her before she had stirred and hated to repeat the possiblity... even if he'd only implied and not outright stated it.

"A couple days? Doc, you're kidding... why would she? I mean, she's a strong girl, but," Chance shook his head and looked over Alex's handhold on her. "You got something you wanna say, Carlisle? Beginning to think it may not be good luck following her with you around... her falling in the store and now this?"

Alex's expression spoke more than the cold silence. He looked away from Chance and focused on Ciara, brushing a wisp from her face that the draft moved out of place. He closed his eyes in his silence, mouthing something that wasn't in english.

"Has she been out on deliveries alone.. within the past week?" Sam asked softly of Chance, trying to be a compassionate yet distanced doctor... though the thoughts of what if this was his sister, kept crossing his mind.

He sighed, twisting his hat in his hands, shaking his head. "Can't rightly say... imagine so, 'cept one day she rode off with him." He nodded at Alex with a faint air of contempt. "Coulda been more than the one time. Can't say as I'd know that either."

[Lovely]

"It's nothing to do with me," Alex said quietly, not turning his gaze from the girl on the table. "I don't know what happened either."

"Chance.. I have never known my brother to.. strike a lady... much less shoot one. And I don't believe he would start with the young lady he is so anamored with." Sam's voice was quiet and reasoning. "Though I have not fully examined her, she does have bruising.. which may be an indication that she was set upon..." He pointed to a mark that could be seen 'peeking' from under the cloth that covered Ciara.

Alex turned his face to the words. "Set... in what way, Sam? Be specific... so I know whether I'm just gonna go shoot back or shoot to kill when I find out who did this to her?"

Chance blanched slightly, staggered by hearing the words from the doctor followed by the unexpected reaction from the young man. He didn't know Alex well outside of the rumors, but what little Ciara had told him came full circle. His eyes were apologetic, but his mouth twisted with raw anger to match Alex's. "Doc... you better not be meaning how that sounds."

His eyebrow arched. "I apologise Chance.. I am merely stating... She's been shot.. days ago.. and told no one.. she delibrately hid it.. not many reasons for a girl to do such a thing.. and she has bruising.. the shot was close range.." He sighed. "I do not wish it to be true.. and there are two ways to find out if.. if.. such a thing has occured." He looked from Alex to Chance and then to Ciara. Sam was a doctor and though at most times he held himself emotionally outside his work... his brother's obvious caring for this girl and that he knew her family twisted his heart and tore at his calm repose.

"Doc...?" Chance stepped closer, inching around the table and eyeing the tray of instruments. His face turned skyward as he sighed a quiet prayer. "Do what you have to do. Unless you need me, I'm gonna go visit that tin star brother of yours and see what he knows. Not likely a gun goes off anywhere in this county that he don't know about in some way. Don't know what it is about you boys... just seems a might bit strange is all. Keep watch on her, Alex... she's counting on you."

Alex nodded. "Thank you," he said softly, biting back his anger for a moment as Chance left them. He turned to Sam with wet eyes, hoping what was said wasn't true. "He's right... find out... do what you have to do, but please, god.. don't let it be true. So unfair for her."

He nodded and reached for his snips, motioning Alex to lift her once more. "I need to remove the rest of her coverings.. We'll have to get one of the boys to fetch a sleeping gown for her." He looked to the girl's pale face. "I think it's best to keep her here for a few days where she can be under my constant care, until she is out of.. danger."

"Consider it fetched, Doc... what do you need?" Sloane stepped in quietly, having met Chance on his way out. "Mind telling me why the drunk's still here?"

Sam rolled his eyes. "Are we going to have to go through this everytime someone walks in the door?"

Alex grinned. "Wouldn't doubt it," he sighed.

"Well you can go through it once for the both of us." Josh spoke in a cool tone at Sloane's shoulder.

Alex turned at the other voice, bristling visibly and letting go of Ciara's hand for the first time in an hour. "That's alright, maybe I should go and let her family help from here, Sam."

He may have let go of her hand, but she didn't let go of his.

"See your charm seems to knock her from her senses even when she's out of them on her own," Sloane noted, seeing that Alex tried to move, but Ciara's hand stayed fast. "Don't know what spell you done to her, Carlisle, but you better undo it and forget right quick about doing it again."

[Lovely]

"Good god.. what is it my brother has done to you boys, to make it so he can not even show concern for the young miss?" Sam shook his head exzasperated. "And your other brother asked him to stay.. to watch over her..." He moved to wash his hands in the basin. "Could we please focus on getting the poor girl well again and then worry about scaring off boys you don't like?" He dried his hands on a cloth and motioned to the pale, injured young woman.

Alex moved uncomfortably, helping raise her as directed, not saying another word to her brothers or to his own. Carefully keeping the cloth covering her from view, he looked at Sloane, waiting for the gown and diverting his eyes as much as he could.

"Not just 'not like', Doc... don't take kindly to the ones that have designs on my only sister with his displays and his games and fights. He's a cheat... and a devil for what I know," Sloane said plainly, watching the boy's gaze go to the cabinet behind him. He was curious just the same, watching Alex remain helpful, being sure he took no advantage. He brought back the gown and tossed it gently.

"Yes, for what you know.. and for all the good it does you to think as you will and never give the boy a chance." Sam took the gown and set it next to Ciara, carefully cutting away more of the dress. He barely hid the gasp at the bruises that were revealed on her arms and more on her back. Samuel paused and cleared his throat. "You.. boys sure you can handle seeing her like this?" He asked softly, turning worried eyes towards the young men present. His trained eyes moved over her back and arms noting the placement and degree of the marks. He set aside his snips for the moment and reached for the gown.

Sloane watched the expressions change and nodded, looking to see if Joshua would stand vigil as well. "Ain't much we haven't seen one time or another with fevers and such between us. Don't worry me none. Long as he's here and all," he nodded at Alex, though not as severe in his tone. "Just be honest in what you see and say is all."

Josh shrugged. "I can handle it Doc." He shifted and made sure the door was closed tight, leaning his back against it as he watched. His arms folded and a worried but stern expression on his face.

Sam nodded, his eyes closing a moment, then he stepped back to let them see the marks for themselves before he brought the light cotton over her head and shoulders. "I'm sorry." He said quietly, though these mark did not say for sure she'd been violated in other ways, she'd surely had a working over.

Sloane looked over the marks and sneered at Alex. "Better not be your handiwork," he murmured. His head raised up, a cool grin and a look down his nose at the doctor. "Don't suppose you'll be able to tell anything about who it was from all that?" He glanced briefly at Alex again.

"For the love of God and all his creatures, Sloane... I had nothing to do with this... would never... I... never you mind... I just wouldn't," he almost let his tongue loll out the words on their own, but kept them close and tied tight in his throat with his fear, not wanting to admit anything and ruin everything he'd hoped for. The rumor about town was damaging enough.

[Lovely]

A knock came on the door with the call of a voice familiar to his brothers, a certain sing-song quality to the tone. "Samuel... not like you to bolt the door during business, brother."

"Patrick.." He sighed. "I am attending a patient."

Josh moved from the door and turned to pull it open a bit, with a cold glare. "What can I do for you Patty?"

"Well there's another here when you're done." He was quiet a moment, listening to someone he was with. "She's in no hurry... will be waiting. Josh... such a pleasure as always," he grinned.

"Another patient?... Who you got out there Patty?" Josh needed someplace to vent the rage he felt at seeing his sister in such a state.. and well Pat was close enough..

"Seems it's one of Tess's girls come about for a test. Found her here waiting alone. Shame one of you gents weren't nice enough to keep the poor dear company, all teary eyed and lost."

Sam moved to the door a hand on Josh's shoulder. "Please Patrick.." He began quietly. "If it's not an emergency... I'll see her tomorrow... I've got someone who's bad off in here, that I need to attend to."

"Yes.. my sister's a little more important than... well anyone else in this d**n town!" Josh gripped the door, with his hand, needing something to lash out at.

"Temper, Master Palmer," he tutted with a cold smirk. "Samuel will tend to her fine, but this poor lass is rather distraught in her... condition. And here I thought you a proper gentleman."

"Patrick please... her condition is fragile and serious... unless this other girl has been attacked and shot as well... I will see her tomorrow." Samuel spoke in a deep firm voice, warning his brother against games.

"Proper gentleman.." Josh was out the door and standing beside Patrick. "Well now you know I am.. let's see this girl and see how bad off she is."

The girl had a curious look about her, distant and preoccupied, as she rocked on the chair, her hand to her stomach. She hummed some lullabye while she twirled a finger of her other hand in her dark wavy ringlets. Her eyes were darkened from tears and worry.

"There's a good lad, now," Patrick cooed, ushering Josh to meet the lass. "Seems she's in a bit of a bind and came looking for my brother just now."

"She looks to have all her limbs and doesn't appear to be bleeding out anywhere." He looked at Pat. "What's she need the doctor for?"

The girl's eyes didn't meet him as she stared into the room, still humming. "She's not attached here just now, lad," Patrick said, tapping over his own brow. "Says a lad in town had his way and now he's gone... though the name she mentioned sounds much like m'own little brother. Can't imagine he'd do such a thing... do you?"

Josh snorted. "With one of Tessa's girls.. well sure as heck why not.. that's what they do!"

[Lovely]

He gave Patrick a look like the man had two heads. "Their wh*res Patty.. men go to them and have their way... Or so I have heard." He winked.

"Imagine if it had been your sister, Josh... finding she was with child and nowhere to go, yeah?"

"My sister's not a wh*re in Tessa's house is she? And now if it was your sister in that room there, been shot and not looking so well... would you much care about a wh*re who done got herself in a tangle?"

"Being as I'm trying to drag my brother out here to sort what he's done, I believe I would, lad."

"Well I'm sure your sister would be glad to know you'd care so much if she was near dead." Josh said coldly. "Now I don't care much if your brother knocked up Tessa's entire house... all I care about is my sister getting well and finding out who done this to her... then I'm gonna be hurting somebody... You're brother is in there helping my sister... Now I'm sorry for the lady... but she is what she is and there aint no changing the fact that she willingly takes men into her bed... Your brother.. if it's his can fix it later... if he chooses to do so.. if not.. then not."

Her eyes flicked coldly to gaze on the man. "Then tend your sister and I'll see to the girl. Tell my brother ... and your sister's keeper in there... actually tell them nothing. Since they don't seem fit to care about all god's creatures equally.... like you. Good day, Master Palmer."

He stepped to the girl and helped her up, letting her lean on him until they were out the door and out of sight, a shriek then a wail heard from the walkway.

Josh stepped out and folded his arms, looking down the walkway.

The girl was in hysterics, flailing at Patrick, pushing him away as if she'd gone mad, tearing at her clothing and pulling her hair to full effect. Patrick tried to calm her it seemed as he slowly escorted her back to toward Tessa's.

Josh shook his head, watching the display and thinking the girl was out of her head... poor thing...

"Josh... leave them be and come back in here," Sloane called. He stepped back in to the room and apologized. "What more do we do to help, Doc?"

Josh's eyes narrowed on the two walking away. He had seen the girl at Tessa's.. He slowly turned and walked back inside, thinking about the way Pat seemed insistant on making Alex look... he seemed as though he wanted people angry with Alex. Josh leaned against the wall, closing the door softly.

[Lovely]

Sam had pulled the gown down to Ciara's waist, examining her torso thoroughly as Josh and Pat had their exchange. He moved to remove the cloth from her waist and below, looking to Sloane to help pull it away as he slid the gown down to cover her.

Alex kept his eyes diverted if not closed in quiet prayer as he held her nearly like the ragdoll she was. His eyes, still damp with fear and worry let roll a single tear he tried to blink away. He couldn't fathom why she'd not said anything to anyone... felt he was to blame for not noticing sooner and cursing himself.

Sloane nodded to Samuel, pulling the fabric where it was needed. He chuckled gently, more from nerves. "Haven't done this since she was still in blankets and rags," he mused. "Never thought... never thought..." He shook his head, choking back the thoughts.

Sam set a light hand on Sloane's shoulder. "I'll do everything in my power.." He turned his gaze to Alex noticing the tear, feeling himself filled with worry. "Alex... Can you manage to bring her to the bed, After I am finished? Josh, would you fix it up proper? Linens are in the cupboard." He motioned to the next room, where the bed for those who had extended stays with him was. Though it had not been used often. Sam grabbed a few rolled up cloths and set them under Ciara's legs. "Lay her back, Alex.. I'll finish up quickly." He shifted the hem of the gown up on her thighs and took another cloth to drape over her for modesty. His eyes flicked to the bruises on her legs and prayed that he would not find their worst fears upon further examination.

This couldn't be happening to the angel, he thought. He blinked and mawed to clear his vision, clearing his head as he shook it. "Yes of course... of course," he whispered, leaning her back and stepping aside to allow Sam the room he needed. He steered clear of Josh and Sloane both, leaning against the wall and peeking out the window at the rustling trees as he waited.

Josh's fists were balled into tightly clenched fists as he watched and waited. At Sam's instructions he grunted and moved off into the other room to make up the bed. His own eyes stung with tears and with his back to the others a few of those tears slid free.

Sam sighed and then steeled himself, lifting the cloth and manuvering under it to examine her upper thighs and her delicate area. After a few moments he slid free and covered her properly, his arms folded around his middle, with one hand brought up to his lips. He seemed deep in thought.

Ciara made a soft noise, not quite a moan and her head shifted to the side, then she was still once more.

The sound abruptly turned Alex's gaze from the window and his daydreams. "Ciara?" He whispered without thinking.

"Silence is worse than sugaring the truth, Doc... what d'ya see?"

Sam startled slightly and then cleared his throat. "One fear can be laid to rest, she is intact... no harm seems to have come to her there." He sighed heavily. "But the bruising on her upper thighs and arms, as if she were held down...indicates that someone attempted... They failed, beneath she is unmarred, no indication of tearing there.."

Josh breathed a sigh of relief as he came from the other room, the bed neatly made and the sheet drawn back. His eyes still held a worried glow, but he was a bit calmer finding she was not forced. He cast a glance at Sloane. "Thank goodness for small blessings.."

[Lovely]

Sloan sighed heavily, relaxing some, though his eyes traveled to Alex with a note of warning. Knowing that she was unsoiled, he couldn't help but wonder about Alex' true intent now. He nodded to Josh, agreement of that blessing.

Alex slipped between them and their glances, coming to Sam's side. "When you're ready for her to be moved," he said quietly at the ready.

Josh's eyes followed Alex, though he was not as 'against' the boy as his brother seemed to be.

Sam nodded, putting a hand on Alex's arm. "Thank you, now is fine.. better to get her someplace comfortable to rest. "

He gingerly picked the limp girl up in his arms as directed, moving past Josh with a glance, but no words.

The movement brought another small noise and a sound that could have been Alex's name whispered from her lips.

Josh moved to the side to let Alex pass with Ciara in his arms, following a few steps behind and standing near the end of the bed.

Sam moved towards Sloane, giving him a nod as he went in to make sure she was comfortable. A low voice spoke as he paused near Sloane. "That she has made it thus far, shows her strength... As long as I can hold off the infection, she should recover fully... the loss of blood will keep her weak for some time... So we should be cautiously hopeful."

His hand paused the doctor before he moved to the other room. "City folk have the means to put in more blood if blood's lost, Doc... if you need to... or can... do what you have to. I'm not letting our girl go.. neither are you."

Sam looked from Sloane's hand to his face and nodded. "I may need to obtain a few items I do not have here to set up such procedures." Sam was more than willing to do all he could to help. "There are five of you boys.. if all are as willing... there should be no trouble replenishing what she's lost."

"They're willing... I'll put my word on it. Just say what you need and we'll phone from the station. Can send Nate on up.. he's the lightest and the fastest ride, less'n you're needing a full wagon."

Josh patted Alex on the arm. "Don't let Sloane give you too much crap, while I'm gone. Alright kid?" He gave a small grin and turned towards the door. "I'll go call... get little guy on down here.."

Sam moved and quickly took a look at what he had and what he would need. "Just a few items." He wrote them quickly on a paper and handed it to Josh. "Thank you.. Let's get her settled in... and I can start setting everything to be ready." Sam shifted out of the over shirt he was wearing and rolled his sleeves up to his elbows. "Alex grab a couple of cloths to roll and put under her arm... Sloane, would you give me a hand moving this table in nearer to the bed?"

[Lovely]

Sloane followed and hoisted the table to shift closer as needed with little trouble, watching as Alex scurried for the cloths. He brought the rolled cloths to the bedside. "What is it you're doing?"

"Simply put I will be taking blood from the boys and putting it into Ciara to make up for all she has lost." He moved about, setting a new array of items to his cart and spreading a clean sheet over the table. He moved beside Ciara and felt her forehead, shifting the gown to check on the stitching as she had been moved about. Everything was satisfactory, for the moment and he handed one cloth to Alex to roll as Sam rolled the other. He laid her arm out straight and slid the cloth under it to prop it up a little.

He watched and carefully mimicked the rolling to set beside the other and keep her arm raised. "You... you can do that? Just take someone else's blood and give it to someone like that? Can you use mine?"

"Could be a full day before Nate gets here with what you need from the city. What can we do til then?"

"Pray." He said softly. "Perhaps a little broth or something in case she wakes up... anything we can to help her keep and build her strength. " He moved around making sure everything was in order. Pausing by Alex he laid a hand on his shoulder. "Five brothers should do well... but I'll remember the offer should we need more. " He watched Ciara a moment, quietly. "Yes.. broth... I believe we should attempt to rouse her... get her to take some... and then let her rest again."

He looked to the others in the room. "I'll see if I can get some. The hotel should be starting the meals, right? A pitcher.. something.. I'll find something."

Sloane slowed the boy. He had his own thoughts forming on what was giving her strength at the moment from the way she responded to him. "Stay with her. I'll fetch the broth. Josh should be back from the station soon. Start him with your blood work, Doctor. May see Chance back here too if he's done with the sheriff."

Sam was setting up some medicine for her and nodded to Sloane. "Of course."

Word had reached Tessa a short time before, rumors, news and stories traveled quickly in this town. She was hurrying up the street, to find out if it was true and if she could do anything to help.