Page 8 of A Redemption Mountain Christmas
Eliza smiled, realizing she felt more at home around these people than she had anywhere in a long while.
Chapter Four
Rachel and Eliza exited the barn, blinking against the bright sunlight after the dim interior. As their eyes adjusted, they spotted a horse and rider approaching at a gallop.
Eliza recognized the tall, lean figure of Spencer Haglund astride an elegant bay gelding. He was leading another horse with a man slumped over the saddle, one arm wrapped around the horse’s neck while the other arm dangled by his side.
Spencer reined to a sharp stop in front of the women, his face etched with concern.
“It’s Tom. His horse threw him when we ran into a pack of wolves up in the north pasture. I think his arm’s busted up pretty bad. Maybe his ribs, too.”
Tom lifted his head with effort, his face pale and beaded with sweat. “Ladies,” he said through gritted teeth. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”
Eliza hurried over to examine Tom’s arm. The forearm was swollen and bruised, the wrist bent at an unnatural angle.
“It’s a nasty break,” she said. “We’ll need to set it properly and splint it.” She looked at Spencer and Rachel. “Is there somewhere we can take him?”
“Let’s get him up to the main house,” Rachel answered. “We’ll put him in one of the spare rooms.”
Together, they helped ease Tom down from the horse. He swayed a bit once on the ground, steadying himself against Spencer’s shoulder.
“Easy now, partner,” Spencer said. “Let’s get you fixed up.”
They made their way to the house, supporting Tom between them. Eliza felt the weight of responsibility settle on her shoulders.
Spencer glanced at the doctor, gratitude glimmering in his tawny eyes. Eliza met his gaze straight on, reflecting the confidence she felt. An unspoken understanding passed between them before Spencer turned to help Tom up the steps into the house.
Eliza followed Rachel into the house, Spencer and Tom entering behind them. Opening the door of a spare bedroom on the first floor, Rachel turned down the covers.
Spencer helped Tom ease down onto the bed while Eliza examined his injured arm more closely.
“The break is clean. It must be set soon before the swelling gets any worse. I’ll need some cloth for bandages, straight sticks for a splint, and strong alcohol to clean the abrasions around the break,” she said. “Rachel, do you mind assisting me?”
“Not at all. I’ll get the supplies.” She hurried from the room.
Eliza turned to Spencer. “Can you stay to hold him down while I set his arm?”
Spencer nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
Eliza placed a gentle hand on Tom’s uninjured shoulder. “I know it hurts. I’ll get this over with as quickly as possible.”
Tom’s face was drawn, his skin pale and clammy, but he managed a pained smile. “Much obliged, ma’am. This isn’t the first time I’ve busted myself up out here. You’re a good deal prettier than the last doctor who patched me up.”
Eliza couldn’t help chuckling. Even injured, the cowboy’s spirited charm shined through.
When Rachel returned with the supplies, Eliza had Spencer hold Tom steady while they worked. With efficient but gentle motions, Rachel cleaned the area before Eliza reset the broken bone, splinting it securely. Tom hissed in pain while doing his best not to move. Before Tom knew it, she stepped away.
“All done,” Eliza said, resting a hand on his uninjured shoulder once more. “You’ll need to go easy on the arm for several weeks. Unless there’s a problem, you should be able to start light work after two or three weeks.”
Relief flashed across Tom’s face. “Much obliged, ma’am. I owe you a debt of gratitude.”
“Your arm healing is all the gratitude I need. Get some rest now.” She stood, turning to find Spencer watching her, an inscrutable look in his golden brown eyes.
“You have a healer’s gift.”
Eliza felt her cheeks grow warm at the unexpected praise. “Thank you, Mr. Haglund.”
Their gazes held for a long moment before Eliza turned and left the room.
