Page 3 of Heart of Mystic Valley
Annalee glanced between Faith and Joshua, noting the unspoken connection, the subtle shift in their dynamic. She raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
“Come on,” Joshua said to Annalee. “Let’s get back to Gavin.”
The warmth of the wood stove cut through their layers of clothing. Outside, a small crowd had begun to gather, drawn by the news of the accident.
Joshua glanced through the window, casting a look at the gathering crowd, his thoughts already miles away in the mountains where the accident occurred.
Inside the clinic, the tension returned, settling over Joshua and Annalee like an unwelcome guest. They took seats near the examination table where Gavin lay, his chest rising and falling in a drugged sleep.
Annalee broke the silence. “Do you remember when you broke your arm? It was after church, and you were trying to climb old man Johnson’s white oak tree?”
Joshua smiled. “I cried like a baby. Gavin’s handling this a lot better than I did.”
“You were six,” Annalee reminded him, a touch of fondness in her voice. “And Ma made everything better with a kiss and an apple pie. Who’s going to kiss Gavin’s broken arm and bake him a pie?”
“Ma will. The same as always.”
Annalee leaned her head on Joshua’s shoulder.
Doctor Wainwright returned from the office. He checked the bump on Gavin’s head, adjusted the sling, and made a few notes. Joshua and Annalee watched in silence, their eyes tracking the doctor’s every move.
He turned to them, his expression softening. “Gavin’s stable now. The splint and cast will hold until the bone starts to knit. Make sure he doesn’t use the arm for anything strenuous.”
“We need to get him back to the ranch,” Joshua said. “I’ll get a wagon from Josiah.”
“Take it slow and keep him propped up, he should be fine,” Wainwright said. “No chores for a few days. And he’ll need plenty of rest. The pain will be worse before it gets better.”
Annalee bit her lip. “What about school? He and a couple other boys ride into town each day.”
The doctor sighed, considering. “He can go, but only if he’s up to it. I know Lilian schools them when the weather’s bad. Perhaps she can take over for the first week. Afterward, he should be fine riding to school.”
“That’ll work. Thank you,” Joshua said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. “We owe you.” He reached out to grasp the doctor’s outstretched hand.
“We really appreciate everything you’ve done. You’re always here when we need you,” Annalee said.
Wainwright waved a hand dismissively, but a trace of a smile tugged at his lips. “It’s my job. Just take good care of him.”
“We will,” Joshua promised. “He’s in good hands.”
They prepared to leave, bundling up in their coats and scarves. The warmth of the clinic had seeped into their bones, giving them a brief respite from the harsh wind waiting outside.
Annalee touched Joshua’s arm. “I’ll wait with Gavin. You tell Josiah at the livery to ready a wagon.”
The siblings looked at each other, and he gave a reluctant nod.
By the time he returned with the wagon, Gavin was ready to get back to the ranch. Annalee helped Gavin into the back of the wagon, covering him with a blanket before climbing out to mount her horse.
Joshua tied his horse to the back of the wagon before climbing onto the seat.
Gavin’s eyes fluttered open and he glanced around. “Where’s my horse?”
“I took him to the livery. Josiah will take real good care of him until I can come back and get him.”
“Okay.”
“Just rest, Gav,” Annalee said. “We’ll get you back to the ranch in no time.”
Joshua shifted to look back at him. “Remember when you first came to the ranch, scared and silent? Look at you now, causing all this ruckus.”
