Lone Star Lover by Debbi Rawlins Page A

him, so he gave her a gentle nudge.
    “Go,” he told her, touched that she was so protective of him. He was the one who looked out for people, not the other way around. “I promise not to keel over.”
    She pursed her lips in a disapproving pout, then hurried to the stove.
    “We’ll get some food into your belly shortly,” Kitty said, from a kneeling position on the floor, while dividing her attention between him and the other man. “That’ll help steady you. In the meantime, plant yourself in that chair.”
    Jake knew she was right. At this point, most of his weakness probably had more to do with lack of food, and if he wanted to get out of here he needed to regain his strength. Aware that Rebecca kept a watchful eye on his progress, he slowly moved toward the chair, trying not to wince when his head started to throb.
    She carried the bowl of water to Kitty. “It’s only warm.”
    “Good enough.” Kitty dropped a white cloth into the bowl, and then set it on the floor beside her. “I need to bathe the wounds without them getting infected.”
    Doc Davis’s heartfelt sigh echoed off the walls of the small room. “After that, there’s nothing more to do but wait and pray he wakes up.”
    “Pray.” Kitty scoffed. “You still believe there’s a God after what we’ve seen lately. Even if poor Otis does wake up, you think he’s gonna be right in the head?”
    “No telling at this point,” the doctor said dismally. “Those vigilantes have gone too far this time. Otis Sanford never harmed a hair on anyone’s head. He’s no more a rustler than I am.”
    “Neither were Tom Lancaster or Homer Cook, if you ask me,” Kitty added. “And you know I wasn’t none too fond of Homer, so that’s saying something.”
    “Rustling?” That had gotten Jake’s attention.
    “Been a problem for the past two months.” The doctor removed his wire-rimmed glasses and rubbed his eyes. “Six ranches have lost most of their herds.”
    “And those lousy good-for-nothing Rangers haven’t done a damn thing to stop it,” Kitty said as she gathered her skirt in one hand and struggled to her feet.
    The doctor lent her a hand, his voice lowering as he cautioned, “Watch your mouth, Kitty. Even you don’t want Wade to hear you saying that. He hasn’t been in very good spirits, and you know as well as anyone he can be mean even when he is.”
    Kitty’s red-painted lips pulled into a thin line, a trace of resentment flickering in her eyes. But she said nothing more.
    “These Rangers,” Jake said. “Do they come to town often?”
    All three of them stared at him in surprise, but it was Kitty who, with undisguised contempt, said, “Honey, those boys run this town.”
    The doctor looked resigned. Rebecca’s expression mirrored Kitty’s.
    “Texas Rangers don’t ‘run’ towns,” Jake said, tamping down the defensiveness tightening his chest. Now wasn’t the time to get into a debate no matter how clearheaded he felt. Better to just listen and sort out what was happening later. “Don’t you have a sheriff?”
    Kitty snorted, while the doctor’s mouth curved in a patronizing smile. Rebecca’s gaze was on the other two as if she were waiting for an answer, as well.
    “We did once,” Kitty said, “but what happened to him is still a mystery. The next day after he disappeared, the Rangers showed up. That was near three years ago. Not too hard to figure that one out.”
    The doctor stared at her, his face creased in a perplexed frown. “I don’t understand you talking about Wade like that.”
    “Wade came later. I’m talking about Corbin.”
    “Nevertheless, enough of that kind of talk, you hear? We don’t need trouble.” He stooped down to pick up his bag. “If you two ladies will be kind enough to take turns keeping an eye on Otis, I believe I’ll get some rest.”
    “Land’s sakes, it’s a wonder you’re still standing.” Kitty made a shooing motion. “You’ve been up for over twenty-four hours. Now