Joline's Redemption by Vickie; McDonough Page B

worry.”
    â€œLet’s get you home and off your feet. You need to rest and let that wound heal. I’ll bring you some chicken soup later on.” She reached out and touched his shirt, which was stained with his blood. “I nearly fainted when I saw your head so bloody.”
    â€œI can’t go home. There’s something I have to do.”
    Her eyes widened. “You can’t be serious. You were just badly injured. You could have died.”
    He would’ve rolled his eyes if he wasn’t afraid that it would cause more pain to his head. “Cora, it’s not the first time I’ve been hurt and won’t be the last. Don’t coddle me.”
    She ducked her head, rolling the brim of his hat. “Someone needs to. You sure don’t take care of yourself.”
    He wasn’t sure if she referred to the fact that he only knew how to cook beans and ate them most nights, except for when he was invited to someone’s home. Or if it was because he slept outside on hot nights as he’d done so often during his days as a circuit-riding preacher.
    She blew out a breath. “You need to go home and rest, Jack.”
    â€œI can’t. I told you, I have something important to do.”
    She pursed her lips, drawing his gaze. “And just what is so important?”
    He reckoned he’d need her help with the boys when he got them back to town, and he could use another person’s opinion. He waved toward a chair. Since the doc’s office was empty, he didn’t figure the man would care if they talked there.
    Cora tucked down her brow but took a seat. Jack took the one next to her, turned to face her, and told her about Mr. Beatty. The closer he got to the end of the tale, the more her eyes widened. Her skin paled so that the small smattering of freckles that spread across the top of her nose and spilled onto her cheeks stood out.
    â€œThose poor children. We’ve got to find them.”
    â€œThere’s no
we
in this. I’m going alone.”
    â€œBut what if those boys are scared of you? You’re a big man, Jack—and a stranger to them. Don’t you think you’d have better luck if I went with you? I think a woman’s touch is needed in this situation. And you’ll need a buggy anyway to bring the boys back to town.”
    He hadn’t thought about that, although he reckoned he could borrow a horse from the livery for the boys to ride. But if they had much gear …
    And maybe a woman’s touch wasn’t such a bad idea. Though used to doing things himself, he wasn’t good with children. He’d pretty much avoided them since riding off and leaving his two kid sisters with their grandpa. He clenched his teeth, preferring not to think of those troubling days. He had more immediate issues.
    â€œI don’t know what I’m facing there, but I don’t see how it could be dangerous. I guess it would be all right for you to go along.”
    Cora straightened and beamed; then she hopped to her feet. “I’ll go pack some food for the boys while you see to the buggy. Just go around back of the house and hitch Dolly to it.” She turned to go then paused. “Are you sure you’re feeling up to going?”
    â€œI
have
to go. I feel partly responsible that those boys no longer have a father.”
    Cora’s expression hardened. “I’ll not listen to such words, Jack Jensen. You tried to help that man—Abel Comstock stopped by and told me what happened and said he’d keep your sack of food until you could pick it up. It’s not your fault some of the men in this town resorted to vigilante justice.”
    She was right. But he still couldn’t forget Mr. Beatty’s horrified expression when he realized he’d been shot and was dying. Jack had promised to see to the man’s children, and he meant to do so.

    The moment Gabe set the brake, he was out of the buggy and running