One Went to Denver and the Other Went Wrong (Code of the West) by Stephen Bly Page B

brought Pepper a drink of water. She  held her head by lifting the thick down pillow as she drank.
      “The doctor says you are not to eat until he arrives in the morning. He’s afraid it would cause you to vomit again.” The Mexican maid pulled a high-back chair next to the bed and sat down facing Pepper. “You go ahead and sleep. I will sit here.”
      “I’ll be all right now. You have taken very good care of me. You can go back to bed.”
      “No, no. I would not sleep for worry over you.”
      “Really?”
      “Oh, yes. If you have changed a woman’s gown four times, you begin to feel like you know her quite well.”
      Pepper flushed.
      “For instance, I know that you were once knifed just under your shoulder blade on the right side of your back.”
      “I guess I’ve got no secrets from you.” Pepper tried to smile.
      “Did someone try to rob you? I am always afraid to walk across town in the dark.”
      “No. There was this girl working at the dance hall. She .  . .”
      Rebecca Maria’s eyes grew wide. “Señora! You have gone into one of those horrible dance halls?”
      “Oh, it was years ago. Before I ever met, eh, Mr. Dillard. Anyway, you don’t want to know about all of that.”
      The maid rocked in the straight-backed chair. “You should try to rest.”
      “I will.” Pepper closed her eyes. “But I’m afraid it will be rather boring for you.”
      “Watching you is not boring. You talk in your sleep.”
      Pepper’s eyes flashed open. “What do I say?”
      “Oh, you ramble on and on, making no sense at all. In your dreams you are mad at Señor Dillard. Then you are angry with a Señor Tap. And then you yell at a Señor Andrews. Are you mad at all men?”
      “I have no idea why I say those things.”
      “And you talked  of a blond-headed little boy. Do you have children?”
      “No. Do you?”
      “Señora, I am not married. Perhaps one day. You also  mumbled about your Jesus.”
      “My Jesus?”
      “Yes, you called to Him often and you were able to sleep more soundly for a while.”
      “I didn’t know I had called to Jesus, but I imagine I did. Who else could someone call to at a time like this?”
      Pepper closed her eyes again and tried to think of something besides the throbbing at the back of her head.
      “Rebecca Maria, I think I am falling asleep.”
      “Good night, Señora. I will be right here if you need me.”
      The last thing Pepper viewed were the gentle brown eyes of the governor’s maid sitting in the chair beside the bed.
      When she awoke, daylight flooded the room. A tray with a cup of steaming tea and several pieces of fried bread sat beside her. And a heavy-set man in long coat and tie peered at her over the top of small wire-rimmed spectacles.
      “Good. Very good. Now would you look straight at my eyes? Much clearer. Much, much clearer.”
      “Who are you?” Pepper asked.
      “Dr. Jamison. I will be attending the ball, so perhaps I’ll sneak up then and see how you are doing.”
      “Thanks, Doc. Do I owe you some money?”
      “No, of course not. In fact, the governor has taken care of everything. Rebecca Maria can send for me if you have any needs. Your husband is outside and wants desperately to talk to you. I’ll send him in.”
      “Rebecca Maria," Pepper whispered. "Please stay in the room when Mr. Dillard comes in. Don’t leave me alone with him.”
      “What? Señora, why would—”
      “Please. It’s very important.”
      “I will stay.”
      “Gracias.”
      “Por nada.”
      Carter Dillard strode in with a long coat and black tie. He carried his hat in his hand. “How’s my girl this morning? I was certainly worried. The doctor said —”
      “Cut the speech, Dillard. You got me to Denver. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
      He frowned at Rebecca Maria. “That will be enough. I’ll take care of my wife now."
      Rebecca Maria didn't move.
      "You may