eyes sparkled. “I think Jericho’s on the mend, Nurse.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” She glanced at her patient, but couldn’t hold his gaze, which had turned hot and measuring.
“We sure appreciate you taking him in.” Riley Holt, a handsome, broad-shouldered man, flashed her a dimpled smile that made her wonder how his cousin would look if he smiled that way. “We’re gonna owe you a lot for this. We know he can be difficult.”
“Humph,” Jericho grumbled.
“If you have any problems at all, you send for me.” Davis Lee’s eyes twinkled.
“And you’ll lock him up?” she teased.
“If I need to.”
“Is this the kind of nursing you were taught?” Jericho’s tone was light, but Catherine felt his intense regard like a touch.
She smiled as the others chuckled.
Susannah touched Catherine’s arm. “I brought a few things. Flour, eggs and milk.”
The Holts had already done too much by paying for her mother’s burial before Catherine had arrived. “That wasn’t necessary, but thank you.”
“I also brought some biscuits. I thought Jericho might like them.”
“Do you like honey with them?” she asked her patient. “Haskell’s General Store had some fresh yesterday.”
“He’d eat honey on everything if you gave him a chance,” Riley said with a grin.
“Yeah, even tree bark,” Davis Lee added.
“Biscuits and honey sound good,” Jericho said to Catherine. Pain drew his features taut, but he didn’t appear in any hurry for his family to leave.
She saw him glance at his injured arm for the third time since she’d arrived. “I talked to the doctor about your hand.”
That blade-sharp gaze shifted to her. “What about it?”
“I had a patient in New York with a similar injury to his foot and ankle. He eventually recovered the use of both.”
“Surgery?” Jericho asked tightly.
“No. I massaged his muscles every day and he worked on trying to bend his ankle.”
Interest sparked in his eyes. “And it worked?”
“Yes. He was finally able to walk. He did limp, but he was pleased with his progress.”
“It’s worth a try,” Davis Lee said.
Jericho’s gaze measured her. “And you’d be willing to do that for me?”
“Of course.”
For a long moment, he was silent.
Catherine added, “If you want.”
He gave a curt nod. “Thank you. When do we start?”
“Dr. Butler wants to check you again tomorrow. He can tell us then when to start and how often it needs to be worked.”
“Good.” Jericho’s gaze went past her to the door. “Hello.”
She turned to find Andrew standing there. By the saints, the boy moved as silently as a ghost. No wonder she hadn’t known about his nightly disappearances.
“Hi.” She smiled warmly and stepped toward him. “How was school today?”
“All right.” His blue gaze locked on Jericho.
“Hello, Andrew,” Susannah said.
The boy’s gaze jerked to the blonde and he smiled, one of the few Catherine had seen. “Hi, Miz Holt.” His gaze moved to Riley and Davis Lee. “Mr. Holt. Sheriff.”
The two men greeted him warmly.
Catherine put an arm lightly around her brother’s shoulders, pleased and a little surprised when he didn’t pull away. “This is Lieutenant Jericho Blue. I don’t think the two of you have been formally introduced.”
“Hello, Andrew.” Jericho’s voice was nearly hoarse.
Beneath her touch, her brother stiffened slightly. “Hello.”
“So you’ve been to school today?”
He nodded, staring in rapt fascination at the big man.
“How old are you?”
“Twelve.”
Catherine thought Andrew’s voice shook slightly. Maybe he was as intimidated by Jericho Blue as she was. Well, the man was imposing, even laid up in bed.
As Jericho thanked Riley and Susannah for coming, Catherine noticed how her brother studied the Ranger. Perhaps his interest was due to the fact that Jericho was a lawman. Or the way he dwarfed the bed with his door-wide shoulders and long legs.
Jericho didn’t seem to notice her brother’s unrelenting study, but Catherine gave his shoulder a warning squeeze. She walked Riley and Susannah to the door, biting off the silly urge to ask them not to leave her alone with the big man in her room.
She wouldn’t be alone with him. The sheriff was still here. And so was Andrew, though she instinctively knew it would take more than those two to discourage Jericho Blue if he decided to cause trouble.
Surprisingly, Andrew followed her to the door.
Riley helped his wife into the buckboard. “Please let us know if you need anything,” Susannah said.
“Or if Jericho gets restless.” Riley walked back to where she stood on the porch, tapping his gray hat lightly against his thigh. “We really appreciate all you’re doing. He said the doctor advised against moving him because of all the blood he lost.”
She nodded.
“He also said you saved his life.” The big man extended a hand. “We’re much obliged.”
“I’m glad I have some nursing skills.”
“Thank goodness,” Susannah interjected.
“Davis Lee or I will check in every day,” Riley said. “Don’t want him wearing you out.”
“Visitors will be nice. That will help him along.” Their presence would also keep her from being alone with him.
The younger Holt leaned toward her and said in a low voice, “Don’t feel obliged to eat those biscuits. My wife hasn’t quite mastered the recipe.”
“I’m sure they’re fine.”
He chuckled. “If you break a tooth, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Riley Holt, I can hear you.”
Catherine smiled at the saucy grin on the blonde’s face as she shook a finger at her husband. The affection between the two glowed on both their faces.
“Good day.” Riley levered himself into the buckboard and picked up the reins. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“All right.” She waved as they drove away, then turned to see her brother standing uncertainly with his hands jammed in the pockets of his trousers. “What is it, Andrew?”
“Nothing.” He shook his head and moved with her into the house. “I thought maybe they would take him.”
“Shh.” She glanced toward her bedroom. “You know Dr. Butler said he’s too weak.” Why did her brother’s young face look so solemn? “Would you take the milk Miss Susannah brought and put it in the spring house?”
He hesitated. “Will the sheriff be here for a while?”
“I’m not sure. Did you want to ask him something?”
“No. Just curious.” He