The Last Outlaw(32)
“Good idea,” Lloyd answered. “I already had to get rid of a reporter.” He shook his head. “I can just imagine how Jeff reacted to this news. He probably wishes he’d been here.” They walked inside. “I think I’ll call him later.”
Jake put his hand up for them to be quieter. He motioned toward the door behind which Randy lay sleeping.
“You two need to talk alone,” Brian told Lloyd quietly. “I’ll go sit with Randy in case she wakes up. She might be upset to see Jake’s not there.”
Jake asked Constance if they could talk alone in the doctor’s quarters. Brian quietly went to Jake’s room, and Constance led Lloyd and Jake to the back of the building, then inside the doctor’s kitchen. Jake grunted with pain when he tried to sit down, and Lloyd quickly grabbed his arm to help him into the chair.
“Are you really well enough to be doing this?”
“Hell yes. You know how I hate lying around.”
“Yeah, well, you’re not getting any younger, so be careful. I can tell you’re in more pain than you’re letting on.”
“And you’re enjoying every minute of it. You’re always ribbing me about how I deserve my aches and bruises.”
Lloyd sat down near him. “And you know I don’t mean it.” He smoked quietly. “You in any trouble over this? It hasn’t even been a year since Denver.”
“I shot a man’s head off in front of a hundred people then. That’s not quite the same as defending four innocent people against bank robbers.” He took a drag on his cigarette. “No, I’m not in any trouble. The mayor and some of his friends came to see me. They told me they’d make sure that judge in Denver understands what happened. They treated me like a damn hero—want me to be their new sheriff.” He sighed deeply. “Naturally, I told them no. Not only do you still need help at the ranch, but it would kill Randy if I took a lawman’s job again.”
He met Lloyd’s gaze. “I’m worried about her, Lloyd. You know she hasn’t been herself since last winter. This thing the other day—it hit her hard. I don’t know what to do anymore. The doctor gave her some kind of tonic that seems to help a little. I want him to let Brian know what it is, and I want to take some home with us.”
Lloyd leaned back and rubbed at his eyes, taking off his hat and setting it on the table. “I wish I knew what to tell you. She’s my mom, and I love her, but you’re the only one who can help her. You know her better.” He sighed. “I’m proud of you, Pa. There was a time when you wouldn’t have been able to handle something like what happened this past winter. You would have ridden right out of her life, thinking she was better off, but this time, she’s never needed you more. You just have to remember that you didn’t cause those men to do what they did, and with that barn fire, you couldn’t have stopped them from taking her. I think as long as she has you and knows how much you love her, she’ll still get better. It’s just going to take a little more time.”
Jake sighed deeply and took a drag on his cigarette, exhaling as he spoke. “Lloyd, there are times when I want to just ride out into the foothills and scream and smash something. Preferably Brad Buckley’s head. I get that awful rage inside. I have to hide it around her, and I feel like I’ll explode. You know how I am. I fight it constantly. I’m scared one of these days it will come out of me when she’s around, and that would kill her.”
Lloyd set his cigarette in an ashtray and rested his elbows on his knees. “Pa, if you need to take off for a couple of days once we get home, Evie and I can figure something out to make sure Mom’s okay.”
Jake sighed, grimacing again as he shifted in his chair. “We’ll see.”
Lloyd leaned back again, studying his father with bloodshot eyes. “God, I was worried sick about Tricia all the way here, let alone you and Mom. I’d like you to come back with us tomorrow if you think you can handle it. I rented a buggy, and we can take a train back to Brighton to fetch yours. You wouldn’t have to ride a horse any part of the way. And Brian will be with us in case you need a doctor.”
“We’ll go, then. I think we can make it, and home is sounding pretty damn good right now.” Jake took a last drag on his cigarette and put it out in the ashtray. “What would this family do without Brian? The man remains so steadfast and calm. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Evie couldn’t have chosen better. What makes me sick is I wasn’t even around when they met. I was sitting in prison, and you were—”