开云体育

On Aug 19, 2020, at 3:36 PM, Yahoo via groups.io <seattlesamantha@...> wrote:

?Okay here it is... I had a major mental block in trying to write this (just blocked creatively with all my writing right now).
Emma straightened the length of fabric out on the table. It was deep blue satin that would become a dress for Lily. She had ordered lace to go with it that should have arrived on the day’s stagecoach. She debated going to the mercantile to check now or wait till the afternoon. Gunshots and a woman’s scream stopped her thoughts. Emma opened the shop door and stepped on to the boardwalk. People were running. Men emptied from the saloon. Ezra was suddenly at her side.

“Get back inside and lock the door.” He gave her a gentle shove. She nodded mutely and did as he instructed. Emma checked the back door to reassure herself it was also locked. From her hiding spot in the back room she could not see what was happening outside. There was yelling and commotion. Time seemed to stand still. It was several minutes before a furious knocking on the front door.

“Emma, open up.” It was Ezra. She opened the door and he grabbed her hand. “Mr. Jackson has requested your presence.”

“I-I don’t understand.” She followed in his wake. “What is happening?”

“Two gentlemen decided to rob the mercantile. Our Mr. Sanchez was shot in the altercation.”

“Shot? Is he....” She found she couldn’t say the words.

“He is still with us.”



“I’ll come for you as soon as Nathan says it’s okay.” Emma knew her words would be little comfort for her friend. Once the door was closed she looked to Nathan for direction.

“Wash up yer hands and then we gotta get this bleeding stopped.”




Lily hung back at the end of the boardwalk. People had gathered in twos and threes at the bottom of the stairs to Nathan's talking in low voices. Chris was standing with the young woman that Lily had come to know was his sister. They had not been introduced even though she'd been in Four Corners for some time. Lily had not asked about her, beyond noting that she'd heard his sister was in town. Their relationsip was not conventional and she wondered if his sister would approve. As if sensing her watching, Chris broke away from his sister and made his way to Lily.

"How is Josiah?"

"Don't know yet. Shot in the chest."

"Buck said that Emma is assisting." Chris nodded. "Well then, I'll go back to the saloon."

"Lily," he grabbed her hand, "I sh-." His words stopped almost abruptly. He shook his head. "Nevermind."

"Alright." She tried to smile but found the act too difficult. "If there's anything I can do, please come and get me."




It could have been hours or days, Emma lost track of time as she worked with Nathan. The air in the room was thick with the scent of blood. Nathan sat down on a chair and hung his head. “Don’t know what else I can.”

Emma rinsed out a washcloth in the water basin. She sat next to Josiah. “So what do we do?”

“Maybe if we can get a doctor from Eagle Bend. I don’t dare try to remove the bullet. It’s so close to his heart.” Nathan stood. “I need to tell everyone what’s happening.”

Emma stayed behind cleaning up the room as best she could. She didn’t want to leave Josiah alone. The door opened a few minutes later; Ezra entered behind Nathan.

“I can’t thank you enough for your help Ms. Emma.” Nathan gave her a tired smile.

“I don’t feel like I was that much of a help.” Emma sighed. She suddenly felt exhausted. “And now what?”

“To start,” Ezra reached out a hand to her, “I believe we should get you cleaned up.” Emma looked down at her dress. Blood stained much of it.

“What about Josiah?”

“Our Mr. Tanner shall be departing shortly to find a surgeon.” He explained that Belle was sending word to get her father’s private surgeon.

“I can stay and help till then.”

“I appreciate the offer Ms. Emma, but nothin’ more to be done right now. Nothing but wait.”



Emma felt like she was sleepwalking as Ezra lead her back to the saloon. He took her through the kitchen entrance knowing that the state of clothing may cause a commotion even among the daytime drinkers inside. Lily was in the kitchen when they entered.

"Oh cherie," she took hold of Emma's hands. "How is Josiah?" Ezra relayed the information about Belle sending for her father's surgeon. "We must get you cleaned up. I'll have Henry start bringing in water for a bath. Ezra, why don't you take her upstairs."

They were barely through the door to Ezra's room when Emma collapsed in tears on the floor. Ezra lowered himself with her holding her shaking body to his. He'd seen a fair number of men die, some horribly. But he doubted Emma had ever been this close to seeing death before.

"It's okay." He stroked her hair trying to soothe her.

"No, no it's not." She shook her head. "I was useless. All the blood... I wanted to throw up. I've never seen..."

"According to Mr. Jackson you were most helpful. And I do not believe he gives out praise lightly." Ezra stood and crossed to the other side of the room. He dipped a washcloth in the basin on the dresser and came back to sit with her. Gently he took her hands in his cleaning the blood from each finger. "Unfortunately, I'm not sure even our laundress could save your dress." He tried to joke. Emma looked down at the soiled and stained dress.

"I don't think I could wear it again, even if she could."

"Let's ponder that another time. Now let's get you undressed and ready for that bath."