Chapter 8

“Perhaps you can explain this, Leonard?”

Leonard gazed at the gun in Robert’s hand then turned and darted for the exit. Mason put himself between the exit and Leonard and held himself steady as Leonard tried to push him out of the way.

Robert grabbed Leonard by the arm and set him down harshly in a chair. He turned to his son. “How did you find this, Mason?”

“I overheard Leonard telling you and Doctor Wright about what had happened. I wanted to help Kimberly and Patrick so I started for her house. I passed Patrick and Kimberly along the way and he stopped only long enough to tell me what had actually happened and asked me to get the gun from Kimberly’s house.”

Robert turned to Leonard. “I think it is about time you tell us the truth, Leonard.”

“He raped her!” Leonard shouted. “That bastard took advantage of Kimberly when she was trying to fix the wheel on her wagon!”

Mildred approached the table Leonard was sitting at and took a seat beside him. “I do not know Patrick very well, but I do know Kimberly. She would not have allowed him to do anything to her without a fight.”

“I watched the whole thing! She was trying to fix the wheel on the wagon when it got caught on her dress and caused it to rip. Patrick came out and stripped her bare and took her right there on the wagon!” Leonard insisted to the people surrounding him.

“Where are they now?” Robert asked his son.

“I believe Patrick was taking Kimberly to Doctor Wright,” Mason replied.

“Come with me,” Robert said to Leonard as he yanked him to his feet. “We will get to the bottom of this.”

Patrick finished his explanation of what had happened and once again attempted to push past the doctor to see Kimberly. Doctor Wright held him at bay and glared with a look of disbelief.

“Do you honestly expect me to believe you, Patrick?”

“You simply need to ask Kimberly what happened, Doctor Wright. She will tell you,” Patrick said as he stood his ground against the doctor.

“She is resting, Patrick. I have no reason to doubt Leonard Paxton. I will have to report this to the Sheriff and you will not be allowed to leave Norfolk.”

“I had not planned on leaving!” Patrick shouted. “I am staying right here until Kimberly awakens!”

Patrick slumped down in the chair and sighed heavily. He looked up at Doctor Wright who continued to glare at him in disbelief. Patrick rested his elbows on his knees then placed his head in his hands and closed his eyes. Kimberly will tell the truth of what happened, he thought to himself.

Both men were startled when Robert burst through the door, dragging Leonard by the arm with Mason following close behind. “Leonard has something he wants to say,” Robert said as he placed Leonard’s revolver on the small desk in the waiting room. He pushed Leonard forward so he was standing between Doctor Wright and Patrick.

Leonard took a step back when Patrick rose to his feet and took a step toward him. Robert placed his arm across Patrick’s chest and held him away from the shorter man. “No more fighting, gentlemen. Let him speak his piece.”

With fists clenched at his side, Patrick held his stance. He glared down at the man who frightfully glanced up at him. “I -- I sh -- shot Kimberly,” he stammered quietly, his gaze switching from Patrick to the doctor then back again.

“Pardon?” Doctor Wright asked.

“I said, I shot Kimberly,” Leonard replied louder and with more conviction in his voice.

“Why would you do such a thing, Leonard?”

“It was an accident. I saw what had transpired between Kimberly and Patrick on the wagon. I waited until they were inside then I let myself in. My plan was to only scare Patrick into leaving. I knew in my heart that Kimberly was not in any danger; I just wanted Patrick out of her life. When she put herself between us to protect him, it knocked me off balance and the gun fired.”

All the men just stared at Leonard in shock. He turned his gaze to the floor and folded his hands in front of him. “I did not mean to hurt her, Patrick,” he said quietly. “I am sorry.”

Patrick heard the sincerity in Leonard’s voice and read it in his demeanor. Much to the surprise of everyone in the room, he accepted Leonard’s apology with a handshake. “Being in love can cause a man to do strange things, Leonard. But, I believe it is Kimberly to whom you owe the apology.”

He smiled softly at the much taller man then took the seat beside Patrick, awaiting news about Kimberly’s condition. Patrick returned to his seat and Robert and Mason stood in front of the small desk watching both men cautiously. Doctor Wright picked up the handgun and took it in the room with him when he went to check on Kimberly after the commotion had settled.

“H -- How is she?” Leonard asked quietly.

“She will be fine, it was just a flesh wound,” Doctor Wright replied when he returned just moments later. “She is resting now, Leonard. I will keep her overnight. She will need medicine to help ward off infection but she should be able to return home in the morning.”

“You do understand that we will have to report this to Sheriff Elliott?” Robert asked.

Patrick rose to his feet and approached Robert. “I do not think that will be necessary, Robert. Kimberly will be fine. I think it will be best to allow her to decide what is to be done.”

“Come with me, Patrick,” Doctor Wright said as he opened the door to the room Kimberly was in.

He quickly rose to his feet, followed the doctor into the room and closed the door behind him. He pulled a chair from the corner of the room and placed it beside the bed then reached for Kimberly’s hand and held it gently.

“I gave her something for the pain, Patrick. She will more than likely sleep for about another hour or so.”

Patrick nodded at what Doctor Wright told him but did not take his eyes off Kimberly. Her skin was slightly pale and her chest rose and fell softly in her state of sedation. He placed a gentle kiss to her cheek and smiled when he felt her squeeze his hand.

“Thank you,” Patrick said quietly, turning his gaze briefly to Doctor Wright before looking at Kimberly again.

“You are most welcome, Patrick,” he replied. “She will need plenty of rest. No strenuous activity for a few weeks. Change her bandages daily and make sure she keeps the wound dry.” Patrick nodded again. “Speaking of wounds,” he added, “How is your leg?”

“It is fine,” Patrick replied quickly. “I am not concerned about my leg at this moment, Doctor.”

“I understand,” Doctor Wright said then turned to leave. “I shall check in on her again in a few minutes.”

Patrick brought Kimberly’s hand to his lips and kissed it softly. “When you are well, I am taking you home to England,” he whispered. He smiled again when he felt Kimberly’s grip tighten on his hand slightly and she breathed his name in her sleep.

Two weeks later...

Kimberly sat at the small table in her house with the materials for her jewelry sprawled out in front of her. She worked quickly but quietly, casting a glance toward Patrick every now and then as he prepared the evening meal.

Patrick had finished repairing the wagon and managed to get the shed almost entirely rebuilt. He was waiting on more lumber to complete the door. He worked quietly on chopping the vegetables for the stew he was preparing and smiled when he felt Kimberly’s gaze upon him.

“I do not think you are ready to go back to selling your jewelry, Kimberly,” he said, not turning to face her.

“I am fine Patrick. It has been two weeks. Doctor Wright said the wound on my shoulder is almost healed.”

“I am aware of what he said, but I do not want you to put any unnecessary strain on your shoulder, love.”

“Selling my jewelry is hardly a strain,” she replied. “Besides, I have been confined for two weeks, I want to get out and enjoy the weather before it gets any colder and too late in the season. Before you know it we will be up to our knees in snow.”

Patrick sighed heavily as he added the vegetables and chopped up meat to the large cauldron in the fireplace. He placed the small cutting board in the washbasin then turned to Kimberly. “Fine,” he started, “But I will go with you.”

He turned and took the few steps to the table then sat down across from her. He watched with interest as she worked quickly and efficiently on her jewelry. She smiled when she felt his gaze upon her and sighed happily. Kimberly paused for a moment and looked up at him.

“Did you mean it?” she asked.

“Yes, I will go with you,” he replied.

“No. I am not referring to that,” she said. “Did you mean it when you said you would take me home to England once I was well?”

She heard him loud and clear the day he’d told her that, but had never mentioned it until now. Patrick held her gaze and smiled broadly at her. “Yes, I meant it.”

Kimberly’s smile faded as she continued to gaze at him lovingly. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I know you came to America in search of a new life, Patrick. I only hope that you will not be unhappy when you return to England.”

Patrick rose to his feet and walked to her. He took her hand and helped her stand. With a tilt of her head their lips met for a tender kiss as he pulled her closer. “I will be happy anywhere, as long as you are by my side,” he said. He kissed her again then continued, “As my wife.”

Silence filled the room as he gazed into her eyes. He cradled her face in his hands and wiped away a stray tear with his thumb. He reached in the pocket of his trousers and retrieved a small gold ring with a single emerald, the color matching the green of her eyes. Patrick took her left hand in his then looked into her eyes. “Marry me?” he asked, his tone that of a hopeful boy.

“Yes,” she breathed. “Yes, I will marry you, Patrick.” She found his lips with hers and kissed him with all the love and passion he made her feel. “I love you,” she said as she broke the kiss.

“I love you, too,” he replied as he pushed the ring on her finger then picked her up and cradled her adoringly against his chest. He walked to the sleeping quarters and gently laid her on the bed.

Kimberly pulled Patrick down to the mattress with her, pulling at his shirt as their lips locked in a heated kiss. He broke the kiss long enough to rip his shirt open, then claimed her lips in another kiss filled with desire, passion, and love.

Patrick pulled at the buttons of her dress, feeling them pop under his fingers. Holding her to him, he was careful not to tousle her too much as he removed her dress and shift, then lowered her back to the mattress.

She broke the kiss, gazing deep into his eyes. A small smile spread across her lips. “What about supper, Patrick?” she asked breathlessly.

“I would rather feast on you,” he breathed, kissing along her jaw line to her ear.

Kimberly shivered beneath him as she caressed his bare back and pulled him closer to her. His warm lips left her skin ablaze as he made his way down to nibble at her neck, then lower, finding her breasts and taking one nipple into his mouth.