Lawless Trail by Ralph Cotton Read Free Book Online Page B

blood-soaked bandanna from the nasty shoulder wound, eyed the wound, then lowered the cloth back into place.
    â€œEverything’s going to be all right now,” he said quietly. But his voice didn’t sound convincing.
    â€œDamn right it will, Ty,” Rubens said, stepping over to them as the wagon rolled up closer. He gave Bugs a doubtful look and shook his head.
    â€œI know,” Bugs said, returning the look.
    Rubens turned and stepped forward as the buckboard rolled up and slid to a halt a few yards away.
    Claypool and the young woman stopped their horses and stepped down from their saddles. Seeing the doctor stand up in the buckboard and pick up a black medicine satchel and loop its strap over his shoulder, Rubens chuckled and shook his head.
    â€œYou sure did bring back a doctor,” he said, reaching a hand up to help the doctor down. But the doctor ignored his hand and jumped to the ground and walked straight over to Ty Traybo.
    Rubens looked Claypool up and down. “Afternoon, Carter,” he said to the battered outlaw. “Looks like somebody caught you stealing chickens again.”
    â€œWhile I was there, I figured I might just as well bring Carter back too,” said Wes, stepping down and gathering an armful of goods from the wagon bed. He turned and pitched a bottle of rye to Rubens.
    Rubens caught the bottle, clasped it to his chest and rolled his eyes to heaven.
    â€œThank you,
Jesus
,” he said.
    Wes directed the dark-haired young woman toward his wounded brother and walked alongside her. All eyes followed the woman, who went to where the doctor had stooped down beside Ty and began stripping away the bloody bandanna and shirt.
    â€œBrother Ty,” Wes said. “Meet Rosetta—the young woman you asked for.”
    â€œ
Buenos tardes
,
Ty,” the woman said, her dark eyes full of suggestion. “Your brother asked me to help you get well. When you do, I can sit on your lap and show you how I learned to ride a pony.”
    Ty shook his head slowly and offered a weak smile.
    â€œWes, you beat all,” Ty murmured.
    â€œEverybody stand back and give us some room,” the doctor demanded, waving an arm. “This man is in a bad way.”
    â€œSure thing, Doc,” said Wes. Yet instead of backing away, he pitched a new hat and a new folded shirt down at Ty’s side.
    â€œHere’s that new hat and shirt you asked for,” he said. “Rosetta here will help you get bathed and dressed soon as the doctor’s done with you.”
    The doctor turned his eyes up to Wes.
    â€œThis is not a trivial matter,” he said. “Look at this wound.” He held back a bloody cloth he’d pressed to Ty’s mangled shoulder. Blood pooled from the large gaping center of the wound. “Does this look like something to take lightly?”
    â€œHey, Doc,” Claypool snapped, stepping forward in a threatening manner. “Don’t go forgetting who’s the captive and who’s holding the guns here.”
    â€œTo hell with your guns,” the young doctor countered. “Let’s not forget who’s the doctor and who’s the patient. If you want this man to stay alive, you’ll do as you’re told.” He eyed the bloody left shoulder of Claypool’s shirt. “You’re going to need some tending too,” he added.
    Claypool drew the big Starr from his waist and cocked it toward the doctor.
    â€œI tend myself,” he said.
    â€œSuit yourself,” said the doctor. “I still have a patient here to look after.”
    Wes noted how quickly the young doctor had taken charge once he’d seen Ty’s condition.
    â€œCarter, lower that smoker. He’s right,” said Wes, looking closer at his brother’s mangled shoulder. “Ty needs to get rested and bandaged up before we head out of here.” He reached over and pulled the young woman away from Ty’s side. “Let it