Chapter 16

The section of the river where Maverick had fallen wasn't easy to reach.

But Sterling knew the area well enough that he was able to locate another place downstream where they could descend into the river bottom and then make their way upstream, mostly by riding in the river itself.

Hazel went right along with the fellows, having no trouble making her way over the difficult terrain. Even though it had been more than a decade since she'd been in the saddle, she knew how to read horses better than almost anyone and was able to guide Maverick's horse without having to say a word.

When they reached the embankment, she pointed out his body, hidden among the rocks and brush. They found a level spot to dismount, then Sterling and the ranch hands began to climb up the steep bank toward Maverick while Hazel stayed back with their horses. Even though she wanted to rush to him and be the first to know his condition, Sterling had been insistent that she stay away from the slippery slope.

They'd brought medical supplies as well as a stretcher. Even if Maverick woke up by some miracle, he'd likely need to be transported back to the ranch and wouldn't be able to sit in a saddle. Sterling had already sent a man to fetch Dr. Howell from Breckenridge, and hopefully he'd be waiting for them at the ranch when they got there with Maverick. They'd already decided to bring him back to the Noble Ranch since it was closer.

Carefully Sterling led the way up the incline. Rocks shifted and crumbled with each step he took, but Sterling didn't stop. He pushed forward quickly until he reached Maverick.

As he knelt beside him, he gently lifted Maverick's head. From what Hazel could see, Maverick was limp and unresponsive, and her breath tightened in her chest with every passing second that she waited for Sterling's assessment.

When Sterling finally lifted his head and met her gaze across the distance, his expression held relief. "He's alive."

Hazel nodded, her own relief weakening her so that she had to hang on to the gelding to keep from sliding down into the rocks and pebbles alongside the river where she waited.

"He's breathing, and his heartbeat is steady." Sterling's pronouncement rose above the rushing water, the most welcome news Hazel had ever heard in her life.

"Let's get that stretcher here." With a wave he beckoned his men.

Sterling seemed to know just what to do, directing the others with precise instructions for how to climb, where to lift Maverick, how to lay him on the stretcher, then how to carry him down the hill so that they didn't jostle him too much.

As soon as they were near the river, Hazel rushed to Maverick.

His eyes were closed, and his face was streaked with dust and grit and blood. He had a gash on the side of his head that was oozing blood. He also had a cut near one of his eyebrows that was bleeding and would likely need stitches. From the blood staining his trouser legs, he probably had some deep tears there too.

Sterling held one side of the stretcher and was moving carefully. "From what I can tell, he has a dislocated shoulder."

"Reckon he's got a doozy of a concussion," said one of the men.

Sterling's eyes were grave. "He's lucky he landed in the brush and didn't bash his head on the rocks."

Hazel's insides churned over how close she'd come to losing Maverick. In some ways she felt as if she'd only just started her life with him, or at least this new life where he'd stopped treating her like his friend's sister and saw her as a desirable woman.

Now that her dreams were coming true, she wanted to make the most of the time they had and didn't want to miss out on the chance to be with him. Life was too short and uncertain to let anything more come between them.

With the men having to carry Maverick, the journey back to the ranch seemed to take forever, especially because Sterling was trying not to hurt Maverick any more than he already was.

Hazel and another ranch hand led the horses on foot. And with every step she took, she was relieved not to be riding anymore.

When they made it to the house, she was surprised when Sterling directed the men to put Maverick in his room instead of one of the guest rooms. Thankfully, the doctor was already there and set to work right away tending to Maverick's injuries.

Since they had to cut Maverick out of his clothing, Sterling wouldn't allow her to be in the room. Instead, she paced the hallway, waiting for the doctor's prognosis. Scarlet and her mother waited with her.

Soon they were joined by Clementine and Tanner. Hazel was thankful Sterling had been thoughtful enough to send a messenger over to the Oakleys regarding Maverick's accident. She prayed that meant everyone was learning to forgive Maverick and moving on from Sterling's failed wedding.

As the bedroom door finally opened, Dr. Howell and Sterling stepped out while conversing in low tones.

Hazel stopped pacing.

All eyes turned upon the doctor expectantly. An older man with a few tufts of gray hair upon his head, the doctor came to an abrupt halt at the sight of the hallway filled with so many people. Small in size—not even as tall as Hazel's petite frame—he straightened his spine, as though trying to give himself an extra inch.

"Well, doctor?" Clementine spoke first, her pretty face lined with worry. No doubt she was dreading losing someone else she loved.

With a solemn gaze, the doctor cleared his throat. He started to speak, then stopped to clear his throat again.

Hazel's heart sank. Was he trying to deliver bad news?

"I'm sorry," the doctor started as he exchanged a serious look with Sterling, who was abnormally subdued. "But Maverick is gravely injured."

"What does that mean?" Clementine asked before anyone else could.

"It appears that he may have fractured his spine." The doctor's words came out in a rush.

A pall fell over them, leaving them all speechless, including Clementine.

"We won't know until he awakens," the doctor continued solemnly, "but it appears that he has no movement in his lower extremities."

Hazel tried to make sense of the doctor's news, but she couldn't seem to think or breathe.

"Then he's paralyzed?" Tanner asked.

The doctor's frail shoulders fell, and again he cleared his throat. "I'm afraid it's a possibility."

Maverick paralyzed? Hazel couldn't begin to imagine how he would handle never being able to walk again. He'd be devastated. With as much life and energy as Maverick always had, he'd likely feel that his life was over.

"How much of his body is still functional?" Tanner persisted.

"Again, I can't be sure." The doctor glanced through the open bedroom door, where only the footboard of the bed was visible. "I do believe he'll have motion in his arms and hands. But time will tell."

The ache in Hazel's chest pulsed through her body. How would Maverick be able to function? And who would take care of him?

Clementine's forehead was creased. She was likely thinking that they were busy with their ailing mother, and how would they be able to tend to Maverick too?

Clementine exchanged a look with Tanner. "We'll go back for the wagon and transport him home."

Tanner nodded, running his fingers through his overlong brown hair that was curling at the nape of his neck.

"No," Sterling said, his tone firm. "The doctor thinks the less Maverick is moved around, the better chance he'll have at recovery."

"It'll be fine." Tanner spoke curtly, turning cold eyes on Sterling. "After all the traveling he's already done, a little more won't harm him. Besides, he'll want to be someplace where he's welcome."

Hazel's gaze bounced back and forth between Tanner and Sterling. Tanner was obviously upset that Sterling had blamed Maverick for Violet calling off the wedding. And he didn't want to leave Maverick behind in what he considered a hostile place.

Sterling held Tanner's gaze. "He's welcome here." It was as close to an apology as Sterling would give. Hopefully Tanner realized that.

Tanner hesitated and slid a glance at Hazel, his brows rising as if to ask her opinion.

"I'll tend to Maverick." The moment her offer was out for everyone to analyze, embarrassment swept through her. "I mean, I'm sure between the maids and us women folk"—she waved a hand at her mother and Scarlet—"we'll be able to take good care of Maverick, especially since Clementine and Clarabelle need to be with Mrs. Oakley."

Thankfully, her mother nodded. "Of course we can all help."

Hazel had always been told that she looked like a younger version of her mother, having the same blond hair and bronze eyes and delicate features. More than outward beauty, her mother had an inner gentleness and politeness that Hazel had always admired and strove to imitate. Now was one of those times she was relieved that her mother was so gracious.

Scarlet, on the other hand, was scowling and shaking her head. She had fair hair too, but her eyes were a vibrant blue and were always so expressive, never leaving any doubt regarding her true feelings. Even though she'd been worried about Maverick, she wasn't ready to forgive him for the way he'd hurt Sterling, and she certainly didn't want to take care of him.

"No," Scarlet whispered to Mother. "He can't stay."

Mother slipped an arm around Scarlet's waist and began to lead her down the hallway toward the stairs. Hazel was grateful for Mother's intervention so that they didn't have to deal with one of Scarlet's tantrums.

Tanner wasn't paying attention to Scarlet or Mother. Instead, his gaze was squarely upon Hazel. "We don't want to impose on you, Hazel."

"It's the least I can do." Her voice wobbled with all the emotion she'd yet to sort through. "I'm the one who dragged him out to find Candy."

"You're not to blame." Tanner's tone was soothing, as if he were talking to an easily spooked mare. "I should have gone out with you."

Deep inside, she knew Maverick's accident wasn't her fault any more than it was Tanner's. Even so, finding someone to blame—including oneself—always seemed to be the natural way of reacting to a tragedy.

She swallowed the lump in her throat that threatened to push up and make her start crying again. She'd already shed enough tears for one day and had to stay strong. "I'll be a good nurse. You won't have to worry about Maverick."

Tanner studied her a heartbeat longer, as though trying to determine her innermost thoughts. When he finally nodded, his mind made up, she sagged against the wall, grateful that she wouldn't have to be away from Maverick.

"I was planning to head out today," Tanner said, "but I'll stay and help at the ranch until Maverick is able to come home and resume his duties."

IfMaverick ever reached the point where he could work again. But of course, she didn't voice her thought aloud.

She'd stay home and take care of Maverick as long as it took. Forever if need be. "I may need to cut back on how much time I can spend with the mares."

Tanner waved off her concern. "I'll manage."

"But the foalings—"

"I'll send you word if one of the mares goes into labor."

She hesitated. After Candy's foaling, she had at least a week, if not more, before the next mare was due. "I'll come over when I can to check on things."

"Don't worry about anything." Clementine squeezed her arm. "Clarabelle and I will be there to help."

Hazel waited for Sterling to object to the unfolding plans, but he stood quietly beside the doctor, his shoulders slumped, his eyes sad.

Knowing Sterling and how sensitive he was beneath all his bluster and brawn, she guessed he was having regrets about the way his relationship with Maverick had deteriorated, especially how he'd harbored such anger and unforgiveness instead of at least treating Maverick with some civility.

Even though she hated that Maverick had experienced the accident and would suffer as a result, she could only pray it would bring about healing, especially to their hearts.