Narrow Escape

Chapter Twenty-one

Chapter Twenty-one

"Lane I want you to rest," Doctor Hartley told him. "Rafe can return later once you'll feeling better."

"We've taken care of everything Doc," Rafe told him. "What we need is you and another man to witness Lane signing this document. Lane will rest easier knowing his new bride is taken care of. I've all ready asked Mrs. Preston to get one of the men from outside in here."

"Then as soon as he signs I want everyone out and Lane I'm giving you something that will make sure you rest."

"Yes...Doc," Lane told him. "I'll...be...ready." He would be more then ready to not feel the pain he was now in for a long time, Lane thought, as he struggled to keep his eyes open. It would be simple right now to close them and let the blackness claim him. Charlotte and being sure things were taken care of is what kept them open.

"You wanted me," Taw said coming into the room and seeing the doctor and the man he'd found out earlier was Lane's attorney.

"Yes," Rafe told him. "We need you to witness Lane signing his will."

"Sure," Taw answered.

Rafe held the document for Lane to sign it. Once Lane was done he showed Doc and Taw Pierce where they needed to sign. "Good," Doc said. "Now everyone out!"

Rafe and Taw Pierce left with Doc Hartley checking Lane's pulse as they were walking out.

"Give Doc a few minutes, Mrs. Preston before you go on in. He's giving Lane something to make his sleep," Rafe told her taking her hand in his.

"Thank you for coming," she told the attorney.

"Lane should rest a lot better now that he knows things are taken care of," Rafe told her as he patted her hand.

"I hope he will," she answered him as she stood by the door frame and watched the doctor with her husband.

"You may go in now, Charlotte, but make sure that husband of yours rests."

"I will Doctor," she told him. Once in the room she sat in the chair next her husband's bed and watched as he drifted back to sleep. Charlotte leaned close to Lane's ear and whispered to him. "I love you, Lane Preston. I know you made out your will but you had better not die on me. We promised each other a hundred years together and I am going to make you keep that promise."

* * *

"Be careful," Charlotte said to the four men carrying Lane up the stairs to their living quarters eight days later on a stretcher.

"Don't worry, Charlotte, we won't drop him," Hart told her smiling.

"I hope not," Lane grounded out. The move from the doctor's office was more painful but he would be glad to get home and be with Charlotte. Maybe she would get some rest too, he hoped, noticing the dark circles under her eyes and it looked as if she'd lost some weight too.

Once Lane was settled in their bed Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief. She had Harriet through the day to help her and do all the cooking. Taw Pierce was moving into the extra bedroom to help if any heavy lifting was needed and Hart was making sure the building was kept under guard both the back and the front. She carried her derringer in the pocket of her dress at all times.

She had moved one of the overstuffed chairs close to the bed and right now Hart was sitting in it as he filled Lane in on what had been happening since he'd been shot as Lane sat propped up against the headboard of the bed. She wanted him to lay down in the bed but he over ruled her.