Leah walked him outside, actually somewhat proud of him, for coming forward to deal the shooting, rather than it being left to the speculation if he was involved with it.
"Hullo Case." It was Santee walking across the street from where McKenny and Carson sat their horses, holding Santee's. "Wondered where you got off to Miss Steelgrave. Should have known you'd be here checkin' up on Guyer." It was no secret that they were friends.
"A man could get himself shot like that." Case said wryly as he turned. Been meaning to thank you boys, handlin' a chore I can't, watchin' out for my little sister here. Elias has it out for you men. So keep that in mind." He chuckled, "Here I am preachin' to the choir. Now there's another thing, a favor I'll ask of you. Keep an eye out for Guyer as well, he's in no shape to be dealin' with gun trouble, leastways til Pike gets back."
"Already plannin' on it. He treats us fair, we admire that." Santee stated.
"Good." Case said strapping on his gunbelt, and then pulling on his frock coat. "Good thing you're doin' with this hospital bid'ness, just be careful, I have no idea what our father might do, but, he's got the men to do it if he's a mind too." He mounted and looked down at Leah, "Be slippin' out the back way, no sense a mob come running down here." With that, Case Steelgrave rode off, out of town the back way.
Leah looked at Santee, "We need to be vigilant with the hospital and Marshal Guyer. She said in earnest, not that her men were not vigilant of her. It was the hospital that would be the most vulnerable. "I have a bit of shopping to do and then home, just so you know."
Case; Continued in "The Prodigal Son"
Jonah rose wearily -- he hadn't realized how tired he was, nor hungry, until now, with everything under control and the immediate concerns seen to -- and hustled Addy out the door, speaking to her briefly before going back into the room.
"Miss Fletcher, you are welcome to stay the night...or as long as it's necessary..." Speed was in no shape to travel just now, "Addy is going to fetch you some things you might need, and food as well, so you can be comfortable." He grinned. "She'll get something from the Lickskillet, she assures me she isn't cooking, Speed has had enough insult for one day!"
He was grateful that Addy and Leah were here, to help out and give him the support he needed for these circumstances.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Addy had been a bit surprised that Doc Danforth had asked for her help, but it did make sense, and with the assurance that Case wasn't going to cause trouble, she approached Leah on the front porch.
"Doc wants me ta go by my place an' fetch a nightshirt fer Miss Alice, then get some supper from th' Lickskillet. Would ya care ta accompany me? An' maybe leave one'a them handsome gents ta keep an eye on th' place?"
Even though Case wasn't a threat, that didn't mean that there still wasn't a threat loitering out there, waiting...
Alice looked up at the Doctor, "I'll likely just sit with him through the night. Make sure he's comfortable." Though what she meant was to be there in case. "Wo would do such a thing Doctor? I mean whoever did this spent a great deal of time and effort."
"I'll be just fine." He lied, unsure of what would happen next. If someone was out there that wanted him dead and knew he still breathed, nothing was for sure. It would take an overconfident man to pull the trigger and just ride off thinking the job was done. "You don't need to sit here all night." He winked at her, "I'll have no argument about it either" Attempting to sound more than he could manage, which was weak.
"Doc wants me ta go by my place an' fetch a nightshirt fer Miss Alice, then get some supper from th' Lickskillet. Would ya care ta accompany me? An' maybe leave one'a them handsome gents ta keep an eye on th' place?"
"Of course, actually after that little visit, I could use both a walk and a cup of Lickskillet coffee!" She agreed, "Now which handsome men were you referring to? The ones that dog my every step? Those men?" She grinned, "Already done, far as I can tell."
"Two things I know about my older brother, rage and respect. Marshal Guyer's earned both. I promise you this though, no one best try that one again. His respect for Guyer runs deeper than his rage. He's left word with Santee, I'm sure of that." It was a knowing smile she gave, if she were a betting woman she say Case was on his way to the Evergreen, because who else in Kalispell could hire his killing done?
"Other than what happened earlier, it is a really nice day to be out and about." She said as they walked along as if nothing had happened, aside from buckskin and lace walking side by side.
"Who would do such a thing Doctor? I mean whoever did this spent a great deal of time and effort."
Jonah shook his head. "I don't know. There's plenty of evil in this world, and I'm sure the Marshal has made a few enemies during his time." Didn't necessarily have to be a lawman to do that, but that job would certainly attract its share of haters.
"I'll be just fine." He lied, unsure of what would happen next. If someone was out there that wanted him dead and knew he still breathed, nothing was for sure. It would take an overconfident man to pull the trigger and just ride off thinking the job was done. "You don't need to sit here all night." He winked at her, "I'll have no argument about it either" Attempting to sound more than he could manage, which was weak.
"I'm sure you'd rather look at Miss Fletcher's countenance than my ugly mug!" Jonah chuckled. "I'll be here, of course, in the next room, but we've still got a couple hours of daylight. I believe Miss Steelegrave and Miss Addy are going to get us some food from the Lickskillet."
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
"Two things I know about my older brother, rage and respect. Marshal Guyer's earned both. I promise you this though, no one best try that one again. His respect for Guyer runs deeper than his rage. He's left word with Santee, I'm sure of that."
"Well, leastways that means Speed'll be safe from that skunk," Addy grumbled, shaking her head. "This kinda thing ought not be happenin' here, makes folks edgy an' trigger happy."
"Other than what happened earlier, it is a really nice day to be out and about." She said as they walked along as if nothing had happened, aside from buckskin and lace walking side by side.
"It is that!" Addy nodded agreement, smiling and relaxing now that she realized the immediate threat was over and Speed was going to live. "I surely am ready fer a proper meal, but we can skip inta my place right quick an' grab a nightdress fer Miss Alice, so she can be more comfortable fer th' night. Might just stay th' night, too, just in case someone comes lookin' fer Speed, an' so tongues don't wag 'bout Miss Alice there alone with two men."
Not that she thought anything would happen, but there were folks who thrived on such nonsense.
"I'm sure you'd rather look at Miss Fletcher's countenance than my ugly mug!" Jonah chuckled. "I'll be here, of course, in the next room, but we've still got a couple hours of daylight. I believe Miss Steelegrave and Miss Addy are going to get us some food from the Lickskillet."
Alice smiled, glancing at the doctor as Speed looked at her. "It's a sight I enjoy often Doc, but for the moment, I might want to nap some. Need to just fade out here. Tired as I ever been." He admitted.
"I'll be here, Speed." She said, but he was already back asleep. "That was fast." But she held his hand as he lay there, his breathing even with a hint of a snore. "Guess this is the way of it for a bit yet as he recovers. Solid food might not agree with him I'm thinking, we have a ways to go yet."
Alice Fletcher was not naive as to the gravity of the situation they were in. He had lost a good deal of blood and that would take its own sweet time replenishing itself as the wounds healed.
"I surely am ready fer a proper meal, but we can skip inta my place right quick an' grab a nightdress fer Miss Alice, so she can be more comfortable fer th' night. Might just stay th' night, too, just in case someone comes lookin' fer Speed, an' so tongues don't wag 'bout Miss Alice there alone with two men."
Leah snorted at Addy's statement because she knew that it was true, There would be talk even when those falling prey to rumor knew that Jonah Danforth housed those too injured to be sent home, especially when home could well be miles from Kalispell. Yet there were tongues that would wag regardless.
"Yes, there are, not to name any names as I am sure we would be thinking of the same individuals. Whether they know it is false, nothing beats a good rumor." She agreed. "I'm no homemaker, but we;'' need beef broth and plenty of it for a bit. He won't tolerate solid food for a while. Oh, good idea on the nightdress, did you want to stop going, or on the way back?"
"He's pretty tough." Jonah grinned. "I'm sure he'll only put up with soup for so long before he'll be wanting real food again!" It didn't really matter, so long as Alice was able to get nutrition into Speed, but it would be a sure sign of improvement when he was demanding steak and potatoes!
"I have a pallet I can bring in for you if you prefer over the chair," he offered, "and I'll get you a blanket. Would you like some coffee?" Hopefully, the ladies would be back soon with food!