Give the boy air!
Colleen commanded, parting her angry grandnieces and nephews like a queen moving through her court. She eyed Nathaniel.
Banged, you up pretty
good, did they?
Yes, ma'am.
Her eyes were shrewd.
Dumont,
she murmured, so that only he could hear.
Nathaniel winced.
Right the first time.
She glanced at Coco.
You seem to be in able hands, here. I have a call to make.
She smiled thinly. It helped to have connections, she thought as she tapped out of the room with her cane. And through them she would see that Baxter Dumont knew he had put a noose around his own neck, and that one false move would mean his career would come to an abrupt and unpleasant stop.
Nobody trifled with Colleen Calhoun's family.
Nathaniel watched Colleen go, then took the pill Coco held out to him and gulped it
down. The movement sent fresh pain radiating up his side.
Let's get that shirt off.
Trying to sound cheerful, Coco attacked the torn T-shirt with kitchen shears.
The angry mutters died away as Nathaniel's bruised torso was exposed.
Oh.
Tears stung Coco's eyes.
Oh, baby.
Don't pamper the boy.
Dutch came in holding two bottles. Witch hazel and whiskey. One look at Nathaniel had him gritting his teeth together so hard they ached, but he kept his voice careless.
He ain't no baby. Take a shot of this, Captain.
He's just taken a pill,
Coco began.
Take a shot,
Dutch repeated.
Nathaniel winced once as the whiskey stung his lip. But it took the e.g. off a great many other aches.
Thanks.
Look at ya.
Dutch snorted and dumped the witch hazel onto a cloth.
Let 'em
pound all over you, like some city boy with sponges where his fists should be.
There were two of them,
Nathaniel muttered.
So?
Dutch gently swabbed the bruises.
You getting so outa shape you can't take two?
I kicked their butts.
Experimentally Nathaniel probed a tooth with his tongue. It hurt, but at least it wasn't loose.
Better had,
Dutch returned, with a flash of pride.
Tried to rob you, did they?
Nathaniel's gaze flashed to Megan.
No.
Ribs're bruised.
Ignoring Nathaniel's curse, Dutch prodded and poked until he was satisfied.