His first sight of the large, blond-headed man had him thinking the worst, but then Lucas groaned. Boone shoved Mindy backwards to get a better look at the wound. “Howya doin’ soldier?” It took a moment for Lucas to reply. “Hurting … ” His silk shirt had a quarter-sized hole in the right side of the chest. Blood was quickly saturating the garment. “I guess so — they shot the dickens out of you. Hang on, though, you’re not dead yet.” Mindy had been watching. Now she pushed Boone aside and straddled Lucas, pressing hard on his chest with both hands. Lucas groaned. “What do you think you’re doing? He’s hurting bad enough as it is!” “Shut up! I’m trying to stop the bleeding. Go get my bag. Now!” Boone, shocked by her demeanor, rose to do what she asked. He placed the bag near where her small frame was centered on top of Lucas’s chest. Her orders were brisk. “Go start a fire and boil me some horsehair.” Boone looked at her in surprise. Her eyes flickered with anger.
