Chapter 7
Blade still didn’t feel happy about leaving Millie, but he trusted Dr. Masterson.
He had been their doctor for years, and if it weren’t for him, Millie would have been dead.
He was the one who treated them after the attack.
The man knew everything there was to know about Millie and wouldn’t let any harm come to her.
At least, not from a medical perspective, anyway.
Having made his decision to leave gave Blade a great sense of relief.
One way or the other, it was all going to be over.
He had no idea what came after, but he wanted to find out.
Imagining a life where he was free of anger and the blood-curdling need for revenge seemed impossible, but other people lived their lives like that, so maybe he could too.
It had been so long that Blade could barely remember how he felt before the attack.
The sheriff’s station wasn’t far from the doctor’s office, so Blade left Africa tied to the hitching post and made his way there on foot.
It was a nice day, and he was trying to calm his nerves by taking in the sun and breeze.
It didn’t work. For some reason, he was nervous about telling Wolfe that he was leaving.
Blade didn’t usually get nervous, and he didn’t particularly enjoy the feeling.
Maybe it was because Wolfe had just deputized him, and it felt a little like Blade was letting him down.
Instead of heading straight to Wolfe’s office, Blade made a detour, stopping at the bakery to pick up some pastries. Then he headed to the general store to stock up on ammunition. It was a good distraction, but eventually he found himself standing in front of Wolfe.
“Got you a pastry,” Blade said, placing it down on Wolfe’s desk.
Wolfe eyed him suspiciously. “Why? What did you do?”
Blade almost laughed. “Nothing. It’s more about what I’m going to do.”
“It must be bad if you’re buying me food as a peace offering.” Wolfe stood up but didn’t forget about his pastry. He took a bite before speaking again. “What is it then?”
“I can’t wait any longer. I’ve decided that I’m leaving in the morning.”
Wolfe took another bite of his pastry. His face didn’t give away anything. “Okay.”
“Just okay? Nothing else?”
“What else is there to say? Getting revenge is something you have to do. You’ll never be able to rest or move on with your life if you don’t, and there’s nothing more I can teach you. You’re as ready as you’ll ever be.”
Blade breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank you for understanding.”
“Always,” Wolfe replied with a smile. “Now, do you have more of these?”
“I do.” Blade opened the brown paper bag he had put down on Wolfe’s table and handed him another pastry. Feeling better, he took one for himself as well.
“What are you going to do about Millie?”
“I hate leaving her, especially now that Margaret is gone, but she’ll be all right.
” Blade was still trying to convince himself of that fact but figured the more he said it, the more he’d believe it too.
“I’ve spoken to Dr. Masterson and his new apprentice.
They agreed that they would keep an eye on her for me.
In fact, Dr. Masterson tasked his apprentice with visiting Millie every day. ”
“You think you’ll be all right with a stranger coming to see her every day?” Wolfe asked.
“I don’t know,” Blade replied honestly. “But at least I know she won’t be completely alone all the time. Dr. Masterson thinks it’ll be good for her, so I hope he is right.”
“I’d be happy to keep an eye on her too,” Wolfe offered. “I’m no doctor, but I can make sure she is safe.”
A huge smile formed on Blade’s face. “That would be great. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, but don’t get too sentimental on me. I don’t deal well with feelings.”
Both of them burst out laughing at that.
“You think you could do me another favor?” Blade asked when he was done eating his pastry.
Wolfe shrugged. “Depends on what it is.”
“Millie doesn’t come to town, and she’s going to need groceries.
Could you maybe buy them and take them to her?
I’ll ask her to make a list of what she needs once a week.
That way you won’t have to guess, and I’ll give you money.
” Blade dug his money pouch out of his pocket, pulled out a handful of bills and coins, and looked at Wolfe for confirmation.
“Of course,” Wolfe agreed, realizing that Blade was waiting for him to say something.
“Okay, and thank you again.” Blade placed the money on Wolfe’s desk. “That should be enough, but Millie has money at home too—she can give you some if you run out.”
Wolfe examined the money. “No need. This is a lot. I’m sure it’ll be enough.”
Blade didn’t usually walk around with a lot of money on him, and it wasn’t as if he was rich, but he was planning to buy a lot of groceries so that he knew Millie wouldn’t run out for a long time. Wolfe buying groceries for her was better, though. That way, she would get the items she needed.
“All right,” he said, “I guess I better get going. I still want to stop at Dakota’s, and I really want to try to get a good night’s rest.”
Blade found Dakota at her job. He didn’t like bothering her there, but she had assured him on multiple occasions that her boss didn’t mind. He was an easy-going man who insisted that perfection could only be achieved by nurturing personal needs.
“I took your advice and spoke to Dr. Masterson. He and his apprentice will check on Millie every day, and Wolfe is going to buy her groceries and keep an eye on her too.”
“That’s good,” Dakota replied with a smile that warmed his heart.
“It is,” Blade agreed. “I’m going to leave at sunrise tomorrow morning, and I wanted to ask you something.”
“Anything,” Dakota said immediately.
“Don’t you want to know what it is first?”
Dakota shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. If it’s for you, I’ll do it.”
“Good to know,” Blade stated with a chuckle. “I want you to visit Millie while I’m gone. Dr. Masterson, his apprentice, and Wolfe will take care of her, but she needs a friend too.”
Dakota hesitated before she replied. “Sure, I’ll visit her.”
It didn’t sound very convincing, but Blade didn’t press the matter. He knew he could trust Dakota. She would never lie to him. “There’s one more thing,” he added.
“What’s that?” Dakota asked, tilting her head to the side.
“I know this is asking a lot, but if I don’t make it back, will you take care of Millie?”
Dakota’s eyes grew wide as a small gasp escaped her throat. She slapped his arm. “Don’t speak like that. You’re making it back home!”
“It’s not like I’m going to try to get killed. I’ll just sleep better at night knowing that if something happened to me, Millie still had you.”
“All right,” Dakota said, crossing her arms. “No matter what happens, as long as I’m alive, I will do my best to make sure that Millie is taken care of.”
Blade stepped forward and pulled Dakota into a hug. “Thank you for always having my back.”
“And you mine,” she whispered, hugging him tighter.