Notes 8

Matt followed her. “Hugh, oh, darling, you’re awake!” Lisa said, stepping over to his bed. “Was the doctor here?” Hugh
asked. “Yes.” “To see me?” “Yes.” “Why? What happened to me? Why am I lying here like this?” “You . . . you don’t
know?” Lisa asked, surprised by Hugh’s question. She glanced over at Matt. “You were shot, Hugh,” Lisa said. “Do you
not remember anything about it?” Hugh shook his head. “No. The last thing I remember is riding out to check on the
fence line. Listen, I can’t stay in bed in the middle of the day. I’ve got work to do. Hand me my clothes, will you, Lisa? I’m
going to get up now.” Lisa, shocked by the request, didn’t respond. She just stared at him. “Where are my clothes? I’m
going to—” Hugh stopped in midsentence and got an expression on his face that turned from confusion to concern. “I
can’t seem to move my legs. Why can’t I move my legs?” “Hugh, don’t you remember? You are paralyzed from the waist
down,” Lisa said. Hugh’s look of concern turned to one of dismay. “I’m paralyzed?” “Yes, darling.” He was silent for a long
time, then he looked up at Matt. “Did you say I was shot?” “Yes.” “Who did it? Who shot me?”
• “I was hoping you could tell me,” Matt replied. “The cows!” “What cows?” “I found
several Circle Dot cows on my land. I had just started back to have Ed and the others—”
Hugh paused in midsentence again. “That’s when I was shot. I remember now. I felt a
blow in my back. The next thing I knew Ed was talking to me. I . . . I don’t have any idea
how I got here.” “Mr. Sanders and the others put you in the back of the buckboard and
brought you here,” Lisa said. “Hugh, are those cows still on your land?” Matt asked. “As far
as I know they are. I didn’t get a chance to tell anyone else about them.” “Seeing as the
Circle Dot belongs to Kennedy and O’Neil now, it might be a good idea to get them out of
there,” Matt suggested. “Yes, I was thinking the same thing.” “Ed and I will take care of it.”
Straight Arrow Ranch “Wait here,” Boggs said. “What do you mean, wait here?” DuPont
asked angrily. “I’ve never had to wait to see Kennedy or O’Neil before.” “Wait here,” Boggs
repeated. DuPont seethed with anger as he waited outside the ranch office. A moment
later Boggs reappeared. “You can go in now.” DuPont glared at him, then went into the
office where Kennedy and O’Neil waited. “What was that all about?” DuPont demanded,
pointing back toward the door. What was what about?” O’Neil asked. “Having that no-
good coyote tell me I had to wait to see you. We’ve been doin’ business a long time ’n I
ain’t never had to wait before.”