Hannah, if four men cannot lift it straight, stop lifting it straight. Grant's eyes opened fully. Walter followed her gaze. Understanding came. Leverage.
Yes. They moved quickly. Two men slid one pole beneath the rail, another under the far end. Hannah pulled a folded horse blanket from the supply wagon and wrapped it over the timber where it pressed closest to Grant so it would not shift against him. On Walter's count, she said.
One cowboy looked uncertain. Grant growled from the dirt. Do what she says. Nobody argued after that. Walter counted.
The men pushed down on the long ends of the poles. The timber rose. Not much. Enough. Hannah knelt beside Grant.
Can you move? He tried. His right arm buckled. Hannah caught him beneath the good side. His weight hit her hard enough to drive one of her boots deep into the soft earth.
For a moment, she nearly lost balance. Grant was enormous, solid, heavy in a way that no ordinary man was heavy. Leave me, he said. No. Hannah, move your feet.
Something like anger flashed across his face. Maybe embarrassment, maybe pain. She did not care which. Walter came around the other side. Together, they got Grant clear before the men lowered the rail.
The moment the timber hit the ground, Grant sat heavily against the fence. Henry ran to him. Grant caught his son with his left arm. I'm all right. You got crushed.
Not crushed. You were under a fence. That happens to be different. Hannah almost laughed from sheer relief. Instead, she knelt and looked at his shoulder.
His shirt was torn at the seam. He could move his fingers. That was good. But the joint had taken the worst of the impact. You're going to the house.
Grant shook his head. Branding's not finished. Walter stared at him. Boss, no. Hannah stood.
Grant looked up at her. She folded her arms. You can walk there, Mr. Dalton, or Walter and I can find another pair of fence poles. Several ranch hands suddenly became very interested in their boots.
Grant's jaw worked. Then, despite everything, the corner of his mouth moved. "Woman's been here 3 weeks and already giving orders. Only when necessary." Walter helped Grant stand. He made it to the house under his own power, though his steps shortened noticeably before they reached the porch.
Hannah settled him in the parlor chair nearest the fireplace. She brought warm water, clean cloth, and a jar of linament Walter kept for strained muscles. Grant objected to every part of being tended. Hold still. I am holding still.
You move every time I touch your shoulder. That's because it hurts. That would be why I'm looking at it. He gave her a long stare. Hannah stared back.