Chapter Four "Closer to Heaven"
While Heath and Audra were honeymooning in Boston, Nick was left in charge of supervising the operation at the gold mine. He hired extra hands at the ranch and delegated a greater part of his responsibilities to his foreman in order to spend more time in Strawberry during the couple's one-month honeymoon. Heath had informed him that a shipment of timber was supposed to be delivered the morning after the wedding, which was to replace the old decayed shoring beams inside the shafts. Heath was heedful of the importance of safety within the workplace, and had made a deal with a local to purchase his timber. Trouble was the man never fulfilled the order. The crook had swindled Heath and other buyers out of some ten thousand dollars and skipped town with the money.
Before riding into Strawberry, Nick made a brief detour to Heath’s spread to drop two healthy calves, the results of the crossbreed between the Brama bull and one of his heifers. After making due on his promise, Nick headed on to Strawberry where Heath had arranged for him to lodge at the town hotel andwas to foot the bill regardless of the length of his stay. Nick settled into his room and moseyed along to the saloon to meet with the crew captain. Over a beer, he told Nick about the timber that was never delivered. When Nick learned the name of the con man Heath had purchased the timber from, he wasn't surprised.
" No wonder you don't have it! Two days ago, he robbed half the merchants in Stockton and skipped town. Sheriff issued a wanted poster on him. Don't worry the Barkleys will supply the needed timber and we’ll have this place in shape in no time flat.”
" That's very generous of you Mr. Barkley. "
"I reckon it's only fitting since we’re family. "
" I hope the boss and his bride are having a good time in Boston? "
" They’re newlyweds. I'm sure they already found something to occupy their time with, " Nick said smugly, raising his mug.
" By this time next year, you might be an uncle. "
" Between you and me I would like that very much, " Nick confided, taking a swig of beer.
" I remember when my sister had her first child. I spoiled that little girl rotten. My wife and I couldn't have children of our own so we sort of adopted little Carrie. When my sister and her husband died in that stage robbery, we took her in our home. "
" I'm sorry John, I didn’t know,” Nick sympathized, placing a comforting hand on the grieving man’s shoulder.
“Just be careful my friend. Those tiny wranglers have a way to steal your heart.”
The two men quaffed their beers and parted ways.
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Within two days, the timber was shipped to the Thomson Mines. Nick and a dozen miners buckle to the task of erecting the new shoring beams, whereas the rest of the men resumed operations in secured shafts. Ore production exceeded their predictions as days rolled into weeks.
A typical sweltering summer day greeted the newlyweds upon their return to Stockton. Despite the blistering heat that mercilessly singed the skin and stung the eyes, Victoria insisted on accompanying Nick to the train station. Passengers began alighting the cars while Victoria and Nick shouldered their way to the end of the train to the Barkley private railcar. They climbed aboard and interrupted a tender interlude between man and wife.
"Ahem! " Nick hawked.
Audra and Heath unclenched their embrace, keeping cheek to cheek to stifle their giggling.
" Honeymoon's over you know, " Nick teased.
Arms wrapped around Audra’s waist, Heath threw his blushing bride an impish wink. “Oh, I don't think it’ll ever be over for us.”
" Heath!” She swapped him lightly on the arm and swiftly raised her hand to her brow to conceal her embarrassment.
“Come here, Audra.” Victoria welcomed her daughter with arms outstretched. They hugged while Nick walked over to shake Heath’s hand.
" My little girl. How was your trip? "
" Just wonderful, Mother. Heath and I visited places I never thought existed. "
Fists on hips and chest swollen up with pride, Nick gave Heath a sidelong glance. " Took in some sites now did you? I was under the impression that newlyweds never saw anything past their hotel room, " he teased, playfully elbowing Heath in the side.
" We managed to peek outside once and twice, " he answered on the same bantering tone
“Unh unh.”
“Well ya’ know what’s it’s like?”
“No I don’t reckon I do but I have a pretty good idea.”
Heath’s grin hung on his ears as Nick tapped him on the back. " Come on you two. Your carriage awaits. “
Nick helped Heath with the suitcases. Both men assisted the ladies down the step and led the way on the platform through the scattering crowd. Audra and Victoria lagged behind, arms wrapped around each other’s waists.
" I have never seen you so happy, " Victoria commented of her daughter’s beaming expression.
" I am happy, Mother. I married the most wonderful man in the world. He’s tender, caring, understanding and so handsome, " she mused.
Victoria tittered.
" What's so funny? "
" I was just traveling back to the first day you met Heath in town. You remember what you told me? "
" That he was the man I was going to marry. It's funny but Heath confessed the same thing to me. He felt a bit embarrassed to ask to court me after the rather bumpy impression he made. He thought I'd never be interested in him. Do you realize we might never have seen each other again if he hadn't bought the old Anderson place? "
" Life works in mysterious ways for two people who are meant to be together. "
" I suppose, " she sighed wistfully.
They arrived at the buggy. Heath and Nick secured the luggage in the back compartment. Then the fair-haired gentleman assisted his bride in the back seat while the dark-haired son aided his mother in the front. Audra cuddled up to Heath. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Nick grabbed the reins and flicked the horse at a steady amble.
Halfway to the ranch, Heath queried Nick regarding the mine operations, whether he had encountered any trouble. Nick recounted the hitch with the timber shipment and how Heath had been hornswoggled by the supplier. Before Heath could chide him for not wiring him in Boston with the problem, Nick went on to say the Barkleys provided the timber and that production had even doubled with the newly installed beams. Touched by his in-laws’ generosity, a bashful Heath turned to Audra who smiled back at him. He was grateful beyond any spoken word and promised to reimburse them the cost of the wood. Nick wouldn't hear it. Heath was now a full member of the family and had considered it as the wedding gift. The second was awaiting him back at his spread.
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The next morning at the Sawyer ranch, Heath rose at cockcrow, heedful not to disturb his wife’s peaceful slumber as he donned his clothes. He crawled into bed next to her sleeping form and lay on his side, head resting against his fist. He watched her, gazing at her fresh complexion and radiant golden hair. He marvelled at her beauty and mused to himself of being the luckiest man alive to have been blessed with such a wonderful loving wife.
She stirred a little and moaned as her eyes fluttered open. She smiled at the figure lying beside her. " Hi!”
" Hi yourself. " he purred, craning his head to reach her lips.
" What time is it? "
" Almost seven. "
" When are you leaving for Strawberry? "
" Right now. I have to drop by your folks to pick up Nick. "
" You can't leave without eating breakfast. "
" I did already. "
" And you didn't wake me up? "
" I couldn't. Ya’ looked so peaceful. I didn’t want to the disturb ya’. "
" You're so sweet, " she whispered, caressing his cheek. She rose abruptly into a sitting position and experienced a twinge of dizziness. She gasped and swiftly raised her hand to her brow.
Heath sat in bed and put his arm around her shoulders. " Honey, what's wrong? " he asked worriedly.
" It's nothing, " she breathed out as she tried to catch her breath. " I sat up too fast, that's all," she assured, though failing to convince her husband.
" This is the third time this happened. "
“What are you talking about? " she asked defiantly as she gulped down another breath.
" Yesterday, when Nick to drove us home and ya’ climbed the stairs. Ya’ stopped halfway and gripped the railing. Then again last night, in the kitchen over the stove. "
"If you must know, I get those slight dizzy spells whenever the weather is scorching hot. The doctor said they were due to the heat. It's nothing to worry about. Ask mother, she'll tell you. "
"Oh, I will ask her. Meanwhile I think ya’ should see Dr. Merar. "
" Heath, I’m fine. Stop fussing. "
" I can't help it. "
She stroked his cheek as she gazed tenderly into his eyes. " I'm okay. Believe me.” She leaned in to kiss him. " Now, let me see that famous smile, " she asked, tickling him under the chin to steal a fetching lopsided grin. “That’s my boy!”
Audra eased herself out of bed. She slid her feet into her loafers and slipped on her dressing gown. Heath put his arm around her waist and both ambled downstairs.
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Following a long, lingering goodbye, Heath summoned the courage to prise himself free of his wife’s warm embrace and mounted Charger. Audra blew him a kiss as he nudged his horse at light gallop.
He arrived at the Barkley ranch. Silas welcomed him at the front door as Nick was lumbering down the stairs, putting on his gloves.
" You're ready to go, Nick? "
" Yeah. "
Victoria entered the foyer, holding two lunch packs containing some leftover turkey from last night’s dinner. She held one in from of each. " Here's a little something in case you get hungry on the road. "
" I don’t reckon that’ll happen with the lunch Audra packed for me but thank ya’ just the same, Mrs. Barkley. "
"Heath, you are family now. I think it’s time you call me Mother. "
" Alright…Mother. " Heath answered bashfully with his voice faltering. The word played like a sweet melody, one that had been silenced since his mother’s passing. What most endeared her to him was her stance and her unwavering devotion to her family. She was blessed with his mama’s beauty, charm, integrity and compassion. Like mother like daughter, he thought to himself.
Nick pecked Victoria on the cheek and headed for the door.
" Nick ya’ go on ahead. There’s a small matter I’d like to discuss with…Mother. "
" All right. I'll wait for you outside. "
" Something on your mind, Heath? "
" As a matter of fact, yes. It’s Audra. She’s had a few fainting spells since we arrived yesterday and she tells me it's because she's incommodated by the heat. "
" That very well may be. I get those myself. "
" Still I'm worried. I asked her to go see Dr. Merar to be on the safe side, but she refuses. She’s stubborn as a mule. "
" Runs in the family. "
" I've noticed. I wonder if ya’ could have better luck at convincing her. "
" I'm riding into town this afternoon. I’ll ask her to come with me. "
" Thank ya’,” he signed with relief.
" No, thank YOU, " Victoria emphasized as she clasped Heath’s hands. " Thank you for caring about my daughter's welfare. "
" I love her so very much. I don't want anything to happen to her," he confessed with his bottom lip twitching with emotions.
Victoria cupped Heath’s chin in her hand and gave him a peck on the cheek. She stroked his cheek and stared deeply into his eyes. " Don't worry, I’ll keep an eye on her while you're gone. "
He clenched her into an embrace. " Thank ya’, Mother. "
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At the doctor's office, Audra had disrobed to her undergarments for Dr. Merar’s medical assessment. He was down to his last examination of palpating her neck for any sign of swollen glands.
" Okay Audra, we’re done! "
She hopped down the table and went behind the screen to get dressed while the doctor checked over the results.
" So, am I okay? "
" You are in perfect health, Audra. "
" Tell that to my husband. He won’t believe me when I say the spells are due to the heat," she griped as she slipped on her dress.
"Oh, is that what you think is causing them? "
" What else? "
A silence ensued. Audra stepped out from behind the screen. She squinted at the doctor with a glint of fear in her eyes. “Doctor? You said nothing was wrong?”
“Right.”
“Then?” Audra’s frightful expression melted into delight when it suddenly dawned on her that she might be in the family way. She inched forward, keeping her eyes on Dr. Merar’s countenance. “Am I?”
He nodded with a meaningful smile.
“A baby?” she filled in the void.
He nodded again with a broader grin.
She hysterically flung herself into his arms and covered his blushing face with kisses. “Thank you, Doctor. Thank you.”
“I think you have the wrong man, here.”
She stepped backwards. The blood mantled over her cheeks as she held her hands to her mouth to conceal her embarrassment. “A baby,” she quavered, hands trembling. “I can’t believe it!”
“Now I would like to see you every week for the next three months to check on you and your baby’s progress, “ he requested of the expectant mother.
“Yes, of course. I have to tell Mother.“ She dashed out of the doctor’s office and ran down to the seamstress. She flung the door open and rushed to Victoria where she fell into her arms in complete frenzy. “Oh, Mother!”
“Audra, what is it? What’s wrong?” she asked, flurried by her daughter’s conduct.
They disengaged the embrace. “Heath and I are going to have a baby,” she exulted.
Victoria’s face alighted with joy. She pulled Audra back into a hug. “Sweetheart, that’s wonderful news.”
The saleslady congratulated Audra.
“I have to tell Heath.” She dashed back outside with Victoria in tow.
“Honey, he’s in Strawberry. He’ll be back tomorrow.”
“I can’t wait that long.” Audra grabbed her mother’s hand and quickened her pace to the buggy.
As they took their seat, Victoria reasoned with Audra that in her condition, travelling was not advisable. Audra agreed that her main concern was her baby’s health.
At that moment, they saw Jarrod rode in at full gallop. He reined in Jingo in front of the two ladies. “Jarrod I thought you were planning on working at the ranch all day?”
“Just came to get Dr. Merar. There was an explosion at the Thomson mines.”
Both women gaped in horror.
“Heath?” Audra asked.
“Nick?” Victoria asked.
Jarrod nodded. “We don’t know how bad. The doctor in Strawberry is out of town. One man rode out to the ranch and asked me to fetch the doctor. They are bringing Nick and Heath home.”
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The horse reared up on its hind legs at Victoria’s forceful slash on its croup, taking off at a full gallop. The animal outstripped the wind, arriving at the ranch at lightning speed.
Victoria barely had time to halt the horse to a full stop that Audra had jumped down the buggy. She sprinted inside and ran up to the guest bedroom where two men were settling a bloody Heath down on the bed. He looked pitiful. His clothes were tattered and torn.
She sat on the rim of the mattress and began to gently stroke his blood-smeared cheek, careful not to brush against the many bleeding gashes. His heavy sporadic breathing rasped in his lungs, his body jerking spasmodically with each intake of air. Her face puckered. She wanted to hold him, feel him close to absorb his pain with a single stroke of her hand, but feared he would shatter under her touch.
The two soot and dust-covered miners informed the matriarch that Nick was settled in his room. Her blood curdled at the thought of her son having met a similar fate. She rushed to Nick’s room where Tom was sitting next to the bed, prostrated with grief, his hands folded over his mouth while nervously rocking back and forth.
“Tom?”
The heavy-laden father stood from his chair and pulled her into a heart-breaking hug.
“How is he?”
Tom turned to Nick’s still form. “He hasn’t spoken a word since they brought him a few minutes ago.” He wrapped a consoling arm around his distraught wife’s shoulders as they slowly approached the bed. She perched herself on the edge and gave her son’s a cursory examination before she deemed safe to sandwich his hand between hers.
Nick felt the familiar touch and started to groan.
“Nick. Nick it’s Mother. Open your eyes,” she cooed.
“Mother?” Nick’s eyes fluttered open to a world of pain.
Victoria leaned closer to Nick’s ear. “Yes I’m here and so is your father.”
“Son.”
“Heath,” he breathed out, closing his eyes and swallowing dryly through his raspy throat. “How’s Heath?”
“He’s in bad shape,” Victoria informed grimly.
Nick’s face crumpled at the emotions invading his battered body. “He saved my life.”
“What happened?” Tom asked.
Nick’s eyes vacantly raked the room as he cudgelled his brains. “A shout. I heard someone shouting. All over sudden, I felt Heath’s weight shielding me and then,” he paused to gulp down another wave of nausea, “everything went black.”
“Take it easy, son,“ Tom soothed with a stroke of his hand through Nick’s blood-matted hair. “The doctor’s on his way.”
Nick closed his eyes and sniffed back a tear.
Thomas bent closer to his wife’s ear and whispered, “You go be with Audra and Heath. I’ll stay with him until the doctor arrives.”
She looked up at Tom and dithered over whether she should leave or stay at Nick’s bedside. She stared back at her sleeping son.
“Go on,“ he nudged her.
She stooped closer to Nick’s face and kissed his forehead. She gently laid his hand back on the bed and stood.
“He’ll be okay,“ Tom reassured with a slight quaver in his voice that led her to believe otherwise.
She took his hand and gave it a light squeeze. She turned to Nick once more before leaving the room. She walked back to the guess bedroom. Her heart quailed at the sight of her aggrieved daughter weeping with her head glued to her husband’s chest. She padded up to the bed and put her hands on Audra’s shoulders, rubbing them gently to soothe her pain. She tried to prise Audra away from Heath but she wouldn’t let go.
“I want to feel him breathe, Mother. “He can’t die. He just can’t die,” she sobbed her heart out.
Dr. Merar hurried into the room with Jarrod in tow. “Victoria.”
“Howard! Thank Heaven you’re here!”
He sat on the other side of the bed and took out his pocket watch. “Jarrod filled me in on what happened. Has he come around?” he asked as he checked Heath’s pulse while glancing at his watch.
“No. He…he’s bee…been still, “ Audra stammered. She lifted her head off Heath’s chest to allow the doctor to explore the injuries.
Gingerly, Merar raised the eyelids to study the corneal reflex. The eyes were bloodshot and vacuous and the pupils didn’t respond to light. He gently tilted his head sideways to peer at the back. He carefully groped an area where the hair was matted with crusted blood and observed a large scab was beginning to form over the wound. It appeared to be superficial, although serious enough to have rendered him unconscious. He applied his stethoscope to Heath’s chest and picked up a faint irregular heartbeat. With both hands, he began probing his chest for fractured ribs, which revealed many. The labored respiration was strong evidence of a punctured lung. He winced as his hands slowly moved down to his rigid abdomen. The number of injuries multiplied with each feel of his hands over the maimed body. He came to the dreaded conclusion that there was nothing humanly possible he could do to save the man. He sighed in resignation and looked up at Victoria with a funereal expression. He shook his head hopelessly and stood from the bed.
“No!” Audra bawled after picking up on Dr. Merar’s dejection.
Merar extended his arm to reach her shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Audra. There’s nothing I can do.”
“No, no, no!” she cried, shaking her head frantically. “He can’t die!” She gazed at her husband through tear-clouded eyes. “You can’t leave me. You can’t leave us.” She gently caressed his cheek.” Heath, we’re having a baby.”
Victoria held both hands over her mouth to avoid joining her daughter in tears. Jarrod glanced at Victoria and judged by her expression that the news was true.
Audra sank into a slough of despair.
Howard laid his hand on Victoria’s arm and hung his head in sympathy. Jarrod followed him out of the room.
" Doctor, surely there’s something you can do?"
" Heath’s injuries are too extensive. The only consolation is he won’t die of a lingering death."
" Try, just... try anything. For my sister’s sake and her baby, please! " Jarrod begged with a chilling desperation that incited the doctor to yield to his plea.
" Okay, I’ll try. But first, try to get to sister to lie down. She's in a delicate condition. She needs to rest and avoid stress as much as possible. "
" That's going to be mighty difficult under the circumstances. "
" I know. But if she refuses to comply I will have to sedate her and I don't want to resort to medication not knowing what adverse effect it can have on her unborn child. "
" I understand. "
“Secondly, instruct Silas to boil lots of water and ask your mother to bring a few extra towels and blankets. "
" Will do. "
" Does Heath have any relatives in the valley? "
" No, not that I know of. Why? "
“For blood. "
" You can use mine. "
" Jarrod, you're not Heath’s kin. Your blood might kill him. "
“He's dying anyway. What have we got to lose? "
The doctor nodded in agreement. " I’ll go check on your brother Nick. I’ll be right back. "
Dr. Merar headed down to Nick's room whereas Jarrod retraced his steps to Heath’s room. Audra was an inconsolable weeping willow. She held Heath’s hand to her cheek, hoping to help him cling on to a life she felt was slowly ebbing away. The overwhelming emotions were sapping her energy, her heart set aflutter with each jerking breath he took. She struggled against a ever-growing dizziness that threatened to plunge her into darkness. She took in deep breaths to avoid passing out. Victoria tried to reason with her frenzied daughter, pleading with her to take a lie down but Audra turned a deaf ear.
Jarrod hunched down by his sister and stroked her hair. " Audra, the doctor is going to try to save Heath. "
"He… he will? " she stuttered. Tears receded as a spark of hope spawned in her eyes.
" Yes. He's checking on Nick and then he’ll be right back, " he reassured her, rubbing a soothing hand up and down her arm. " Honey, you need to lie down. "
Her face puckered and her lips curled as she gave a strong shake of the head. Another wave of tears gushed to eyes and one of nausea to her throat. She put her hand to mouth.
" Audra, " Jarrod leaned in closer and took her by the shoulders, "it's vital for your health and your baby’s. "
Audra shuddered and suddenly her eyes rolled back in their sockets and she passed out in Jarrod's arms.
" Oh my God! " Victoria exclaimed.
Jarrod lifted Audra out of the chair and carried her to a bedroom with Victoria leading the way. She flung the covers aside and Jarrod carefully laid her sister down on the bed. Victoria removed her boots and pulled the blankets up to shoulders. She caressed Audra’s cheeks and felt her brow. She was relieved of the absence of a fever and surmised her syncope was simply tension-triggered.
Victoria took Jarrod's hand and gave it a light squeeze. "I'll stay with her. You go help Howard. "
" Okay. " He pecked her on the cheek and left the room.
He descended downstairs to the kitchen and instructed Silas to boil water. Then, he headed back up and gathered towels and sheets from the linen closet. He walked to Heath’s room and sat by his bed while waiting for Dr. Merar to return. He stared wonderingly at the dying man. His thoughts whirled back to his second meeting with Heath. He remembered this jaunty young cowpoke entering his office. No sooner had he sat behind his desk that Heath was appending his signature at the bottom of the land deed. The man had a glaring glow in his eyes Jarrod thought was suspicious. Was he a naturally overzealous man with a passion for life, that he didn't waste time with small talk and shot straight to the heart of the matter? All the details had been ironed out at their first meeting but nevertheless, Jarrod conceivably expected to be riddled with further questions about the property. Heath was uncharacteristically chirpy on account of his meeting with the prettiest girl he’d ever met in his life, which was at the triggering element that prompted him to finalize the deal. He wanted to stick close to Stockton as he hoped to have another chance encounter with the blonde vision of loveliness.
Jarrod blinked and smiled wistfully. His pleasant thoughts were washed over with sadness as the sound of approaching footsteps snapped him back to the present.
Dr. Merar entered the room with his medical bag and walked up to the bed.
" How’s Nick doing? " Jarrod asked
" A few cracked ribs, a sprained ankle and a mild concussion. Needs plenty of rest. Otherwise he's fine, " informed the doctor with a reassuring smile.
" That's good news. "
Merar took out his stethoscope and listened to Heath’s heartbeat.
" His breathing sounds last ragged than when we first brought him. Is that a good sign? " Jarrod ventured, steeling himself for the answer.
Merar merely shook his head as he continued to listen to the faint heartbeat. " He’s slipping away fast. "
" Then we have no time to waste Doctor, " Jarrod urged as he began rolling up his sleeve.
"Jarrod, " Merar paused to get Jarrod’s attention," don't expect miracles. "
" But I do. Have you forgotten about the Barkley luck? "
" Trouble is, Heath is not a Barkley. "
" As far as we’re all concerned he is now. We’re all pulling for him. "
Howard lowered his eyes and nodded in acknowledgement. At that moment, he began feeling the burden of the cross he had chosen to bear in the next hours, trying to save the life of a man who, a few months ago, was a complete stranger. He had gained the Barkleys’ trust and had stolen Audra’s heart. He filled the inexplicable void that had lingered in the midst of the family for many years.
Silas walked upstairs with a basin full of hot water that Howard instructed him to put on the nightstand. Then, he returned downstairs to boil some more. Jarrod and Merar began peeling the soiled shredded garments off Heath’s body. Once done, Howard pulled a sheet up to Heath’s midriff.
" He’s so still, " Jarrod remarked dolefully.
" He's lost too much blood and his system lacks the energy to fight the onset of infection." He ran his hands against the abdomen. The rigidity had not subsided. He knew his intervention was hopeless but was asked to attempt the impossible.
He prepped Jarrod for the transfusion. While the blood was flowing freely into Heath’s arm, he proceeded to clean the lacerations. He dipped a towel in the hot water, wrung it of its excess liquid and gently dabbed the many lesions. That over, he embued a wash cloth with alcohol and desinfected the wounds. He sutured the deep gashes exuding blood and with a gauze, he dressed the superficial cuts.
Jarrod blinked his eyes in a rapid motion when he started to feel a trifle light-headed.
" Jarrod are you all right? "
"Yeah, " he exhaled.
Howard made his way to the opposite side of the bed to remove and the needle in Jarrod’s arm for he feared he’d given too much blood already.
" Just relax and breathe deeply but slowly, " he instructed as he taped a cotton swab over the needle mark in the arm to stem the blood flow.
Victoria peered inside the room and walked up to Jarrod. She stood behind his chair and put her hands on his shoulders. " Are you okay? "
He looked up and smiled reassuringly at his mother. " I'm fine. How’s Audra? "
" She's calm. "
" You finally got her to lie down? " Howard asked.
" Not exactly. She fainted. Perhaps you could have a look at her to make sure she’s all right. "
" Yes of course. "
Victoria reached for Heath’s hand. " He’s so cold. "
" I know. I'm hoping the blood transfusion will infuse some strength. If his temperature rises it will be an indication that his body is starting to fight back. "
Victoria perched herself on the rim of the bed and gently brushed her hand against Heath’s icy cold cheeks. It chilled her to the marrow to see her son-in-law in such a pitiful condition. She feared for her daughter's health should he not survive.
Howard raised the sheet up to Heath’s mid chest and unwound a roll of gauze. He cut a strip and swathed Heath’s head, with Jarrod assisting him by placing a hand at the back of Heath’s neck. Then, they gently laid the head back onto the pillows. Howard did one last check of Heath’s eyes before heading to Audra’s room.
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During the night, Jarrod kept a vigil at Heath’s bedside. Nick had drifted off into a laudanum-induced sleep while Howard was downstairs burning the midnight oil with Victoria and Tom.
In her room, Audra started out of sleep. She felt weak and nauseous. She took a lungful of air and flung the covers aside. The room began swimming before her eyes as she tried to sit. A wave of nausea washed over her. She lay back and stared at the ceiling, breathing deeply, hoping the spell would pass. She tried again to sit. She waited a few seconds for the dizziness to recede before she hauled herself out of bed. Victoria had dressed her in her nightgown. She slid her feet into her slippers, slipped on her night robe and slouched out of her room.
She continued down to Heath’s room where she found sitting in the cosy wingback chair. His head was resting against the back, hands on his lap. She padded up to him and noticed that his eyes were closed. She smiled and gingerly laid her hand on his shoulder. He awoke with a small start.
"Audra!? " He winked away the fog in his eyes, trying to establish a clear focus on the pretty blonde. " What are you doing here? You should be sleeping. "
She sat on the bed and sandwiched Heath’s hand in hers. " I can’t, Jarrod. I need to stay with him. " She felt a renewed warmth in his hand and noted that his cheeks had taken on some colors. " He doesn’t feel so cold. "
Jarrod leaned forward and placed his hand on his sister’s arm. "His body’s beginning to put up a struggle. It’s a step in the right direction. "
“He survived thus far. It has to be a good sign?” Audra enthused, convinced that her husband had successfully weathered the storm. She gingerly caressed Heath’s chest around the wounds. “His breathing sounds better.”
Dr. Merar climbed upstairs to check on his patient with Victoria and Thomas in tow.
“Audra, honey, you should be in bed.”
“I want to stay with Heath. Please Mother.”
“Young lady, don’t forget what I warned you about. If you don’t get some rest you’re liable to lose your baby,” Merar admonished on a gentle tone.
Audra began to sob. She was torn between her wanting to remain near her husband and the fate of their baby. “Please, let me stay with him.”
Victoria and Tom looked at Howard, pleading for a compromise. He beckoned them out of the room. “It’s obvious your daughter won’t find any sleep in the state she’s in and as I said, I don’t want to use any medication on her. I suggest to bring a cot into the room. She could lie down and at the same time be near her husband.”
“That’s a good idea, Howard,“ Tom said. “I’ll get one from the bunkhouse.”
“Meanwhile I’ll go check on Nick.”
Howard gave Victoria’s hand a light squeeze. “That young man might pull through after all. He has a strong will to live.”
“He has plenty of good reasons.“ She squeezed his hand back and gave a strained smile. For the first time in the past twelve hours, she perceived a glimmer of hope.
The small daybed was installed in the guess bedroom and pushed against Heath’s bed. Audra nestled under the covers on her right side without leaving sight of her husband lying next to her. She felt asleep, her fingers laced with Heath’s.
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Morning came. Audra was still in Morpheus arms when Victoria and Howard came to check on Heath’s progress. His breathing came in shallow pants through slightly parted lips. The young man had survived the night, but was now at the grip of a scalding fever. The swelling had gone down, although not nearly enough to hazard a definite prognosis. Howard wanted to wait longer before risking an operation. Heath was extremely weak and dreaded performing surgery in his condition.
Audra awoke. " Doctor? How is he? " she asked with a yawn.
" He's hanging in there. He's a strong-willed man. He is not so readily giving up. "
Audra ran her hand across Heath’s forehead. " That's my Heath. " she frowned at the heat burning right through a hand. " Doctor, he's burning up.”
" He's fighting back. "
" That's a good sign? "
" Some. But he's not out of the woods yet. For the next few hours, we’ll need to apply cold compresses on his neck, brow, wrists and underarms to keep the fever down. "
" I’ll get some cold water, " Victoria volunteered and left the room to tend to her chore.
Audra looked up at Dr. Merar with pleading eyes. " He is going to make it, isn’t he? "
" I can't answer that, Audra. It’s up to him and God, " he said as he peered at Heath’s head wound by gently removing the bandage with one hand and holding the head with the other. He groped the tender area and smiled at the satisfactory results. The wound appeared to be healing nicely. He laid his head back on the pillows, cut another band of gauze and swathed Heath’s head with it. All the while, Audra studied the doctor’s every move and occasionally peeked at her husband’s face for a moan, flinch, groan, any sign that he was coming around.
Victoria came back into the room with a pitcher of fresh cold water. She poured the content into a basin and dipped a few washcloths in it. Audra tried to get up to land a hand but Dr. Merar strictly forbade her to rise out of bed. She watched helplessly as her mother and the good doctor applied damp cloths at strategic areas over Heath’s fever- ridden body.
" Okay, we’ll leave that for a while. In the meantime Victoria, I wonder if I can trouble you for some coffee? "
" Certainly Howard. I'll ask Silas to bring you a cup. "
" No need. I’ll take it downstairs. Audra, I’ll come back in about twenty minutes to refresh the cloths. "
" I’ll keep an eye on him , " Audra reassured, still lying on her side facing Heath.
" Remember young lady, you are not to get out of this bed, you hear me? " he said authoritatively.
" Yes doctor, " she answered meekly.
As soon as Victoria and Howard were out of the door, Audra clenched Heath’s wrist, holding the cold compress firmly in place and moved his hand on her belly. " You must fight. If not for me, than for your baby. " She closed her eyes and pressed Heath’s warm hand against her tummy, feeling the heat burning through her night gown and skin as though she was being branded with a hot iron. She put two fingers to her mouth, kissed them and laid them to Heath’s lips. " I love you. " she sussurated. She then stretched out her legs and closed her eyes, all the while keeping Heath’s hand on her belly.
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Three days streamed by and Heath was still fighting. His condition improved some but it was far too early to claim victory. It was touch and go. Dr. Merar made frequent visits and instructed the family to keep Heath’s body hydrated by forcing down daily spoonfuls of sugared water, which proved to be a difficult task. The senseless patient was obviously not cooperative, drooling most of the liquid out of his mouth, but Victoria, Audra and Jarrod kept at it and their efforts were rewarded.
For his part, Nick was deemed fit enough to get out of bed. With the aid of a cane, he wobbled down to Heath’s room. He was mindful not to make any noises that would wake her weary sister as he padded up to the bed. Nick sank into a chair and brushed his hand against Heath’s brow. His eyes travelled from the head down to the stomach, taking inventory of the injuries down to where the bed sheets were spread across Heath’s midriff. His heart leapt to his throat as he recalled Heath’s daring act of having shielded him from the full force of the explosion, and chided his brother-in-law in silence for risking his life for him.
Audra began to stir and slowly blinked open her eyes.
" Hello pretty lady, " he whispered.
She elbowed herself up on her side " Nick, you’re up! " she exclaimed, happy to see a revived sparkle in those adoring hazel eyes.
"Yeah. Doc said it was all right. " He paused and smiled at Audra. "They told me the news. Congratulations sis. "
She hung her head and pursed her lips. Nick couldn't tell whether she was happy or sad.
A groan tore through the silence. " Heath, Heath can you hear me? " Nick asked, tugging at Heath’s shoulder.
Audra leaned closer to Heath and began caressing his cheek. Tears of joy welled up in her eyes. " Heath, come on wake up, " she cooed.
"I’ll get the Doctor, " Nick offered as he painfully hoisted himself up. He tottered out of the room as fast as his lame leg would allow him.
" Heath, please come back to me, " Audra continued to coax.
Howard and Victoria were the first ones into the room while Tom and Jarrod lagged behind, helping Nick stay off his leg. All stood, bolted to the floor and holding their breath. Dr. Merar looked at Heath’s eyes and heaved with relief. They were responding to light, a sign that he was coming around. He took out his stethoscope and listened to Heath’s heart and lungs. He shook his head ruefully at what he heard. The sound clearly indicated congestion.
Heath’s respiration grew labored and wheezy as he fought to regain consciousness. His eyes opened at a crack and rolled back into their sockets. Dr. Merar tapped him lightly on the cheek to prevent him from lapsing back into a coma. " Come on Heath. Stay with us now. You're halfway there, " Merar egged on. " C'mon, wake-up! " Heath’s glassy eyes fluttered open. He stared blankly at the ceiling as he tried to catch his breath. Each intake of air caused him to retch.
" Easy, easy, " Merar soothed. When the coughing bout appeared to lessen, Howard took Heath’s head and tilted it toward him. " Heath, can you hear me? "
Heath nodded, saucer-eyed in panic by the struggle to breathe.
" Do you know my name? "
Heath nodded.
A wave of relief rippled through the room. Howard titled Heath’s head towards Audra "Do you know this young lady? "
Audra smiled in elation as she looked into his baby blues that she feared were gone forever. Heath returned her smile. "Au..Audra,” he gasped, reaching for her hand.
She clasped his hand and laced her fingers with his. Heath’s face puckered as he felt his entire body about to shatter into pieces. He ached all over. His head felt as if it were ready to burst. His vision was foggy and he was straining to keep his breathing even.
A second coughing fit invaded him and he began to choke. Doctor Merar asked Jarrod to turn him on his side. Heath coughed up some phlegm mixed with frothy blood. Howard looked at the family with an hopeless expression written across his face. Heath had managed to hang on this far but his lungs were badly congested and feared he was drowning in his own blood.
“Au…Audra,” Heath wailed.
Howard repositioned Heath on his back so he could see his wife. She took his hand. He held it as tightly as his strength would allow, wringing it in a panic. His whole being repelled against the agonizing pain that plagued his body. He could hardly see her as the room slowly receded into the distance. He was frightened, not knowing what was happening to him. He felt himself pulled away from his family. “I lo.. love you, " he stuttered with painful breaths.
“Heath, no! You’re not leaving me!” Audra yelled as she noticed that his eyes were drifting away from her gaze. She flattened his hand against her cheek. “Heath, we’re going to have a baby. Do you hear me? You’re going to be a father.”
The word ‘baby’ reverberated on the walls in his dull mind, whipping him out of the darkness engulfing him. He slowly swiveled his head toward her. A glimmer of lucidity sparkled in his distant stare. He smiled. “A baby?”
She nodded. She leaned in and kissed him on the lips, her tears trickling down on his cheeks. Too weak to fight, Heath drifted off.
“No!” Audra bawled, tapping Heath on the cheek. “Heath, come back. Don’t leave me, please!”
“Audra, he’s not dead,” Howard happily informed after taking his stethoscope to Heath’s chest.
Audra dissolved into tears on her husband’s chest. Suddenly, she felt a painful twinge in her stomach. She clutched her abdomen and curled up in a ball as the pain increased in intensity. “Mother!” she cried.
Victoria whizzed over to Audra who was twisting in pain, worried that she was losing the baby. Merar ordered the men out of the room while he examined Audra. Victoria squatted down by the cot and held her daughter's hand while Merar positioned her on her back and spread her legs apart to look for any sign of blood that would indicate a miscarriage. Luckily there were none and the pain gradually subsided.
“Doctor, is my baby all right? " Audra asked frantically.
" Seems to be. " Merar looked at Victoria with a tinge of annoyance " I'm going to have to sedate her or she’ll lose the baby for sure. Can you asked Jarrod and Tom to help me move her to her room?”
“Certainly.” Victoria started for the door when Audra grabbed her mother’s arm. “No! I want to stay with Heath,” she pleaded, her cheeks dewed with tears.
"Young Lady, you need peace and quiet. "
She shook her head repeatedly. " No. I can't leave him.”
Merar sighed in aggravation “Okay, Audra. You win. But I’ll give you something to help you relax and get some sleep.”
She nodded, pleased that she was allowed to remain by her husband’s side. Howard gave her a spoonful of Laudanum and soon, she was lulled into the land of Nod, her hand laced with her husband’s.
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Two weeks later, nightmarish sleepless nights were replaced by restful sleep as Heath’s condition greatly improved. He was fully conscious and more coherent. His breathing was still a bit wheezy and his lungs a tad congested. Merar outlined an effective course of treatment that consisted of having Heath take deep breaths and cough several times a day to clear his lungs. It stung like the devil but was necessary to avoid further complications or risk the onset of a pneumonia.
Dr. Merar gave Audra the green light to start doing light household chores once her morning sickness subsided. She could go riding as long as it was strictly for leisure. She wasn’t allowed to go at full gallop, just at a steady amble or light trot. After coming close to losing her baby, Audra followed Merar’s instructions to the letter. No funny business. When she had to go into town, she took the buggy instead. Everyday, she would ride to and fro between the two ranches.
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One rainy afternoon, she returned to the family dwelling, drenched to the skin. She sneaked through the back door with her mother being none the wiser to shed her wet clothes before heading down to the kitchen to heat up some broth for Heath. She carried the tray upstairs to the guess room. Seeing how Heath was sleeping soundly, she tiptoed in and placed the tray on the nightstand before retracing her path out of the room. Heath caught a whiff of her aromatic fragrance and opened his eyes. He glimpsed at his wife as she wafted out of the room.
“Audra,“ he called in a throaty voice.
She turned round and walked back in. “Did I wake you?”
“No. I was just restin’ my eyes.” He held out his arms “Come here.”
She took his hands and sat on the bed next to him. He placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her close to reach her lips. He held her in place, not wanting to let go as their kiss lingered. “Oh, that feels good.”
“Brought you some broth.”
“I’m not very hungry.” He threw her a come-hither wink as he beckoned her to lie beside him on the bed.
She slid under the covers and nuzzled against him. He put his arm around her as she rested her head in the crook of his shoulder, running her hand across his chest. Despite the searing pain, he didn’t complain. His cracked ribs were healing but remained tender and precluded any close intimacy. He signed as he felt her warm body pressed against his. “Feels good to hold ya’.”
He raised her head to gaze into his eyes and craned her neck to reach his lips. She laid back her head in the crook of his shoulder as he slowly moved a hand to her tummy. “When is he due?”
“Doctor said in early March. What are you hoping for?” she asked as she noted the wishful smile on Heath’s face.
“What d’ya’ mean?”
“A boy or a girl?”
He rubbed her belly. “A healthy baby. That’s what I want.”
Her hand reached for his shoulder and she buried her head in his neck. He responded by tightening his arm around her shoulders. Both closed their eyes and surrendered to the moment.
Chapter Five
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