Another Time
Johnny lay still staring up through the trees. He caught small glimpses of the sky through the lacy patterns made by the tangled branches he laid under. The few leaves that still clung to the wispy limbs were an assortment of colors that nature painted only in the autumn.
Johnny wasn't sure how he wound up on the chilled ground. He began taking an inventory of his body trying to assess injuries. He moved his legs and arms, relieved to find there was no pain. Next he concentrated on his torso and once again found no pain or blood. He gingerly began probing around the front of his head and winced at the pain that shot through his temple when his fingers found the wound just above his left eye.
So he was hurt but how? He tried hard to remember exactly what happened but his head was beginning to hurt badly and he quickly became nauseated. His one attempt to sit up was soon abandoned when the world around him tilted and spun erratically. He thought he just needed time and then he would try again. He would just close his eyes for a moment. All he needed was a little rest. Maybe five minutes and then he would get up and see where he was and how best to get back to the hacienda.
Johnny was aware of movement around him. Past experience had taught him to make sure of his environment and those around him. He could sense someone next to him. A gentle hand pushed back the hair from his forehead and then something touched the wound on his head. The sudden stinging was unexpected making him jump. Whoever was torturing him was being persistent and soon Johnny was trying to move away from the constant probing.
"Hold still young man. How do you expect me to fix up your head if you keep moving?"
Johnny slowly opened his eyes and was relieved to see the smiling face of an angel. She had to be an angel because there was a halo that seemed to surround her head. However as his eyes cleared he realized that the halo was just the light that reflected off her silver hair. She wore a smile that seemed to never fade as she tended to her patient.
"Who are you?" Johnny asked in a soft voice.
"My name is Sarah Gibbons. And you are Johnny Lancer." Mrs. Gibbons informed the young man.
"You know who I am? How?" Johnny was confused. He couldn't remember ever meeting the little woman before.
"Oh I know a lot about you and your family. I've known you for years and years." Mrs. Gibbons continued to clean Johnny's face and her smile seemed to sooth him like warm milk and honey.
Johnny studied her for a little bit. She was not a large woman at all. She wore an old dress that was well out of date but just as clean and neat as any well dressed lady he had ever seen. Her eyes seemed to dance and sparkle which gave her face a beautiful pleasant expression.
He was lying in a soft bed with a pile of pillows cradling his head. The room seemed to glow as sunlight spilled in from a large window that held white lace curtains. A picture of children playing in a field graced the wall just opposite the bed.
"You live here alone?" Johnny asked wondering how he got here.
"Oh yes. I've been alone here for years. Well me and Mr. Claws." Mrs. Gibbons answered.
"Mr. Claws?" Johnny asked confused at the unusual name.
"Oh yes. Mr. Claws is my cat. He's a wonderful companion. He never talks too much. He earns his keep and eats very little." The little woman chuckled as she explained about her companion.
Johnny smiled unable to resist the warmth that seemed to seep from Mrs. Gibbons. He was still confused at how he could have gotten here. No way could the small woman have carried him by herself.
"Mrs. Gibbons, how did I get here?" Johnny finally asked.
"Why you and I got you here. I suppose you don't remember. You were pretty much out of it."
Johnny didn't remember. In fact all he could remember was laying on the ground looking through the trees at the sky trying to figure out how he was going to get back to the ranch.
"Mrs. Gibbons, where are we? I mean where is here?" Johnny asked wondering how far away from home he was.
"Just a few miles from your ranch son. Not far enough away for you to be getting homesick." answered Mrs. Gibbons with a good natured chuckle.
"I gotta' get up and go home. My family will be worried about me." Johnny tried to rise up only to fall back when the room began to spin out of control and his head tried to explode off his shoulders.
"Oh no you don't young man. You will lay right there until I tell you differently. Now here, drink some of this water. It'll make you feel better." Mrs. Gibbons reached around to support Johnny's head as she pressed the cup to his lips.
Johnny drank a few sips grateful for the cool liquid that soothed his parched throat. Mrs. Gibbons pulled the cup away all too soon leaving him wanting more.
"You need to sip it slowly dear. I'll give you more in a few minutes." She continued to dab at the wound while Johnny tolerated her ministrations.
"How long you lived here ma'am? I don't remember ever meeting you before." Johnny wondered why he hadn't met or even heard about this little angel before now.
"I tend to stay to myself. I rarely ever leave the house. Getting too old." Mrs. Gibbons told her patient.
~*~*~*~*~ L ~*~*~*~*~
"He should have been home hours ago. I think we should start looking for him." Scott told his father.
Murdoch Lancer wanted nothing more than to ride out and look for his younger son, Johnny. However, he just didn't want the boy to think he was checking up on him. Johnny had become annoyed before when his family had gone looking for him after he had not shown up when he was expected to.
Murdoch sat for a moment longer trying to make up his mind. He had been working so hard to show his son how much he trusted him, but every fatherly instinct he possessed screamed at him. Finally those instincts won out.
"Go saddle our horses, Scott. I'll have Teresa pack up some food and medical supplies just in case we need them."
Scott didn't waste any time; out the door quickly then running to the barn. Murdoch went to the kitchen to ask Teresa if she would pack up some provisions for three or four days. He hoped it wouldn't take that long to find his boy but experience from the last several months had taught him to expect the worst when it concerned his younger son.
Within just a few minutes Murdoch and Scott were headed out to look for Johnny. As they passed under the Lancer arch both men said a silent prayer that Johnny would be found soon and unharmed.
~*~*~*~*~ L ~*~*~*~*~
Johnny woke up a few hours later wondering just when he had gone to sleep. The room was quiet but he could hear his angel humming in the next room. He could also smell something that was making his mouth water and his stomach protest his hunger. He wasn't really sure when he had eaten last. He couldn't quite remember when he had left the ranch or even why he had. The only thing that he was sure of was in the next room his angel was cooking a meal he hoped she was going to share. He wasn't in the mood for week broth, like what was shoved at him at home when he was laid up in bed.
As he lay in the bed, Johnny wondered if he could sit up. He was reluctant to try, remembering what happened the last time he put forth the effort. However, deciding it was worth another try, he threw the covers back and swung his legs over to the side. Pushing himself up slowly, Johnny sat carefully as he held his head in both of his hands. The room began spinning around just as it had before, but this time, Johnny was determined to ride it out hoping he wouldn't lose his stomach in the process.
It was there that Mrs. Gibbons found Johnny when she came into the room carrying his supper.
"What do you think you are doing young man? I told you to stay put." She chastised her patient.
"I needed to sit up for a while. I get stiff laying in bed all the time. I won't get better if I don't start moving around." Johnny tried to smile at Mrs. Gibbons, but it wasn't coming out very well since his head was hosting a symphony of drums.
"I think you have moved around enough for now. How about we get you back in the bed and prop you up so you can eat a little stew for me." Before Johnny knew what was happening he had been tucked back into bed with extra pillows propping him higher so that he could enjoy the hot stew.
Mrs. Gibbons held a spoon to Johnny's lips making him balk at having to be fed. Turning his head Johnny refused the stew. Mrs. Gibbons smiled and persisted.
"If you want something to eat Dear, you will have to open up your mouth." She persisted.
"I can feed myself. I've been feeding myself for a long time now." Johnny informed the little lady, who even though she was smiling, had determination written all over her face.
It looked like it was going to be a Mexican standoff but eventually Mrs. Gibbons won out. Reluctantly, Johnny opened his mouth and allowed his angel to feed him the stew. It tasted even more delicious than he could have imagined. He felt better after finishing up the small bowl that Mrs. Gibbons had allowed him.
For the next couple of days Johnny was coddled, and fed, and kept in bed. Finally on the third day he was allowed to get up and sit in a chair. He had argued with Mrs. Gibbons constantly about needing to get back to his family. He was sure they would be frantic with worry. He did wonder however, when he was alone, why they had not looked for him here. If Mrs. Gibbons knew so much about him and his family then they had to be close enough for his father and brother to have found him. Why had she not gotten word to them? Surely someone she knew could have been sent with a message.
Another thing that seemed to bother him was why he had not met or even heard of Mrs. Gibbons before now. For her to know so much about him and his family she would have had to be friends with his father. He couldn't remember Murdoch ever mentioning her though and that bothered him more than anything. Something wasn't right about all of this, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what was exactly wrong.
He cherished his conversations with Mrs. Gibbons. She seemed to know so much about him when he was a baby. She had told him stories that both pleased and embarrassed him. She was probably one of the sweetest ladies he had ever met. Mrs. Gibbons always had a smile on her face, even when she was fussing at him for trying to get out of bed too soon.
Johnny's strength slowly came back to him thanks to the sweet lady's constant attention and care. She had a way about her that made him want to please her. Johnny smiled to himself thinking that if his family could see how well he was behaving they might hire her as his personal nurse for those many times he seemed to find himself in trouble. Sam sure could use her talents when it came to caring for his worst patients.
The days seemed to pass as the young man regained his strength and his body healed. Johnny knew he would have to leave soon because his family wouldn't know where he was or what had happened to him. If not for their worry over him he would have been tempted to stay on with his angel of mercy for a few more days. He was however, anxious to be getting back home and return to his family. He missed them very much and that thought alone made him long for home.
Finally the day came when Johnny knew he was well enough to get back to the ranch. He had been gone long enough and was sure his family would be frantic wondering what had become of him. Johnny knew he had to approach Mrs. Gibbons about leaving but almost hated to. He had grown very fond of her over the last few days and knew he could never thank her enough for all she had done for him.
He was determined to come and see her as often as his work on the ranch would allow. She could use some extra help around the place and he figured he could spare some of his time to make sure that she was well taken care of. He also wanted to bring his brother Scott here to meet her.
Scott was such a proper gentleman and he knew Mrs. Gibbons would appreciate his brother's grace and good manners. Scott could win the heart of any lady, young or old. He was anxious for his brother to make this grand lady's acquaintance as well. Scott would enjoy meeting and getting to know her. There was just something about her that he knew his brother would admire and enjoy. She seemed to have a talent that made her fit into any sort of company and make them feel as if they were old friends.
The next morning Johnny got up early and got completely dressed for the first time in a week. He wanted to be ready to ride for home as soon as he had talked with Mrs. Gibbons and explained why he needed to leave and head for home. He was just about to sit down and pull on his boots when she entered his room. He smiled at the fact that she, like Teresa, never seemed to knock before coming into his room. Of course she had tended to his every need for several days so she probably felt it was an unnecessary formality.
"Johnny, I have packed your saddle bags with sandwiches and some of the apple pie for your trip home. I also packed a couple of apples for that pretty pony of yours. Now I know you're going to tell me I'm spoiling him but he has been such a good horse and I think he deserves a treat as well." She smiled at the look on Johnny's face. It was one of total surprise and confusion.
"How did you know I was plannin' on leaving today?" Johnny asked.
"It's been several days now and I could feel how restless you have been getting. Just promise me you won't travel too hard and once you get there please take it easy for a few more days. Maybe you should even have Sam take a look at you." She said.
Johnny ducked his head and smiled. Then once again he became a bit confused. "How did you know about Sam? I didn't mention him or anything did I?"
"No dear you didn't mention him but I know about Sam. I also know how hard you try to get around him when you get sick or hurt. I better not find out that you have given him a hard time about resting this time young man. He's just trying to do what is best for you." She admonished.
"He's a good man and an excellent doctor. You do as he says. You heed me now Johnny Lancer." She had a look that warned of serious consequences if not obeyed.
Johnny gave her his most charming smile and agreed to do as told. "Yes Ma'am. I won't give him any trouble. I promise." The last was followed by raising his right hand and then crossing his heart.
~*~*~*~*~*~ L ~*~*~*~*~*~
"Let's ride over there. It's the one place we haven't looked Sir." Scott pointed to the east towards a grove of trees that were beginning to show the brilliance of the new autumn weather.
"There isn't any reason for him to have gone over in that direction Son. Besides, the only thing over there is an old dilapidated house that used to belong to a widow. She's been dead for almost 16 years now." Murdoch informed Scott with frustration lacing every word.
"Well maybe he needed to find shelter. If he was hurt it might have been his only option. It's worth a try." Scott almost begged his father. For some reason he felt compelled to look that area over. He was running out of ideas. It might very well be a long shot but there would be no peace for the older Lancer son if they didn't cover every possible inch of ground that Johnny could have ridden over.
With a sigh, Murdoch followed Scott and together they made their way to the old run down shell of a house. As the two men rode up they could see that the windows had long since been broken, and the roof was falling in throughout the house.
Carefully Scott stepped up onto the dilapidated porch. The overhang had long ago disappeared. Decay and rotting wood filled his senses and he hoped that his brother wasn't inside. For Johnny to have taken shelter in such a rundown structure would have meant he would be really badly hurt. As he walked through the house he carefully stepped over rotting pieces of furniture and nests made by small furry animals.
He walked into what was a once a bedroom. A raggedy old quilt still lay across a bed and tattered yellowed lace curtains flapped in the breeze at the windows. A faded picture of children playing in a meadow hung on the wall opposite of the bed. It was obvious to Scott that this was once a well taken care of home. Someone had taken pride in its appearance. A quick walk through revealed that nothing but wild life had lived there for quite some time.
As Scott walked out to where his father was waiting by the horses he couldn't help but feel an odd sensation run down his back. He couldn't quite put into words what it was he felt but he was anxious to get away from the ruins.
"Satisfied Son?" Murdoch asked his oldest.
"Yeah, I guess. Come on. Let's head back the same way we came." Scott said.
"Why. We've already looked in that direction. We could ride on towards those hills past this old house." Murdoch informed Scott.
"No! I mean I just have this feeling that we need to go back the way we came. Don't ask me why." Scott insisted.
Not really understanding why Scott wanted to go over old ground Murdoch merely nodded and together both Lancers headed back into the grove of trees that lay between the old house and the way they had just come from.