CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
On his way to the Ponderosa, Paul Martin passed Adam riding away from the ranch house. Adam explained that he'd be gone for a few days, assured the doctor that his brothers, Hop Sing, and Carrie would be taking good care of his father, and then rode off toward the lumber camp high on the eastern ridge of Lake Tahoe.
Upon his arrival, Hop Sing greeted the doctor and escorted him to Ben's room, where Paul immediately asked for privacy with his patient. He followed Hoss, Joe, Carrie, and Hop Sing to the door and closed it tightly behind them.
"Why do you suppose he made us all leave?" Joe asked as they trudged down the staircase. "Even you, Carrie?"
Hoss lowered himself into the stiff-backed blue chair. "Maybe the doc kin tell there's somethin' wrong?"
Joe sat on the edge of the hearth, propped one foot atop the table, lowered his chin into his hand and rested his elbows on his knee.
Hop Sing fidgeted, balancing his weight on one leg and then the other.
"Hop Sing make coffee," he announced, his face showing the same worry as Hoss's and Joe's. "No worries. Hop Sing make coffee."
Carrie looked from one brother to the other. Before taking a seat on the hearth next to Joe, she gave his foot a tap.
Obediently, Joe slid his foot from the table.
"I think I can tell you why he asked us all to leave," she offered.
Hoss scooted himself to the edge of his seat and Joe lifted his eyes to meet Carrie's.
"Now I know what a watched pot feels like!" she mused, her attempt at humor lost to the worried brothers.
"Your father is much, much better," Carrie said. "Doctor Martin will tell you that, I'm sure. His recovery has been remarkable, but slower, I believe, than you'd like. Am I right?"
Hoss and Joe nodded.
"Doctor Martin explained that the bullet caused severe internal damage. We can monitor the healing process on the outside and with your help, and that of Hop Sing, we've managed to avoid infection. But the repairs healing on the inside are a different story. That's what Doc Martin is assessing right now," Carrie explained, hoping to calm their fears. "I don't believe that he will have anything but good news to share when he's through. You must remember, I know your father pretty well, and try as he might, he can't pull the wool over my eyes as often as he thinks he can!"
Hoss smiled, recalling a conversation they'd had recently about just that. Joe, however, remained troubled, unconvinced of his father's progress.
Carrie reached for his hand and laced her fingers with his. "I know I'm not always right, Joe, but this time, I am."
"You should listen to her, Little Joe," Paul said as he descended the stairs. "She's absolutely right. Your father is making a full and rather surprising recovery. Turns out his wonderful nurse is the best medicine!"
Carrie felt the tension release in Joe's hand. Slowly, he looked into her eyes and smiled. His gaze disturbed her - she couldn't seem to look away, nor, she found, did she want to. Little by little, she slid her hand free of his.
"I don't know how we'll ever be able ta thank you, Carrie," Hoss said.
"The same goes for me!" Paul added. "Anyone who can manage to keep Ben Cartwright from doing more than he should deserves the moon in my book!"
"Are you sayin' our Pa is stubborn?" Hoss asked as innocently as he could.
Laughter released the remaining tension in the room, but did nothing to remove the blush Carrie still felt in her cheeks.
Paul squeezed Hoss's shoulder. "As stubborn as Old McHenry's mule!"
"Wonder who that could be?" Joe asked before anyone else even heard the horse gallop into the yard.
Suddenly nauseous, Carrie's eyes widened and her hands began to shake. I think I know. And I'm not sure I'm ready for this!
The knock on the door seemed hesitant and when Joe swung it open, he was met by Alyssa. The young girl jumped like a frightened kitten.
"Alyssa! Twice in one week! C'mon in!" Joe said as he ushered her inside and closed the door behind her.
The sound of the hinges creaking and the latch taking hold made Alyssa shudder. Must be what it feels like when they lock the jail cell . . .
"Lyss? Honey, you okay?" Joe asked, her ashen pallor giving rise for concern. "Something wrong?"
Alyssa turned pleading eyes toward an obviously anxious Carrie.
"Oh, Lordy," Carrie groaned in an exhale of breath filled with fear and guilt. "Might as well be now as never."
Joe and Hoss shared a glance and Doctor Martin shrugged his shoulders when the Cartwrights looked to him for insight.
"I have something to tell you," Carrie said, her voice already trembling. "All of you. And Doctor Martin, if you would, please, I'd ask that you stay for the telling."
"What's this all about, Carrie?" Hoss questioned, realizing that whatever this 'telling' was, it was eating both Carrie and Alyssa up inside.
Carrie looked to Alyssa for strength. "Mr. Cartwright," she said, turning top face Hoss, "I mean your pa, needs to hear this, too."
Hoss looked at Joe and shrugged his shoulders.
"Please, can we go upstairs? I need to do this while I still have the courage." Carrie turned on her heels and marched up the stairs. Alyssa fell in behind her and after more glances and shrugs, Hoss, Joe, and Paul followed suit.