After counting 70K words so far at the end of our last chapter posted, we'd like to thank everyone of our readers for your continued support. This chapter is for you...a small reprieve for poor Griff.
Since Griff had insisted that he ride back to the Ponderosa on Thunder, the journey only tired him out more. He numbly allowed Candy and Adam to gently help him dismount from his horse. When they entered the house, Harry was already waiting for them in the large living room.
Griff relaxed into the couch and allowed his limbs to go limp. "Think I'll just sit here for a minute." He ran a hand through his unruly hair to calm himself, although the worst of his tremors had already stopped once the courthouse was out of sight. "I guess I am a little tuckered out."
"Don't worry about it, Griff. I won't keep you too long," Harry promised. "Now tell me, how did it feel to be up on that stand today?"
"Mr. Dobson, I thought I was gonna keel over in front of everyone if I had to stay there any longer." Griff shuddered at the memory. "All those lawyers had to do was twist around my words and that jury was ready to lynch me!"
"Nobody's gonna lynch you," Adam assured vehemently.
"Adam's right," agreed Harry. "The trick is to keep your head and tell the truth. That's all that is expected of a person testifying. Should we go over our part again?"
"Reckon it can't hurt," the boy mumbled. Griff slowly nodded, trying to ignore the growing pain in his midsection.
Harry began to reiterate and remind Griff of what questions he will ask and what he could expect from the prosecution. The friendly lawyer also advised Griff on how to phrase his answers so as not to fall into any of Reisner's traps.
"Anyone want any coffee?" Ben offered as time ticked by.
"No, thanks," Harry politely declined. "I think we're about done here. Griff looks like he can barely keep his eyes open. "
"M'okay," Griff sighed. He lethargically waved Harry's concern off, but it was clear Harry's observation is accurate.
"I rest my case," Harry laughed as Ben saw him out.
Candy rested his hand on Griff's shoulder. "Let's get you upstairs before you fall asleep on the couch," he proposed.
"Think I'd rather sleep here," Griff mumbled and shut his eyes, leaning his head back on the couch. There aren't any doors."
"Not sure I follow, kiddo. But I'm tellin' ya, you'll be more comfortable in bed," Candy insisted.
Griff had already fallen asleep and flopped to one side.
"Griff," Candy sighed. "You know, you're always makin' things difficult." Smiling, Candy brushed Griff's hair back then lifted the boy's legs up and set them on the couch. He placed a pillow under his head and draped a blanket over him. Griff slept on, unware of it all.
Ben returned to find Candy hovering over their sleeping friend. He whispered, "He's had a long day."
"Yeah," Candy nodded. "He's gonna need all the rest he can get for tomorrow."
"He'll be alright. Harry will see to that," Ben said with confidence.
"I still meant what I said," the foreman reminded his employer and friend. "If things go wrong…"
"I understand. Let's not dwell on what might not happen," Ben dismissed. "Right now, Griff needs all the encouragement he can get."
Adam, who had left the room to get some tea from the kitchen, returned with a tray of steaming mugs. "Guess, our young friend won't be needing any more tea," he said when he saw Griff slumbering on the sofa.
"I'll have one of those!" Joe exclaimed as he walked into the room. It was clear he did not realize Griff was asleep.
"Keep it down, will ya?" Adam and Candy hushed together.
Joe looked at the couch and saw Griff's sleeping form. "Oh, sorry," he whispered as he picked up a cup of tea from the tray that Adam had placed on the table.
"You're welcome," Adam smirked.
Joe rolled his eyes, sipping his tea.
"Like I said when I first arrived back, nothing's changed. Including Joe's manners," Adam quipped.
For the first time in days, all four men found they were able to relax, even if they knew it was only going to be for a short spell as they watched Griff sleep peacefully.
"Come on," Ben beckoned, moving closer to Griff. "Let's get him upstairs. He'll be a lot more comfortable."
"Nah. He's fine here," Candy disagreed. "He even said so right before he fell asleep. Something about no doors here?"
Ben shrugged and agreed without really having listened to what Candy had said because he, too, was tired from a stressful day and needed some sleep. He wished everyone a good night and climbed the staircase with Joe following close behind.
Adam, however, remained with Candy with his crossed his arms in front of his body, deep in thought. "No doors…" he repeated. "What Griff say exactly?"
"I offered to help him to bed, but he refused," Candy recounted, not finding anthing particularly out of the ordinary. "He said he'd rather sleep on the couch because there aren't any doors here."
"Strange," Adam mused rubbing his chin. "Wonder what he meant."
"Don't know. Coulda been just talking nonsense," hypothesized Candy. "Griff's been known to do that a time or two."
"Maybe," Adam finally responded after a pause. He wasn't entirely convinced that there wasn't a legitimate reason behind Griff's mutterings but he couldn't quite put a finger on what it was. He tilted his head to the side and Griff started to snore lightly. "I'll take first watch. Why don't you get a few hours of sleep first?"
Candy reluctantly agreed, exhaustion winning over his initial instincts of wanting to stay by his protégé's side all night long.
