Chapter 2

Steven Gregory had been the doctor in and around the Hartville (1) area for nearly ten years. He had saved a lot of lives but had also lost more than he cared to remember. He delivered more babies in those ten years than he could count and he had watched many of them grow to happy handfuls for their parents. He had also watched a good many of them die, some at birth, others as small children. The sadness was always with him, even though he tried to mask it with a sunny disposition and a caring heart.

After a day's delay he was on his way to the Blake's J-J Ranch, which was one of his favorite stops and he always looked forward to seeing the friendly young man and his lovely wife while making his 'rounds'. And now one of them was his 'patient', Jenny Blake was in her fifth month of her first pregnancy and she was absolutely glowing with motherhood. Her husband Jason was as proud as could be, but he was also very solicitous, nearly driving his wife crazy with his hovering over her, always waiting on her hand and foot, whether she wanted it or not. The doctor had spoken with him about it, telling him that he needed to let Jenny have some space and carry on as if there was nothing different, she would ask him if she needed help. He chuckled to himself, we'll see if Jason has taken his advice.

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The man was still alive and in serious condition … he wasn't any worse, but he also had shown no improvement.

It was sundown of the second day when the doctor pulled his horse to a stop and stiffly swung down. Jason was out the door and down the steps before both of the doctor's feet had touched the ground.

"Doc, I'm sure glad you're here, we're needin' your help immediately!" Jason was nearly pushing the doctor up the steps in his hurry to get him inside.

The doctor stopped, exclaiming, "Jason! Slow down. Is Jenny all right?"

"I'm sorry Doc. Yes Jenny is fine, but we have a stranger in there that isn't in such good shape. I just hope you aren't too late."

Taking the doctor's medical bag, Jason guided him into the living room to where the man lay on the couch, still unconscious.

Jenny jumped up from the chair that had been placed beside the couch, "Hello Doctor Gregory. I hope you've arrived in time to help this man because he isn't doing so good."

The doctor took over the chair and began to examine the stranger. "What happened to him?"

Jason answered, "He was caught in a snow-slide and got thrown up against a pile of rocks. I really figured he was dead, but when I checked he was still breathing, barely."

Dr. Gregory had unwrapped the bandage and was closely examining the man's head.

Jenny took up the explanations, "The scalp was lying over his ear and there was a lot of dirt in the wound. I cleaned it as well as I could, but he hasn't responded in any way."

"Do you know how long ago it happened?"

"I was outside feeding the stock just before dark when I heard the snow-slide, that's been three days ago." Jason had wrapped his arm around Jenny's shoulders and knowing that she was exhausted, he guided her to the rocker in front of the fireplace.

"Jenny cleaned him up as best she could and has been sitting by his side constantly, but there has been no movement from him. He is still cool to the touch and his heartbeat is really slow."

Doctor Gregory was still examining the stranger and he really didn't like what he was seeing. Not only did he have a severe head injury, he also had a couple of broken ribs and a badly bruised leg. His heartbeat and breathing were very slow and his eyes didn't respond to light, which probably meant he was in a coma.

Jenny and Jason watched the doctor go over the stranger's body thoroughly and when he didn't say anything Jenny worriedly asked, "Doc, will he live?"

The doctor finally got up and went to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee, walking back in he explained, "You did a wonderful job of warming his body, cleaning him and stitching his head. I couldn't have done any better and that has no doubt saved his life thus far. In addition to the head injury he has broken ribs and a badly bruised leg, but most worrisome is the fact that his breathing and heartbeat are abnormally slow, which gives me the impression that he may be in a coma."

Jenny's sharp intake of breath stopped the doctor, "Will he regain consciousness?"

"Only time will tell. The cold weather is probably the only thing that kept him alive this long. It slowed his metabolism down almost like a hibernating bear and kept him from bleeding to death from the head wound."

"What can we do?"

"Nothing really, except wait and watch. I'm not expected to be anywhere for a few days, so I will stay here and monitor him. And you, young lady need to get some rest. You are exhausted, my suggestion is to go to bed right now, I'll stay up with him tonight."

Jason shook the doctor's hand, "Thank you Doc. I'll fix some supper for us, then get Jenny to bed. We have a cot that I can set up if you'd like."

"Supper sounds good, but for tonight I can just relax in the rocker. I want to watch him closely through the night and keep the fire going, so I don't want to get too comfortable."

Along towards morning Dr. Gregory's head fell forward onto his chest, he had fallen sleep. He had watched over the unconscious man, noticing no change in him for all those hours. But had he been awake and watching, he might have noticed a slight movement of the man's hand and an almost soundless moan, then nothing more.

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Jason was up before sunrise and after stoking the kitchen stove, he put a fresh pot of coffee on. As he entered the living room he noticed the doctor had fallen asleep. Smiling, he placed a blanket around his shoulders and very quietly put a few pieces of wood on the coals, he gave a quick glance at the man and seeing that he was still breathing, he retreated back to the kitchen.

As soon as the coffee was ready, he poured a cup and took it to his wife. She had just arisen and was combing her long auburn hair when he walked up behind her and kissed the back of her neck. "Good morning, Sweetheart. How are you feeling today?"

She took the offered cup and after taking a swallow, smiled and said, "I'm much better now, thank you … for the kiss and the coffee."

He leaned down and kissed her more thoroughly, causing reactions in both of them. But the moment was quashed when they heard a sneeze come from the other room. With a groan Jason kissed her quickly, "I will entertain the doctor while you get dressed."

The doctor was helping himself to a cup of coffee as Jason entered the kitchen. "Good morning Dr. Gregory. How's our patient this morning?"

"Morning Jason. Unfortunately I see no change. His breathing and heart rate are still abnormally slow and his body temperature is very low. I just am not sure how we can get him to respond. The longer he remains comatose, the harder it will be for him to recover."

Jenny heard the doctor's sad diagnosis, but forced herself to make her entrance with a merry, "Good morning Doctor! I trust that you had a quiet night and are now ready for some breakfast. Jason, could you see if the chickens decided to give us some eggs today? I will start the bacon and pancakes while you are milking and gathering eggs." She gave her husband a small smile as he reluctantly put his coat and hat on and walked out the door.

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After the hearty breakfast Jason informed his wife and the doctor that he would be gone until afternoon. He would feed the stock then he was going to see if he could find an elk or deer to replenish the meat locker.

Jenny hugged him and told him, "Be careful Honey and good luck." He kissed her lovingly, told the doctor goodbye and walked out the door.

Jenny and Dr. Gregory moved to the living room, where they began discussing the patient. He related to Jenny everything he had earlier explained to Jason.

"Doctor, when I was searching for identification I found a broach, in it is a picture of him, a woman and a young child. The picture looks to be maybe eight or ten years old and I am presuming that they are his wife and child. We obviously don't know the circumstances, if they are still alive, or if they are still together, but what if I sat and talked to him as if I were her? Do you think he would hear and respond?"

"I think it would be a good idea. I have always been of the belief that unconscious people can hear. Even if they don't respond they can understand what is being said. Another thing is touch … hold his hand, caress his face, kiss him if you feel comfortable doing it. Anything to let him know someone cares. We won't know if it will work unless we try, so if you're up to it, do it."

Jenny filled their cups then sat down beside their patient. She felt rather foolish, but when she glanced at the doctor, he smiled and nodded his head. Taking a deep breath, she reached for the man's hand, noticing not for the first time, what a handsome face he had.

Rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb, she began, "Good morning Sweetheart. You know you're missing your favorite part of the day … the sun is shining brightly and it's making the snow glitter like jewels. And your daughter wants to have a snowball fight and she just doesn't understand why her father isn't able to play with her. You know she cried herself to sleep last night after asking God to make you well again? I don't know what to tell her, because I don't know why you're staying away either. Did we do something that has upset you? Please let me know what it was and I will work hard to not do it again. We have always been able to discuss our problems and we have never really had an argument, so come back to us. We miss you so, it's pure torture to have you so near, yet you are so far away … I can touch and feel your body, but your heart and soul are not here. I love you Sweetheart." Jenny leaned over and kissed the man on the forehead then moved her lips to just above his, where she lingered, her breath caressing him before finally giving him a loving kiss.

Leaning back into her chair, she sighed sadly. "I hope that he heard me and will respond. Do you think it will help?"

"It was excellent! Jenny, if that doesn't bring him around then there is nothing left alive in his heart or mind. Keep doing this throughout the day, even if you feel it is not helping. We will give him a day or two to come out of his coma, in the meantime we'll pray a little also."

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Jenny made some broth out of the remaining venison and after it cooled enough to drink she took it in to the man. She wasn't sure if she could get any of the liquid down him, but she would try. She knew he hadn't eaten in three or more days, and must be hungry by now and he needed the nourishment.

She lifted his head and shoulders enough to get another pillow under him then sat down to spoon feed him the broth. As she began, she also talked to him.

"I met some very nice people after you were injured, they have a beautiful ranch with a nice log cabin over looking their hay fields. You would love the view Honey, I can see the snowy mountains and there's a stream running through the meadow where I just bet you could catch some trout." She had put a small spoonful of broth into his mouth, but she hadn't seen him swallow and most of it was running out and down his chin. She dabbed at it with a napkin then continued her conversation, "The people's names are Jason and Jenny and they've only been here for a couple of years. They have been wonderful about helping me take care of you, in fact Jason is the one who found you after you had been injured. I'm indebted to them for saving your life, but it isn't a happy time for me, because you are only with me in body, not spirit. I need you to come back to us, we miss you and love you."

She tried another spoonful before giving up … and he swallowed! "Doctor! Come quick."

Doctor Gregory rushed in from the kitchen where he had been having some cookies and coffee. "What is it?" He was looking closely at the man, seeing he was still breathing, he wondered what was wrong.

Jenny was so excited, she could hardly hold the spoon, "Watch!" She spooned some more broth into his mouth and he swallowed again. "Isn't it wonderful, he's responding!"

The doctor was delighted, but also realistic, "Jenny dear, please don't get too excited. Yes, it's wonderful that he is swallowing, he's turned a corner, but it doesn't mean he will fully recover. He has a long way to go."

"I have faith in God Doctor and I know he will return to us, I feel it in my heart." Jenny spooned some more broth and he continued to swallow.

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Jason returned late that afternoon with a large yearling elk. After hanging it in the meat shed he headed to the cabin for a hot cup of coffee and some of the cookies that he knew Jenny had baked.

Jenny met him at the door with a hug and a kiss, "I'm so glad you're home, did you have any luck?"

Jason lingered with his return kiss before replying, "Yes ma'am. I got a nice yearling elk, he's hanging in the meat shed. I'll finish dressing him out after I have some hot coffee and some of your cookies."

As he walked into the kitchen he saw the doctor sitting by the man, looking at his wife, he asked, "How's the patient? Is there any change at all?"

Placing a plate of cookies in front of him, she poured two cups of coffee then replied, "Yes, there is some news. I have been talking to him off and on all day, the doctor thought it might help in getting through to him. I also made some broth and spoon fed some to him and Jason, he swallowed! I was so excited, but then Doc said not to get my hopes up, it doesn't mean that he will be all right. But I told him that God was in control and I knew that he was going to spare the man."

"That is good news, but I agree with the doctor, don't get your hopes up too much, I don't want you to be disappointed. You don't need this stress right now anyway, what with the baby and all. I worry about you and you are much more important to me than that stranger. Remember that."