Chapter 5

The week went by with a blur, Ben and Adam taking turns at the girls bedside as the infection ravagended what little strength she had left. The girl lapsed in and out of consciousness from the infection and when she was awake she was in feverish stupor. Sometimes crying and screaming for some person visible only to her to leave her alone and sometimes calling for her Ma. There wasn't much they could do to console her, she didn't even seem to notice their presence, staring right through them when they tried to calm her down. They knew it was the fever, the infection wreaking havoc on her body and mind but there was nothing they could do except let it run its course.

The sheriff had been by to speak to them about the murder of the family on the wagon trail. The gun they'd found beside the body of the baby had been emptied, the casings still in the chambers and with what evidence he'd found it pointed to her. Ben and the boys didn't hold it against him, they knew it was his job to find out who'd done it but they had a hard time believing the little girl lying so ill could be capable of doing such a thing. There wasn't any real way of knowing just what had happened until the girl was able to speak and that was a matter of if, not when.

Adam and Ben hardly left the room except to go sleep when the other took over watching her, trying to get the fever down as best they could. The girl's leg had been cauterized by the doctor, helping to abate the infection but not cure it completely. Some of her other wounds had become infected too but her body was too weak to be able to handle any more cauterizing so poultices, religiously changed every hour, was the only choice to try and combat it.

The week slipped into another week, the girl still fighting and with it the doctor confiding in Ben that he hadn't thought it possible for the girl to make it as long as she had. She was fighting, fighting hard. Her delirium worsened as the fever peaked, crying and calling for her Ma and names of other people that were barely audible to their ears. Adam stayed with her during those moments, speaking softly to her to get her out of them. Sometimes he thought she understood what he was saying, other times he knew she couldn't hear anything other than what was making her so scared and afraid. She had no strength left to move, her episodes consisting of staring up at the ceiling as she either tried to scream or cry and mixed with names of people she only saw in her mind.

Adam sighed wearily as the light from the rising sun cast it's soft glow over him, waking him from his light slumber. He looked over at the girl, the girl's chest still rising and falling with each breath. It'd been about twelve days now since he'd found her out in the forest but he hadn't been keeping track. It'd just become an endless routine, changing the girl's poultices, checking her temperature, placing cool cloths on her head. It was exhausting, especially when she was delirious. Each time she had an episode like that drained him further, it hurt him to see someone hurting so much yet there being nothing he could do about it.

'A-Adam?'

He turned at the voice, the girl looking up at him, actually looking at him and not staring off into the distance. 'I'm here Missie.' He went to take the cloth off her forehead, the girl still frightened slightly but didn't flinch when he took it away and touched her skin gently. Her fever had broken. He sent a silent prayer of relief heavenward as he placed the cloth aside. 'Your fever's finally broken, how are you feeling now?'

'Tired.' Came the reply, the girl still not breaking eye contact with him. She turned thoughtful, frowning almost as she tried to make sense of things. 'You stayed.'

'I told you I would, didn't I?' She nodded. 'Well, here I am, just as I said.'

'No one's been this good to me before.' She replied after a moment. 'Why have you been so kind? You could have left me for dead in the forest. Why didn't you?'

'Well, we don't get many pretty girls around here so when one does appear we like to keep them around or in this case, alive, so we can get to know them.' Adam joked, the girl smiling a little. He turned serious after a moment though, trying to think of what to say. 'Missie, my family and I have a way of thinking of helping their fellow man like the good book says. We try to take care of those who need a helping hand when they need one.'

'What do you ask in return?'

'Oh, a smile would be payment enough. You've got a beautiful smile.' The girl blushed as she smiled. 'There, see? Payment in full.'

Missie chuckled then turned sober again as she looked at him. 'Adam, I can't repay you or your family. You've all been so kind letting me stay here, taking care of me-'

'Missie-' He interrupted softly. 'We don't want repaying at all. Like I said, we try to help others when we can.'

'Your a strange man, I've seen no one ever helps without wanting something back in return.'

'I've been told I'm strange before.' He laughed. 'Guess there's a first for everything. Would you like some water?'

'Yes please.'

'Alright.' Adam poured a glass of water, looking up as his father walked into the room. 'Look who's awake and talking.'

'Missie.' Ben smiled, coming over to stand behind his son. 'It is good to see you awake. You've had us rather worried for you the last few days.'

'Sorry about that.' She apologised softly. 'I'm sorry for putting you out.'

'Oh there's no need for an apology, I'm just glad you're feeling better. Do you think you could stomach a little broth?'

'I can try.' Adam lifted her head gently, the girl drinking slowly of the cool water. She had a few sips, enough to quench her thirst then motioned she'd had enough. 'Thank you.'

'Just let us know when you want more, you've lost a lot of fluids from the fever. Her fever's broke Pa, finally.'

'I can see that.' The girl flinched when he touched her to see for himself then nodded. 'Hopefully that'll be the last of it, your fever was rather high for some time, had us quite concerned. Are you feeling any better?'

'A little, I think. It's easier to talk now.'

'I expect it would be, the doc said the swelling from the wounds on your neck were pressing on your vocal cords and it's gone down now. He says you're healing up nicely.'

'Thank you.' She replied softly after a moment. 'For everything you've done, both of you.'

'Your welcome Missie, now if you'll excuse me I'll go get you some broth.'

The girl nodded as he left, looking back at Adam. She could see the dark circles under his eyes, the man looked exhausted. 'You look like you should be in bed.'

'I do, do I?'

'You look really tired, you should get some rest.' He chuckled and she continued. 'When I have a nap you should go take one too, don't want you wearing yourself out on my account.'

'Is that right?'

'Yep.'

'I'll think about it.' Ben returned, bringing a bowl of broth with him that he placed down on the table beside them. 'This one here thinks I need to get some sleep.'

'Well, she wouldn't be wrong Adam-' He replied as they gently helped her sit up better. 'You do need to get some rest.'

He rolled his eyes upon seeing the smug look on the girl's face. 'That's enough out of you.'

'I didn't say anything.' Missie teased back. 'But at least your Pa agrees with me.'

'Why don't you go get some rest son? It is my turn to watch Missie anyway.'

Adam was going to argue but he was bone dead tired. He nodded as he stood up. 'Alright. You behave yourself for Pa you hear Missie.'

'Message received.'

Ben clapped his hand on his son's shoulder as he went past then took a seat in the chair beside the bed. Checking the broth he confirmed it was still too warm and turned back to the girl. 'You and Adam seem to be getting along well.'

'I like him.' She replied simply, hoping her caution and apprehension of him weren't visible. She did like Adam, she trusted him. Probably the only man she'd ever trusted besides her step-father. She eyed the grey haired man carefully, wondering if she could let her guard down enough to come to trust him too. 'He's been very good to me-' She corrected herself so she didn't sound ungrateful. 'All of you have been.'

'We're all very relieved to say the very least that you're doing better.'

'Why? Why are you even bothering with me?'

'Well we do our best to try and help people who need it.' He watched her face, trying to figure the girl out. She didn't trust him, that much was visible. She was scared yet trying to come across as tough at the same time. 'Missie, Adam found you when he did for a reason, you pulled through against the odds for a reason. Now, I'm not the greatest bible believer who's ever lived but I know enough to say that the guy upstairs cares about what happens to you. My son's and I do for that matter too. Adam's been right worried about you, I've hardly seen him take so much to someone outside this family like he has to you. Do you understand Missie?'

The girl nodded after a moment. 'I do, Mr-'

'Cartwright.'

'Mr. Cartwright.' She turned away from him, staring at the wall to process her thoughts. 'I'm, I'm sorry if I come across as ungrateful or rude, I just haven't had many people concern themselves with me over the years.'

'It's alright Missie, I know it's going to take some getting used to and patience on our part. At least for me, patience is one thing I've got a lot of. You have to, raising three boys.'

She chuckled, thinking of her brothers. 'I know what you mean.' Her face clouded as she sobered. 'They're always getting into trouble.'

'Oh that they are.' The look on her face didn't go unnoticed. 'Looks like the broth is cooled enough, you game to try some?'

'Please.'

'Slowly now, you haven't had much in your stomach for some time.' He cautioned, spooning the liquid into her mouth. She took little swallows, slow but steady until he was happy she'd had enough for the moment. 'Let's just see how you go with that for now, if you keep it down I'll give you some more shortly.'

'Okay.' She looked at him, a thoughtful look coming over her face. 'You remind me a little of my Ma.'

'I do, do I? How so?'

'Kind, patient. Ma never left my bedside when I had the fever when I was little, she was the reason I survived. She had to feed me just like you and Adam have too because I was so weak. She'd sing to me too, she always made me feel better.'

He smiled kindly. 'Sounds like she's really something.'

'Was.' She corrected softly then looked at the bowl. 'Can I have some more please?'

'You feel alright with what you've already had?'

'Yep, just fine.'

'Alright.' He picked the bowl up, feeding the girl slowly when there was a knock on the door. He glanced around, placing the bowl aside. 'Joe, come say hello to Missie. Missie, this is my youngest son, we call him Little Joe.'

'Hello.' She smiled kindly but her eyes conveyed her caution. 'Little Joe.'

'My, you are a sight prettier awake.' He teased and then looked at his father. 'Pa, Roy's here to see you.'

'I best go see what he wants then-' Ben stood up. 'You wouldn't mind giving Missie the rest of her meal would you?'

'I can do that Pa.'

'That'd be okay Missie?'

'I'm starving-' She wasn't joking. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had something decent to eat. 'I'm not about to argue.'

'Alright. Don't tease her too much Joe.'

'I'll try not to Pa.'

'Hmm.' He left the room, Roy standing in the living room with Hoss. 'Roy. What brings you out here? Had some news about the girl?'

Roy sighed. There was no easy way of what he was about to say. 'Afraid I have Ben.'

He motioned to the chairs as he went to sit down. 'Please, have a seat.'

'Thank you.'

'What were you able to find out?'

'It's not good Ben.' He grabbed a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to him. 'I'm sorry.'

Hoss saw the look on his father's face when he opened the paper. 'What is it Pa?'

'It's a wanted poster. Missie is wanted for murder and armed robbery.'