Chapter 22

The soft sounds of the morning singing of the birds was what stirred Missie from her sweet slumber. She could smell the fire burning as she opened her eyes, mixed with the aroma of something being cooked. Her stomach rumbled a little at the thought of food, the girl hungry but at the same time remembering yesterday's mishap with the stew. She doubted her ribs would be able to stand a repeat of that performance.

From where she sat she could look out into the camp, seeing Hoss and Little Joe sitting around the campfire while a couple other men she didn't know were tending the horses. She found Adam after a moment's search, fast asleep at the foot of her hammock. She truly felt bad that on her account he'd lost sleep looking after her. She didn't like putting anyone out or being a burden to anyone. His father was asleep beside her, snoring softly where he'd sat vigile beside her all night. Like father, like son. They were both exhausted and that wasn't a surprise at all.

She looked up at the ceiling of the shelter, pondering thoughts that had been running through her mind since the day before. What was going to happen now? Where were things going to go from here? What happened with her? She couldn't think of any answers. At least for now she was safe but how long would that last? After all the trouble she'd brought with herself would the Cartwrights even want her around anymore?

She glanced over as Ben stirred, smiling a little as much as her bruised cheeks would allow. 'Morning.'

'Morning Missie-' He sat up, gently touching her forehead as he shook off sleep. It was warm but not feverish and again he sent a silent prayer of thanks heavenward. 'How are you feeling?'

'Better Mr. Cartwright. I had a really good sleep.'

'That's good, you need your rest.'

'I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused, I know you have better things to do then chase me around the countryside.'

'That can wait, you're more important than those 'things' young lady.' He spoke kindly but firmly. 'And you needn't apologise, none of this was your fault at all.'

'I know but I still feel bad about it. I know Adam hasn't rested at all because he's been so busy taking care of me. You will make sure he gets some rest?'

A smile tugged at his lips. 'Of course.'

'Good. Would I be able to have some water?'

'I'll go ask the doc, Adam mentioned yesterday you had trouble keeping food and water down. I'll be right back.'

She nodded and Ben quietly slipped out of the shelter and headed over to the doc sitting at the fire. She looked upwards at the roof again, resuming her quiet ponderings. They didn't need to go to this expense to look after her, no one had asked them too. They were going above and beyond just obligation and she wondered for a moment why. Ben's offer played over in her mind. He'd offered a place to her where she would be safe. It would be downright rude to refuse, especially after they'd saved her life. Besides, the prospect of being around Adam wasn't so bad. She chuckled inwardly. Maybe one day she'd be able to call him her older brother, she'd always wished for one of those. Someone she could rely on, someone who made her feel safe-

'Morning Missie.'

'Morning doctor.'

'How are you feeling?'

'Much better.' She replied as he knelt down beside her with his medical bag and began his examination of her. 'That stuff for the pain has really helped, thank you.'

'Your welcome Missie, it's good to hear your feeling better.' He checked her pulse, it was slightly stronger and steadier then it had been the night before. 'Mr. Cartwright said you wanted something to drink.'

'If that's alright.'

'Do you feel nauseous at all?'

'Not really, I don't want a repeat of yesterday either. My ribs didn't like it much.'

'I expect not.' He turned back to Ben. 'You can give her a little water, see how she goes. I'll tend to her wounds after, I see your sons have that coffee ready.'

'Alright Paul, thank you.' He sat down beside her again after the doc had left, pouring the girl some water from the canteen. 'Steady now.'

She took a couple little sips then motioned she'd had enough and he took it away. 'I'll see how I go with that for now.'

Ben nodded and placed the cup down. 'You've been in your fair share of the wars, haven't you?'

'I certainly feel like it. I bet my face looks like I'm feeling.'

'You've got some shades of purple and blue happening I'm afraid.'

'Kinda guessed I would. My father sure knows how to throw a punch.' She sighed, thinking for a moment. 'They're going to hang him, aren't they?'

'That'll be up to the jury to decide Missie.'

'But what do you think?'

'I'm sorry Missie but I think they will.'

Missie nodded, looking away from him. 'I kinda guessed that's how it would end for him. I know I should feel sorry for him but I don't, I just feel relief. Is that bad of me Mr. Cartwright?

'I haven't been through what you've been through so I can't rightly give an opinion on that. A better way to look at it would be why your relieved.'

'I don't want it to seem I'm glad he's going to die, I'm just thankful he won't be able to hurt anyone else. I don't mind him hurting me, I'm strong enough to handle it but I can't let him hurt other people. Ma knew he was bad, he just got worse as time went on. He killed people, I know that and not just since he escaped from jail. He killed other people, people who couldn't pay up when they lost in gambling to him. I don't want more people being hurt because of him.'

'In that case then I'd say that's not a wrong reason Missie.' Ben replied after a moment. 'You aren't wishing it on him as revenge, I think you're quite justified to feel that way.'

'Are they going to call me up as a witness?'

'I don't know. I'll have to ask the Sheriff. They might, they might not.'

'When's the trial?'

'In a couple days.'

'I'll hardly be in any condition to testify then I imagine. I don't really want to speak against my father but I ain't got a problem of speaking about the other men and especially that fella who was working on your ranch for that short time.'

'Any reason in particular?'

'He's a slimy barsta-' She stopped herself from swearing in front of him. 'Sorry. I don't swear but that guy could make even a saint swear, the filthy thing.'

He could guess by her tone he was the man who'd been 'friendly' with her. 'He do something you particularly dislike him for?'

'It's kinda embarrassing.'

'It's alight, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to.'

'I'll talk to the Sheriff about it later.' She turned back to him. 'Mr. Cartwright, I've been wondering. You know how you were talking before this happened that I'd have a place with you if I chose?' He nodded and she continued. 'Would that offer still be open?'

'Of course it is honey. You thinking about taking me up on it?'

'If you'd still want me that is.'

Ben smiled, placing his hand on her shoulder. 'We'd love for you to stay. What's happened changes nothing, we'd be proud to have you live with us.'

'Are you sure?'

'Definitely. Will you stay?'

She nodded with a smile, her eyes misting. 'Thank you.'

'I'll speak to the judge while he's here for the trial and get it all organised. Your welcome at the Ponderosa for as long as you like.' He brushed a tear off her cheek. 'You might have lost your blood kin but I hope in time you'll come to think of us as family.'

'I'd like that.' She replied softly. 'You've been so kind to me, you all have. I hope I can repay your kindness one day, you've done more for me then you needed to.'

'Like I've said before, a smile on your face is payment enough.'

'And like I've said before too, I'll pull my fair share of the work.'

'All you'll be doing will be resting for some time, I would think, young lady.'

'I'm not really looking forward to that but it could be worse I guess.' She tried to move, her muscles stiff and sore from lying still for so long and she winched. 'Yeah, I have a feeling it'll be some time before I'll be able to be up and around again.'

Ben patted her shoulder with an amused look on his face. 'There's no hurry, you just get some rest my dear. I better go get something to eat before there's nothing left.'

'Okay.' Ben left again, joining the men at the fire and she stared back up at the ceiling. The old mans words played over and over in her mind, about him hoping she'd come to think of them as family. In a way she kind of already did, but was that even right? Her family was barely cold in the ground, she couldn't just move on and forget about them, could she? It just didn't seem right. And too, what if they didn't reciprocate her feelings about being family? What if they were just being polite in saying that but didn't actually mean it? She doubted her heart would be able to handle that rejection. The girl sighed heavily after a moment. He'd said rest, but that was nigh impossible with everything running through her mind. Rest, yeah, right. That'd come after she'd finished the puzzle that was her thoughts.

'Missie. Missie?'

The girl was stirred from her sleep by someone calling her, smiling a little as she saw who it was. 'Hey Adam.' She yawned softly. 'I must have dozed off.'

'I'd say you did, half the day is gone.' He teased good naturedly. 'You feeling any better?'

'A little. More stiff and sore then anything.' She sighed. 'I'm right back where I started, on my back, in bed.'

He chuckled. 'It's not so bad is it? I mean, you've got us to keep you company.'

'I just don't like being a burden on anyone, I hate being useless Adam. I've spent more time in bed these last couple of months then I care to remember, I'm tired of it. I'm sick of being useless.'

'Your not useless.'

'Oh yeah? Name one thing I've done that's been useful, getting stuck out here after being kidnapped doesn't count.'

'Well, you make us laugh. You've always got something funny to say.'

'Doesn't count.'

'Complimenting Hop Sing-'

'Nope, not useful.'

'Okay.' He thought for a moment,, determined to beat her at her own game. 'Alright, I've got one. Be someone I can read to and share ideas with who appreciates good literature.' She went to protest but he interrupted. 'That does so count, you wouldn't believe how hard it is finding someone out here who appreciates the words of Shakespeare.'

'Alright, alright. You got me.' Her eyes were sparkling with mischief. 'Hey Adam, what's that over there?'

'Wher-' His hat was tipped down over his eyes, the girl giggling softly. 'Very funny Missie.'

'Hey, I gotta keep myself occupied somehow.' She winched as she brought her arm back down, her shoulder feeling tight. 'Did the doc bandage my shoulder?'

'No, why?'

'It feels really weird to move my shoulders, like some things tugging on them.'

He knew the doc had been concerned about that. The girls wounds would scar and the way they were if they weren't careful she wouldn't have full movement of her shoulders again. 'I think that's just your wounds healing, you've got to let them have time to get better.'

'Alright.'

'I see your awake young lady.' Paul exclaimed as he came over to join them, opening his bag he'd left beside the hammock. 'Would you mind giving us a few minutes Adam? I need to tend to her wounds.'

'Sure. Behave yourself.'

'Always.' She teased back as he walked away. 'You got anymore painkillers doc? My ribs are still throbbing something dreadful.'

'How are you feeling besides the ribs?'

'Stiff and awful sore all over. My shoulders feel kinda tight too.' She watched him measure out something from a bottle. 'When can I go back to the ranch?'

'I'm not sure yet Missie, I'll have to give you an answer when I finish looking you over. Now, open wide.'

She made a face as she swallowed the bitter medicine. 'Can't you make it taste better?'

'Afraid not but it'll help. Now, where do you want to start? Your back, your legs or your feet?'

'Which will be less painful right now?'

'Your leg, I've only got to check how that wound is since it's already mostly healed up.'

'Alright, start with that then.' She rested back, looking up at the canopy of leaves and branches above. She winched a little when he lifted her leg then made her flex her ankle to move the muscles. 'Ow.'

He let her leg rest back as usual, running his fingers over the muscles. 'How did you hold up running on this?'

'No idea, just did what I had to do. I was running blind, I just wanted to get away. I've hurt it again, haven't I?'

'Well it hasn't helped it that's for sure. I know under the circumstances you didn't have much choice but you shouldn't have been walking let alone running. The muscles are damaged, it's going to take some time for them to repair.'

'I will be able to walk normally again though won't I?'

'Hopefully but I expect you will have a limp. When muscles are damaged like the way your leg was, when they heal up the muscles aren't as flexible they were before and that causes the limp.'

'I see.' She mused, biting her lip. 'What can I do about it?'

'The excersises I had you doing, water therapy and massage. I'll speak to Ben and let him know what needs to be done. It's going to take time though.'

'I've got plenty of that lying on my back.' He moved onto her feet and the girl concentrated on being quiet while he changed the dressings. They still hurt but the medicine was starting to kick in then he helped her sit up and looked over her back. Finally he was finished, lying her back down again and she breathed a sigh of relief. 'When can I go to the ranch?'

'I think you'll be strong enough to make the trip tomorrow but I'll give Ben some medicine so you'll sleep most of the way. It won't be a pleasant journey, not with those ribs.'

'I don't care, I just want to be back in a proper bed.'

'I can understand that, the ground isn't very appealing to an old man like myself.' He stood back up, waving the men over. 'I'm finished here, she's all yours.'.

Ben and Adam walked over with Roy following, Adam sitting down beside the girl as his father and the Sheriff stood. 'I was hoping you might feel up to having a word with me Missie?'

'What would you like to know Sheriff?'

'Your version of what happened would be a good place to start.'

Missie sighed heavily. 'Alright. I was in bed asleep when the man I'd seen working at the ranch earlier that I recognized as being one of the men who killed my folks came in my room through the window. He said he'd kill me then and there if I made a sound so I didn't. He gagged me and took me back out the window then made away with me on his horse. He took me to my father's camp and they dumped me under a tree for the night. In the morning my father gave me a whipping so I'd be too sore to run away. They broke camp and took me with them, tied onto the back of one of the horses. They didn't give me food or water but the boy Blake did. He gave me water on the trail. When we reached camp again that Ruben guy made advances on me, touching me and such. My father put and end to that saying it wasn't time yet for such activities then gave me another beating. I got away later that night and Blake came after me to give me food and water. I ran and didn't look back and that's the story.'

Roy had been taking notes, nodding as he finished. The girls face was expressionless, her voice somewhere between cold or sober. 'Thank you Missie.'

'My father will be hanged, won't he?'

'He's murdered a lot of folks-'

'I know that. I don't want reasons, I just want a yes or no. Which is it?'

'I expect yes.'

Missie nodded. 'Thank you. That is all I wanted to know. What about the rest of them?'

'I expect some of them will, depending on the charges. If you saw some pictures of them, would you be able to identify of they were part of the group who murdered your family?'

'Yes, I think so. I don't wish for anymore killing, even in the name of justice but I agree they need to be punished by the law. You will make sure they don't suffer though, won't you? I don't want them suffering like my family did, it's just not right.'

'It will be done responsibly, I assure you.'

'Thank you. Will the judge expect me to speak?'

'I'm not sure, it'll need to be discussed with him. In your condition I think your statement will be enough. Would you want to testify?'

'If it's the difference between them having justice or walking free to hurt more people then yes. He might be my father by birth but he lost his job of being that for me before I was born with the way he treated my Mamma. His men are no better, I just don't want more people being hurt or killed. I just want it over.'

'I understand Missie. Thank you for this, I'll let you get back to resting now.'

The man left, the girl looking back up at the ceiling again. Ben and Adam exchanged a look, Ben sitting down beside her on the other side. 'Are you okay Missie?'

'No.' She replied softly. 'I mightn't have any feelings towards my father but he's still my father and my words will be helping send him to the gallows. I'm responsible for the death of the last of my family I have.'