Chapter 21

Missie pondered quietly what had happened over the last couple of days, thankful to be once again in a bed and safely under a roof. The Cartwrights had taken her back to the ranch in the wagon, they'd finally arrived earlier that afternoon. It'd taken them all day yesterday and today to get back, they'd taken it slow to try and spare her unnecessary pain. She hadn't complained at all the whole trip despite the pain being moved had her in. She knew there wasn't anything they could do about it anymore then they already were. She was just thankful it was finally over though and she could get back to resting.

'Knock knock.'

She glanced up, smiling as she saw Little Joe at the door. 'Come in.'

'How are you doing?'

'Better, I'm happy to be back in a proper bed.' She patted the mattress lightly beside her and he took a seat. 'I won't bite you.'

He chuckled. 'Pa wanted me to see how you're doing, he and my brothers had to go do some things so I'm to keep an eye on you.'

'I'll try not to get into any mischief then.' Missie grinned. 'Don't want you to give them a bad report of me.'

'I can vouch your a more patient patient then I am when I've gotten myself hurt, Pa and Adam nearly have to hogtie me to keep me in bed.'

'I learnt with five siblings to get rest when I could, mainly that was only when I was sick or injured because Ma wouldn't let me get up or do anything. Besides, complaining doesn't get you anywhere and there's no point making those around you upset on my account. I'm just thankful it's over now.'

'You have more patience then me.'

'I'm a woman, we have to have patience to be around you men.'

'Oh really?' He playfully punched her upper arm where she hadn't been hurt and she giggled. 'Is that right?'

'Yep. I'll have to enjoy resting while I can, this place sure could do with a woman's touch.'

'So your staying then?'

'Well, until you all tire of me and send me out on the next stage, yes.' She tried to move to get herself more comfortable and winched. 'Ow.'

'Here, I'll help you.' Carefully he helped her sit up, fixing up the pillows behind her. 'That better?'

'Yes, thank you.'

'Pa said you need to have more of your medicine.'

'It tastes horrible, do I have to have it?'

'Well… If you don't want me telling Pa a bad report-'

'Alright, alright. Administer the poison.' He chuckled, taking a spoonful out of the bottle and she pulled a face when she tasted and swallowed it. 'It's just gross.'

'I'm not a fan of it either, I can tell you. I broke an arm a few years back and it took both Pa and Hoss to force it down my throat. That's why I say your more tolerant then I.'

'I've learnt to be. Accept what you can't change.' She sighed heavily, the medicine leaving a bitter aftertaste in her mouth long after it'd been swallowed. 'I'm no stranger to pain, I don't make a fuss of it. I had to learn to hide it, showing pain is weakness.'

'Well you don't have to worry about that anymore, I can promise you that. That kind of life and the way you have been treated won't happen again. Pa taught us to honor and respect women and part of that is keeping you safe.'

'It might take me sometime to get used to that I'm afraid Little Joe. I've never had anyone looking out for me except my Ma and step father. I've always had to look after myself, I've never relied on anyone before. This- it's all new to me.'

'And that's where patience comes in.' He grinned. 'We really want this to work Missie but you'll have to remember its only been us men around here for a long time. We mightn't always get it right when it comes to you women.'

'All my brothers had to do was bad their eyelids and pout before I forgave them, I'm sure that's beyond you but I'm a pretty forgiving person. My Ma taught me that. She said hating someone was like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. My father has done horrible things to me and my family but I forgive him for my own healing.'

Little Joe was speechless, looking at the girl closely. After everything she'd been through, she forgave him? How- How could someone even be that kind and gentle to be able to do that. 'You are a remarkable girl, Missie Denning.'

'Why thank you, kind sir.' She replied with a grin then motioned to the book on the table. 'Adam always reads me something.'

'He does? Well, I guess I can read you a couple chapters.' He picked the book up, flipping to where it looked like it'd been left off at. 'The wind howled-'

It was late when Ben and his sons returned to the Ponderosa, the sun long set on the horizon when they finally pulled their tired horses to a stop outside the house. They'd been in at the Sheriff's for hours, providing written statements and and discussing the impending trial of Michale Donnington and his gang. The trial was set to take place in two days, the judge would be in on the afternoon stage with the trial starting the preceding morning. The town was abuzz with the news with folks anticipating a hanging to take place of at least a few, if not all of the gang.

Adam wearily dismounted, patting Sport as his father and brother got down and started taking care of their horses. 'I was hoping to go check on Missie-'

Hoss reached for Sport's reins. 'You go on ahead Adam, I'll take care of him.'

'Thanks Hoss.' He headed to the house as the horses were lead to the barn, stopping to take off his hat and gunbelt at the door. Those put away in their place he quietly started up the stairs, a small smile coming over his face as he heard his younger brother reading to the girl. Slowly he opened the door, Joe so absorbed in his reading he didn't notice him come in. The girl saw him though and he put a finger to his lips as he snuck up on his brother till he was standing right behind him. He lent down close to his ear then exclaimed loudly. 'Whatcha doin Joe?'

Little Joe fairly hit the roof, almost falling off his chair in fright. Both the girl and his brother were killing themselves laughing as he picked up the book he'd thrown when he'd been scared. 'Dang blast it Adam!' He stood, his face red as they both carried on laughing. 'It's not funny!'

'Is too.' Missie replied between fits of laughter, her ribs throbbing but she couldn't stop. 'The look on your face-'

'Oh your going to pay older brother.'

'Sure, sure.' He clapped his brother on the shoulder. 'Run along now, Little Joe. Missie's favourite story reader has arrived.'

'Oh you'll keep-' He picked his hat up off the table and slammed it down on his head, walking resolutely out of the room. The door closed behind him with a bang, their laughter still in his ears. 'Oh you'll keep older brother.'

'Oh your mean.' Missie giggled as Adam sat down in the chair vacated by Little Joe. 'That was mean.'

'I can't resist a chance to tease a younger sibling, you should know what I mean.'

The girl finally got her laughter under control, her ribs protesting loudly from the movement. 'I was too busy trying to keep them alive to be teasing them.' She winched as a sharp pain ran up her chest, closing her eyes to try and block it out.

Adam frowned, looking at the girl. 'You okay Missie?'

'Just. Peachy.'

Carefully he helped her sit up again, concern written on his face as he watched her trying to cope with the pain she was in. 'Just take it easy Missie, you're alright.' He felt bad now for what he'd done, the girl was struggling to breathe. Gently he sat her forward, sitting down behind her and rested her against his chest. 'Easy.'

The pain subsided some after a few minutes, the girl able to catch her breath as she rested against him. 'I know this is out of character for me but may I have something for the pain?'

He knew if the girl asked to have medicine she was really hurting, most of the time she tried to get out of having the bitter lardumum. He grabbed the bottle and spoon, helping the girl to have the medication. He put it away after she'd had it then gently kissed her head. He felt terrible. 'I'm so sorry Missie, I completely forgot about your ribs.'

'It's alright Adam, it's not your fault. It was worth it, the look on his face.' Her head was resting against his shoulder, the girl feeling so weak and exhausted she couldn't move even if she wanted to. 'How'd it go in town?'

Adam hadn't wanted to speak of those matters to the girl but he'd learnt rather soon off that the girl was more then mature for her age. 'The judge is coming on the afternoon stage, the trial is the morning after.'

She nodded, thinking. She'd had it on her mind since she'd spoken to Joe about her father. No, there was no sense speaking to him about it. He'd never agree anyway. 'Will you be going to listen?'

'We all will. You won't mind having Hop Sing look after you for a few hours, would you?'

'Of course not. I like him.' She tried to move, winching again. 'I just can't get comfortable. Either it's my back or it's my ribs or my leg, it's driving me crazy.'

'Is sitting up any better?'

'A little I think.'

'We might have to move you downstairs to the settee then, you might be a bit more comfortable being able to sit up better down there, you've already got all the spare pillows in the house right here.'

'Sure, I'd be happy to move down there. 'Side's, it's pretty lonely and boring up here.'

'Alright then, we'll move you down there in the morning.' He carefully moved out from behind her and laid her back down on the pillows, trying to sit her up as best he could. 'How's that?'

'Alright, thank you.'

'You best get some sleep now, that's where I'm headed. I'll see you in the morning.'

The girl shivered as he blew the lanturn out, going towards the door. No, no she couldn't stay here. Not by herself. Not a word, not a sound or I'll break that pretty neck of yours. 'Adam!'

He stopped, turning around in front of the door. 'Yes.'

'No, it's n-nothing.' Who was she kidding? She couldn't ask him to stay with her just because she was scared of the dark, of being alone by her self. He'd think her a sissy, a coward. 'I'll see you in the morning.'

Adam could hear the quivering in the girls voice and knew from prior experience with younger siblings it wasn't 'nothing' as she'd put it. He went back over, sitting down beside her and gently took her soft hand in his. 'Your scared, aren't you?' He waited, the girl nodding after a moment in the moonlight. 'It's alright, it's nothing to be ashamed of. I'll stay with you the night.'

'I-I can't ask you to do that.'

'Your not asking, I'm offering.'

'Thank you.' Her voice was barely above a whisper. 'I'm sorry you have to sleep on the floor when you should be in your own bed.'

'Don't you fuss none about me, one more night won't hurt.' He reached for the matches, lighting the lamp again. 'I'll just go get my bedroll and say goodnight to Pa. I'll be back.'

'Okay.'

He left without her calling him back this time and went downstairs, his father reading a book beside the fire while his two brothers had a quick game of checkers. His father looked up, placing his book aside. 'How's Missie?'

'Frightened of being in that room by herself, I'm going to sleep on the floor tonight for her.' He picked his bedroll up from where they'd dumped their supplies earlier. 'I think the wagon ride shook her up a little more then we thought, she's been in a lot of pain. I'm going to move her downstairs in the morning into the couch, she might be a bit more comfortable sitting up and she says she's bored up there.'

'That's a good idea. Did she ask about the trial?'

'She did.'

'What'd you say?'

'Just that the judge will be here tomorrow and that the trials the day after.'

'Good, I don't want to cause her anymore grief by her hearing about things. That poor child's been through so much already.'

'With all due respect Pa, that girl's not a child, she's a young woman. Age is just a number, she's more mature then Joe here.'

'Hey!' He protested loudly. 'That's not fair. You can't go comparing her to me.'

'I wasn't, I was comparing you to her.'

'Boys, let's remember to keep your voices down. Missie needs to rest without you lot shouting to keep her awake.' He turned back to Adam. 'You go get some rest yourself son, you look like you haven't slept for a week.'

'I haven't. Night.' He headed back up the stairs and went to his room to change and get a couple things then made his way back to the girls room. 'You want me to lock the window too?'

'No, it's fine. I know you'll keep me safe from the monsters.'

Adam tried to smile at the girls weak joke but it really hit home a place he'd tried to forget about the last week. Missie had been kidnapped right from underneath him, he couldn't forget that yet she said she trusted him to keep her safe. He finished up with his bed, blowing the lamp out and kissed the girl gently on the forehead like he used to when he'd tuck Little Joe in as a kid. 'You get some sleep now, you hear?'

'I'll try. Night Adam.'

The girl closed her eyes as he turned away, lying down on the bed he'd fixed up and stared up at the ceiling. Now that it wasn't a matter of survival his mind began to torment him again about what had happened, that the girl had been taken on his watch. She was alive at least but none of this should have happened, none at all. Looking over at her he watched her shallow breathing, the girl trying not to hurt her ribs by breathing too deep. No. He'd never forgive himself for what had happened to her.