Chapter 5

Mrs Shaughnessy arrived earlier than expected. She explained she didn't want to journey to the Ponderosa in the dark and days got darker earlier this time of year.

"Take off your coat and I'll introduce you to your patient. Her name is Julie," Adam explained.

"Julie what?" Mrs S asked.

"Just Julie. She's new to the area and hasn't told us much about herself. She's a bit shy of strangers at present."

"Well, we'll have to change all that."

You can but try, Adam thought.

"Hello, Ben," she called, as they made their way to the bedroom. "Hope you are well."

"As well as can be expected," came Ben's reply, as he was sitting in his chair with a paper. "Thank you for coming. It will be much welcomed. Hope you enjoy your stay with us."

Adam had by now reached the bedroom door and invited Mrs S into the room. They found that Julie was asleep.

"Probably just as well," Mrs S said. "She needs her rest. I'll wake her up at supper time." And with that they left the room.

They approached Ben. "Supper will be around six, he said. In the meantime perhaps you'd like to get yourself settled. Your usual room awaits you. Hop Sing has already taken your bags upstairs."

"Thank you, Ben, or should I thank Hop Sing. He's a wonderful man. You're all so good to me when I stay here."

"You're always here for a purpose, it seems, never just to visit," Adam stated.

"It's alright Adam. You know I like to feel useful and helpful, if I can. I can't say I have much time for socializing. I'll go on up now and get sorted."

"Take your time Mrs Shaughnessy," Ben called after her as she left the two men together and made her way upstairs.

"How did the introductions go?" Ben asked.

"Julie was asleep, so Mrs S suggested waiting 'til supper and wake her then."

"I think I'll go and clean up. Maybe you should do the same, Ben suggested.

"Yeah, I think I will, Adam replied. …..

Julie wasn't asleep when Adam and Mrs Shaughnessy walked in. She just didn't want to talk to anyone, but knew how Adam would disapprove if her knew. But knowing Adam, maybe he already suspects, she thought. ….

Just before supper was ready to be served Adam and Mrs S went into Julie's room. She was now awake and sitting up. Julie felt she couldn't feign sleep again.

"Hello, Julie. How are you feeling?" Adam asked.

"As well as can be expected," she replied. Adam didn't miss the sarcasm in her voice.

"Julie, I'd like you to meet Mrs Shaughnessy, who's here to help you in your recovery. Mrs Shaughnessy, this is Julie, your patient."

"How do you do, Julie. I'm sure we'll get along famously. I've looked after many sick people, especially in this house.

"I won't need much looking after, as I'm almost fully well," Julie stated.

"Oh? That's not want Dr Martin told me," Mrs S told her. He said at least another week's rest and I've been instructed to build you up with the right kind of food and a little exercise each day."

Julie could see Adam standing inside, near the open doorway, with a grin on his face. He's going to pay for this she thought.

Mrs S will take good care of you," he said.

"Yes, I can tell that already," Julie acknowledged, shooting a warning glare at Adam.

"I think we should start right away," Mrs S said. "Your supper is ready. I'll just go and get it."

"Oh no, you eat yours first. I can wait. I'm not that hungry anyway," Julie moaned.

"Nonsense, that's exactly what I've been saying. You will have your supper first. The building-up process starts right now. I take my responsibilities seriously. Now, no more argument. I'll just go and fetch it." And out of the room she went.

"You are despicable, Adam Cartwright, treating me this way."

"Don't you want to get well?"

"Yeah, sure, but not at the expense of another bossy pants.

"Mrs Shaughnessy is a generous soul, who'll do anything for anybody, if she can. So don't you go upsetting her. She does have a strong character and will stand no nonsense from you." Adam turned towards the door, stopped and turned back to face Julie. "AND you can stop pretending to be asleep every time she enters the room. The help you need needs to be given by a woman. Don't you agree."

"Yes, I suppose so, but I don't intend to stay in this bed for a whole week. I need to leave soon," she told him in no uncertain terms.

Adam heard Mrs S returning with Julie's supper. "We'll talk again." And left after Mrs S had entered.

"Here you go, Julie. I've got chicken and a few vegetables. Not too much to start," Mrs S said, as she placed the tray across Julie's lap. "I hope you like liver, because it has wonderful strengthening properties. All good food and exercise will re-energize you fairly quickly and that's what you want, right?"

"Of course, and thank you."

"No need of thanks, it's my pleasure. Now, while you eat let's talk about your physical needs. I'm sure you must want a bath and a proper nightdress to wear and not one of the boys' nightshirts."

"I would love a bath, but I don't have a nightdress to wear."

"That's not a problem. I was given a letter from Adam when he sent Mack into Virginia City to ask me to come, which told me of all of your needs."

"Adam did?" Julie said, shocked.

"Yes. So I went shopping for items I though you'd need."

"But Mrs Shaughnessy, I can't afford to pay anything for them. I have no money to my name."

"Yes, I know this too. Adam sent money with the letter that paid for it all."

"What!?" Julie exclaimed. Then to herself she said, "Now I owe him."

"No dear. It was given as a gift."