Chapter 11
Doc Merar started cleaning up after they had settled Heath for the night. Audra – what a sweet girl - had cleaned and boiled all his instruments and returned them before Howard even knew they were missing. Victoria had gone to check on the hands that were guarding the house and to bring them sandwiches and coffee. He doubted that she would sleep at all tonight.
Now with some spare time, Howard carefully went over the rest of the cowboy's injuries – there had been plenty of bruising from the falls – but no other broken bones. He was relieved as much for his family as he was for Heat. Howard gained a new respect for the middle brother of the Barkley clan. He never doubted that Nick was, through and through, a man's man. He'd seen Nick take on every challenge, including his father's death, with his chin out, daring fate to take another swing. Rarely allowed to see the private pain and genuine devotion that boy had for his family, the doctor felt that he had been witness to a rare moment indeed.
Heath Barkley was another story all together. Certainly he had no prejudice against the young man's origins, however, upon the boys arrival, Howard had been concerned for Victoria. Not only had he originally been suspicious of Heath's motives, but also he hated when he saw the bittersweet pain in Victoria's eyes when they'd alight on the boy. Howard was one of the old-timers in Stockton that could remember a youthful Tom Barkley. Oh maybe it wasn't a perfect resemblance. Heath had gentler features, probably inherited from his mother. But some of his mannerisms, Howard thought to himself as he put his instruments into his well-kept black leather bag. Those mannerisms gave him a start the first time he caught sight of the cowboy, holding his seat on the horse like his father. Not to mention that quiet, steady gaze. Hard to tell what was going on in their head until one took a stand – father or son. Then wild horses couldn't swerve either from the chosen path. Also, Howard was certain that some of the pain was due to Victoria's doubt and reevaluation of her marriage. Yet, he'd seen her at Sunday scriptures a week after the doctor heard she'd visited Strawberry and marveled at the new glow of inner piece she had acquired. He was sure that she had found some if not all of the answers that she had needed to put both Tom and her doubts to rest.
As if conjured, Victoria stood in the doorway. Nick had reluctantly left to also check on the watch posted outside and consult with Jarrod and the sheriff. He'd quietly reassured his sleeping brother that he would be back shortly, which Howard didn't doubt. He was glad for a moment with Victoria alone to explain the realities of the situation. The doc smiled to himself. Never could tell how Nick Barkley would react to news contrary to his wishes. He needed to tell someone levelheaded about the boy's prognosis so that they could get on with dealing with the situation.
Victoria sensed that Howard needed to speak to her and took a seat near Heath's bed where she could keep an eye on her son and converse with her doctor.
"Alright, Howard. You've got something to say so let's not put it off."
"He's a strong man, Victoria. God know that a lesser man would not have made it this far. His lungs are clear, for now. Not a small blessing considering that you said that he was soaked. I think we got all the infection in that shoulder and though I'm concerned about his head wound, he's been alert and coherent, which is a good sign."
"Alright Howard, I'm an old hand at recognizing the 'good news first.' What haven't you told me yet?" Howard was amazed at the Victoria's composure, though he was certain that she would need to replace the handkerchief in her lap that she was unconsciously wringing within an inch of its life.
"Heath's lost quite a bit of blood, Victoria. Though the fever should abate now that the cause of the infection is hopefully neutralized, it is sapping his body of the energy it needs to deal with the blood loss. He'll need fluids and broth, but even with that, the fever may leech the liquid and nutrients that he'll need to build back that blood volume. Without it, his organs may start to shut down. Already, his heartbeat is too fast – overcompensating for the lack of blood in his body."
"Are you talking transfusion? Nick has successfully done this be…"
"Even with a positive result before, Victoria, there are still risks. If Nick has been exposed to something, even if he isn't sick, he could pass along an illness to Heath that his body could not defend against in his weekend condition." If someone could stay up with Heath, give him fluid's and keep his temperature down, we could assess the results in the morning and make our decision then."
"Is there any risk in waiting?"
"As there is risk with either choice, Victoria. But I have to think that giving Heath some respite after such a difficult procedure on his shoulder will be to our advantage either way. Later today, we'll be able to give him some pain medicine, but until then, someone will need to be here with you to make sure that Heath doesn't move around to much and open up his shoulder or do damage to those broken ribs. Can one of your sons help you care for Heath tonight?"
Victoria chuckled for the first time during the tension-filled night. "You should be asking me if I will need help to keep my sons, daughter and Silas from trying to 'help.' If you could stay with Heath for a little bit, I'll go down and tell the family what our marching orders are. Then you can head home, Howard. Are you sure you would rather not stay the night? I can have the spare room made up in just a few minutes…"
"You're too kind, Victoria, but I'd rather be at home and easy to find if any of my other patients has an emergency."
Victoria stood up, diminutive yet resolute; she glided to the doctor and took his hand in both of hers. "Yet again, Howard, my family is in your debt. I'll be back shortly - as soon as I review with them what you've just explained to me." With that she swept gracefully out of the room.
BVBVBVBVBVBVBVBVBVBVictoria took in the scene as she walked into the library and thought to herself that the view looked much like the aftermath of a day of pitched battle - bodies lay all over the library landscape. Jarrod was sitting side-by side with Audra and had his sister's head tucked onto his shoulder. Nick, as usual was draped, legs and arms sticking out at odd angles over one of the wingbacks. Silas was seeing to the wounded, hovering over each like a medic, trying to get them to drink or eat something that no one really desired. Obviously these troops needed organization and orders and she was just the general to do it.
Breezing in as she spoke, Victoria remarked. "I see that everyone is a bit too wound up to sleep."
Never one to mince words, Nick was the first to question her. "What does Dr. Merar think of Heath's condition?"
"That he wouldn't have made it this far if he didn't have a stubborn streak a mile wide and a family that loves him. Howard is pleased with the work on Heath's shoulder and his alertness, however the fever hasn't broken yet and the greatest danger is the blood loss he experienced. We need to be prepared in case Heath requires a blood transfusion."
"What's the holdup mother. I've done this before for Heath."
"Yes, dear. That is our backup plan. But Heath is so weak that if you have been exposed to anything, cold, influenza, whatever, he would not be strong enough to fight off a new infection. Howard thinks that we should give it a few hours and see how he responds to fluids and if we can get his fever down."
"Balderdash! I'm as healthy as a hors…"
"That's not mother's point, brother Nick."
Jarrod sat in his favorite chair his hands steepled in front of him in thought. Nick looked primed for an argument but as always, Victoria was thankful for how perceptive her eldest could be. Before she could put her plan into place, Jarrod, her faithful lieutenant, was already mustering them out.
"You've already had quite a day and night, nick and that means that our best donor for a blood transfusion should rest and that goes for you too, little sister." Both Nick and Audra looked like they wanted to argue his highhandedness. Instead, Jarrod held up one hand and added.
"If you two don't go and get some shuteye, who is going to spell mother and I in the morning?"
Nick grumbled something that suggested where he thought all nimble-tongued lawyers should go. But he conceded the point without actually verbally agreeing and kissing his mother goodnight. His one shot a weakly defiant comment over his shoulder. "Alright counselor, but the condemned man is going to say goodnight to his brother before following your sentencing demands."
Audra, ever more graceful in defeat, came by Jarrod and planted a kiss on her brother's cheek and whispered, "You handled us just like father would have." With a swish of expensive material, Audra headed to bed as well.
Victoria smiled to her eldest in absolute agreement
The greatest secret was that Silas was the toughest nut to crack in the house. Never would he allow himself to rest if a single family member was up. In many ways he was as devoted to them as their own mother and there was no doubt in Jarrod's mind that Heath held a special place in the old butlers heart.
"Mister Jarrod. I hears that you need fluids for dat boy and I have me some soup bones already simmer'in. I'll have some broth up there for Mr. Heath in no time. No time a'tall."
"Thank you Silas and then I'll need you to go to bed too." When Silas looked like he was going to object, Victoria laid a hand on his arm and said, "When I'm not with them, they'll need you Silas. Please rest, so that I can rest easier knowing you're there with them."
Silas stood just a little taller as he turned to the kitchens and replied, "No matter, Mizzus Barkley. Ol' Silas is a light sleeper. You or Mister Heath need me and I'll come a runnin! Don't you worry none. With us on the job, 'dat boy is gonna be fine, just fine."
Victoria followed his receding back, "Thank you, Silas," followed by a softer "And God bless you."
Jarrod took her arm and led her to the stairs and added his own heartfelt thanks for their devoted friend, "Amen, lovely lady. Amen."
TBC…