Chapter 16: Fighting for Dear Life
The sudden crash aroused Dani as the teacup slipped from her hands and shattered all over the floor. It was the second one she had broken today while washing the dishes. Nothing had been going right today. Ever since she had woken up from a restless sleep, a miserable feeling of restless discontent had been plaguing her. First, one of the chickens had pecked her while she was feeding them. Then, she had dropped the bucket of water that she had filled while on her way into the house. And now the dishes… Without even bothering to pick up the little shards, Dani slunk over to her rocking chair in front of the fire and sank down wretchedly. How could she have been so selfish? How could she have been so oblivious? Nathan loved her. And until he had brought it up, she hadn't realized that she had developed feelings for him also. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her black tom cat arch it's back against the shelf Nathan had made for her. Restlessly, she jumped to her feet again. "What is wrong with me?" she moaned in agitation. "I told him I wasn't ready? Since when does love run on my timetable?!" She laid a hand on the mantel and shook her head disbelievingly. "I can't believe myself!" she murmured. "How could I have said that to him?" She felt the tears forming in her eyes. Yes, her dreams of creating a homestead were important to her. But dreams come and go. Dreams could wait. But love? A love like the love that she knew she and Nathan had for one another was rare and only happened once in a lifetime. She sighed and staring up at the whitewashed ceiling, groaned loudly. "How am I ever going to make it up to him?" she mourned. "How did I manage to create such a disaster?" she glanced down at her tom cat, which looked up at her, eager for affection. "And now I'm talking to myself" she sighed with a shrug. "Or to you… I should really be talking to Nathan. I have to tell him the truth." Right then and there, Dani resolved to stop Nathan during his rounds. She didn't know exactly what she was going to say, or how she was going to say it, but somehow she had to put his heart to rest. Somehow, she had to tell him how she really felt.
It was a cloudy, dreary day to match Nathan's mood as he strode down the street toward the café to get a cup of coffee. He couldn't help feeling disappointed and numb over Dani's answer the night before, much as he didn't hold it against her. She simply wasn't ready, and she had been honest and clear about that. While he was thankful that she treated him with fairness and understanding, he couldn't help but feel a dull ache in his heart. He had begun to allow himself to hope for her shared affection. He had begun to believe that maybe, just maybe, they might have a beautiful future ahead of them. With nothing to hope for but their continued bond of friendship however, Nathan resolved to concentrate every fiber of his being on being a good friend to her and being a good father to Allie. He had never felt such a close bond with anyone like the one he felt for Dani. Everything just seemed so… right, so perfect. Feeling discouraged but determined to continue to be a good friend to her, he mounted the stairs to the café, head high. He slipped quietly into one of the seats and waited in silence until Clara came over to his place. "Hi Nathan" she chirped cheerfully. "How was the dance last night?" Nathan looked up and felt his face reddening. "Um… It was…" he stammered, awkwardly trying to think of what to say. "It was great. I had a lot of fun. "Clara nodded and smiled. "I'm glad" she grinned. "What can I get for you this morning?" Nathan managed to smile. "Just some coffee" he said humbly. "That's all." Clara nodded, though there were the faintest traces of a frown on her brow. "Nathan…" she murmured softly. "Everything alright?" Nathan forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah…" he sighed, a little wearily. "I'm just a little tired is all." Clara nodded doubtfully and straightened up. "I suppose that's understandable in view of the late night last night" she grinned. "Jesse barely woke up in time for work. I had to coax him with eggs and bacon to get him out of bed." Nathan couldn't help but laugh. "It must be nice to have someone to help you get up in the morning" he thought to himself. He quickly pushed that thought away, however and grinned. "I guess that would do it" he admitted, giving Clara a winning smile. Clara, satisfied, beamed, and headed back into the kitchen to fetch his coffee. As she disappeared from view, Nathan let out a faint sigh, and leaned heavily against his elbows, his eyes wandering to the dreary world outside. If friendship was all that Dani could give him, he would force himself to be content with that. He loved her too much to lose her. Continuing with rounds might be difficult at first, but he would push through. If their relationship was to remain one of friendship, then he would be the best friend she had ever had. It would be difficult, but he would try. Decidedly, he ran a hand through his dark hair and slowly shut his eyes. "I have your coffee Nathan" Clara's voice said over him. Nathan looked up and smiled faintly as he reached up to take it from her. "That's great. Thank you" he murmured gratefully, seeing his reflection in the black liquid. "Just the way I like it."
Bill muttered agitatedly as he dropped two new sets of writing pencils on the front counter of the mercantile. With Lee stopping by the judge's office to perform some of mayoral duties, the pencils had been disappearing from his desk quite rapidly. He had guessed Lee's actions had nothing to do with it. Rosemary's, however, were quite plausibly the source, her being a journalist and all. Florence and Ned, who stood behind the counter together, took note of his mood and both frowned faintly. "Bill" Florence reprimanded. "You're grumpier than a bear in springtime!" Bill frowned and shook his head. "I have every right to be" he muttered in disgust. "Someone keeps stealing my office supplies. Every time I come back to the office, there are more pencils missing." The sudden sound of starting car caught his attention and looking up with a start, Bill made his way to the window to look out. Outside, in the street, he saw Wyman Walden getting behind the wheel of his car while Agent Spurlock and the other two Pinkerton's climbed in after him. Bill straightened up like a shot as they made their way down the road to leave town. "Walden's on his way to that homestead to collect" he breathed, before turning on Ned and Florence. "Florence" he commanded urgently. "Called Lee and Jesse and tell them to meet me at the livery. I'm going to go find Mike." Ned frowned, curious as Bill started for the door. "What's going on Bill?" he asked seriously. Bill stopped in his tracks and sighed. "Something big" he explained cryptically. "Just a serious situation that needs to be dealt with, once and for all." Ned's eyes lit up. "If Lee, Mike, and Jesse are going, can I have a piece of the action too?" Bill frowned skeptically and shook his head. "No, no it's too dangerous" he muttered. "Best leave it to us." Ned looked disappointed but didn't give up. "Please?" he pleased, folding his hands prayerfully. "I've always wanted to help with something like that." Bill stared at him for a long minute, before finally relenting. "Fine" he said tersely. "The more people we've got the better. Just be sure to do everything I say. Understand?" Ned took off his apron and coming around the counter, smiled. "Thanks Bill" he beamed. "I promise I will."
Nathan swirled the remaining contents of his coffee around in the bottom of the cup and starred down at the white tablecloth, lost in thought. He didn't really feel like eating this morning. He had all but lost his appetite during the days before the dance, and now that it was over, his hunger did not return. With a sigh, he put the cup down and stood up stiffly from his place. It was about time he started rounds. Newton would be restless in his stall. As he picked up his campaign hat from the table however, Kurt Lawson burst through the door of the café. "Nathan!" he cried. "It's Walden and Spurlock! They just left town to collect a debt. Bill wants you at the livery pronto!" Nathan's eyes widened, and he glanced at Clara, who was standing in the doorway of the kitchen. She eyed Nathan anxiously. "Nathan…" she breathed. Nathan held his hand up to reassure her. "It's ok Clara" he soothed. "Everything is going to alright." Clara clutched at her throat and shook her head. "Jesse told me all about it" she informed him. "Please Nathan! Bring him home safely to me!" Nathan nodded in a wordlessly promise and headed out the door after Kurt. Watching them go, Clara held a hand over her mouth and disappeared into the kitchen again, a tear rolling down her face.
Nathan was surprised by the size of the group that Bill had put together: Hickam, Lee, Ned, Jesse as well at Kurt Lawson. All of them looked expectantly at Nathan as he pulled on his gloves. "Gentlemen" he greeted them. "Thank you for the help. So, Bill, would you mind explaining to everyone what the plan is?" Bill laid out a map on the ground and grabbed a pike from on of the horse stalls to act as a pointer. "Walden and Spurlock are on their way visit the homestead of one of their debtors in Lyndall Woods. It's an old, abandoned cabin, but they aren't aware of that. While they close in on this fellow who owes them, we'll be closing in on them. All of you" he pointed a finger at each of his listeners, "will be acting as eye-witnesses. We may also need your help with the arrest if things get out of hand. Now, Nathan and I will act as a distraction for all of you to get in to place. We'll confront Walden and Spurlock, since they think no one at headquarters will listen to the two of us. We might get them to talk." Nathan raised his hand. "Let me just interject for a second" he said coolly. "Bill, the rest of the men need you to direct them where to be and what to do. I'll confront Spurlock and Walden. They'll think I'm attempting an arrest on my own." Bill looked doubtful until Jesse raised his hand. "I'll go with you Nathan" he volunteered. "Walden hates me. Spurlock hates you. Maybe the two of us can get them both to talk." Nathan looked skeptical and was about to decline, before Bill stepped in. "That's great Jesse" he accepted graciously. "Thank you for your courage." He patted Nathan on the shoulder and murmured in a low voice, "I don't want you facing them alone. It's too risky." Nathan finally agreed, though reluctantly. He hated involving civilians in his work, but this time, it was necessary.
Using whatever horses they had, and procuring a wagon when there weren't enough to go around, the group made their way out of town and deep into the darkened forest. A drizzling mist began to dampen their skin and clothes as they passed through the tall evergreens and oaks. Nathan fidgeted with Newton's reins in his hands thoughtfully. He would be late on his rounds, he knew. He had been late before. But still, what if something happened to Dani during that delay? What if he wasn't there on time to pick up Allie from school and make her dinner? What if… Nathan pushed the thoughts away and closed his eyes. He needed to focus on the mission at hand. He couldn't entertain the possibility of something happening to the ones he loved. It would only distract him from doing his duty as a Mountie and as a citizen of Hope Valley. When he opened his eyes again, he found Lee, who rode beside him, staring at him anxiously. "Nathan?" he asked. "You okay?" Nathan nodded and secured his hat and gloves to the saddle. "I'm fine" he murmured. "Let's just get this over with."
Seeing the cabin in the distance, Nathan dismounted, and Jesse got out of the wagon, both of them going on ahead, alone. Jesse eyed Nathan, who strode resolutely toward it, his head held high. "I don't know why, but I'm nervous Nathan" he said, his voice trembling. "Is that normal?" Nathan nodded, his jaw clenched. "Just follow my lead" he reassured him. "Everything's going to be fine." As they walked up to the property, Nathan could see Spurlock and Walden questioning the owner, who seemed to be cowering from their imposing forms. "I can't pay yet" he pleaded. "Just give me another two days, that's all I need!" Walden rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That's what you said last time" he mused in his self-assured way. "And I can't run a business when I'm bleeding money. What do you spend it on? Drinking money?" The man was almost in tears. "Please" he begged. "I'm trying to start a new life for me and my wife. We lost everything before we came here. Just give us another chance!" With a sneer, Spurlock stepped forward. "Your chances are up I'm afraid" he growled. "Give us the deed to your land, or we'll make sure you lose everything again." "I can't give you the deed!" the man cried. "It's everything I've worked for!" With the back of his hand, Spurlock gave the man a cuff that sent him sprawling. "The deed!" he hissed. Finally close enough, Nathan and Jesse stepped forward. "That's enough!" Nathan shouted. "Let him be Agent Spurlock." Spurlock and Walden turned around sharply, and a smile came over Spurlock's face. "Well, well, well…" he laughed. "The Mountie finally shows up. Oh, and look! You brought a friend. An eye witness I suppose?" Jesse seethed. "I should have known you were breaking everyone's backs along with their purses Walden!" he shouted. "You're gonna rot in prison!" Walden smirked at Jesse's outburst. "Jesse Flynn…" he commented. "The rioter… Some might say you should be the one in prison for disturbing the peace." Nathan frowned. "From what I can see, you're the one disturbing the peace" he shot back. "You're also trespassing on private property and committing acts of violence, so I suggest you stand down now before things get worse for you than they already are." Spurlock reached down to his belt and slowly flashed a handgun in their view, as the two other Pinkertons took a step away from the car and stood beside him. "Leave Mountie" he growled. "Or you won't be leaving here alive." "You can't intimidate me Julius" Nathan said steadily. "I'm here to tell you to leave my town. Because if you don't, I'll make sure that you do, even if it's in handcuffs."
Even as he was talking, Nathan had spied Bill and Ned to his right, Hickam, and Kurt to his left. Nonetheless, he kept his eyes firmly on Spurlock so as not to give away their position. Jesse however, who was not a trained Mountie, allowed his eyes to wander to where Hickam and Kurt were hiding, alerting Walden to the fact that they weren't alone. "Julius!" he shouted, glancing around frantically. "It's a trap!" Spurlock caught his breath but didn't take his gaze off of the two in front of him. Glaring at both of them agitatedly, he trained the gun in their direction, his hand on the trigger. Nathan saw Spurlock turning the gun towards them and grabbed Jesse by the coat. "Get down!" he shouted, as several shots rang out loudly. Bill was the first to rush forward, musket in hand. He swung the butt of the gun and with a cracking blow to the back of the brawny Pinkerton's head, sending him to the ground in a heap. Lee and Hickam jumped forward in the same movement and tackled the other two, knocking the bulky rifles out of their hands. Kurt Lawson and Ned rushed into the cabin to find Walden, who had fled the scene. Brushing himself off, Nathan jumped to his feet and helped Jesse up out of the dirt. "Is everybody alright?" he called loudly, hoping his voice would reach those in the cabin. "We're fine in here Nathan!" Ned called gleefully, coming to the door, and dragging Walden after him, his face jubilant. "I can see why you like doing this so much!" Nathan let out a faint sigh of relief and nodded, amused. He then turned back to Jesse, who was staring at him, visibly shaken. "How about you Jesse?" he asked. "That was pretty close there." There was a strange look on Jesse's face, as if something were scaring him, and the question only seemed to startle him more. Nathan figured he was probably still in shock. "Yeah" Jesse murmured blankly. "I'm fine." Jesse cast a helpless glance at Bill, who was also eying Nathan tensely. "Nathan!" he yelled anxiously, taking a few steps closer. Nathan frowned faintly for a second, then followed Bill's piercing gaze down to his red surge and suddenly understood. There was an expanding patch of blood on the left side just above his belt. One of the bullets had hit its mark. It was the sight of it more than the pain that made Nathan's legs give out under him.
When he regained consciousness again, he was lying in the flatbed of the wagon, which had been covered by blankets. His own red surge had been rolled up and placed under his head as a pillow. Bill was kneeling next to him, pressing a clean rag against the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. "He's not going to make it to Hope Valley" he was saying. "Better try one of those hunting cabins down the road." Kurt Lawson, who held the reigns, gave them a quick snap, and the wagon jolted sharply. Then Bill's voice sounded again above the rattle of the wagon. "Jesse!" he shouted. "Ride back to town and find Faith! Get her here as fast as you can." Even from where he lay, Nathan could see that Jesse's face was white and terrified as he swung his mount around in the direction of Hope Valley. Lee, who sat in the saddle on the other side of the wagon, eyed Bill worriedly. "Mike and Ned are taking the prisoners into town" he reported. "Ned said that he and Florence are going to look after Allie. What can I do?" Before Bill could answer, Nathan raised himself on his elbow with all the strength he had left. "Lee" he said, gasping momentarily as the pain suddenly shot through him. "Find Dani… Check on her for me, please… If you see her, tell her why I didn't come…" Bill looked up at Lee and nodded in agreement. Lee eyed Nathan somberly and was off like a shot. As soon as Lee was out of sight, Nathan fell back again with an agonized groan of pain, his vision starting to darken. "Easy Nathan…" Bill's voice reassured him. "Lie still. We're almost there. Just stay with me."
By the time Jesse arrived with Faith, Bill and Kurt Lawson had found a hunting cabin and moved Nathan to one of the two bedrooms where Bill had dressed the wound as best he could. Faith eyed Bill tensely as he greeted her at the door. "Please give me some good news Bill" she breathed, peeling off her brown coat and replacing it with her white one. Bill took the brown coat from her seriously. "We stopped the bleeding for now" he reported. "And he's conscious. But the wound is deep, and the bullet is still in him. You're going to need to operate as soon as possible." Jesse's face was still pale as he came through the door. "It's my fault" he mourned, "As usual! I shouldn't have given us away like that." Kurt shook his head. "You weren't the one who fired the gun Jesse" he murmured. "It could have been any of us." Jesse's eyes were still big and dark in his white face as he eyed Bill intently. "Is Nathan going to die?" he asked. The question seemed to startle everyone in the room, even though it was what they had all been wondering. Bill let out a sigh and shook his head grimly. "He's strong" he said, unconvincingly. "He'll pull through." He realized that Jesse was still in shock and made him sit down on one of the wooden benches that lined either side of the room. Kurt quickly followed suit. Faith looked at their downcast expressions and bit her lip. "I'll see him now" she murmured. "If I need anything Bill, I'll call you." Bill looked up and nodded soberly as he laid a hand on Jesse's slumped shoulders.
Allie was surprised when Uncle Nathan didn't come to pick her up from school. Instead, Ned Yost walked up to the schoolhouse, glancing apologetically at Minnie, who was still substituting until the district sent another substitute teacher to fill in for Elizabeth while she was away. Minnie frowned, slightly confused upon seeing Ned, knowing full well that Florence taught Paul jr. herself. "Ned?" she asked, bewildered. "What are you doing here?" Ned sighed and looked at Allie, who was also eying him curiously. "I'm here to pick up Allie" he said slowly. Allie tilted her head to one side. "Why?" she asked. "Where's Uncle Nathan?" Ned swallowed tensely and laid a hand on Allie's shoulder. "Allie, there was… an accident" he said slowly. "Your uncle was hurt. Dr. Carter is taking care of him now. You're going to spend the night with Mrs. Yost and me." Allie's eyes grew big as the reality of hit her. "It he going to be okay?" she asked, her voice small and shaky. Ned shook his head. "I don't know" he said. "But he has Faith and Bill to look after him." Minnie's face was horrified by the news when Ned looked up. "Ned…" she breathed anxiously. "Is there anything Joseph and I can do?" Ned shrugged wearily. "Just do what you two do best" he sighed. "Could you pray for him?" Minnie nodded. "Of course," she said, patting Allie on the back reassuringly. "It's gonna be okay baby" she said. "God's watching over your uncle." Allie, who had been in shock until this moment, suddenly broke down in tears. "Uncle Nathan can't die!" she cried. "He's all I've got. What would I do without him?" Ned put his arms around Allie and caressed her hair as if he were comforting his own little girl again. "Shh… Allie" he soothed. "Your uncle loves you, and he's going to fight through this." Allie sobbed inconsolably, her whole body shaking. "But he promised he would never leave me" she gasped. "What if God takes him away like He took my mom?" Minnie bit her lip. "God always does what's best for us baby" she said softly. "You have to trust Him." A that moment, Robert Wolfe, who happened to be walking by with a mail delivery, saw Allie crying and rushed to her side. "Allie!" he cried, pulling her close to him in a comforting embrace. Instinctively, he rested his chin against her head. "Hey…" he soothed. "It's going to be alright. Whatever it is, it's going to be alright. I'm here." Allie found some comfort in Robert's gesture, and nestled her head against his shoulder, weeping softly.
Like Bill had said, Nathan was conscious when Faith entered the room, though in considerable pain. A makeshift bandage was wrapped tightly around his midriff, and his face was damp and pale. He managed a weak smile however, when he saw her at the door. Faith shut it slowly behind her, then turned towards Nathan, her face white. "Nathan, I can't do this!" she whispered "I've never done surgery without Carson before. What if I do something wrong, and…" She paused, frightened, before continuing. "What if I can't save you?" Nathan took in a short breath. "I'm not going to die Faith" he assured her. Faith shrugged helplessly. "You don't know that!" she exclaimed. "What if I make a mistake?" Nathan let out a chesty breath and shut his eyes. "Look… We both knew this was going to happen sooner or later" he said faintly. "We just didn't know we'd both be here when it did." Faith shook her head. "No, we didn't" she murmured, her lower lip trembling slightly. She walked over to Nathan's bedside and sank down into the chair Bill had set there. "So many things could go wrong" she told him in a low voice. "The wound is very deep… and you've already lost a lot of blood. And even if the surgery if successful, infection might set in…" "Faith" Nathan cut her off. "I know you can do it. We'll get through this thing together, okay.? I trust you…" Faith stood up slowly with a look of resolve and buttoned up her white coat. "Whatever happens…" she breathed shakily. "Just know that I did my best." Nathan nodded, wincing. "I know" he whispered. "I know…" As Faith left the room for a moment to wash her hands, Nathan was left alone with his thoughts. He couldn't stop thinking about Dani or Allie. Their faces came to him like a dream. What if he died? Who would take care of them? He couldn't bear the thought of his child or the woman that he loved being left alone and unprotected. He closed his eyes, a solitary tear running down his face. "Please Jack" he murmured, almost inaudibly. Somehow praying to Jack was the only thing he could think to do. "Watch over me… You left behind a wife and child when you died, so you understand… Please let me live Jack… for Allie and Dani. But if I don't make it, please send someone to watch over them. I did my best to protect Elizabeth and Jack… Please don't leave my Allie or my Dani alone… Please Jack…"
Dani was in the middle of sweeping the kitchen floor when she heard a horse approaching outside. She quickly rushed to the mirror in the front entryway and, after some quick adjustments to her flowing brown hair, hurried barefoot out the front door to meet Nathan. As she looked out to the road however, she realized the rider was not Nathan. There was no red serge. No Newton. Disappointed, she went out to the front gate anyway and was surprised to find that it was Lee in the saddle instead. "Lee!" she called with a breathless smile. "I haven't seen you all the way out here for a long time. Won't you come inside? It looks like rain, and I have tea on the stove." But Lee didn't smile. His face was drawn and grave. "Danielle" he said slowly, and opened his mouth to say more, but couldn't. Dani's smile slowly faded. A strange, sinking feeling of dread suddenly came over her as she stared up at him in the saddle. Why did he look at her like that? Her hands started shaking slightly, and her mouth went completely dry. She swallowed hard and took a step closer as Lee dismounted. "Lee" she said urgently, almost in a whisper. "What's wrong?" Lee came closer and saw the masked terror in Dani's eyes. "Dani" he murmured gently, not realizing that he had reverted to her short name. "I came as quickly as I could to find you." Dani's breathing quickened with growing anxiety as she looked at Lee's face and saw nothing but pure compassion. Compassion for what? She clasped her hands together to keep them from trembling so uncontrollably. "Lee" she breathed, her voice trembling. "Where is Nathan?" The question startled Lee, but also seemed to loosen his tongue. "There was a mishap earlier today" he said gravely. "Some of us were working together to make an arrest, and one of the offenders fired some shots." Lee paused momentarily before breaking the news. "Nathan was injured" he finally managed to say. "Bill says it's bad. Really bad. They're doing everything they can."
For a moment, the world stood completely still, and Dani felt is if she were staring into a deep, black nothingness. Nathan was hurt, possibly dying. Her whole world suddenly seemed as if it were crashing down before her. A shaky gasp escaped her. "Oh no!" she cried in a low whisper. "Please no!" Lee reached out sympathetically and laid a hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry" he said softly. "I'm sure Faith is with him by now. He couldn't be in better hands…" Dani stared at the ground for a long moment before she finally laid a shaky hand over Lee's and looked up with tear-filled but determined eyes. "Lee please" she begged. "Take me to him. I need to see him. I need to be with him." Lee shook his head doubtfully. "Dani, I don't know if that's a good idea" he warned. "What if we're too late?" A tear ran down Dani's cheek as her eyes pleaded with Lee. "At least we'll know we tried" she answered. "Please Lee… I need to see him again. I'll regret it forever if I don't." Lee nodded finally and helped Dani into the saddle before climbing up behind her. "We took him to one of the cabins in Lyndall Wood" he said. "Everyone's waiting for us there."
Faith's face was drawn and tired as she slipped out of the bedroom, her head down. Everyone stood up in anticipation. "How is he?" Bill asked, a little less gruffly than usual. Faith shook her head dimly as Kurt helped her to a chair. "The surgery was successful, but he's extremely weak" she murmured. "He lost dangerous quantities of blood. To be perfectly honest, he's lucky to have survived the operation." Bill's face fell, and he laid down the pot of coffee he had been holding. All the eyes in the room fell on him in expectation. "Is he going to make it?" he asked seriously. Faith sighed. "Nathan's a fighter" she said. "He doesn't give up easily. If he can hold out till morning, he has a good chance." Bill and the others nodded. "I'll be staying here tonight then" he said. "Me too" chimed in Jesse. "Kurt, can you tell Clara where I am?" Kurt Lawson nodded. Faith managed a brave smile. "I guess that makes three of us then" she said tiredly. "Any sign Lee or Dani yet?" Bill shook his head. "None" he said shortly. Faith nodded, her lips pursed together. Jesse saw the look and once again, panic filled his eyes. "I hope they get here in time" he murmured. Bill threw him a withered looked. "Don't we all?" he muttered a little savagely. Bill was getting tired of hearing Jesse state the obvious. He poured some coffee into a tin cup and handed it to Faith. "Here" he murmured, more softly. "Sit and rest for a little while. I'll sit with him." Faith took the mug gratefully in her cupped hands. "Thank you, Bill," she said, smiling faintly. Bill nodded and smiled back before disappearing into the bedroom and shutting the door.
The steady drum of rain thundered down on the tin roof as the Yost's and Allie sat listlessly in their living room, their faces all drawn with worry. Florence eyed Allie, who was sitting on the edge of the ottoman, her face blank and her head sagging. "Allie…" she murmured softly. "Come sit by me." Allie obeyed mechanically but buried her face in Florence's shoulder and began to weep again, her shoulders shaking. "Shh… Honey" Florence soothed, wrapping an arm around her as Ned and Paul looked on sadly. "It's alright." Ned, who was sitting beside Florence on the sofa, patted Allie reassuringly on the back. "Your uncle has good people taking care of him" he reassured her. "And they're going to do everything they can to help him." Allie nodded from the folds of Florence's knitted shawl, but her muffled sobs continued to penetrate the silence. At last, after a long pause, Paul Jr. slowly stood up and reached for her hand. "Say, Allie…" he murmured softly, taking it in his. "Back before you came to Hope Valley, there was a big explosion, and my dad got trapped in the mine. Mom and I had to wait for a long time before we found out what happened to him. But I remember that the only thing that helped us get through it was praying together. It sort of made things seem a little less dark, you know?" Allie lifted her tear-stained face to meet Paul's, and through a shaky sob, nodded earnestly. "Can we pray for Uncle Nathan?" she asked, a little hoarsely. Florence and Ned looked at each other and nodded. "Yes!" they both agreed at once. They held their hands out to both children, and when a little circle hand been formed, everyone closed their eyes. As the storm raged outside, a little moment of peace filled the house as the four of them fervently begged God to watch over their Constable.
It was dark and still pouring rain outside when Lee and Dani finally arrived. Damp from the rainfall, both of them were greeted with blankets and towels from Jesse and Bill. Bill handed one to Dani and eyeing her worriedly, lowered his voice. "How are you holding up?" he asked. Dani pursed her lips together to hold back whatever she was feeling and looked up at Bill seriously. "I need to see him Bill" she murmured determinedly. "Please…" Lee nodded to Bill, and the three of them wordlessly made their way to where he was lying. Nathan looked as pale as death when Dani entered the room. She felt her heart stop momentarily as she saw the whiteness of his face and the rapidness of his breathing. The sight terrified her, but also drew her to his side, where she sank down on her knees beside the bed. She slipped her hand into his, even though his remained limp. "Nathan" she whispered in his ear. Why did her voice seem so hollow and empty? "Nathan, it's me, Dani. I'm going to stay right here with you, okay?" Her eyes brimmed over with tears and her voice broke. "I'm not going to leave until you're better." She glanced up at Bill and Lee worriedly. "Why does he feel so cold?" she asked softly. Bill, who had taken the seat next to the bed, shook his head gravely and laid a hand on her shoulder. "He lost a lot of blood Dani" he said gently. "The body does strange things when it goes into shock." Dani looked back at Nathan, taking a deep breath. "Is he dying?" she finally managed to ask, though her voice was shaky. Bill bowed his head with a sober sigh. "We don't know" he confessed. "It's too soon to say." Dani nodded and pulling a little blue handkerchief from her apron pocket, began wiping away the glistening perspiration on Nathan's pale face. "I'm not going to let you die Nathan Grant" she whispered in his ear. "You can't die…" Lee and Bill exchanged meaningful glances before Bill motioned to Lee that it was alright. Lee nodded, and slipped out of the sick room, leaving Bill and Dani alone with Nathan. Bill watched Dani for a little while before letting out a heavy sigh. "You know Dani" he murmured. "When Kurt and I were moving Nathan here, he just kept talking about you and Allie. You've been very kind to him, and I'm grateful for that. He hasn't been given a lot of kindness in his life." Dani's hand dropped, and she shook her head sorrowfully. "It wasn't enough Bill…" she whispered. "Whatever I did, it wasn't enough…" She looked up at Bill, a few stray tears still streaming down her striking face. "It's so hard… seeing him suffer like this… It's just so hard!" Wordlessly and in a single movement, Bill put an arm around Dani as she rested her head against his knee, the tears continuing to run down her face. "I know…" Bill murmured tenderly, laying his hand on her head as they both watched over Nathan anxiously. "It hurts to see anyone we love suffer." Dani didn't answer, but a quick nod of her head told Bill that she agreed.
The downpour was torrential by the time Kurt reached the café. It was dark, lit only by a dim light inside when he burst through the door for the second time that day. He was relieved to find Clara still awake and sitting up with Fiona. Both of them stood up worried. "Oh Kurt!" Clara cried. Fiona put an arm around her. "Where's Jesse?" she asked. "Is he alright?" Kurt nodded. "He's fine" he murmured quietly, holding his dripping hat. Clara sighed with relief while Fiona inquired after Mike. "Mike is fine too" Kurt informed them. "They're both fine. But they won't coming home tonight. Their at a cabin in Lyndall Woods." Fiona stared into Kurt's face searchingly. "Kurt.." she breathed. "Did something happen?" Kurt swallowed, not knowing how to tell them. "It's Nathan" he murmured finally. "He's badly hurt. Faith is with him, but… It's not looking good." Horror came over both of their faces as Clara and Fiona took in the information. "Oh no, Kurt…" Fiona murmured sadly. "You can't be serious… Is there anything we can do?" Before he could answer, Clara became resolute. "We'll bring everyone some food. Sandwiches, pies… Anything we can carry. Also, coffee, and plenty of it! They're going to need it if they plan on staying up the whole night."
Jesse opened the door of the sick room and eyed Dani worriedly. She was still kneeling next to the bed, still holding his hand, just as she had been hours ago. Jesse's heart broke for her. "Dani" he called softly. "Clara and Fiona just arrived with some food. Would you like me to sit here for a bit so you can eat?" Dani looked up at him and managed a sad smile. "I'm alright" she assured him. "But thank you Jesse. It's very kind of you." Jesse nodded and shut the door behind him. For a little while, sounds of the voices outside filled the room as everyone partook of the food that Clara and Fiona had provided. Later into the night however, the house grew quiet as everyone drifted off to sleep wherever they could. Only Dani remained awake to stay with Nathan. His face had lost all its color and the faint gleam of sweat on his face shown in the candlelight. Apart from the quick breaths, he lay perfectly still, almost as if he were dead. Taking a firmer hold of his cold hand, she held it closer to her heart and drew in a deep breath. "It's so quiet…" she murmured, imagining that he could hear her somehow. "You're so quiet. You know, some people might say that it would be very fitting… For you to leave this world as quietly as you lived in it. But Nathan, you have no idea what I'd give to hear your voice again… Even one last time…" A few tears rolled down her face as she reached out and gently ran her fingers through his thick, dark hair. She let out a faint little sigh and gazed into his pale face intently. "Do you remember the other night when you walked me back home from the dance?" she asked softly. "What you said to me… That you love me? It's been on my mind ever since. After you left that night, I realized something about myself… And you. Every day, whenever I have to choose between my own way and the needs others, I always ask myself 'what would Nathan do if he were here?' Nathan, you are the most unselfish person I know. And you aren't just a part of my life. You're a part of who I am… who I've become. I was going to tell you that during your rounds today…" A mist of hot tears burned in her eyes and began to run down her face. But she went on. "I should have said it sooner" she murmured tearfully. "I should never have let you go without telling you what was in my heart." She lifted her hand and rested it gently against his cheek. "Please Nathan" she begged, tears streaming more rapidly down her face. "I need you to fight through this. I can't let you go. It's too soon. There are so many things I still need to tell you. So many things you never got to hear. I don't want you to go… Please, don't go…" Dani's voice broke off into sobs as she cried against Nathan's shoulder.
Bill and Faith found Dani kneeling against the bed, her head resting peacefully against Nathan's shoulder as she slept. Nathan's head had somehow come to rest against hers at some point during the early morning hours. Faith couldn't help but smile to herself, they both looked so peaceful and sweet there together. She moved to the other side of the bed and took Nathan's wrist. "His pulse has slowed a little" she said. "And he's still breathing. That's something. But his hands are cold. Have Clara bring me another blanket please" Bill obeyed wordlessly, eyeing Dani as he did. She looked peaceful enough, but he knew better. He had heard her crying herself to sleep last night. "I think Dani needs to rest" he said, spreading the blanket Clara brought him over Nathan. Faith nodded. "That would probably be best" she agreed. "There's an empty bed in the next room." Bill knelt down beside Dani and shook her gently. "Dani…" he murmured, in an effort not to startle her. She stirred but was so exhausted that he decided not to rouse her. Instead, he wrapped her limp arm around his neck and lifted her from her place on the floor. She stirred again, this time allowing her head to rest against Bill's shoulder. Faith smiled at the sight. "She's been so brave" she said, draping a warm blanket over her as Bill carried her toward the door. Bill shook his head disbelievingly. "She had a rough night" he murmured. Faith saw a pained look pass over Bill's face and smiled compassionately. "We all did" she said, touching his cheek with her hand. Somehow, she understood how Bill was feeling. Bill nodded and smiled as best he could before to leaving the room to put Dani to bed in the next room.
Faith smiled sadly and closed the door a little more to block out the sound of everyone eating their breakfast right outside. She had grabbed her cup of coffee and was about to hold it to her lips for a sip when she suddenly saw Nathan's eyes flutter and his body stir lightly. "Dani…?" he whispered almost inaudibly. Faith unconsciously dropped the cup in her hand and rushed to Nathan's side. "Nathan… Nathan! Can you hear me?" she asked breathlessly, while laying a hand on his shoulder. "Nathan, I need you to wake up." At that moment, Lee, who had heard the noise of Faith's forgotten teacup, stepped into the room. "What's the matter?" he asked tensely, seeing the look on Faith's face. Faith looked up quickly before giving Nathan a shake. "He opened his eyes Lee" she explained hopefully. "He's trying to wake up." Lee quickly moved over to one side of the bed and laid a hand on Nathan's shoulder, shaking him. "Come on Nathan" he murmured. "Come on! Don't give up. Open your eyes." After a few agonizing minutes of breathless anticipation, Nathan's eyes finally opened, and he looked up hazily at Lee and Faith. He smiled faintly upon seeing both of them, then turned to Faith. "Thank you…" he murmured. Faith smiled and began to cry out of pure relief, her shoulders shaking. Lee put an arm around her and looked down at Nathan, smiling. "I'm glad you're awake" he said warmly. Nathan smiled softly but was still too weak to say anything else. Lee took comfort in the smile though and nodded reassuringly. "You're gonna be alright" he murmured, a hint of emotion in his voice. "Everything's going to be alright now."
Faith was able to keep Nathan awake long enough to drink some willow root tea that Fiona had made for him. Lee propped him up gently while Faith held the cup to his lips. "Try and drink it Nathan" she urged softly. "It'll help with the pain." Nathan was able to swallow a few sips before his lips closed again. Faith smiled down at him, pleased. "That's good" she whispered, setting the cup down and covering him with several blankets as Lee eased him back against the pillows. "Try and rest now… You'll feel better when you wake up. You're going to be alright." Nathan managed a faint smile before he drifted off. He was still very tired and weak, but Faith was not surprised. "His blood pressure is still very low" she informed Lee and Bill as she covered him with another blanket. "It will take time for him to get his strength back. The best thing we can do for right now is to keep him warm and to let him rest." No one had the heart to wake Dani, knowing that she had stayed up almost the entire night, and that Nathan would be more responsive after resting for a little while. The house was quiet, and it was midafternoon when Dani finally did awaken. Faith was dozing in an armchair near the fire, while everyone else had gone for a walk in the woods for a breath of fresh air. Only Bill had stayed behind to watch over Nathan. He looked up when she peeked her head into the room and got out of his chair. Dani opened her mouth to ask if there had been any change when a faint voice called her from the bed. "Dani?" Dani's jaw dropped when she saw Nathan, awake and smiling up at her. "Nathan!" she cried, rushing to his side, her breath coming in sobs. She fell down on her knees beside his bed and took a gentle hold of his shoulders. "Oh Nathan!" she gasped, smiling through a rush of tears. "You have no idea how happy I am!" Nathan smiled and gave a soft laugh. "I think I do…" he murmured mirthfully, before adding. "I'm so glad you're here Dani." Dani smiled tearfully and cupped his face in her hands. "And I'm not going anywhere" she reassured him with a shake of her head. "Never again." Bill smiled to himself as he saw their foreheads touch. There was no doubt in his mind about these two. He had sensed it since the day they had both walked into the judge's office together. They were a special pair.