They watched over Larabee while the night gave way to daybreak and the rain finally stopped. The sun shone through the partially open drapes, framing Larabee's face in a golden glow that made his skin even paler than it had appeared earlier. Vin sat with his feet on the edge of his bed, a position he'd taken up at dawn when he'd relieved Nathan so the healer could get some rest. He'd heard the gambler leave at daybreak and had watched through the window until he disappeared over the ridge.
Larabee was propped up on several pillows and during the early hours he'd changed the cooled stones with warm ones from the stones. The sick man hadn't moved, and the heavy wheeze worried the tracker. He opened his eyes and looked toward the door when he heard Nettie's voice.
"Breakfast is ready, Mr. Tanner."
"I'll eat after yer done," the Texan told her.
"I already ate. Now ya'd best get out there before the others eat it all. I'll sit with Mr. Larabee," the elderly woman assured him and placed a tray of supplies on the dresser.
"Guess I could use a bite ta eat."
Nettie watched the young man as he walked out of the room. She'd known from their first meeting that these two men were as close as brothers and would do anything for each other. She walked to the window and drew back the faded curtains to allow the sunshine to brighten the room. A sound from the bed alerted her to the fact that the sick blond was waking up. Moving back to the bed she smiled as a pair of green eyes looked up at her from under half-mast lids.
"Good morning, Mr. Larabee."
Chris swallowed and groaned as the move reawakened the dormant pain in his throat. He was no longer cold and tried to push back the blankets, but stopped when he realized he was no longer alone. His eyes refused to focus completely, but he could see the woman standing beside his bed.
"Here try this," Nettie ordered and held the cup of warm tea and honey to the man's dry lips. She saw him frown and grimace and knew his throat was probably sore.
Chris took small sips and turned away when the torment caused his throat to feel like molten lava. He closed his eyes and heard the woman call for someone, but couldn't make out the name. It wasn't long before he felt someone sit on the bed and again he forced his eyes open.
"Morning, Chris, how're you feeling?" Jackson asked.
"Hot…throat hurts," the blond managed swallowing around what felt liked crushed glass.
"Let me take a look," Jackson ordered and looked into the blond's open mouth. His throat was raw and Nathan immediately sympathized with the ailing man as he felt the fevered brow.
"Is there something I can do, Mr. Jackson?" Nettie Wells asked.
"No, Ma'am, lessen ya got some lemon. Might help his throat some."
"I'm afraid I don't have any lemon. I was trying to get him to drink the tea and honey," the woman told him.
"Chris, think you could drink a little more?" the healer asked and was rewarded when Larabee opened his mouth and drank several small sips before turning away.
"Abby okay?" Larabee asked, seeking out the woman's form once more.
"I'm fine, Chris," Nettie assured him when she realized he was still not totally with them.
"Keep safe…tired…"
"Yes, I'm sure you are. You go ahead and sleep and I'll see if I got the fixin's for a pot of chicken soup."
"S…sounds g…good Abby," the blond said and dropped into a restless sleep once more.
"Nathan, is he going to be all right?" Tanner asked.
"Don't rightly know, Vin. He's weak and right now his lungs sound bad because of the mucus. We need to get them clear so he can breathe easier. Mrs. Wells, would you mind if I mixed up some herbs?"
"You do whatever you need to, Mr. Jackson. My home is yours and everything in it is at your disposal," the woman assured him. "Now why don't you boys go finish eating? I'm gonna stay here and make sure he's okay."
"Thanks, Mrs. Wells. Vin, come on," Jackson ordered.
Nettie Wells watched the sleeping man and wondered why so many bad things seemed to befall him. In the short time since the seven men had become Peacekeepers in Four corners he'd been hurt several times. Twice so badly that he'd wound up a patient in Nathan's clinic for several weeks. She reached for the cloth in the basin and gently eased it over his fevered face as she silently prayed that God would allow Chris Larabee to keep doing the work he did. She heard him call out for his wife and understood how much her loss affected him.
"Someday you'll see them again, Mr. Larabee," she said and continued to ease the cloth over the pale face.
Ezra rode into Four Corners and spotted JD sitting in front of the jail. The sun was high overhead and the heat was oppressive. The dust billowed up from the horse's hooves as if the rain had never been. The gambler stopped at the livery and was greeted by the owner.
"Mornin', Mr. Standish. The usual?"
"Of course," Standish said and relinquished the reigns before hurrying toward the jail. Josiah and JD were both present and he nodded toward Mrs. Potter as he passed her store.
"Ezra, where's everyone?" Dunne asked.
"They are safely ensconced at Mrs. Wells home. We were fortunate enough to enjoy her hospitality during last night's tempest."
"Doesn't explain where Nathan and the other's are," Sanchez said.
"Yes, well Mr. Larabee had a relapse while riding home from Haven. The storm was already upon us and Mr. Jackson did not think it wise to continue."
"How is Chris?" Dunne asked worriedly.
"He's weak…extremely sick and Mr. Jackson needs you to bring him some of his supplies. I will remain in town in case there is trouble."
"Did he give you a list?" the ex-preacher asked.
"Yes, I have it here," Standish said and reached into the inside coat pocket. He passed the paper to Sanchez and looked into the jail. "Are there any miscreants I should know about?"
"No, the town's been pretty quiet. Had a bit of a ruckus the day you left, but nothing since then," Dunne said.
"Excellent," Standish said. "Mr. Sanchez, do you need my help to gather those supplies?"
"No, JD and I can handle this," the older man answered.
"Very well, in that case I shall endeavor to search out some nourishment before getting a bath," Standish explained.
"All right, Ez, we'll let you know when we're ready to leave," Sanchez assured him and slapped the youngest peacekeeper on the back. "Well, Son, looks like we're on a mission."
Buck used his finger and thumb to rub at the bridge of his nose and wished there was something else he could do for his long time friend. Chris Larabee was fighting the fever that raged through his mind and body, and Wilmington knew Jackson was extremely worried. The blond didn't seem to know where he was half the time and the labored breathing told them his lungs were in rough shape. The only one who seemed to be able to get the sick man to drink the broths and teas was Nettie Wells and that was only because Larabee thought she was Abigail Newman. Vin had gone hunting in hopes of catching some fresh game in an effort to replenish some of the things they were using belonging to Nettie Wells. Nathan was sitting outside, getting some air and much needed rest. Nettie and Casey were busy in the kitchen and Buck's mouth watered as the aroma of fresh baked pies reached his nostrils. Larabee's hoarse cries broke through his thoughts and he reached for his friend as his body began to shake.
"B…Burke…bastard…no…don't h…hurt her…"
"Easy, Ol' Son, I don't know the demons you're fighting, but I'm here, Chris and I'd help if I could," Wilmington vowed.
"Abby…Abby, where…where are you?" Larabee's eyes widened and a rasping wheeze escaped his throat as he tried to sit up, but failed miserably in the attempt as his flailing arms fought whatever demons his mind conjured up.
"Chris, look at me," the worried rogue ordered.
"Buck, what's wrong?" Jackson asked from the doorway.
"He's havin' one of his spurts again," Wilmington answered.
"Damn, sit him up!" Jackson said as Larabee began to gasp for air. Between them they managed to sit him forward and leaned him against Wilmington's chest as Jackson pointedly thumped on his back, just below his lungs.
Buck winced in sympathy as again and again Jackson repeated the thumping until the crud coating their friend's lungs loosened and he spit out the thick mucus. Buck didn't move in spite of his churning stomach as Jackson reached for the cloth in the pan of water.
"Okay, Buck, ease him back down," the healer ordered and placed another pillow behind Larabee.
"Chris, ya with us now?" Wilmington asked when Larabee's eyes opened and looked at him.
"Bu…Buck?"
"That's right, Pard, how are you feeling?"
"Fell like crap…back hurts."
"That's just where Nate beat it to hell and back, but it got that plug up. You sound like you're breathing better anyway," the gentle rogue explained.
"Chris, you've been sick…still are and your lungs are full of this crud. It's gonna take some time to get rid of it, but when Josiah and JD get here they'll have the herbs I need to mix up something for you to breathe in."
"A…Abby made it…she…she's gone?" Larabee asked, unsure if he'd dreamed the whole thing.
"Yes, she is, Chris, I'm sorry," Wilmington answered.
"She…she took care of m…me." The blond's breathing was harsh as he labored to take in enough air to satisfy his oxygen-starved lungs.
"Yes, she did and she'd never forgive us if we let anything happen to you," Jackson said. "I'm going to get you something to drink."
"O…okay," the blond said and closed his eyes.
"Hey, Pard, you need to stay awake until Nathan gets back. He'll be a mite pissed if you go to sleep after he's mixed one of his special teas."
"Horse p…piss, Buck," Larabee said, smiling thinly in an effort to relieve his friend's worries.
"Yeah, suppose you're right about that, but it'll do you good," Wilmington said worried when Larabee's eyes closed again. "Chris, did I tell you about the pretty saloon girl over in Eagle Bend?"
"D…don't th…think s…so…she a…after Vin?"
"Very funny, Pard, no she's not after Vin…or Ezra or you for that matter. The lady has class and she's waiting for me to…"
"P…pay h…her," Larabee wheezed and laughed and erupted in another round of coughing that left him gasping for air.
"Easy, Chris, you're scaring the hell out of me," Wilmington said when the attack finally subsided and his friend looked at him through glazed green eyes.
"Here, Chris," Jackson said and held the cup in front of the slack lips. He ignored the grimace of distaste and continued to hold the cup in place. "This'll help you breathe easier, Chris. Come on…or I'll have Buck tell you more of his tall tales."
"Oh, Pard, I know a lot of tall ladies…"
"Sh…up, Buck," Larabee said and finally drank the liquid. "Worse'n h…horse piss."
"Rider's coming in," Wilmington said.
"Probably Josiah and JD," Jackson said. "Chris, I'll be right back."
"J…just gonna sl…sleep, Nate," Larabee said and closed his eyes.
"Buck, I got a few things too get ready for him…you call me if he has any more problems come get me right away," Jackson ordered.
"I will," Wilmington assured him. He watched the sleeping man, smiled when he heard soft footsteps enter the room, and turned to see JD standing in the doorway. He could read this young man so easily and right now he understood that the easterner was looking at his mentor in a new light. JD seldom thought of Larabee as destructible, but right now there was no doubt that the man Dunne idolized was indeed human, complete with human maladies. "You coming in, Kid?"
"I…Buck, is Chris…is he okay?"
"J…JD?"
"Thought you were sleeping, Pard," Wilmington said.
"No…just didn't feel like talking," the blond answered. "JD, things okay in t…town?"
"Town's fine, Chris," Dunne answered and moved closer to the bed. "Everyone's been worried 'bout you."
"W…why?" Larabee asked, frowning at the youngest peacekeeper. It still surprised him that the people of Four Corners had changed their minds about having him and the others stay on and protect the town. They'd seemed only too glad to see the last of them when Marshall Bryce took over, but the man had been no match for Stuart James or Guy Royal. The two men had managed to have Bryce killed and were on the verge of burning the town to the ground, but Mary had gotten word out that Four Corners was in trouble. That was all The Seven needed to come back and protect the people and their possessions.
"Chris, when are you gonna realize the town's changed and it's got to do with what we've done. They know we do what we need to do in order to keep them safe from the likes of Guy Royal and Stuart James," Wilmington explained.
"T…thought w…we were the b…bad e…element," Larabee said.
"Maybe, but not anymore," Dunne assured him. "You should have seen them when they heard you got hurt in Haven, Chris. Yosemite just 'bout busted a gut when he found out and Mrs. Potter was ready to lead a charge herself."
"They care, Chris, and they know sometimes it takes guns to keep the law," Wilmington said.
"Amen to that," Sanchez said upon entering the room. "Nathan didn't lie when he said you looked like…"
"S…shit," Larabee supplied, with a weak grin.
"That's close enough. I do believe Haven should change the name of their town," the older man said.
"Wasn't the town, Josiah…was Burke and his men," the blond told them.
"Yeah, well the people of that damned town were ready to string ya up without a trial," Wilmington spat. "I'm bettin' Travis would have a thing or two to say about that."
"It's d…done, Buck," Larabee said.
"No it's not…not by a long shot. Look at you, Chris! Hell, you don't even have the strength to lift a glass of water and you're telling me it's done. I got a mind to…"
"Buck, stop!" the blond snapped tiredly. "Burke and his deputies are dead…that's the end of it."
"He's right, Buck, you try taking the law into your own hands and you're as bad as they are…"
"We are the law, Josiah!" Dunne said in defence of Wilmington.
"Not in Haven, we're n…not," Larabee said. "Judge h…hired us to do the j…job in F…Four Co…Damn…"
"Easy, Chris!" the gentle rogue said, kicking himself for bringing this up now. He lifted the blond forward as he struggled to catch his breath.
"Nathan, Chris needs you in here!" Dunne called and moved out of the way as the healer hurried into the room.
"Hold on, Chris!" Jackson snapped and once more thumped on the man's back. He knew the others understood what he was doing, but he hated hurting anyone and knew how hard this was on the sick man. It wasn't long before he heard Larabee take in a deep breath and he had Buck ease the blond back onto the pillows.
"T…thanks, N…Nate," Larabee whispered through his raw throat.
"Chris, I want you resting. Josiah, would you bring in the pot off Mrs. Well's stove. She knows which one I mean," Jackson asked. "Chris, I'm going to put a blanket over the top of you and I want you to breathe in the vapors…that'll help loosen that shit off your lungs."
Larabee simply nodded and closed his eyes tiredly. He heard the others moving around the room and talking in whispers, but didn't speak until Jackson sat on the edge of the bed.
"All right, Chris, breathe as deep as ya can," the healer said while the others arranged the makeshift tent over them. He watched as Larabee did what he asked and hoped the medicinal vapors would help ease the man's torment. It wasn't long before the green eyes closed and Nathan knew by his breathing that Larabee was sleeping and right now that was what his body and mind needed most.
TBC