Vin rode up to the Wells' house and smiled at the elderly woman seated on the front porch. The day had been long and hot and he'd been worried about the blond, but did not want to return empty handed. He dismounted and reached for the brace of rabbits he'd caught just before he'd given up for the night.
"Was wondering when you'd be getting' back," Nettie said when the Texan joined her on the porch.
"Slim pickin's out there taday. Think maybe that storm drove 'em all away. Caught these two just after the sun went down," Tanner told her.
"They'll make a fine stew…or would ya rather we cooked 'em over a fire?"
"Whatever ya choose," Tanner said and looked toward the open door.
"He's doin' better since they brought Nathan's supplies from town," Nettie answered the unspoken question. "Gimme the rabbits…I'll clean 'em while you check on Chris."
"Nah, I'll clean em…"
"I don't think so…you're so tired you're liable to cut you're fingers off. Hand 'em over…"
"I…"
"Don't sass your elders," the woman said with a grin and took the brace of rabbits from the younger man before pushing him into the house.
"Thank ya," Tanner said and before she realized what he was doing he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her before turning and walking into the house.
"Lord, if only I was a few years younger," Nettie said, chuckling softly before turning her attention to the rabbits.
Vin walked into the room to find Nathan Jackson tending to the sick blond. He stood watching for several minutes, amazed at the tenderness with which the healer washed the perspiration from Larabee's face and then used his hand to touch the pale forehead. Vin knew he was checking to see how bad the fever was and prayed they were bringing it down. Jackson looked as tired as Vin felt and he knew Nathan was not getting the rest he needed and probably wouldn't until Chris was back on his feet.
"Nathan, you should get some rest."
"When did you get back?" Jackson asked.
"Couple of minutes ago. Where is everyone?"
"Buck and Josiah are sleeping. JD went back into town in case there's trouble," Jackson explained, studying the lean tracker. "Think maybe you're the one needs to rest, Vin."
"I'm okay, Nathan," the sharpshooter answered and stretched the kinks from his back.
"Did you eat?"
"Not yet…"
"All right…I'll bring you something and then I'll grab some sleep. Josiah will relieve you in a couple of hours."
"Sounds good, Nate," Tanner said and gratefully sat on the chair the healer vacated. He looked at the gaunt, pale features of his best friend and silently cursed Burke for what he'd done to Larabee. Jackson returned with a plate of fried chicken and potatoes before leaving the Texan to watch over their leader.
For the next few days the six men and two women watched over the ailing man, desperate for any sign that he was getting better. The fever sapped his strength and the labored wheeze continued to be a worry to the healer. He continued the treatments with the vapors and the makeshift tent and finally on the forth day since the storm ended, Chris Larabee opened his eyes and smiled weakly at the woman seated next to the bed.
"Mrs…" the sound he made was more of a croak than a word, but it brought a smile to the elderly woman's face.
"Well, Mr. Larabee, you sound terrible, but I must say it's good to see you awake. Now, be still while I get Mr. Jackson."
Chris nodded weakly and watched the woman leave. He tried to remember what had happened to make him feel so weak, but his mind refused to work properly. In less than a minute Nettie returned with three men in tow. They looked as haggard as he felt and he shifted on the bed as Jackson touched his forehead.
"Fever's broke," the former slave said.
"'Bout damn time!" Wilmington said, a relieved grin on his tired face.
"T…thirsty," Larabee rasped and tried to moisten his lips, but found them dry and cracked.
"Buck, bring me in…"
"W…water," the blond interrupted and heard the others chuckle.
"Yes, water and the tea I had steeping on the back of the stove. Chris, ya need ta drink it…tastes…"
"Horse…piss…" Larabee said sheepishly. He closed his eyes and listened to the others talking. The only voice he didn't hear was the Texan and he sensed the man was waiting until they were alone to say anything. He opened his eyes and looked into the deep blue orbs and nodded slightly in an effort to relieve Tanner's worries. The gesture was returned and Chris knew things would be fine as Buck returned carrying a tray with a pitcher of water and a cup of the steeped tea Jackson had ordered.
"All right, Chris, let's start with the tea and then you can have the water," Jackson said and helped Larabee sit up further. Vin quickly moved in to support the trembling man, while Wilmington place a couple of extra pillows behind the sick man's back.
Nettie smiled inwardly at the easy friendship she'd seen from these men since first meeting them. The seven had a special bond; a friendship born of need and each one had a place in the group. Now was the time to let the others look after Chris Larabee, there would be time for her to check on him once they were all assured he was going to be okay. She would talk to him later about the woman who'd helped save his life in Haven.
Chris slept more often than he was awake over the next few days, but he was finally eating and drinking enough to satisfy his friends that he was on the mend and not in need of constant watching. The only one who remained at the Wells' Farm with him was Vin Tanner. Casey and JD had gone fishing and weren't back yet. The others had gone back to town and would come out to check on him when they were patrolling the area.
Chris sat on the porch, watching as the agile Texan chopped and stacked wood for Nettie's. When Buck left for town, Chris had told him what he wanted and the gentle rogue had smiled at the idea. He just hoped Gloria had not sold the item he wanted.
"Chris, would you like some coffee?"
"Yes, please, Nettie," Larabee answered, smiling when he heard the woman tut-tutting about Vin's continued work.
"That boy's gonna have no arms left if he keeps this up," the woman said and hurried back into the house.
Chris shifted on the chair and knew even though his strength was returning; he still had a long ways to go. His lungs were weak and sometimes it was hard to breathe, although those spurts were fewer and further between he was frustrated at not being able to do the things he wanted to do.
"You just need to give yourself time. Rest and sleep and you'll have your strength back," Wells said as she handed him a cup of coffee.
"Thought that's what I've been doing," Larabee said.
"Not enough…you should be lying down now."
"I'm okay, Nettie."
"You really are a stubborn man." Nettie watched a small smile form on Larabee's face and wondered what he was thinking.
"That's what Abby said," Larabee told her softly.
"Abby…the woman from Haven? She sounds like a smart woman."
"She was…reminded me of you. Did you have any sisters, Nettie?"
"No…although…" Nettie stopped as a picture formed in her mind of a young woman her own age and a friendship that had become separated by distance and time.
"Nettie, are you all right?" Larabee asked.
"I'm fine, Chris…just thinking of an old friend. Her name was Abby too and we were very close until she married Will and…"
"Will…Newman?"
"Why yes…"
"Oh God…Nettie, the woman who saved my life was Abigail Newman."
"Oh, God, Chris," Nettie said as tears formed in her eyes.
"Nettie, is somethin' wrong?" Tanner asked upon hearing the woman's distressed voice.
"No…no, nothing's wrong," Nettie said, smiling through her tears.
"Why're ya cryin'?" the Texan asked.
"Just a foolish old woman," Nettie assured him.
"You're not old or foolish, Nettie," Larabee said and reached for her trembling hand. He waited for her to lift her head and look at him before speaking. "You knew her, didn't you?"
"Yes…I think so. Abigail Newman was a very dear friend of mine. We were closer than most sisters and we did everything together," Nettie laughed softly. "That was until she met William Newman. The man was a few years older than she was, but oh he loved her so and when he asked her to marry him she was so happy. I stood for her and that's where I met my husband. He was William's friend and we married a few days later. I'll never forget the day Abby told me they were heading west. We cried, but promised to keep in touch, but we moved before she could send me a message about where she was living. I wondered where she was and prayed that her life was a happy one."
"Abby told me she was happy with her life, Nettie. She told me she loved him and that he was the best husband a woman could hope to have. He was good to her and they had two boys William and Paul. I have their addresses if you want to write them."
"No, I don't want to intrude on their lives," Nettie said and sighed heavily. "Abby loved roses…"
"Yes, she did…red ones and there's a bush growing outside her door. I'm betting she wouldn't mind if we went there and dug it up," Larabee said. "It would look perfect right here by the window."
"I'd like that," Nettie said softly and walked into her house.
"Vin…"
"I'll see it gets done," Tanner answered the unspoken question.
"Thanks," Larabee said and sipped the coffee. It seemed farfetched that Nettie Wells and Abigail Newman had grown up together, but there was no doubt in his mind that they had. He was glad he'd been able to tell Nettie that her friend had been happy during her life outside Haven.
True to his word, Tanner had ridden back to the Newman ranch and returned with several large rose bushes that he planted outside Nettie's kitchen window. Nettie had been smiling the whole time while she helped sift the soil around the transplanted bush and knew it would always remind her of Abby and their friendship. The sound of a horse and rider coming over the rise caught her attention and she frowned when she heard her niece calling excitedly.
"Aunt Nettie, you won't believe…"
"Land sakes, Child, what's all the ruckus about? Did JD put a worm down your neck again?"
"No…no, it's just…dang, wait until you see."
"See what?" Nettie asked and turned to see Larabee returning form his short walk. Since the day they'd spoken about Abigail Newman, Chris had been taking short walks along the property in an effort to get his lungs working properly.
"Something wrong?" Larabee asked.
"No…it's just Buck, Vin, and Josiah are comin," Casey explained.
"Ah," Larabee said with a smile. "Guess it's time I went back to my place."
"You're not strong enough to be on your own yet, Chris…Nathan said you should give it another few days," the woman scolded.
"There they are!" Casey yelled as a wagon topped he rise.
"What…"
"Nettie," Larabee said and turned her to face him. "I wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me."
"I didn't do…"
"Yes, you did and if there's ever anything I can do for you just tell me and so help me God I'll get it done. Please accept this gift for what it is. A small token for giving me back my life."
"I…I," Nettie began and turned as the wagon stopped in front of her door. Whatever was inside was covered with several blankets and as Josiah jumped down from the wagon seat, Vin jumped into the back and pulled off the covers revealing a new stove. "Chris…I can't…"
"Yes, you can, Nettie. It didn't cost as much as you think and is not meant to repay you for what you've done, but it's something I wanted to do for you," Larabee said.
"It's a real beauty, Aunt Nettie," Casey said, jumping up and down excitedly as Josiah, Vin and Buck began removing the stove from the wagon.
"Where do you want it?" Wilmington asked with a grin.
"In the dang kitchen!" Casey said and covered her mouth when she realized how it sounded.
"You heard the little lady, Bucklin," Tanner said.
"Vin, might be best if we take out the old one first," Sanchez said and the trio placed the new stove in front of the older woman before hurrying into the house.
"Chris, I don't know what to say," Nettie said as she hugged the lean gunslinger.
"Nothing needs to be said, Nettie. You've done more for me than I can ever repay," Larabee said.
"Those boys might just burn themselves if they're not careful."
"Is the stove lit?" Larabee asked and saw the smile on her face as Casey hurried into the house.
"No, but the fire hasn't been out long," Nettie explained, but she knew they would not burn themselves. "Thank you, Chris."
"No, Nettie," Larabee said and took both her hands in his. "Thank you for being a friend to Abby. She was my guardian angel in Haven and you…are an angel here and now."
"Guess I'd best get in there and make sure they don't make a mess on the floor. You just sit down there and I'll bring you some cold cider."
Chris smiled, moved to the chair and sat down. It reminded him of Abby's home and he reached for the red rose that bloomed near his hand. Somehow, he knew this was the best place for the rosebush and that it would flourish and thrive under Nettie's hand in the same way it had under Abby's touch.
"Thank you, Abby," he whispered as a soft breeze caressed his face and he knew he'd done the right thing. Nettie had a reminder of her friendship with Abby and whenever he needed to feel his guardian angel the bright red roses would be here. A life had been lost, but at the same time a friendship had been remembered and that was a gift few people received in their lifetimes.
"You all right, Cowboy?" Tanner asked.
"I am now, Vin, and I'm not a cowboy," Larabee said and smiled in spite of the fatigue creeping over him. He was on the mend and would soon head home, but he would never forget his two guardian angels.
THE END!!