Elizabeth turned and stared at the doctor, "The only thing I can tell you right now Dr. LeClaire is thank you for bringing the medicine and right now I have to take care of the Constable." She took the tray from Tom, "Excuse me." She turned and headed toward Jack. She placed the tray on the table and sat down. "Jack? Would you sit up and try to eat something?"
Jack attempted to sit up, coughing softly, "Yes….I…just…wish the coughing would stop."
Elizabeth put a pillow behind him, placed a napkin on his chest and reached for the cup of soup and a spoon.
Jack smiled, "You're going to feed me?" His eyebrows raised.
Elizabeth sighed, "You need to save your strength, now open up." She maneuvered the spoon in front of his face.
Jack took all the soup Elizabeth offered until he couldn't take another spoonful, he put his hand up. "Okay, that's enough Dr. Thatcher," he lowered his voice, "thank you for taking such good care of me."
Elizabeth blushed, put the cup of soup down, "I'll always take care of you Jack, always." She smiled and looked down, "If you let me."
"Elizabeth," Jack whispered, "I can't…."
In the door came Abigail and Bill Avery, "Look who's back," Abigail announced.
"Jack, you're looking a little rough," Bill said, "but I see you have someone special taking care of you."
Jack stared at Elizabeth, realizing they were interrupted and feeling badly. "I'm on the mend...good to have you back Bill." He finally lifted his gaze from Elizabeth.
Elizabeth picked up the cup and spoon and headed to the kitchen. Abigail followed, "Are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Elizabeth's eyes told a different story, "I'm so grateful that Jack is okay."
When she entered the kitchen Dr. LeClaire stood, "Was our patient able to take the soup?"
"Yes, he did very well, thank you."
The doctor walked toward Elizabeth, "Glad to hear that, medicine is a wonderful thing. Did you attend nursing school Miss Thatcher?"
Elizabeth laughed softly, "Nursing school? No, I'm a school teacher." She turned, "If you'll excuse me." She hurried back, fluffed Jack's pillow and sat down. "Can I get you anything?"
Jack put his head on the pillow, "I don't need anything except you here next to me." He whispered, reached for her hand and motioned for her to come closer, "I can't wait to take a walk with you."
"I miss them too," she whispered and glanced over her shoulder to see Abigail and Bill talking to each other, "I hope you're feeling better very soon." She touched his face and her smile faded, "you still feel warm Jack. Lie back and rest."
Abigail put her hand on Elizabeth's shoulder, "Why don't you go freshen up, you'll feel renewed. We'll stay here with Jack." She looked at Bill.
"Will you sit with him?" The thought of leaving Jack made Elizabeth nervous; she didn't want him to be alone.
"Of course we will," Abigail responded, "go, take a few minutes for yourself."
"Well, okay," she looked at Jack, "Will you be okay?"
Jack smiled at her concern, "Yes, Abigail and Bill will make sure I stay right here where you left me."
"Well, okay, but I'll only be gone for a minute" she turned to Abigail and pointed to the table, "there's water and tea if he's thirsty and clean handkerchiefs if he needs them…"
"Go!" Abigail took Elizabeth's arm, "don't worry, we will take good care of him, we promise!"
After Elizabeth left, Jack sat up, "Bill, did you get everything done that you needed?"
"Yes, I did, everything accomplished," he nodded, "I didn't think you would get sick and require all this attention while I was gone."
Abigail smiled, "Well, he's feeling better now, but what is the dog doing here?" She scratched Rip's head.
Jack laughed, "He didn't like sleeping alone."
"That takes getting used to." Abigail said softly.
Bill cleared his throat, exchanged glances with Jack, who tried to hide a smile. "Abigail, would you like to get something to eat?"
"I have some stew and biscuits at the café, when Elizabeth returns we can go," she replied.
"Perfect," Bill said.
Elizabeth wasted no time returning to the saloon, "Jack, you're sitting up, are you coughing again?" She resumed her post at his side and pulled his blanket tight and fluffed the pillow.
"I'm fine Elizabeth," he reached for her hand, "sit down, please."
"You need your rest Jack, you should try to sleep now."
Jack shook his head, and looked at Abigail and Bill, "My nurse is telling me it's time for bed folks. You two better go have your supper, thanks for visiting."
Abigail and Bill stood, "Okay, we'll check on you tomorrow Jack," Bill said, "Good night."
Elizabeth pulled her chair closer to Jack.
Jack looked at Elizabeth, "Come here," he whispered. "You need to relax, I feel good. You're here, I'm fine." He smiled at her and took her hand.
Elizabeth sighed, "Jack, I just want you to get well."
Jack smiled but noticed he doctor walking towards them. Elizabeth stood as the doctor approached.
"How are you Constable? Maybe time for more medicine?" The doctor asked.
"I'm good. I don't think I need any medicine right now," Jack said.
"Very well, a few more hours then. In the meantime, Miss Thatcher may I escort you to a table, Mr. Travois said he has soup and biscuits for us." He motioned toward an empty table.
Elizabeth's mouth opened in surprise at the doctor's request, she stared at him. "I'm not interested in having any dinner," she looked at Jack who looked up at the doctor, his expression serious. "I must decline your invitation." Elizabeth turned and sat down.
"If you're sure," the doctor smiled, "perhaps Mr. Travois can bring some food here for you then."
"No thank you." Elizabeth didn't look up.
"You need to keep up your strength." The doctor replied.
"We're just fine here, thank you Doctor, I suggest you go and eat in kitchen with Mr. Travois." Jack stared at the doctor.
The doctor nodded at Jack and walked back to the kitchen.
"Pushy isn't he?" Jack was irritated.
Elizabeth nodded, "He's just trying to do his job suppose," not believing her own words. She looked toward the kitchen.
Jack looked at Elizabeth, "Forget him, come here," he put his arm up.
"Jack, this isn't very proper," she said as she moved close to him.
"I don't care," Jack leaned toward her, "I just want to kiss you." He kissed her cheek.
Rip howled and jumped off the bed and walked to the door. Jack rolled his eyes, Rip spoke up at the most inopportune moments. Elizabeth went and let him out and quickly came back to her seat next to Jack, who had his eyes closed. Elizabeth sat and rubbed his arm softly, "Sleep well Jack."
Elizabeth sat and watched Jack for the longest time. "Jack, when you're well….I have something important to tell you." She rested her head on his shoulder and soon was fast asleep.
In the morning, Elizabeth awakened to find the bed empty and Jack nowhere to be seen.