A Rancher's Touch
Chapter 14
The next three days, George was left to take care of Chris, watching her while she slept. The day after she had arrived, he'd gone into town to see the doctor, leading him back to his home. It was as he had feared, she had gotten pneumonia. A few times, she had ended up coughing in her sleep, coughing so bad she had nearly stopped breathing a few times. That was another reason why he had kept close watch on her. It scared him to see her like this, but he'd help her through it, he had to.
Again, George found himself in the kitchen heating up some water on the stove. He still had to clean her up a bit, wash her hair, something. He couldn't just let her lay there like that. So, once he was done, he went back upstairs.
She was still laying there when he opened up the door, her head tilted to the side on the pillow, eyes shut. He hadn't seen her eyes since she arrived and now he was praying that she would merely open them. As he took a closer look at her, he noticed that her hair was shorter than he remembered. It used to be longer at about her shoulders at least. Now, it reminded him of his own, cropped short to her ears. He also noticed the scar that she now had on her face resting below her left eye. George allowed his thumb to brush over the scar as he stood there, feeling the slightly raised skin. He sighed a moment later, before pulling the wet cloth from the bowl, gently pressing it to her face.
"You look like hell," he whispered, gently wiping the dirt from her face.
Her face looked so pale as she laid there. George just hoped that she'd regain some of her color in the next few days, that way he'd know that she was improving. Still, he had to wait though, wait for her to wake up.
For the next hour he continued to sit there, gently cleaning what was left of the dirt on her skin and hair. He'd even taken care of her feet, wrapping the blistered skin. He could only imagine how she'd feel when she finally woke up, so he'd hoped to make things just a bit easier.
T
I wasn't sure where I was as I laid there in darkness, but I had a feeling that it was somewhere safe. It was warmer than the rain, so I figured that I was likely inside some place. I could see the flickering of what I could only assume to be candle light through the lids of my eyes, dancing around like magic. The feeling of warmth that it gave off was comfortable, lulling me back to sleep.
T
George stood there outside, staring out at the ten acres he owned, a small smile forming on his face. It was everything he could have ever wanted and more, everything him and Lennie had dreamed of. Yet, he was all alone with no one to share it with. He didn't even know how long Chris would be in his company, before she went elsewhere. It was just as she had told him, she'd never stayed in one place for too long. Why would this be any different? If he was lucky, she'd stick around for a few weeks after she was better, but that'd be it.
"It won't last," he sighed, moving toward the barn.
He needed to feed the horses and cows. He'd learned a few years ago through ranching that keeping the cattle inside during winter was a smart move, so he'd made sure that he followed it. Although, currently he only had three, two cows and a bull. One of the two females was currently pregnant with a calf in her womb, leaving her in need of extra food and water. That also meant more trips out to the barn. He didn't mind though because he needed to go out there every few days anyway to continue on repairs. There were bits and pieces that were falling apart and needed to be replaced. He'd been doing the same thing around the farm since he had gotten it, fixing it up as best he could. The next thing that he'd be fixing would be the porch on the house.
"So much to do," he breathed, tossing some hay into the cows' stalls, along with the horses'.
He had three horses in total, each a different color. One was actually the one that Chris had given him those two years ago in an attempt to escape. He was a warm brown color with a thick mane and tail, a white star on his head between the eyes, and white socks. He was a beautiful thing with a gentle nature. That's what George loved about him, that, and the fact that Chris had been the one to give it to him. The second horse was a beautiful white, her mane mixed with grays, the same as her tail. This horse had yet to be tamed fully, giving him trouble on occasion. Finally, the third was pure black colt with bright blue eyes. He was a curious thing, fairly smart, but overwhelming at times. That didn't stop George from taking good care of him though. Far from it to be honest.
"Good boy," he cooed, stroking the horse's nose softly.
He pushed against George's hand, before nipping at his jacket, pulling him.
"Knock it off," George said, tapping the colt's nose lightly with the tips of his fingers.
The horse just nehed at him as if laughing, causing George to raise an eyebrow in question. This horse always had found fun in messing around with him, playing games as it were, today was no different.
T
When I finally woke up, it was for the need of air. I couldn't help, but to cough, unable to bring any back to my lungs. A hand went to my throat as I hunched over, coughing up a storm. I just couldn't seem to stop, even as I heard the sound of footsteps rushing up stairs. I could barely draw breath.
"Chris?"
It was George, his face screwed tight with worry, feet rushing over to the bed. A moment later, I felt his hand on my shoulders, gripping them lightly. I was frantic, making it harder to breathe.
"Chris, Chris, you have to calm down," George said, his hand coming to rest upon my cheek.
I still coughed though, but having near me calmed me down a bit, and after about ten minutes I was able to breathe. It was ragged though, rough even, but still there. I felt myself gasp a few times though as I sat there, breath heaving. He sat there with me the whole time, his hand on my cheek, the warmth of it soaking into my skin. It was comforting, soothing even, it gave me peace.
"I feel terrible," I croaked, my voice coming out as a rasp.
"Here," he said, grabbing the glass from the nightstand and placing it in my hand.
It was filled with water and I drank it eagerly, gulping it down, coughing afterward.
"Just take it easy," he said gently, pushing my bangs out of my face.
They barely stayed put after that though given the length, but he still tried nonetheless. This made me smile on the inside. He hadn't changed in the least that I could tell. Still kind and gentle, though obviously quiet and perceptive as always.
"George, where…" I looked around me, taking everything in.
It was a small room, but not too small that you couldn't move around comfortably. Like any normal room there was a dresser and nightstand, a bed for which I was set on, even a small mirror on the wall.
"You're in my room," he explained, causing me to look at him.
"How…" I breathed, closing my eyes.
"You came knocking on my doorstep, remember?" he reminded me.
After that, I came to realization. He was right, I had wound up on his doorstep, in the rain no less. At that point, I also remembered that my clothes had been soaking wet and that I'd been covered in mud no less. As I looked down though, I was met with a surprise, my cheeks heating up. He seemed to notice this, raising his hands in defense.
"I didn't look, I swear," he assured me.
I just looked away in embarrassment. He had changed my clothes, including peeling away my undergarments. I'd say that's what embarrassed me the most. No man had ever had me in my undergarments, not ever. It was even more embarrassing because it was George of all people.
"I was…afraid that you might smack me," he said quietly, hesitantly almost.
This caused me to look at him, licking my bottom lip.
"I trust that you were being honest," I spoke softly, staring into his eyes.
"I'm sure that you realize, I'm not the kind of man to, well you know."
I watched as faint redness painted his face, his hand scratching the back of his neck. It was true, I knew that he wasn't that kind of person. If he was, then I wouldn't be here, I wouldn't be anywhere near here.
"I don't feel so good," I whispered, leaning forward until my head came to rest on his shoulder.
I felt his hand come to press against my back, rubbing it gently. It felt nice. He was gentle with me, just as he had been two years ago with Lennie. I groaned after a moment though, holding my stomach, it growled angrily.
"You must be hungry," he concluded, moving stand.
I grabbed his hand before he could go very far though, holding it in mine. His eyes found mine a moment later, a questioning glance in them.
"Thank you," I whispered, a small smile making its way onto my face.
He just smiled at me, before walking out the door and down the stairs, his footsteps echoing behind him.
Here's chapter 14! I hope that everyone likes it? Please, REVIEW and MESSAGE me with your thoughts, opinions, ideas, and feelings on this chapter/story. I love hearing FEEDBACK. It keeps me writing and happy. Anyway, thanks everyone! :)