Chapter 7

Gertie was frantically trying to get down out of the buggy to hear more about her brother but just as she was stepping down Ben had caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye and without making complete contact with the little girl he spoke sternly. "Gertrude, get yourself back into that buggy." Gertie paused for a second, pondering if she should try to push her luck. On one hand she knew she was already in big trouble, but on the other this was her one and only brother they were talking about. The only person left in her family, so of course she had to go see what Gabe and Mr. Cartwright were talking about in such hushed voices. Gertie continue to take the step down and before Ben knew it she was upon his side. "Gertrude, didn't I just tell you to get yourself back into that buggy? I swear child, I have no idea what has gotten into you today!"

"But Mr. Cartwright he's my brother. I need to know what's happening with him." Gertie shouted in a very disrespectful tone. But it definitely caught the attention of Ben, Gabe and many passers bye.

Ben leaned down and narrowed his brows and with the frown on his face he firmly stated, "I understand, but I've given you an order and I expect that you obey that. Now get in that buggy." When Gertie stood frozen and didn't move, Ben knew this was a battle that he wasn't willing to have with the child, especially out on the open streets of Virginia City. Ben slowly reached over and grabbed Gertie by the nape of her neck and held a strong grip. "Thank you Gabe for coming for us. Please swing by Doc Martin's office and ask him to come. I'll meet you back at the house."

"Yes, Mr. Cartwright." Gabe turned Smokey around and headed off towards Doc Martin's office. Ben on the other hand tighten his grip on Gertie and guided her back over to the buggy. He lifted her up and placed her on her side of the buggy seat. He then unhitched Jingle from the hitching post and pulled himself up. He took one look at Gertie who was now avoiding all eye contact with him. He just shook his head in disbelief and clucked for Jingle to get a moving. He had Jingle only moving at a slow pace until they got out of town, and that's when he slapped the reins to get her moving at a faster pace. As the two moved along the road Ben could feel his frustration starting to boil over. How did he let this happen? It wasn't like him to make mistakes like this. He was so angry with himself for letting Ephraim go with the boys this morning. He knew that boy wasn't well. He had raised his own boys after all and surely knew the signs of when a child was coming down with something. Why did he let Adam persuade him into letting the child go?

As Ben drove he let the worries of this morning start to build and get to him, which wasn't like Ben at all. Usually he could deal with all sorts of pressures, but for some reasons these pressures were different. For this situation was a bit different than any other he was used to dealing with. These weren't his children, but yet he had taken on temporary guardianship of them, and that's what made this so difficult. He wasn't sure what needed his immediate attention first, Ephraim or Gertie? Of course he knew in his brain that Ephraim was the obvious priority but this little girl that was sitting next to him also needed to be dealt with. And if it was one of his blood kin he would know exactly how to do that, but this was different. This matter had to be handled delicately, and Ben wasn't quite sure what that would look like at the moment. As the two drove in complete silence Ben's head just continued to spin. All these questions swirling in his head like the fallen leaves around them. As much as his head was pounding he knew that Gertie was probably in just as much agony wondering about her brother and perhaps what's to become of her little outburst. He finally felt like he was calm enough to try to speak to her. When he looked over at the child she was sitting as stiff as the seat they were riding on. She watched the scenery go by while nibbling on what was left of her fingernails. Ben despised this terrible habit and noticed that she did it quite often when she was uncertain or nervous and even afraid.

"If you don't quit biting those there won't be anything left to them." Ben didn't mean to sound so rough about it but it was the honest truth and he was hoping it would get her to stop the habit. To his surprise, for what seemed like the first time today the child obeyed his request and quickly removed her ring finger and pinky from her mouth.

"Sorry, I'm just worried." She mumbled. Even though Ben was still infuriated with the girl's behavior her facial expression just then and the sound of her voice tugged at Ben's heart.

"I know Gertie, but Jingle is going as fast as she can right now, and we'll be back to the Ponderosa shortly. I'm sure that Adam and HopSing are taking really good care of him." Ben paused in hoped that his reassurance would change the child's disposition. When it didn't he decided to continue. "Plus Gabe is fetching Doc Martin and he's one of the best doctors around. I'm sure he'll be able to tell us more when he gets there."

"But Mr. Cartwright I knew Ephraim wasn't well this morning. He kept me up half the night with his cough, not to mention that nose of his."

Ben adjusted his handle of the reins when he spoke sternly to the child. "Then young lady you should have spoken up this morning. I know you heard the conversation I had with Ephraim about his symptoms at the breakfast table. You knew they weren't allergies."

"Yes Sir, I knew they weren't allergies." Gertie finally admitted. Ben tried to hide a small smirk that was trying to creep to his lips. The child finally succumbed to her senses, even though she was acting like it was killing her to do so.

"Alright then, maybe next time you'll remember to speak up when you have information that I'm looking for, hmmm?" Gertie nodded her head and shoved her cold hands back into her mittens. She was thinking what would be best was to probably sit there quietly until they got to the Ponderosa, but she just couldn't leave Mr. Cartwright thinking she was a snitch.

"He's my brother though. He trusts me." Ben finally let that smirk come to light for he knew all about loyal brothers. He could remember a time or two that one of his sons' kept something from him that he should have known about earlier than later.

"Yes, indeed he is Gertie. But sometimes when it comes to their health, or safety, then those secrets need to be told. Understood?" Gertie wasn't sure if she agreed with Mr. Cartwright but knew that he was waiting for an answer so she just shook her head. This way she wasn't committing to a verbal response just in case she doesn't honor his request in the future. The two continued to roll towards the Ponderosa as the autumn wind blew around leaves that were falling fast and furious from the trees along the road.

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"How's he doing Adam?" Hoss asked his brother as he brought in another chunk of ice at his request.

Adam's wary face turned away from the young boy and watched as Hoss placed the ice in the basin. "He's still burning up. I can't tell if this is working or not, but HopSing insist that it will, so I guess I'll just keep doing it." Hoss came closer and stood behind Adam and looked down at the ill child.

"You don't think it's the typhoid or anything?" Hoss looked on with concern.

"No, HopSing doesn't think it's that." Just as Adam dipped the cloth into the basin to gather more cold water Ephraim started to stir some.

"Papa?" The boy's weak voiced called out. Hoss and Adam exchanged glances. "Papa, my ears are throbbing." Before Ephraim could get anything else out he went into another deep coughing rage. The coughing was so bad that Ephraim was almost choking on the stuff that was being loosened up from the cough. Adam frantically dug down in his back pocket only to find that it was empty.

"Hoss you got a hankie on you?" As if Hoss was a magician he pulled a red checkered one out and handed it to Adam.

Adam reached for it and quickly placed it in front of the boy's mouth. "Ephraim spit that junk out in this." He instructed the boy. Ephraim could barely lift his head up so Adam slid his hand in behind the boy's head and lifted it a bit for him to spit the greenish colored fluid out. With the same guidance that Adam gave the boy to lift his head he guided him back down on the fluffy down filled pillow. Adam and Hoss watched as the boy fought to keep his eyes open. They were all glazed over, his cheeks were flushed a deep red and he had beads of sweat forming up around his brow.

"Hoss can you dip this again? Adam handed the warm cloth to Hoss and watched on as Ephraim continued to moan. Hoss quickly returned the ice cold cloth back to Adam. "Thanks Hoss." Adam returned the cold cloth to Ephraim's forehead. The instant the cold cloth hit the young boy's forehead the moaning stopped. The two Cartwright boys stood on watching in anticipation of the arrival of their Pa and Doc Martin.

"Adam, I'm gonna go back out to the barn and work on that strap for Chubb's saddle. Is there anything I can get ya?"

"No thanks Hoss." Hoss leaned in and patted the covers over Ephraim's legs.

"Hope you're feeling better little Buckaroo." Ephraim just let out a little moan in response to Hoss. Hoss silently waved good bye to Adam and slipped out the door.

"Ephraim?" Adam called as he tried to soothe the young boy. The boy seemed to use all the energy he could just to roll his head over in the direction of Adam's voice. When the two locked eyes Adam managed to pull off a small smile of reassurance, and spoke in a soft but low voice, "Hey there Kiddo." He said as he swiped the cold cloth across the ill boy's face.

"Adam?" Ephraim asked with a wheeze.

"How are you feeling Cowboy?"

"Not so good." Ephraim said in between shivers. Adam not missing a beat grabbed for the blankets and pulled them up closer around Ephraim's neck.

"Well don't you worry any. Doc Martin should be along at any minute now. I want you to just sit here and rest some." When Adam was running out of ways to comfort the boy he remembered the salve that HopSing had brought up along with some herbal tea. Maybe both would help with that awful cough he had. "HopSing brought up some tea; do you want to try some?" Ephraim shook his head slightly.

"Alright then." Adam rubbed his hands together so that he could warm them some before placing the salve on the boy's chest. He dipped his index finger and middle finger into the goopy stuff. He grabbed a good amount and as he was moving over towards Ephraim, Adam got a whiff of the stuff. It instantly cleared out his own sinuses that were for sure. He carefully moved back the boy's nightshirt and gave a warning to the boy. "I apologize if this is cold." The second Adam's hands starting rubbing in the salve Ephraim flinched and pulled back towards the headboard. "Try to stay still Kiddo. We don't want you to be wearing it." Adam was hoping to get just a little smirk from the kid, but no such luck. Just as he finished rubbing it all in Ephraim started with another coughing fit. Again as he coughed he was bringing up stuff from his chest. Adam repeated the same as before. He held out the red hankie. "Spit it out Kiddo." Ephraim obeyed and with some help from Adam in lifting his head up Ephraim emptied the mouthful of phlegm. Adam carefully wiped the boy's mouth and chin. But when he noticed the look of disgust on Ephraim's face Adam repeated words that he had heard many times from his father. "I know it's unpleasant, but getting that awful stuff up is the best thing for you." Ephraim gave a slight nod and laid his head back against the soft pillow. Adam brushed the boy's dirty blonde bangs off his sticky forehead. Just as Adam's fingertips were pushing the bangs away, Ephraim went into another one of his coughing fits. Adam could tell how much this was taking out of the boy. He reached for some of the tea that HopSing left. After Ephraim was done coughing, Adam placed the tea up to the boy's lips. "Here, take a sip." Ephraim leaned in and let the warm liquid touch his dry lips. He had to admit it felt good sliding down his raw throat.

"Thanks." He managed to answer remembering his manners before resting back into the bed. Ephraim couldn't resist closing his heavy eyelids. Adam let out a small sigh.

"Just rest little buddy, just rest." While Adam was fixing the covers up and around Ephraim he heard the ratting of a buggy coming into the drive. Adam quietly rushed to the widow trying not to disturb Ephraim, hoping it was Doc Martin. Once he reached the window he flipped the curtain back and his hopes slipped some when he noticed it was just his father and Gertie returning from town. As he stood there watching he detected the stiff body language that his father was displaying and Adam doubt it had to do with the weather. He watched intently while his Pa helped Gertie down from the buggy. But it was when he noticed his Pa firmly placing his hand on Gertie's back and guiding her into the house that something wasn't right. Adam let the curtain slipped from his fingers and figured he'd better venture downstairs to inform his father on what was happening with the boy and see what might be the reason why he held that scowl on his face. Adam took one more peak at a restless Ephraim and then slipped out the door and quickened his pace down the hall towards the stairs. Once he rounded the corner to the stairs he could hear Hoss already informing their father of Ephraim's condition. When Adam started to descend the stair all faces looked up towards him.

"I see Hoss is already filling you in." Adam spoke as he came to the landing of the stairs.

"Yes, he is. Doc Martin should be on his way. Did you just come from the boy's room?" Ben asked still having a grasp on Gertie's tiny shoulders. Adam could detect that something must have happened in town between the two, but he was going to leave well enough alone for now.

"Yes Pa, I did. That little guy sure has got something nasty." With that news Gertie continued to struggle out of Ben's grip. When Ben went to tighten his grip Gertie had managed to wiggle herself free. Once she felt the pressure leave her shoulders she sprinted off towards the stairs. From her best guess she knew she was already in trouble so breaking a "no running in the house" rule was the least of her worries right now. Gertie had dipped her head down and started barreling up the solid ponderosa wooden staircase. However she didn't get very far when she heard Mr. Cartwright's strong voice ring out.

"Adam!" Adam knew why he was calling out his name and he moved to slightly to the right and grabbed a hold of Gertie's upper arms.

"Hold on Little Lady." Once Adam had ahold of Gertie, he lifted her a bit and tried to move her back off the stairs, but the little girl had something else in mind. Her bright blue eyes instantly turned into a blazing rage of fire. Gertie was now yelling and kicking and struggling to get out of Adam's grasp.

"Put me down. I need to get to Ephraim! He needs me!" Gertie was struggling so that her golden wheat hair was coming loose from her braids.

"Gertrude you will stop this behavior right now." Ben demanded. "You will see Ephraim when I say you can, but for right now Adam will escort you to your room and you will wait for me there." He stared the little girl down. "And without carrying on, do you understand me?" Gertie was losing this battle of wills and decided that it would be best to finally obey. She stopped her struggle and tiredly brushed a stray piece of hair behind her ear. She then reached down and gave a little tug at her dress as to straighten it out some after the little scuffle with Adam. When she was finished she was afraid to let out a heavy sigh. Adam had to cover up the smirk that was starting to form after watching this little pistol go off. "Adam." Ben scolded.

"Yes, Sir." Adam placed his calloused hand on Gertie's neck and gently gave her a slight push towards the stairs. Just as the two were stepping onto the first step they all heard the sounds of hoofs hitting the frozen earth.

"Doc Martin." The two Cartwright boys said in unison. But it was the voice of their younger brother that they heard traveling into the great room instead of that of the town doctor.

"Hey Pa, how was your trip to town? Any mail come for me today?" The young man asked while placing his coat on the hook and gun belt down. When Little Joe noticed the glum looking faces of his family he asked, "What's going on?"

"It's nothing Joseph. We just thought you were Doc Martin that's all."

"Why? Someone hurt?" But when Little Joe's eye lingered from brother to brother and then onto that of Pigtail's he knew instantly, "Ephraim?" He asked, already knowing the answer. Ben nodded in response. "You want me to ride in towards town and see where he's at?" Joe would rather be doing something than waiting around.

"No, Joseph. Gabe rode in to get him. He'll be along when he can. But if you'll excuse me I should get up there and check on him, and Adam, I've asked you to get Gertrude to her room."

"Please, Mr. Cartwright, let me see my brother first. I've just gotta see him." Gertie begged.

"I said no Gertie. We don't know what's wrong with Ephraim and I don't want to expose you any further than you already have been. Now please just go with Adam." He paused and let out a sigh when he noticed the little girl wasn't budging. "You've caused enough trouble for today don't you think?" And there it was, out in the open for all to hear.

Gertie started to feel the heat rising in her cheeks but knew that she best answer the man. "Yes, Sir." And with that she started heading up the stairs on her own will. Adam shrugged his shoulders and started to follow up after the girl. By the time he was to the top of the stairs he saw the little girl standing in front of Ephraim's door with her ear pressed up against it. Adam felt his heart give a little tug. His heart was telling him to go ahead and open the door so she could at least see him, but his brain was telling him that there was a reason his Pa wanted her in her room and it probably was part of her discipline for earlier. When Gertie heard the shuffling of Adam's boots against the floor she quickly jumped back away from the door. "I was… I was just.." Gertie was stumbling over her words in fear of what Adam would do right there in the hall. But to her surprise Adam just strolled over and gently wrapped his strong arm around the girl's quivering shoulders. Adam didn't say a word but led the girl into her room. Once she was sitting on the bed he could now clearly see the puddles of tears that were now forming in her blue eyes. This really wasn't Adam's area of expertise but he could plainly see the girl needed some form of comfort. He slowly sat down on the edge of the bed beside her.

"He's going to be just fine Gertie. Doc Martin's the best doctor around these parts. I'm sure he'll have something to give him to make him feel ten times better. It's probably just a bad cold or something along those lines. It's nothing to get this worked up about." Gertie quickly sucked in a breath and swiped at her eyes before saying much.

"It's not just Ephraim I'm worried about Adam." And then it hit Adam and he felt another twinge of pain for the little girl.

"Oh, I see." He managed to say. The two sat quiet for a few seconds before Gertie spoke again.

"I think I really messed up in town today. And I think your Pa is really mad about it." Gertie paused and wiped her sweaty palms along her dress before she continued. "And when my Pa would get really mad at Ephraim and me, like your Pa did, then we would have to go to our room and wait for him too. Just like your Pa is doing with me now." Adam ran a hand through his hair remembering many times of having to go to his room and wait for his Pa and the result of it was never very promising. Sitting down was always a problem after his Pa would leave his room. But this was a different case here. First, Gertie was a girl and second she wasn't kin. So probably his Pa wasn't going to do what the two both thought he was.

"Well, you might be worrying about that for nothing too. He'll probably just chat with you about what happened, nothing more." When Gertie responded, Adam wondered what had really happened in town.

"I don't think so Adam. I did something really bad." Adam raised his right eye brow in questioned. But when Gertie didn't provide any more details about what happened he tried to reassure the little girl.

"Well, it couldn't have been that bad Gertie. Pa seemed pretty calm when you two arrived home."

Gertie shook her head firmly, "It was bad Adam." When the tears started to well up again, Adam was second guessing his original thoughts.

"You want to talk about it?"

Gertie again shook her head. "No."

"Well, if you do…" Adam's sentence was cut off when they heard voices coming up the stair well. When Gertie's ears heard them too she jumped off the bed and ran towards the door. She snuck her head out and noticed Mr. Cartwright and an older man with a black doctor's bag in his hand. Adam was right behind her and spoke softly in her hair. "That's Doc Martin. I'll go see what I can get for information for you. Be a good girl and stay here and wait for my Pa, you hear?" Gertie shook her head and watched as Adam called to Doc Martin. The two shared firm handshakes and then disappeared behind the solid oak door. Gertie slumped back into the room. She sauntered over to the window that looked out to a beautiful mountain that was located behind the house. All there was to do now was to wait….. wait for news on her brother, and wait to hear what Mr. Cartwright might have in store for her. If it was her Pa, she would already know what she was waiting for, but Mr. Cartwright wasn't her Pa, and even Adam himself said that it would be just a chat, right? But time will tell.