Hi everyone,
I'm sorry its taken me this long to get an update posted, this past month has been super rough for me. Its the middle of summer here in Australia and having an autoimmune disease like I do, makes me unable to cope with the heat very well. I get overheated super easy = nausea, vomiting, near fainting etc so yeah, great fun. Soon as the mercury goes above 25 Celsius, I'm a melted snowman.
Part of why I haven't been able to update is because I don't have anywhere comfortable to write atm. I can only use my laptop on the couch and the heat from it gets me overheated very quickly, even in front of the air conditioner. However, when I went shopping yesterday, Aldi had a great little lap desk for sale so I got one and its working great so far. I don't know when I'll be able to post regularly, it depends on when I'm feeling well enough to write regularly. I've got up to chapter 41 written and edited, all good to go but I've really got to get some more chapters written up before I post too many more.
Anyway, hope you are all well and enjoy this chapter. I am so looking forward to Autumns arrival (or Fall, as I know all you Americans like to call it) and cooler months.
Chapter 26
Heath was deeply absorbed in his own thoughts as the wagon rolled steadily along the road back to Senora, his sister appearing to be asleep again. They'd been traveling for a couple of hours now, Jarrod setting the horses to as fast a pace as he could without jolting the wagon around too much. How much further they had left before they reached Senora he wasn't sure of but he hoped if they kept moving like they did, they'd be able to catch the train.
They had to be on the afternoon train.
They didn't have any other choice.
"H-heath?"
At his sister's soft voice his thoughts were forgotten as he went to attend to her. "What's the matter Tildy?"
"T-thirsty. Can I have… have a drink?"
Picking up the canteen from beside him he moved over closer to her, helping her to sit up. "Just go steady now, you hear? Only a couple mouthfuls." He told her as he unscrewed the lid and brought it to her lips. Allowing her to drink for a brief moment he took the canteen away again and closed it up, Matilda resting against him.
"How much... further?..." She questioned, closing her eyes again as she fought with her stomach to keep down the water she'd just drunk.
"Oh, can't be much longer now. You'll be home before you know it."
"I hope... hope so…"
Heath rested his cheek against her head, his arm around her to hold her close to him. "You're gonna be alright. We'll get you home, get Doc Merar to work his magic on you and before you know it, you'll be back on your feet."
She managed a little nod in response.
"And for the next little while, I've got the feelin' you're gonna get spoiled and fussed over till you're sick of the sight of us."
At that, a little weary chuckle came from her.
"After all you've been through, you deserve it."
"It's enough... that you all care for me... I don't... need special treatment." Matilda replied, forcing her eyes open again and she turned her head to look up at her brother. "I've got... all I've ever... wanted... right here... To feel... like I belong... someplace. To be part... of a family... and after all this time... I've finally... finally found one... I've... I found home... That's more... than enough... for me..."
Heath smiled a little, pressing a kiss to her warm forehead. "That you have indeed, lil sis." She managed a weak smile back at him and after a moment, he placed his hand on her forehead. Her skin still felt warmer than it should be but her fever hadn't seemed to have gotten worse, much to his relief. "You feel up to tryin' to drink again?"
She shook her head. "Don't... Don't know... If I can keep... down what I've already had."
His brow furrowed with concern. "You still sick in your stomach?"
"I… I didn't... didn't want to say... anything earlier... but my stomach… Something's wrong."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't... don't know... It just hurts."
Heath swallowed. "How bad?"
"I don't know... Everything... hurts... How can I... tell the difference?"
"What hurts worst right now?"
She thought for a moment, trying to figure out an answer. Her back, while still causing her some grief, didn't feel as bad as her stomach or her leg that was still throbbing. "Probably… I think... my stomach... and my leg."
"Alright. You let me know if it starts feeling like it's getting worse, okay?"
Matilda nodded.
"Do you want to lie down again?"
"Please..."
Gently he laid her back down on the mattress, his sister closing his eyes as he moved back to rest against the side of the wagon bed. While he hadn't seen the full extent of the beating that Cade had given her, worry was gnawing at him given the symptoms she was presenting with. He was no doctor but living the life that he'd had, he'd seen more than his fair share of injuries to know that this wasn't good.
"Tildy…" He started softly, her eyes flickering open again after a moment. "Just one question, then you can rest. Did Cade punch you in the stomach at all?"
"I think…" Matilda took a moment to think, her brain feeling sluggish and slow to work properly. "He did. Saturday. But I… He kicked me too... on Monday... Why?"
It was no wonder she was feeling like she did and it was all the confirmation he needed to confirm his suspicion; she was most likely bleeding internally. "It's alright, you just rest now." Heath told her softly, reaching over to take hold of her hand. "Everything will be alright." She smiled just a little at him before closing her eyes again.
Resting back as his sister appeared to drift off to sleep again, Heath wished with all his being that they had been able to find her sooner. If only they'd been able to find her sooner then maybe they could have either stopped Cade from hurting her or at least they'd have been able to get her medical attention sooner. As it was she'd been like this since Monday, her condition slowly but steadily deteriorating as the week had gone on. It was Friday now. What if it was too late to help her?
More time slipped by, the wagon rocking and swaying as the team trotted on behind Nick who led the way, Jarrod still in the driver's seat. As he felt the wagon slowing to a stop, Heath frowned and after a moment, he crawled forward to see what the trouble was. "What's going on?" He questioned his older brother. "Why are we stopping?"
"I've got something to take care of in Gold Springs." Jarrod told him, Nick turning back when he realized that they were no longer following. "Nick, I'll let you take over from here. I'll catch you up."
"Where are you going?" He questioned, Jarrod climbing down from the driver's seat to untie his horse.
"Gold Springs." Came his reply as he led Jingo back to the front of the wagon. "I'm going to fetch Jeanie. Without her, we wouldn't have found Matilda and given what she knows about Alton, she's going to play a vital part in ensuring he's locked up for good."
"You sure we can trust her, Jarrod?"
"Nick, I think we can." Jarrod winched as he mounted up, his wound aggravated from the movement. "And I don't think we've got much choice otherwise." He paused for a moment to catch his breath. "How's Matilda, Heath?"
"Not doin' so well. She's drunk maybe three mouthfuls so far, and thrown half of it up again."
Hearing that, Jarrod sighed softly. "Well… We'll have her back home soon."
"Jarrod, I don't think that's gonna be enough. I… I don't know if this is something she's gonna be able to come back from. She's getting weaker."
Jarrod and Nick both sobered at Heath's words.
"Well, we best not waste time then, should we?" Nick exclaimed as he dismounted and led Coco to the back of the wagon to tie the gelding up. With his gelding secured he returned and picked up the reins of the team as he climbed into the driver's seat. "Be careful Jarrod."
"I will be. I'll meet you along the road or in Senora. If I don't arrive back in time to make the train, don't wait for me. Get Matilda home." He told them, turning Jingo in the direction of the road branching off towards Gold Springs. "I'll be along as soon as I can."
As Jarrod rode off, Nick flicked the reins of the team and the wagon rolled on once more. Heath returned to his spot beside Matilda, his sister having woken again. "Go back to sleep sis. We've still got a little while to go yet."
"Where's… Where's Jarrod going?" She questioned, having heard the last of their conversation.
"He's just going to get someone who helped us find you."
"Jeanie?"
Heath nodded.
Matilda closed her eyes again.
The team steadily trotted on towards Senora with Nick in the driver's seat.
From where the road branched off to Gold Springs was only a distance of a couple miles and before long, the town was visible in the distance. As Jarrod rode back into Gold Springs, the town looked no different then it had appeared the day before. Riding straight to The Gold Nugget he brought his gelding to a stop in front and dismounted. Riding wasn't doing his stomach any favors but he pushed through the pain and tying Jingo to the hitching post, he headed up the stairs and went inside. Walking in, his eyes scanned the room. There were a handful more patrons inside today then there had been the day earlier and it only took a moment for him to spot Jeanie as he went over to the bar.
The bartender came over to serve him. "What'll it be?"
"Scotch, if you have it. Whisky if you don't." A moment later a shot glass filled with something resembling whiskey was placed down in front of him and Jarrod laid a quarter down on the bar to pay for it, downing it in one swallow.
"Another?"
"I'll take a beer." It had to be better then the liquid that was passed off as whiskey and while the bartender poured it, Jarrod drew another coin from his wallet to pay for it. Leaving it on the bar he picked up his drink and headed over to the vacant table in the corner of the room, catching Jeanie's eye as he walked by.
Excusing herself from the gentlemen she had been conversing with, Jeanie went and sat down at Jarrod's table. "How did it go? Did you find her?" She questioned, her voice low so no one else could hear.
He nodded.
"Is she alright?"
"No." Jarrod took another sip of his drink. "We need to get her to a doctor. My brothers are on the road with her to Senora as we speak, we're aiming to catch the afternoon train back to Stockton so we can get her help."
Jeanie felt her heart sink. "She bad off?"
"I'm afraid so. It doesn't look good."
"I'm so sorry." She said after a pause. "I-I'd have sent the message sooner if I'd have known."
He placed his hand on top of hers. "It's not your fault, dear."
She smiled a little at that. "Well, thank you for letting me know. I best get back to work-"
"Jeanie… How would you like to leave this place?"
That question stopped her in her tracks and she sat back down. "I'd leave in a heartbeat but I can't. Cade would track me down and drag me back and besides, I've got nowhere to go. I've got no home, no family." She sighed heavily. "I'm stuck here."
"If I could guarantee he wouldn't come after you and would provide somewhere for you to stay until you can figure something out, what'd your answer be then?"
At the prospect of a way out of this place and out of this life, a spark of hope ignited in her heart. "You… You really mean it? You'd help me?"
"I mean it." Jarrod replied, his beer almost half drunk. "Without you, we'd never have found Matilda-"
"Matilda?"
"Millie's real name. It's a long story."
She nodded.
"The least my brothers and I can do for what you've done for us is to help you get out of here. How long would it take for you to be packed and ready to go?"
"You just give me ten minutes and I'll be ready. I'll meet you at the big oak tree on the edge of town."
With that, Jeanie left and Jarrod drank the remainder of his beer before he rose. So far, so good. Walking back outside he untied his gelding from the hitching post and mounted up, riding out of town to the oak tree he'd ridden by on his way in. Stopping there, nursing his sore side, he waited for Jeanie to join him.
A short time later he spotted her, the girl having changed from her saloon dress into casual garments. Dressed in a white blouse and brown skirt with her hair tied up, her make-up removed, no one would have been able to discern that she'd been a saloon girl at one time. In her hand she carried with her a small carpet bag containing all the belongings she had left in the world.
"Any trouble?" He questioned as she reached him, passing him her carpet bag.
"None. I managed to slip out without anyone noticing." She replied, catching her breath as Jarrod fastened her carpet bag to his saddle in front of him. "I don't know how to thank you for this, Mister Barkley."
"You've already done enough Jeanie." Removing his foot from the stirrup so she could climb up, he offered her a hand to help her get on. "Hold on tight now," He told her as she got herself seated behind him. "we've got some distance to cover."
Riding hard, Jarrod soon was able to catch up again with his brothers, Nick slowing the wagon to a stop again when he saw his brother returning with the girl. "Climb up in the wagon, you can ride there." He told Jeanine as he halted Jingo, giving her a hand down. "Nick, you mind letting me drive again?"
"Not at all." Nick agreed, wrapping the reins to the team around the brake lever. Climbing down, he couldn't help but notice Jarrod winch as he dismounted. "You alright?"
"I'll be fine." He assured him and handed him Jingo's reins. "I just need to sit for awhile."
"If you want me to drive so you can rest in the back, you let me know. Alright?"
Jarrod nodded in agreement and Nick led Jingo to the back of the wagon as he slowly climbed up. Picking up the reins, he glanced into the back of the wagon as Heath helped Jeanie up and once she was inside, with a slap of the reins, the wagon rolled forward once more.
"Name's Jeanie." She introduced herself to the man who'd helped her up as she settled down inside the wagon.
"Heath Barkley." Heath replied while crawling back to his spot beside Matilda. "And the one behind us is Nick." He motioned with his head out the back of the canvas to Nick who'd mounted up and was about to overtake them.
She nodded. With pleasantries exchanged she turned her attention to the girl lying on the mattress. From first appearance she didn't seem to be too bad off, she had a thick bandage wrapped around her leg and her face appeared to be rather bruised but all things considered, she seemed to be alright.
"Jeanie…" Matilda murmured, her eyes still closed. "I... I owe you."
"Millie- Or should I say Matilda?" She caught herself, remembering that Jarrod had corrected her earlier.
"Matilda's fine." She replied wearily and forced her eyes open, watching as Jeanie carefully crawled up into her view to sit beside Heath. "Its... my real name... apparently."
"What happened?" Jeanie wondered out loud. "Are you alright?"
"I-I'm okay... Tried runnin' away… Didn't... didn't end well..."
She looked over at Heath for clarification.
"Alton beat her, she tried running away and he followed her. He shot her in the leg then whipped her and left her chained up in a shed on his ranch since Monday."
"Oh my…" She felt nauseated, covering her mouth with her hand as tears came to her eyes. "Oh Matilda… That's awful. I'm so sorry."
"I'll… I'll be alright."
Seeing she was tiring herself more by trying to speak, Heath gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "Rest Matilda, there'll be time for talking later."
"M... Kay..."
"That's a girl." He gently rubbed the front of her shoulder with his thumb. "We'll be home soon."
Jeanie was left speechless, utterly horrified by what she was told of what Cade had done to the other girl. "I-I'm sorry, Mister Barkley. If I'd have known earlier, I-I'd have sent word sooner. This is all my fault-" She spoke up after time had passed.
"No Jeanie." He interrupted her softly, Matilda appearing to be asleep one again. "Jarrod told us what happened, you did the best you could."
"If only she'd said something… I'd have gotten word to you all."
"Matilda's always been too proud to ask for help. She'd never have endangered you by trying to get her help."
She swallowed, forcing back her tears. "I guess that makes sense. She mentioned she never told you folks about Cade, she wanted to keep you all safe. I wish she'd told me though…"
"I wish she'd told us too."
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"If something comes up, I'll let you know."
Jeanie nodded, silence falling again in the covered wagon. While she'd known Cade to be cruel, after all she'd witnessed him murder her own father in cold blood; seeing what he was really capable of inflicting upon another human being brought it to another degree. Taking a closer look at Matilda, it became apparent that she wasn't well at all. Her skin and lips were greyer they they should be, the only color on her face apart from the bruising being that of feverish flush. In addition, judging by the sharp and quick rise and fall of her rib cage as she laid on her side, her breathing was shallow and quicker then normal also.
She shook her head, having to look away from her as her emotions threatened to get the better of her.
If ever a person was deserving of death, it was Cade Alton.
Coming over the crest of another hill, down off in the distance below them stood Senora, the town never a more welcome view for Jarrod and Nick then it was just then. They had almost made it. Only another mile more and they'd be there. With the town just ahead, Nick, who'd taken over for Jarrod again, flicked the reins of the tired team to encourage them to pick up the pace. He'd driven them hard in order for them to make the afternoon train, much harder than he'd usually treat a team given the urgency of the situation. The tired horses managed to quicken their trot just slightly as Jarrod spun Jingo around to ride alongside.
"I'll ride ahead, make the arrangements." Jarrod shouted to Nick above the noise of the horses and the wagon. "When you get there, drive the wagon up as close as you can to the train. It'll make it easier to move Matilda."
"Right." Nick yelled back in agreement and with that his older brother spurred Jingo into a slow gallop towards town, leaving them behind. Flicking the reins of the team again to keep them going at the pace he'd set, he glanced up at the sun, estimating that it had to be around two-thirty.
They'd make it just in time.
The last mile felt like the slowest but soon they had reached the outskirts of the mining camp. Guiding the team through town, Nick turned them in the direction of the train station. The street was bustling with activity, miners, cowboys on horses and other people going about their day, slowing them down a little but soon they were through and he brought the team to a halt as close as he could get to the station like Jarrod had requested.
Pulling on the break, Nick wrapped the reins of the team around the lever then jumped down, going to the back of the wagon. "We're here." He told them as he peered through the hole in the canvas. "How Matilda?"
"Holdin' her own." Heath replied, about to add more when Jarrod appeared, jumping down off the platform as he hurried over to them.
"The train pulls out in ten minutes, we don't have much time. Nick, take care of selling the wagon and the team, it doesn't matter what price you get for them, just sell them. We can handle the loss. Heath, pass Matilda down and then get the horses loaded. Jeanie, you grab the saddlebags here and I'll need your help with Matilda."
"Of course, Mister Barkley." She agreed without hesitation, quick to follow his request.
Matilda barely stirred as Heath gently picked her up, carrying her over to Jarrod on his knees."Easy now…" He handed her down over the back tailgate of the wagon to Jarrod's waiting arms and once his brother had hold of her, he climbed out and turned back to help Jeanie. "You right with her Jarrod? You want me to carry her?"
"It's alright, I've got her." He assured him as he started towards the train, leaving Nick and Heath to take care of the wagon and horses. Jeanie hurried after him, catching up to them quickly and fell instep beside him. The station was bustling with activity, the platform filled with people, some boarding the train while others were there to see those off who were leaving. Walking with purpose, people moved out of their way when they saw Jarrod coming through and finally reaching the train, Jeanie climbed aboard first to open the door.
Carrying Matilda in, Jarrod gently laid her down on one of the beds in the carriage's sleeping compartment. Jeanie was beside him a moment later, holding onto the saddlebags he'd asked her to bring. "Where would you like these placed?" She asked.
"Over there is fine." He waved to the nearby table as he sat down beside Matilda on the bed. "Matilda. Matilda, wake up sweetheart." He softly instructed, the girl taking much longer this time to respond to him then she had before. "Come on, let me see those pretty brown eyes of yours."
Hearing Jarrod's voice through the fog, Matilda fought to get her eyes to open.
"That's a girl." Jarrod encouraged when she'd finally woken up. "We're on the train now honey, we're almost home."
Matilda felt the twisting feeling in her stomach return with a vengeance. "G-gonna-"
"Hand me that basin Jeanie." He knew too well what was going to happen next and while Jeanie grabbed the basin, he sat her up. Again she started vomiting, throwing up a little water mixed with the bile her stomach had created. "You're alright Matilda." He comforted her gently as she kept dry heaving, now that her stomach was empty. "Just take a few deep breaths. You'll be alright."
The pain and the nausea seemed to lessen for a moment after she'd gone to vomit a couple more times and she forced herself to take a couple deep breaths to try to settle her stomach. "I-I'm, I'm sorry…" She apologized, tears of frustration slipped down her cheeks. "Heath… He's been… Been tryin' to... to get... me to drink... but I just... can't keep it down…"
"It's alright, it's not your fault."
"You'll be alright Matilda." Jeanie added as she placed her hand on knee, trying to offer her what small comfort she could. "What would you like me to do with this, Mister Barkley?" She questioned after a moment, motioning to the basin in her hand.
"There should be a bucket lying around in here somewhere, see if you can find it and just empty the basin into that. We'll be needing it again, I'm sure."
With a nod of her head she rose, disappearing into the other compartment of the carriage.
Gently Jarrod lay Matilda back down again, staying beside her on the bed. "How are you feeling?"
"It's really... starting... to hurt." She whimpered, grimacing again as another pain went through her stomach.
"What is?" He ran his fingers through her hair. "What's hurting?"
"My stomach."
"Mind if I take a look?"
Matilda shook her head slightly to indicate she didn't mind.
Unbuttoning the back of her dress, Jarrod slipped her arm out of her sleeve in order to look at her stomach. While it had been bruised yesterday, the bruising looked worse today then it had when he'd first seen it. Not only that, but her abdomen was extremely distended. Seeing her stomach, Jarrod arrived at the same grim conclusion that Heath had drawn earlier on.
"It's pretty… pretty bad, ain't it."
"It's not great but you'll be alright." He fixed her dress up again, leaving the back unbuttoned to expose her wounds to the air. They had started to scab over but another cleaning was something he'd leave for the doctor to do. There was nothing else they could do for her themselves. "Just try to rest honey, we'll have you home and in your own bed before you know it."
Thinking about how good that luxurious mattress would feel, she smiled just a little as she closed her eyes again.
Sitting beside her, Jarrod gently took her hand in his. Help her God. Please. Please help her to hold on.
It was upon this scene that Jeanie returned, standing for a moment in the partition dividing the carriage. It was evident that this man cared for Matilda a great deal and she began to understand just a little why Matilda had been so hesitant in saying anything to anyone about what she was going through. These people, they seemed to be good. After all, Jarrod didn't have to come back for her. He didn't have to help her get away from the saloon and being a working girl there but he had. He had to be good. Maybe he was one of the ones she could trust. After all, if Matilda trusted him, he had to be trustworthy.
Quietly she snuck in and placed the basin down on the floor within reach in case it was needed again. "Is there anything else I can do?"
Jarrod turned to her. "There'll be some cloth in one of the saddlebags, would you bring some and the canteen?"
She nodded, going back out and returning again with the items.
Unscrewing the lid, Jarrod tipped some out onto the cloth and wet it thoroughly then gently draped it over Matilda's forehead.
The sound of the train blowing its whistle made them both jump, Matilda startling at the sound. "It's alright, it's just the train." He told her, the girl nodding and closing her eyes again. A moment later the train began to move and the back door opened, Nick and Heath having gotten aboard just in time.
"Sold the wagon and team, lost twenty but gettin' somethin' back is better then nothin'." Nick reported, joining them as the train began to pick up speed. "Did you get a telegram sent off to Mother?"
He nodded, Heath also coming into the small sleeping compartment. "I sent her a telegram and one to Doctor Merar, asking them both to meet us at the station. Then another to Sheriff Ragan"
"Good, good."
Jeanie quietly withdrew, not feeling it was her place to be present as the train began to pick up speed.
"Jarrod… Ah… You mind if I sit with Matilda for a spell?" Nick questioned hopefully. "I just… I ain't had much time to sit with her."
"Of course. I need to go speak with Jeanie anyhow." Squeezing Matilda's hand gently he laid it back down on the mattress and rose. "Call me if anything changes."
Nodding, Nick took up his older brother's spot.
Heath sat down on the bed at Matilda's feet.
"Guess her bein' your sister and all…" Nick started after a time, turning to his brother. "Guess that's been a lot to take in."
The blonde cowboy nodded. "Reckon you'd be right Nick."
"And if she's your sister and your my brother, guess that goes makin' her my sister too."
A faint hint of a smile came to his lips. "I guess you could be right by that thinkin'."
"I… I like… The sound… Of that."
Hearing Matilda's faint voice, Nick turned back to her. "I thought you was sleepin'."
"Just… Resting my eyes." She forced them open again. "Don't you two… Go worryin' over me now… Alright? I'll be fine."
"Course. Course you are." Nick agreed with more conviction then he felt. "But you just worry 'bout restin', lil one."
"I'll rest... if you... promise... you wont... worry."
He chuckled a little. "You drive a hard bargain."
"Learned… from you."
Her eyes closed again, Nick wiping down her fevered forehead with the damp cloth. "Yeah, I reckon you did." He agreed with a soft chuckle as he left the cloth in place and began to run his fingers through her hair.
Watching them, Heath smiled sadly at his brother's tenderness towards his little sister. Not many people were a witness to the gentleness and caring side that Nick carefully hid behind the personality most people were privy too and he felt privileged to be one of the few that did. When Nick cared, he cared deeply and with his whole being. Nick had adopted Matilda as his sister without hesitation, something unexpected but not at all out of character for him.
"That's a gal." Nick kept speaking softly to her, Matilda starting to relax slightly beneath his touch. "You go to sleep and 'fore you know it, we'll be home."
Yes.
Heath chuckled sadly.
Nick had found room in his big heart for one more.
