Setting: Old West
Rating: PF — Profanity and AC — Adult Content
This is the second story set in the Hope Ranch AU (the first is A Shining Place Called Hope) Winnie, dear, I hope you salivate...
IMPORTANT AUTHOR"S NOTE: This was written in a bit of a hurry for a specific reason, no time for beta work or many edits, so read with kind eyes!.
Chris heard voices and forced his heavy eyes to open. He vaguely recalled Buck being with him but now the chair was empty. He saw a blurry man with graying hair waving at him. He blinked and rubbed his eyes, sighing hard at the nagging headache that the fever left him with. He saw someone waving at him and then his vision cleared.
"Sweet dreams, Chris," Josiah stated, leaving by the back door. It was closer to the outhouse.
"Josiah?"
"He was keeping you two company until I could return." The doctor unwrapped Wilson's bandaged leg as he answered Laraabee's raspy question.
"About time you woke up," Greg greeted. "I think the doctor's tired of hearin' my moans."
"Good to see you, Greg." Chris managed a weak but very sincere half-grin.
"Not half as good as it was for me to wake up this morning and see you there. I hoped your friends got to you in time but until I saw you..." He sighed hard and winced as the doctor poured something onto the leg wound. "Ow!"
"Hey," Chris caught the dark-haired man's eye. "Thanks... I'd have been dead at least twice if not for you."
"Funny thing," Greg smiled, "I was about to apologize for..."
"Apologize!" Chris's voice went up and he winced, the echo seemed to slam into his head. "For what?"
"They caught us... I could have... maybe should have... he hurt you more..."
"To quote Vin, 'coulda, woulda, shoulda, it's all bullshit'" Chris eyed the doctor who was now standing up and pulling the blanket up to Greg's waist. "He okay, doc?"
"Weak, and battling a fiesty fever like you are. But he'll be fine. As a matter of fact tomorrow morning you both graduate to real food. Good, solid food will help you get your strength back."
"Sounds good to me Doctor... uh..." Chris frowned and tried to remember the name Nathan told him. "Washington..." The grayhaired man smiled and shook his head.
"...uh... Adams..."
"No..." The doctor patted Greg's knee and handed him a cup. "Drink it all, you'll sleep right through."
"Thanks, Doctor Franklin," Greg answered.
"Franklin!" Chris exhaled, shaking his damp blond head. "I knew it was one of the big three."
"No relation," he spoke of Benjamin Franklin. "You're looking better." He walked to the bed and bent over, listening to the infirmed man's chest.
Buck crept quietly into the house, Nathan was sleeping on a cot in the front examination room which was empty. He heard voices and moved towards the large room where Greg and Chris were.
"...breaking up a bit. I'm going to rub some linament on your chest, it doesn't smell very good but it will break up the rest of that. The menthol soothes the lungs as well."
"Fine by me, I'm guessing you're putting the good shit in that mug and I won't smell it anyhow."
"You'd guess right," Doctor Franklin answered. "You're a lucky, man Mister Larabee. Those friends of yours are exceptional men."
"It's Chris, doc, Mister Larabee is my father. " He toasted with the mug and drained it. "And you're right, I'm one lucky bastard." He squinted and eyed the narrow slip of doorway he could see from where he sat. He could have sworn he saw somebody.
"Your fever is going down and as long as you continue to follow orders, drink all the fluids and sleep, you should have it beat by tomorrow. But you have a long recovery ahead. The wounds are deep and I don't want them to reinfect. When you leave here to go home, you have to rest and let yourself heal. Especially the burns, they are quite serious.":
"Believe me doc, I'm not plannin' on breakin' horses anytime soon," Chris yawned.
The doctor turned around to put his stethescope back in his bag and saw someone signal to him. He snapped his bag shut and turned back to Chris Larabee. Whoever it was didn't want him to hear.
"I want to get some balm for those burns. I need to redress them tonight. I'll be right back, it's in my examination room."
"I'll still be here," Chris teased, taking the mug of tea the doctor gave him.
WHen Doctor Franklin got into the hallway, he was greeted by a very concerned Buck Wilmington.
"Sorry to bother you, Doctor Franklin. We got a problem. Vin's sick, real sick. He's fevered and throwing up. It could be from a spider bite or a bullet."
"A bullet?" The doctor scowled. "I don't recall hearing any shooting in town."
"No... no... from Mexico. He didn't know he was shot." Buck moved his hand to his back. "It's down here somewhere, he thought he twisted his back dodging the bullets. He's got a spider bite on his hand and it's hurtin' him some."
"And you're right, it could be from either. Where is he now?"
"In the room across from ours, second floor of the hotel. There was a bathtub in there. Me and Ezra filled it with cool water and got him inside. The blood is all crusted up and the shirt won't come off him. We can't tell if it's still in there or not."
"A tepid bath will help the fever too." He eyed the light coming from the other room. "Give me a few moments to finish up with Chris. I take it you didn't wish him to know?"
"Not until we know how bad it is, no." Buck shook his head. "Chris had enough to worry on with his own injuries. If he knew Vin was down, well, he'd be more than a little cranky."
"If you can, move him to the closest bed, put him belly down. I'll come right over."
"Thanks, doc!"
"Problem?" Chris asked, his tongue was thick. The drug was working fast.
"Small I hope, a minor inconvience at the hotel. I'll attend to it when I'm finished here."
Chris was trying to figure out the voice he'd heard. Somehow he thought he should know who it was but his muddy brain wouldn't cooperate. The harder he tried, the more tired he got. By the time the doctor finished with all of his burns, he was already under.
Erza looked up when the Buck called out to the doctor. He and Wilmington had gotten Vin across the hall into their own room. As the doctor suggested, the tracker was belly down with the sheet resting just over his backside. The shirt had come off in the tub and much to his relief, there was a long graze that went almost the width of his lower back. But it was better than finding a hole and no bullet.
"It's a crease, I see," the doctor stated, eyeing the nasty line. "There is a lot of debris inside. I'll get as much as I can out, then clean it good and pack it with medicated lint. The dressing should be loose as this will ooze, it's infected.
"It sure stinks..." Buck agreed. "Jesus, that had to hurt. How'd he ride home?"
"He is after all, a Tanner," Ezra stated proudly. "I think the bath helped his fever. He is not as hot."
"It's one of the best things you could have done for him. Now he's clean, the body temperature is a little lower and he'll rest easier. "
"He suffered a spider bit as well," Ezra updated, lifting VIn's hand. "It was a brown desert spider and we've been cleaning it and keeping it covered. I'm not sure if his illness is due to this, the wound or both."
"It surprises folks when they get sick from a spider bite because they're so small. But their venom can be dangerous."
"Is there anything we can do?" Buck asked.
"You can make sure there is a good amount of water handy. He's likely to have a rough night. He'll be throwing up and possibly confused. He shouldn't be alone. Once the fever passes, he'll need to remain quiet and especially be careful of that hand. Those sores usually take their time healing and are very painful."
A half hour later, the doctor had removed a lot of pieces of cloth from Vin's back. He'd cleaned the wound out and then packed it. A loose bandage was resting over his back. Vin never stirred and the doctor left a bottle of rubbing alcohol. It was to be mixed with water and used to bathe the fever. Buck and Ezra decided to split shifts. Buck took Nathan's room since he wasn't using it. Ezra would wake him at dawn to relieve him.
"If his breathing becomes labored or the fever spikes, come and get me at once. Otherwise, I'll be back in the morning. Try to get water into him. Oh, in the morning I'll bring some peppermint bark tea, very good for bad stomachs. In the meantime, I'll leave these. If he's up to it, they'll soothe." He put a bag of small peppermint drops on the bedside. "He's not to leave this bed, make that understood. "
"Now there's an easy job," Buck teased, clapping the doctor's back. "I don't know what we'd have done if you weren't in town ."
"Oh, Mister Jackson would have managed, he's very skilled."
"I think we all can attest to that, we've required his services on more than one occasion." Ezra nodded to Buck. "I'll see you in the morning."
"You sure you can handle him alone? He can get ornery."
"So can I," Ezra retorted, eyeing his flushed-face charge, "I'll be fine."
Chris was surprised when he woke up to find bright morning sunlight streaming into the room. He sighed, yawned, coughed several times and winced, clutching his injured chest. He turned and spotting Greg resting, and saw an empty tray on the bedstand. Apparently, he'd slept through breakfast. His headache nagged at him but not at bad as it had been, his eyes no longer felt as if they were on fire. He heard humming and saw a woman peek into the room.
"Ah, you're up. I'm Mrs. Franklin. My husband is at the hotel treating a friend of yours . One of the men that brought you here."
"Friend?" Chris frowned, he'd asked about that. Hadn't Buck said they were all fine? "What happened?"
"Something to do with an infected bullet wound I believe. " She set a tray down before him which held biscuits, soft boiled eggs and hot oatmeal sprinkled with brown sugar. A pot of tea and some apple cider completed the breakfast. "He should be back soon. In the meantime, he left orders for you to eat."
"Thanks," Chris acknowledged. "For taking care or me and Greg. " She nodded and poured his tea, then turned away. He had a nagging feeling in his gut even before he asked. "Ma'am? Did your husband mention who was hurt?"
"Well, no. Buck was the young man who came to get him and he was very upset. I was in the kitchen and couldn't hear clearly, but it sounded like Tim or Jim."
"Hmm..." Chris frowned. "Vin?"
"Perhaps," she agreed, "If you want more, just ring that bell on the tray, so I can hear you upstairs."
"Thanks."
As Chris ate, his eye wandered to the hallway and he recalled the night before seeing someone there. The doctor left to take care of somebody at the hotel. How had Vin gotten wounded? He was determined to remain awake and question the doctor. After eating, he laid his head back on the pillow to rest his throbbing head.
While Chris was consuming his meal, his best friend was losing his painfully. Vin moaned and didn't have the strength to open his eyes. He was totally limp and only dimly aware of voices nearby. Whatever he'd been given to drink came back up violently. Now he was rolled to one side of a bed so the soggy sheets could be stripped. Somebody was supporting him and his head was hanging off the edge of the bed. The room seemed to be spinning around and his mouth felt like it was on fire. His tongue seemed too big and even talking wasn't working. His words came out slurred and distorted.
"Poor boy's sick as a dog," Josiah stated, holding onto the limp tracker. The heat that radiated off of Vin Tanner's skin worried him. "He's hotter than hell too."
"Well," Buck said, pouring more water into the tub. "The doc said to give him another bath. It can't hurt." He stood up and eyed the three-quarters full tub. "That outta do it."
"Vin?" Josiah tipped the fevered body back and tried to find the blue slits that were glassy. "Buck and me are gonna put you in a tub. You take it easy, we'll do the work."
Vin had been sick before and the most frustrating part for him was the inability to care for himself. He was not comfortable with strangers tending to his private needs. But at this point, he was too weak to even swipe the spit that ran off his chin. He felt like his skin was on fire and when the cool water hit his hot skin, it startled him. He bucked back weakly, fighting to get out.
"Easy there, slick," Buck soothed, eyeing the annoyed face. The blinking blue eyes couldn't focus and even the curses were garbled. "Holster that Tanner temper. You already puked on every shirt I got with me. "
"...t'fuckinbad..." Vin slurred, pushing a wet fist against the place he heard a chuckle.
"Calm down, Vin," Josiah ordered, shoving his hands against Vin's shoulders. He held the wiry tracker in place until the fight left him. "Just let the water work. Buck and me won't let you drown."
"...bet..."
"With what?" Buck teased. "You ain't got two nickels to rub together." He eyed the blue eyes slowly sinking fast. "Vin?"
"He's out again." Josiah assesed, using a mug to pour water on Vin's head.
"I hope this does it," Buck voiced his concern. "If he could just keep that medicine down and get some sleep."
Twenty minutes later, Vin was dry and lying under a light sheet on a clean bed. The air from the window was a welcome relief in the room. The bath had decreased his body heat and they both hoped this time it would return to normal. Josiah poured the medicine into a mug of cider just as the doctor suggested. He nodded to Buck who tapped the restless Texan's cheek.
"Vin? I got some cider for you," Buck addressed and the mouth opened on cue. "Attaboy..." He held Vin's head up for several minutes until he was sure the liquid was down.
"I got this," Josiah stated. "You check on Chris. JD was supposed to update Nathan at breakfast."
Chris felt a light touch and recognized the cool metal that touched his skin. He peeled an eye open and saw Doctor Franklin hovering over him. He waited until the physician completed his examination and then accepted a mug of cold water.
"You're improving considerably. Your fever is down and in a few more days with the proper food and rest, you may be able to be taken by wagon to your ranch. Your friend Buck said it's not very far."
"How's Vin?" Chris asked bluntly. "How'd he get shot?"
Doctor Franklin wasn't sure how the patient found out but that was beside the point now. He placed his tools back in his bag and sat on the chair next to the bed. He rubbed his eyes and let out a long sigh. The patient's very telling eyes said more than the tone of his voice. He'd been worried, very worried.
"He's battling a high fever and throwing up alot. He's rather out of sorts, he doesn't know where he is most of the time. It's not clear how he was wounded. He wasn't aware of it until your two friends discovered it last night. They seem to think it occured near the mine in Mexico when they were searching for you."
"How bad?"
"He's lucky, the bullet grazed him here," he updated, moving his arm across the bottom of his back. "A deep graze and it had gone a long time without being tended to. The infection that is making his so sick is either due to that or to a nasty spider bite on his hand. Spider venom can do a lot of damage."
"He's gonna be okay, isn't he?"
"He's a strong young man, and given a few days rest, he'll be fine," he tried to dissolve some of the concern that was lingering in the light eyes. "I'm going to get you a small bowl of chicken and dumplings. Eating small meals every few hours is an excellent way to build your strength back."
Chris was about to reply when he saw Buck's face appear over the doctor's shoulder in the hallway. His brows furrowed and he worked up a half-glare. "Buck, I want to talk to you!"
"Well, I'll leave you to rest. Your lunch will be a midsized tray of food. There will be an afternoon snack and a full tray at supper. Good solid food will help bring your stength back." The doctor skirted away and left the two friends to their privacy.
"Mornin', Stud," Buck greeted brightly, nodding to the retreating doctor as he approached the bed. Larabee was not happy. "I was just going to get cleaned up and eat."
"Don't you mean you were going to update me first?" Chris drilled.
"Well, now that was my first thought, but I'm not exactly dressed for a visit." Buck tapped his soiled shirt."And I wouldn't want the smell to upset you."
"You're full of shit, Buck!" Chris tossed back and eyed the smelly shirt. "Tanner puke?"
"Nobody hurls like that ratty-assed Texan," Buck moaned. "He's decorated every shirt I got."
"I know I was out of it last night, Buck, but why didn't somebody let me know this morning?"
"Look, Chris, there wasn't much to tell you before now. Hell, even Vin didn't know he was shot until we took that damned coat off of him and saw the blood. We just thought he was tired."
"The doc said he's not so good."
"He's pukin' up all over me, Josiah and the room. He's burnin' up but we keep puttin' him in the bath and that seems to help. He's finally sleepin' now. If he could just hold that medicine down and rest...." He paused to yawn and scrub a weary hand over his face.
"Sounds like good advice, you ought to take it."
"I'm okay," Buck hedged, "I'm gonna grab some food, a bath and a nap. Josiah's with him now. The doctor doesn't want him alone until he's through this, he wakes up confused."
"In case I didn't say so, thanks Bucko..."
"Oh, you'll get my bill," Buck teased, slapping the leg under the sheet playfully. "I'll tell you what, I can't wait to get home. I got a nice spot on the porch picked up just to soak up a sunset."
"I'll drink to that," Chris agreed, savoring the wistfulness in Buck's voice. Home was a place he'd never thought he'd find again. "The doc says in a few days we outta be okay to head home. " He paused then, his pale eyes going to the window. A light breeze took the curtains up and he caught a glimpse of the mountains. " I never thought that word would mean so much again, Buck."
"Yeah,' Buck agreed. "Sure does have a sweet sound."
When Vin forced his heavy eyes open, he was greeted by a strange room. The early morning light that peeked at him shyly. He was lying on his belly in a bed. His brows knit in confusion. He didn't know this room or why he felt so sick. His mouth was hot and his body was slick with sweat. He tried to move and a pain lashed across his lower back.
"...Goddammit'hellfuckin'shitisgoin'on..."
"Good Morning, Mister Tanner," Standish greeted, moving from his chair to get the confused soul some water. It was a scene that had been replayed for the last day and a half. Vin would rouse and in a very cranky state, demand to know where he was and what happened.
Vin wiped his wet face and winced at the headached throbbing inside his skull. He had a damp pair of long johns on and nothing else. His burning eyes went around the strange room. The fact that Ezra was wearing a slick Standish grin didn't help.
"Where the hell is this? Where's m'clothes? Who stomped on m'head?" Vin demanded as Ezra leaned over him. "Quit grinnin' at me like some Goddamn Southern Fried Jackass!"
"Charming as usual," Ezra drolled of the cranky body, "We're in Grovers Pass, you were wounded and are suffering from a fever. But..." He put the mug down and assisted Vin in turning and sitting up on the side of the bed. "by the amount of sweat on the sheets and clinging to you, I would wager you've defeated the nasty beast."
"Huh?" Vin croaked, squinting at Ezra. He wiggled his fingers for the mug and drained it, then two more before burping loudly and dribbling. "I'm jest about starved... shakin' the hell all over."
"You've been very ill, your stomach will not hold itself. You've decorated most of us as well as two rooms."
"It ain't everybody that gets that pleasure," Vin replied, rubbing his hand. "Hurts like a bitch..."
"A spider bite, and unfortunately that will be a problem for some time yet. However, if you are up to it, a bath and some clothes await. I will advise the doctor and perhaps some bread and broth are in order."
"Ain't I the lucky bastard," Vin mumbled, slapping at Ezra's hand. "Quit pawin' me. Jest cause I'm half-nekkid don't give ya the right t'be gropin' and such."
"And such?" Ezra chuckled, "I can assure you that day will never dawn."
"I ain't goin' anywhere, Ez," he updated the concerned eyes. "But m'heads about t'fall the hell off. So if yer gonna tote water, ya best git movin'."
"Very well, I will see to the bath and send JD to update the doctor. In the meantime, do not leave this bed, understood?" He got a shaggy-headed nod and refilled the mug again before leaving.
Vin sipped the water but his body was not sated and he needed more. Also, the breeze coming into the hot room was near the window. He stood on wobbly legs and held onto the bedpost, then the bedstand and slowly made his way to the chair near the window. He more or less fell onto it, his legs gave out but he got there. He laid his head on the window sill and closed his eyes, biting his lip against the headache and back pain. But the cool air that sauntered over him felt wonderful. He heard a trio of familiar voices outside on the street just below his window. His ears perked up when Buck updated JD and Ezra regarding Gilbert.
"The Judge wired, he'll be here tomorrow." Buck pulled out the yellow paper and scanned it again. "He said the feds shut down that tent city but Gilbert got away."
"Damn!" JD vented, kicking the hitching post. "He outta pay for what he did to Chris and all those other men."
"He will JD," Buck predicted. "He won't get far, the feds will keep huntin' him."
"Unless he manages to get into Mexico. Undoubtedly he has money and investments there. He could hide out indefinately and when things cool down emerge again to rebuild somewhere else," Ezra imparted.
Like hell he will." Vin thought on Ezra's assumption.
They walked away then and he didn't hear the rest. He knew what he had to do now and once his mind was set to something, it was hard to break. He would spend today resting, eating and getting a little strength back . He raised his head and peered out of the window. He squinted against the pain the sunlight caused his headache and zoned in on the sheriff's office. A plan formed and he shuffled back to his bed, sitting down easy and resting sideways against the wall over the pillows. He was dozing when Buck shook him.
"Tub's waitin', Vin," Buck suggested and an arm came out. He ruffled the damp curling locks on Tanner's head and frowned when he was not cursed at or threatened with bodily harm. Vin seemed a bit quiet, even for him. But maybe he was just worn out. Buck got him in the tub and Josiah arrived with fresh clothes.
Vin held his thoughts to himself as Josiah helped to clean him and steady him as he got some loose fitting pants on. Due to the location of the wound, the doctor didn't want a shirt on him yet, to allow the gooey line to heal. He held onto that strong arm when the floor seemed to move as he shuffled to a room across the hall. He ate the soup and some fresh bread and downed all the tea. He didn't object once to taking more medicine and sleeping. He ate a light lunch, took more medicine and resumed his rest. This was also repeated at dinner, chicken and noodles with some tea. Buck kept up a one way conversation until Vin shuffled back to his bed. The doctor appeared and cleaned his back, then wrapped a bandage around it. Vin's eyes were shutting before the procedure was done. He was out cold when Buck and the doctor eased him onto his side in the bed.
When he woke up again, it was dark and JD was sleeping in the chair next to his bed. Vin eyed the tray which held leftovers from the kid's snack, cookies and cider. He ate them slowly, careful not to wake Dunne. Then he eased his body into a shirt and tossed his gunbelt over his shoulder, before grabbing his boots. He tiptoed into the hall, sat on the top step and got his boots on. It was a terrific effort and he had to bite his lip against the pain. It took him several minutes to recover and regain the ability to stand. He felt better, a bit weak but steadier on his feet. He made his way outside and across the street to the sheriff's office.
Delilah looked up when the sheriff appeared in the small space on the other side of the cell.
"You got a visitor."
"Cotton?" she hoped, he would come for her. She'd wired him the first day she'd been left in this dump.
"Ya drunk?" Vin drawled, peering at her through the bars. He saw a combination of fear and revulsion in her eyes. "He ain't comin' back fer ya, he's long gone." He pressed his face closer to the bars and used his hostility well. "And yer gonna tell me where he slithered ofta."
"Why should I?"
"Them fellas ya sent down to that rathole mine are jest waitin' t'talk t'the Judge t'morra. 'Tween that and the records we got from the mine office, it's enough t'stretch yer neck but good. " He saw her pale then and begin to tremble. "Ya don't owe that snake spit, he left ya holdin' the bag while he ran out. Ya tell the Judge what ya know and he might go easy on ya. Could be he'll give ya prison time instead."
She turned away from the intense blue eyes and studied the cracks on the plaster wall. He was right, she hated to admit it, but Gilbert hadn't come back for her.
"The feds took down that tent city and he wasn't there...." Vin prodded. "Where is he? Hell, ya don't owe him nuthin', not after what he done t'ya."
She thought on that and weighed his words. She didn't turn around to face him, she kept her eyes on the dark sky outside the barred windows.
"He has a friend with a large spread across the river, just outside El Paso. The double P is a big place run by Mitch Parker. Parker's got a lot of cash and spends it freely. He's tried talking Cotton into opening a place down there. Parker owes him a favor."
She sighed hard, shook her head and wondered how it all went so wrong. Maybe he could help her. She knew the men he rode with worked for the judge that was due to arrive. Mabye if he put in a word for her...
"Look, If you could just put a word in for me," she asked and turned around. "Damn..." she sighed hard, the room was already empty.
It was just after eleven p.m. Buck reluctantly left the saloon. He'd napped during the afternoon, had dinner with Vin and exited the drinkery when Sanchez arrived. He was on his way to the hotel to take a shift watching Vin when a famliar pair of boots and pants caught his eye under the silvery moonlight. He squinted and following the stretched out legs up to a long-haired profile wearing a slouch hat. He sighed hard, eyeing the window down the street at the hotel where JD was supposed to be watching Vin. Shaking his head, he made his way over to the bench where Tanner was slumbering. His hand was halfway to the blue-clothed shoulder to rouse the Texan when his boot hit a loose board. The inert body sprung to life and the mare's leg was whipped out.
"Whoa, son, it's only me," Buck stated, ducking behing the edge of the General Store. He could see from the dim light coming from the street lamp that Vin's face was riddled in confusion. The gun hand was trained on the spot where he'd been standing but the normally keen eyes were unsure and darting to the unfamiliar street.
"Grovers Pass, you got shot, remember?" Buck tried and waited until the gun was lowered. "You're sick, you're not supposed to be wanderin' around out here."
"I was waitin'," Vin retorted, still not sure how he got there. He wasn't close to the hotel. He remembered eating dinner in his room and then nothing. He craned his neck and saw the doctor's house across the street. Was that why he was here?
"Waitin'?" Buck repeated, hoping the muddled features would ease up. "Waitin' for what?" Vin didn't reply at first, his brow furrowed and his eyes slid to one side as if thinking hard.
"Dammit!" VIn swore, kicking the dirt under his boot. "Can't remember shit when I wake up."
"The doctor said you'd be confused," Buck tried to placate. "Look, whatever it is, it'll come back to you." He saw Vin's eyes zone in on the house where Chris was and got an idea. "Were you waitin' to go see Chris?"
"Could be waitin' fer the president to come wanderin' the hell up the street..." Vin's voice trailed off in annoyance.
"Chris is probably asleep ." Buck read the intentions. "Tell you what. You get back to bed and tomorrow I'll get you over there and you can have breakfast with him."
"Reckon," Vin agreed, holding onto the arms of the chair and rising. The pain that slashed his back caused him to cry out. The street tipped a bit and the next thing he knew he was on his knees looking at Buck's boots. "Shut up, Buck."
"I didn't say anything!" Buck chuckled, hoisting Vin upright and pulling an arm over his shoulder.
"Ya was thinkin', it..." Vin accused. "The doc's place is closer. M'legs won't stretch t' that hotel. He's got a bed up front right?"
"Yeah," Buck agreed. He lead the staggering body across the street, up the walkway and into the house. Quietly, he then proceeded to the spare room. Nathan was up and the bed was empty. While Vin grabbed the bureau at the edge of the bed, Buck got his gunbelt off. He helped Vin with the shirt and once the tracker sat on the bed, he got the boots off.
"Bucklin?" Vin rasped, peeking up at the rogue. "Free rub?"
Buck laughed and accepted Vin's thank you, and did ruffle the wet hair. Giving Vin's shoulder a pat and not missing the pain radiating from the silent man's eyes, he exited. He saw the tall healer dressing Chris's wounds and caught his eye. He nodded once and went back to Vin's side.
Vin was dozing when he felt someone pulling at him. Annoyed, he pulled away and shoved against something muscular which did not move. Two strong hands forced him back down onto the bed.
"Buck, ya pull at me again and I'm gonna twist yer balls inta a knot!"
"Yuh best hush that Tanner mouth right now! I ain't got Buck's patience and I'm not in my best mood."
It was then that Vin noticed the hands pulling at him were dark-skinned. "Aw, hell..."
"Evenin' Vin," Nate issued sarcastically, resting a hand on the Texan's cheek. "Yuhr warm. Yuh know better than t'leave a bed when yuh got a fever. Let alone wanderin' through half of Mexico with venom in yuh. Yuh ain't got the sense God gave most hitchin' posts."
"M'heads spinnin' already, don't need a lecture." He would have argued more but just concentrating on getting his limbs to work too all his energy. He knew Nathan was upset so he didn't argue when the tall healer began to examine his back.
Vin knew Nathan was mad, he didn't say anything at first. So the Texan bit his lip and endured the bandages wrapped around his lower back were being changed. The doctor had put them on just before supper but the weeping wound left a gooey mess on the cotton. Vin flinched when he saw Nathan put something on the bandage. He knew whatever it was, once it hit his back it would hurt.
Buck saw it too and moved next to Vin, clamping down on his shoulders. He winced right along with the smaller when when Jackson' wrapped the medicine doused bandages around his waist. Vin balled his good hand into a fist and his eyes closed. A single hiss escaped his lips but Buck saw Vin blinking rapidly to hold back the moisture the pain caused to form in his eyes. He kept his hands in place until Vin's hitching breath evened out and the shaggy head dipped once.
Vin was vaguely aware of a mug being thrust at him and he took it, draining the cold apple cider.
"Yuh keep yuhr ass in that bed," Nate warned, shoving the swaying Tanner. He was about to scold his newest charge again but the body slumped against his chest.
"Out cold," Buck predicted, lifting Vin's legs onto the bed. "Sorry about that, Nate."
"That's okay," Nate answered, easing Vin onto his belly on the bed and pulled the quilt up. He rested his hand on Vin's check and frowned. He hoped the fever wouldn't return. "I'm savin' them words fuhr when his eyes can focus, then he'll get it both barrels." Frowning, he moved two large basins next to where Vin was curled up and made a mental note to get extra towels. Something told him it would be a long night.
"How's Chris?" Buck asked, when they ducked out of the room.
"Better. He's holdin' down his food, the fever's gone and he'll sleep better. He's got a long way t'go until he's healed but he's got a good start."
"Doc said in a few days, we outta be able to haul him to the ranch in a wagon. I think he'll do better there."
"Yup," Nate agreed. "I just finished changin' Greg's bandages. I'll finish up in there and I'll keep an eye on Vin." He paused, letting Buck slip past him into the hallway. "How he'd get loose?"
"How do you think?" Buck charged.
"JD was on duty?" Nate shook his head. "Josiah was headed over t'the saloon, why don't yuh keep him company?"
"Okay, I'll be back later," Buck agreed, slipping outside into the night.
Chris looked up when Nathan returned. He added Buck's voice to the ire scored nicely on Nathan's face. One image came to mind.
"Vin trouble?"
"He got loose. Buck found him sleepin' on a chair by the store across the street. I guess he was headin' this way." Nate put honey on the butter he'd already spread on two large pieces of cornbread. He poured some spiked tea and put the tray over Larabee's lap. "He's sleepin' on the cot up front. He knows better than t'run around this close t'bustin' a fever. I hope it don't spike overnight."
"Nathan?" Greg waited for a pause in the conversation. He was fighting hard to stay awake. He waited for the tall man to turn towards him. "You didn't happen to pass the Post Office, did you?"
"Not tonight, it's been closed for hours. But I'll make sure Josiah checks in the morning. He's gotta wire home."
"Thanks."
"I'm gonna take some more towels t'Vin's room just in case," Nate stated, nodding to Chris's tray. "Eat all o'that. The more yuh eat, the stronger yuh'll get."
Chris had a mouthful of cake but nodded, tipping his tea mug in accordance. When he swallowed the tea, he followed Greg's eyes towards the window. The wistful look in those eyes had him wondering.
"You wired your family?"
"James... my brother. I asked the doctor to send word yesterday. I was afraid to address it to my father." His shoulders slumped in defeat and he raked a shaky hand through his longish hair. "God, Chris, I hope it's not too late."
"It's never too late, Greg," Chris answered hopefully trying to dispell the sorrow in the voice. He knew the anguish on the younger man's face was genuine. "You heal up and ride home to that spread in Virginia. You got family, it's worth it." He waited for the lost eyes to find his. "They'll be waiting with open arms, Greg, trust me."
"I hope so, Chris, I was such a fool."
"Water under the bridge," Chris dispelled, "I've been to Virginia, it's pretty country."
"It's good horse country," Greg agreed and his mind lingered on an old dream shared by him and his brother when they were much younger. "Maybe me and James could raise and sell them. We used to talk about that..."
"Sounds like a plan," Chris toasted. "Get some sleep."
"Yeah..." Greg answered, yawning and resting his aching head. He felt the sandman hovering nearby and forced his heavy eyes open. "Hey, Chris? Thanks..."
'That's what friends are for, right?" Chris grinned and got a sleepy half-grin in return.
He watched Greg drift to sleep and hoped the answer would come. When you come that close to death, it can change you. He had a strong feeling Greg was ready to change and do right by himself and his family. He lingered on those thoughts as he drifted to sleep, with visions of the Hope Ranch to keep him warm.
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