The Wandering One

Chapter 2

Adam was still sitting at the girl's bedside when Ben came back from town three hours later. His search had been unfruitful, he relayed to the three boys. There was no girl missing in the state that matched this one's description.

"So what'll happen when she wakes up?" asked Hoss. "Where'll she go?"

"Well, I reckon it's best if she remains here until she's fully healed, or at least healed enough to travel. Then I reckon she'll want to go back to her family wherever they may be." Replied Ben thoughtfully. Little Joe chimed in asking, "What do we do about her horse Pa? The dang critter won't let any of us near it."

Ben paused for a moment, then sighed. "Hoss, you go out there and see if you can at least coax it to the barn or something. If that doesn't work, I suppose we'll just have to leave some food out where it can get it. That horse puzzles me. Most would just run off."

Hoss nodded and set off on his task, muttering about oats and sugar as he went. As soon as he had left, the three men started when they heard a crash. It came from the girl's room! All three sprinted to her room and burst in to find her thrashing wildly, sweat beading on her forehead. Her eyes opened, and her thrashing increased.

"Quick, Joe grab her legs, I'll grab her arms! Adam move the broken pieces of the wash basin before she hurts herself on it!" Ben barked at his sons. They quickly jumped into action. Ben grabbed the girls shoulders and started talking calmly but firmly.

"It's alright, calm down, we're not going to hurt you." The girl continued to thrash. Her eyes glazed with fever and terror. Ben continued to speak calmly, "My name is Ben Cartwright. You're here with me and my sons. You're safe. You're safe. Shhh."

Slowly the girl began to calm down, her eyes slowly shut once again and her breathing evened out. Ben and Little Joe slowly released their grip on her and Ben gently placed his hand on her forehead. He almost jumped in shock. Her skin was so hot it almost hurt to touch it. He raced out of the room calling back, "I'm going to get Doc!".

Adam also felt the girls forehead. He quickly began trying to lower her temperature by gently wiping her face and neck with cold cloths. Joe removed the blankets and brought a light sheet to cover her with instead. Violent shivers wracked her body. When Ben and the Doctor came back, Doc Martin immediately leapt into action and barked orders.

"Ben, prepare a bath with lukewarm water. Adam keep wiping her face. Joe, get me a large shirt of Hoss's to put her in."

Joe and Ben ran off to obey orders. Joe came back with the shirt and gave it to Doc. Both he and Adam left the room while Doc quickly and efficiently changed the girl into the oversized shirt.

"Adam, come carry her to the bath." Doc called as he finished. Adam quickly strode in and gathered the girl carefully into his arms. He carried her up the stairs to the bath Ben had just finished drawing and gently set her in it. Doc checked the girls pulse while Adam supported the girls head and kept it above the water. Ben and Joe waited outside where Hoss joined them. Half an hour later, Doc Martin stepped out and asked Hoss for another dry shirt for the girl. Hoss obliged and once again Adam stepped out of the room until Doc called for him to take the girl back to her bed.

"The fever broke. However, her body is most likely exhausted from fighting the infection that caused all this. She likely won't wake up until tomorrow at the earliest. Monitor her closely tonight just in case, but I have a strong feeling she'll pull through." Doc informed the four anxious men. "What are you going to do with her when she wakes?"

"We're going to see if she has any family and help her get to them again, and if they can't be found, she'll be welcome to stay until she knows where she wants to go from there. I'll cover her bill with you Doc." Ben answered.

"No need, Ben. This one comes at no charge. I'll be back tomorrow to change out her bandages."

Adam once again placed himself at the girls side while Hoss and Joe went up to bed. Ben informed Adam that he'd be in the study and to call him if something happened.