The Wandering One

Chapter 10

When the Cartwrights had returned to the house, Adam set Terrin on the sofa in the study by the fire. After getting her permission, he told Ben, Hoss, and Joe all that she had told him. When he finished, all three stood stunned. A mix of emotions washed over them. Rage at the men who dared to hurt her. Sorrow for her tribe. Disgust at the couple who didn't show her true love. But most of all, each of the four Cartwrights felt even more protective over this young woman who had suffered so much injustice in her short lifetime.

Ben crouched down in front of Terrin, meeting her eyes with his gaze. "Terrin, I can promise you that we do not think any less of you. You did not deserve any of the awful things that happened to you and you couldn't have done anything to stop any of it from happening. You are so incredibly strong to not only have survived, but to have thrived in spite of it all and become such an amazing person. The world would be a lesser place without you in it."

Terrin gave a slight nod and Ben patted her hand comfortingly. Terrin noticed half heartedly in her thoughts that she wasn't flinching from the Cartwrights' touch. Not when they grabbed her from the cliff, or when Adam held her on the way home. Or now, when Ben touched her hand. She didn't feel fear tonight. She felt numb. Numb and tired. Hoss left the room and re-entered a short while later, carrying a cup of hot cocoa.

"This always helps to bring me comfort when I need it. Thought it might do the same for you," he explained himself as he gave it to her. Terrin accepted it silently and sipped it. The warmth spread through her and she savoured that feeling for a moment before Joe burst into the room.

"Pa, Lash is in front of the house. He's freakin' out and scaring some of the ranch hands!"

Terrin slowly stood, her ribs screaming in protest. Noticing her pain, Adam scooped her into his arms after checking if she was ok with it. He then swiftly carried her outside where the black stallion was throwing a fit, rearing and whinnying, whirling around the courtyard. Adam set Terrin down and almost reached out to stop her from approaching the worked up beast. Terrin evaded his grasp and stepped out toward her horse, "Lash."

One word from her was all it took. He instantly calmed down and rushed to her, resting his massive head gently against her torso. Terrin clung to his neck and buried her face in his mane. Joe approached her a minute later with a bucket of oats for Lash. Terrin nodded gratefully to him and fed Lash. When he was finished, Terrin stroked his nose and turned to go inside. She wobbled after one step and as Joe was closest, he scooped her up and carried her to her room, depositing her on the bed.

"Get some sleep and I'll see you at breakfast," he muttered fondly. Terrin nodded and quickly changed into nightclothes. Just as she finished, a knock sounded at her door. She opened the door to find Adam. He entered and stood for a moment, both were silent, unsure of what to say after all that had transpired that day. Eventually Adam broke the silence with, "I believe we had left of reading chapter 12 of Frankenstein the other night. Shall we?"

Terrin's face broke out into a small smile as she nodded, grateful that he wasn't making her talk more about the day's events. She settled herself in bed and Adam settled himself in the chair next to the bed and began to read aloud. Two chapters in, Terrin was sound asleep. When Ben came to check in on them before heading to bed, he found Adam still sitting by her bed. The young man looked up at his father. "I can't make myself leave her tonight, Pa. I'm scared that if I leave, I might lose her," he admitted.

Ben nodded in understanding and placed a reassuring hand on Adam's shoulder. "I know son. The next few weeks may be hard, but we will help her through this. No matter how hard it may be for us, it's going to be ten times harder for her." He tousled Adam's hair and went up to bed, and Adam dozed off an hour or so later.

The next morning, Terrin awoke to find Adam still slumped in the chair beside her bed, asleep. She then stared at the ceiling. The empty feeling from yesterday still permeated her mind and body. She let out a small sigh and decided she couldn't be bothered to get out of bed right now. Fifteen minutes later, Adam stretched and yawned as he woke up. He studied Terrin for a moment and realized that she was awake, just not moving and staring at the ceiling with a vacant expression.

"Good morning," he greeted her, causing her eyes to flick down to meet his, "I believe I can smell breakfast, I'm going to quickly change."

Terrin didn't respond, so Adam left to go change. Terrin slowly dragged herself out of bed and dressed herself in a pair of trousers and a black shirt. She pulled on her well worn boots and sat on her bed, trying to motivate herself to go eat breakfast. When she hadn't emerged after ten minutes, Adam knocked on her door. He came in and sat next to Terrin.

"You coming to breakfast? You need to eat." When she didn't respond, he asked, "Would you like me to bring you your breakfast?"

"No. I'll come."

The two left her room and joined Ben, Hoss, and Joe around the breakfast table. Terrin took a small pile of eggs and slowly picked at them. Ben, sensing that Terrin could use a distraction for the day, announced the need for a supply run to Virginia City.

"Joe and Terrin, I'd like you two to go please. That is if you feel up to it, Terrin?"

Terrin nodded, "I'll be fine."

Ben nodded and after breakfast, Joe hitched up the team while Terrin whistled for Lash. "Not riding in the wagon?" Joe asked, puzzled.

"Too bumpy. My ribs," she replied quietly. Joe nodded in understanding and swung up into the wagon to wait. Lash came trotting up the road and Terrin slipped his bridle on him, leading him to the fence. She threw her worn saddle blanket on his back and climbed on with the use of the fence. Then she and Joe set off towards town.

As they rode, Joe kept up a cheerful conversation that needed little input from Terrin, and cracked jokes. By the time they were approaching the city, Terrin had a small smile on her face from some of his jokes. She was starting to like Little Joe and his sense of humor. He felt emotions deeply and fiercely. Terrin liked that.