love just gets complicated

chapter 20

"You're a great Cook Madeline" thaddeus exclaimed as they sat around the fire eating supper.

"Thanks" she replied. She felt happy that he liked it to. She looked across at Joshua. He was sitting silently pushing his food around his plate.

She looked back up at Thaddeus and motioned with her eyes at Joshua. He looked at joshua.

"Eat" he said firmly.

Joshua shook his head. His head was pounding. It was so painful he felt sick. Really sick. He took a deep breath but all he could smell was bacon which wasnt helping.

"Josh" Thaddeus warned. "You need to eat with a head injury"

" I can't. I'm not hungry" Joshua laid his plate down on the ground.

"Please Joshua" madeline begged.

Joshua shook his head. "I ca-"

Whatever he was going to say Thaddeus and Madeline never found out. He jumped up and ran out towards the trees.

Thaddeus automatically jumped up to follow.

"Joshua! You alright" he called.

"Go away" came Joshua's voice destinctivly.

Thaddeus could hear the sudden sound of someone being sick.

"You sure you're OK?" He called out.

"I'm OK"he called back.

Thaddeus walked back towards Madeline.

"Is he alright?" She asked and Thaddeus ploped down next to her.

"Yeah he's fine. Just err throwing up" he replied.

"Ooh"

"So how long have you been with josh?" Thaddeus rested his head against the tree behind him.

"Oh about 2 weeks now" she said her face grew warm. She wished she would stop blushing every time someone said Joshua.

"Has he err told you what our next move is? Because I don't think we will be able to reach rising gulch for a while. There's a town though. Not far from here. Its called red rock. We could stop of there if you want" thaddues said.

"Erm no he hasn't. But yes I think that would be good to stop. I can't wait to sleep in a proper bed and have a nice hot bath" she replied. She sighed at the thought of a bath. she rubbed her hair between her fingers.

"So err, how come you put that gun down straight away when I said my name?" He asked. He was trying to make conversation.

"Oh, the first time we met after he awoke he mentioned you. Saying he needed to get to you. Don't think he was in the right frame of mind then anyway. He was sorta babbling in hysterics." She replied, she rested her head against the tree as well.

"Hysterics?"

"Yes, he woke up and was confused. It resulted in tears afterwards" she replied. "But I guess he told you right?"

Thaddeus shook his head. " no, he didn't mention that"

"Oh! Please don't tell him I've told you"

"I wont"he grinned.

Joshua appeared in the trees, walking towards them. Well stumbling towards them. His legs felt like jelly. His hands were shaking. What was wrong with him?

"Joshua! You alright?" Thaddeus asked as Joshua reached them.

He nodded. He collapsed onto the ground next to them. His legs felt horrible.