His Perfect Love

Chapter 13

Allison watched Riley continue to thrash around. What can we do?

"Let me try," she told Clayton.

He let go of Riley as Allison drew near to her. She spoke in a soothing voice.

"Shhh...Calm down Riley. It's just Allison. Lie still, okay? You're gonna be just fine. Relax, you're all right."

Riley's thrashing slowed and then stopped. Her features relaxed more as a look of peace washed over her. Her breathing slowed and she appeared to be resting peacefully.

"Get better soon. I'm going to be right here to take care of you," Allison soothed.

Allison smoothed Riley's hair away from her face in a motherly gesture. Then she placed cool cloths on Riley's forehead. Please, God, heal her body and take away her sickness. Let her wake up soon. Clayton had been silent during the whole ordeal. She looked up to see him staring at the two of them with a strange expression.

"Clayton?"

"Hmm?"

"What are you thinking?"

"I don't like her response. What do you think it means? Do you think Wesley was her husband?" he said honestly.

"I'm not sure. When she's awake and feeling better we can ask her," Allison told him.

He nodded in agreement. Dusky sunlight filtered through the window. Dawn had arrived, and the rain stopped.

"I don't think there's much we can do for Riley now. I can make her some herbal tea and broth that might help the fever to go down. I say we should just continue with our day for now," Allison suggested.

"If she isn't better by later, I'll go get Dr. Brown," Clayton said.

"Good idea. Poor Riley, she's been through so much. And I have a feeling that we don't even know everything."

"Yeah, I feel the same. We'll find out soon enough."

Allison removed the cloth from Riley's forehead and dipped it back into the water. She wrung it out and placed it back where it was. Riley breathed in and out as sweat glistened on her skin. Allison sighed and stepped away. Clayton followed her out of the room. Allison went to the kitchen to start on the tea and Clayton began his chores. Allison got her glass jars of herbs down from the cupboard and set them up before her. In a bowl she mixed herbs that were known to reduce fever like yarrow and peppermint.

Allison took bones and skin from leftover meat and put it in a pot of water to boil. She added seasoning to make it taste better. Then she made breakfast for Clayton and herself. Toasted bread with jam and fruit was a quick fix. She set the food on the table and checked on the broth. It would take about three hours to be ready. She put water in a teapot to boil then went to call Clayton in to eat.

"Clayton! Come and eat!" she called.

She sat at the table and waited for Clayton to join her a few minutes later.

"Hey, sis."

"Hello. Sorry it isn't much, but you can come back in, in a while if you're hungry."

"Thanks. Did you check on Riley yet?" he asked.

Allison shook her head, "No, I was making broth and mixing the tea. When you're done you can check on her if you want."

"All right. I will."

Clayton eagerly ate his food then stood, plate in hand. He pushed his chair in with his foot.

"Just put the dishes in the washtub," Allison told him.