The Golden Connection

Chapter 2, Part 1: Getting There

by Mavisdavis (aka Lyn)

 

 

 

This is a Fanfiction story based on the TV series The Big Valley, produced by Four Star Margate.  No copyright or right of ownership to the main characters and BV concept infringement is intended.  The author asserts right of ownership of this story plotline, and new original characters.

 

 

 

After signing the invoice and checking the balance of the seed order was aside for collection tomorrow, Heath made his way back through the store, greeting people as he walked.  It was a good feeling, like he belonged.  He no longer ignored their greetings, for those who spoke to him were friends and neighbours, not hostile to him. 

The day had turned quite warm by now.  Removing his shirt for cleanliness, Heath began into a regular rhythm loading the wagon, and his mind began to roam.  He had long since overcome his self-consciousness about the whip scars on his back.  By now he knew most people, one way or another, were aware he had been in Carterson, and held by the General in Mexico a couple of years back.  That had made quite a splash, not only in the local paper.  Quite a major political incident between California and Mexico at the time. 

What had Nick called them, he mused, a badge of courage, something he should wear with pride, not with shame.  He had been angry with Nick at the time, but he had come to see Nick's point of view.  He smiled as he thought back to one of many trail ride 'conversations'.  As usual, when Nick was in a fury, it was a fairly 'one-sided' affair.

Heath had been feeling bad over an injured horse they had had to shoot.  He had withdrawn into his thoughts, going over and over in his mind what had happened, what he had done, should have done to avoid the horse being injured.  The longer he dwelt on this the more his mind began to draw up all the other mistakes he had made.  Things he couldn't put right.  He sank further and further into his thoughts.  As they camped at the end of the day, after riding more than a day in silence, Nick had lost his temper.

"GODDAMMIT, HEATH, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP FOR EVERY LITTLE THING THAT HAPPENS!"

Heath had pulled away but Nick had grabbed him firmly by the shoulders, shaking him as he roared. 

"SURE YOU WERE THE ONE THAT SHOT THE HORSE! You HAD TO! Some things JUST HAPPEN." Roared Nick, eyes blazing, shaking his brother by the shoulders.

Heath stood sullen, head down, waiting for the blows he felt sure would follow Nick's usual irate tirade.  He didn't have the will to stop him this time.

"THAT'S ALL YOU COULD DO! THAT IS ALL ANYONE COULD HAVE DONE.  NOW SNAP OUT OF IT! YOU, LEAST OF ALL YOU, WOULD ALLOW AN ANIMAL TO SUFFER.  HEATH, YOU ARE A GOOD MAN! A FINE HORSEMAN! AND MY BROTHER! "

Heath stared at Nick in amazement.  The irony of hearing kind words emerge from the full force of a Nick Barkley fury brought a smile to his lips. 

"AND YOU CAN WIPE THAT SMILE OFF YOUR FACE.  I HAVEN 'T FINISHED YET," roared Nick. 

"That's enough, Nick" said Heath quietly, head down "just leave me be." He tried to free himself from Nick 's grasp. 

Nick pushed him to the ground and they had tumbled over wrestling with each other, until Heath's arm had encountered the fire.  It was while the guilty Nick was doctoring Heath's arm, that they had been able to talk. 

Removing Heath's slightly charred shirt Nick had again glimpsed the welted scars that crisscrossed his brother's back.  Nick had looked at Heath with a mixture of sadness and admiration. 

"I know you've been through some terrible times in your life Heath, but you've faced them with courage.  You should be proud of that.  Of your badge of courage," he tapped Heath's back.  Heath flashed him an angry scowl, and shrugged his hand away. 

"BE PROUD OF THE MAN THAT YOU ARE.  Be proud of who you are.  I know I am to be your brother.  But," Nick paused for a breath before the gale continued, "YOU NEED TO GET IT THROUGH THAT THICK SKULL OF YOURS, Brother Heath." Nick's voice quietened as he again tried to place his hand on Heath's shoulder.  "That this family's opinion of you doesn't change no matter what.  No matter what you do or do not do.  It's you we love.  Making a mistake does not change that.  We all make mistakes.  It does not make you any worse a person.  I would have handled that horse exactly the same way as you.  And...  I...  I AM sorry.  About your arm, just now.  I was just trying to help you see sense now and again.  Eh?"

"No offence taken Nick," said Heath quietly, "Ah.  Nick.  Thanks, you know.  It means a lot to me.  I might know it deep down I guess.  But it feels real good to hear you say it."

He hesitated, and reached forward to place a tentative arm on his brother's shoulder, as close to a hug as he could come, "Brother Nick."

Heath swallowed down the lump of emotion in his throat.  Nick was strangely silent. 

"Well, now," said Heath looking up, "how about I rustle up some of your favourite bullfrog stew? No? You never tried it I'll bet … 'course, the legs are the best… " And they had spent the rest of the evening clowning around.  The silences between them comfortable, not sullen.


Bringing his musings closer to the present, lead Heath to musing on Nick's attachment to Geraldine.  Just what was that attachment, Heath wondered? Certainly all the telltale signs of an infatuated Nick were missing, yet he had been a little distracted of late.  And then there were the mysterious meetings in town.  Clearly Geraldine recognised the wagon.  They had obviously met more than once.  They obviously knew each other well, since Geraldine had been expecting that he would have heard about her from Nick.  No, maybe just that the friendship wasn't new.  Many old friends and acquaintances of Nick's simply assumed he was the younger brother, perhaps confusing him with Gene, and automatically included him in part of Nick's childhood and adolescence. 

So, maybe someone from the past? From more than four years back.  He had never heard the name mentioned in the teasing parade of Nick 's former loves that Jarrod and Audra at times liked to indulge.  From a time when Audra didn't take notice of her big brother's romances? No, he discounted that.  Audra was a girl.  There wasn't never a time when she wouldn't have had that interest, now surely. 

A Matron? Of an orphanage? Audra would surely know her well, if that were the case.  A nurse? Now there was only one place Heath new for certain Nick would ever have met a nurse.  Two places, he corrected himself, Dr Merar's and during the war.  Well, evaluated Heath, lets see, seventeen or so, young nurse, at the end of the war, so that would make her, say, twenty-seven, twenty-eight today.  Hmm.  Seems about the right age, he thought, recalling his meeting that morning.

So, what can she be doing in Stockton? Regularly visiting Stockton, in fact.  Regularly visiting Stockton, and not coming out to the ranch.  He rather hoped, for Nick, that it was a rekindled romance.  For once, this was a woman that he and Nick hadn't competed over.  From the very little Heath knew of and had surmised of Geraldine O'Rourke, he felt she would be a spirited match for his temperamental brother.

Beginning to tire, his aching back drew him from his reminiscences.  He checked his pocket watch and reassessed the lunch appointment.  He was only halfway through the load.  Straightening, hands on hips he leaned back to stretch.  The load must be closer to the ton.  He would have to take it slow with the horses heading home. 

 

Leaping down to the ground, pulling his gloves off, he quickly mopped himself with a towel from the wagon, and pulled on his shirt and hat.  Then headed over to The Cattleman's to put in his apologies, leaving the load to complete on his return.  This was one lunch he could miss.  Victoria was sure to have more news about Geraldine by now.

As Heath crossed the street he realised he was quite hungry.  The aromas that assaulted his nose as he entered the dining room of the Cattleman reminded him that he hadn't eaten, since, well, since the bread and cheese he and Nick had shared early in the morning.  The Cat trap had kind of interrupted breakfast proper. 

He sighted Victoria and Audra, and was surprised to find that Geraldine was also lunching with them.  They were deep in conversation as he approached.  He took note of the fancy sandwiches and cakes on delicate plates on the table, and felt he had made the right decision by staying away. 

"Heath, we were almost about to give up on you.  Come and sit down.  You know, it was wonderful to meet up with Geraldine this morning." Said Victoria warmly.  "We have both been startled to find just how many people we know in common, there are just too many coincidences to mention."

Heath could see putting in the apology was going to take longer than he thought.  He removed his hat and sat down at the table.

Audra waved at the manager across the restaurant, and he entered the kitchen. 

"Mother, Audra.  Miss O'Rourke, nice to see you again, Ma'am.  I'm quite behind with things.  Wasn't to going to stop.  Just came to put in my apology, keep going."

"Oh, that's too bad Heath.  You see." Victoria's eyebrow indicated the kitchen door, "we've already organised lunch for you."


She reached out and patted Heath lightly on the upper arm.  "I thought you could do with lunch since you missed out on breakfast.  Am I right? Besides, I wasn't at all sure you would like our fare." She indicated the contents of the table with a sweeping hand. 

 

Seeing Heath hesitate, she continued, "Now, you'll be aware that Geraldine and Nick met during the war, during the time Nick was recovering from a bullet wound.  Geraldine was nursing at the army hospital.  And since then…"

She was interrupted at that moment from the kitchen.  Carrying high a sizzling plateful, the manager emerged and swept towards their table.  He placed it in front of Heath.  Freshly cooked hotcakes, syrup, bacon, eggs and sausages.  Heath grinned, and picked up his fork.

"Well, mother I won't say it's not appreciated.  Sure smells good.  You mentioned coincidences?"

Heath ate quickly as the ladies continued their conversation. 

"Since the war I have continued to practice as a nurse, now at the hospital in San Francisco.  I was only a young girl when I started out nursing.  Nick talked about California, and his home a lot when I met him.  Of course, he was delirious some of that time, so it didn't always make sense."

"That sounds like Nick," interjected Heath and then returned to the serious business of eating.

She smiled.  It was a warm happy smile, her dark brown eyes sparkling with a sense of humour.

"I was a war orphan.  That was why I was working.  Nursing was a good choice for a girl on her own.  After the war I decided to seek my fortune and head out this way, to the Gold State." Geraldine laughed. 

"I hadn't known what had happened to Nick, I suppose if I'd thought about it, I would have realised he would be back at the family ranch, although I didn't really understand where that was.  We did write for a while when he was still back east awaiting his discharge.  But the letters stopped coming and going, as we had both moved on from where we met.  It was chaos trying to find people at the end of the war, and I had such busy days at the nurse training school and working at the hospital.  Well, I decided against finding my fortune by goldmining, but travelled around a fair bit, not really settling on anywhere in particular.  I took to doing quite a bit of nursing relief for various Doctors in busy times.  So I'd move as I was needed, from town to town.  I'd been nursing in small California towns, helping out the local Doctors, birthing babies for a while, when I met up with a Doctor Travers, in Auburn.  Worked with him for six months or so.  He was a good Doctor.  One of the best I had worked with in all my years.  He had a deep caring, an understanding, for the spirit as well as the body."

"Do you remember the Doctor who operated on Audra, on the way to the fair?" asked Victoria.  Heath nodded, but continued eating.

"That's not the only coincidence, Heath." Said Audra.  " It goes to show that you boys were right to trust in Doctor Travers to operate.  He has developed a reputation as a very good surgeon, from what Geraldine tells us."

"He was on his way to take up a surgery position at the San Francisco Hospital.  I carried on providing the nursing care in the town, until another Doctor arrived. 
By now I had become quite experienced and both nursing, and doctoring.  Doctor Travers had been impressed with my skills, and wrote to tell me of a position at the SF Hospital. 

This is my third year there and I am now the matron of the nursing school.  Which brings me to the next coincidences.  We have been trying for some time to establish a Frontier Nursing Service, to train and provide for, better medical care, especially in the timber and mine camps, and isolated farms.  Many times it is a member of the family, often self-taught, that provides the care.  Too often there is none available at all, or self administered."

"How bad is it, Geraldine?" asked Victoria.

"Well, anything from crazy stuff, like using valuable salicin powder to pour into the bellybutton in the belief that it cures worms!
This last trip, up to the timber camps past Sonora, we, me and 'my girls' three of us, nursed a burns victim until God took him from his misery.  He had had a fever, from a nasty infection.  It would have been treatable, in the right hands.  One of his friends thought to sponge him down, to lower the fever.  This is quite correct.  In principle.  But he was an ignorant man, or simple.  He had heard that alcohol would work.  Well, he didn't have any alcohol, but thought Turpentine would do.  So he spread this all over, then sat down next to the bed, and lit himself a cigarette."


She finished, jaw set, eyes grim.  Seeing the reaction of her companions to her story, she quickly continued. 

"I'm sorry.  Please, do continue with your lunch.  I get so used to the conversation in the nurses home, and around the hospital, I forget sometimes that others are not used to the details.  Please."

"Oh, we see our fair share of things on a ranch, don't we Heath?" said Victoria, tilting her head in a smile.

"Yeah, and Nick is the worst.  Always getting shot, or bitten, or bruised brawling, or …" teased Heath, briefly stopping from bolting through his lunch.  As interesting as the conversation was, he had lots of work to get through.

"Oh, Heath! How can you say such a thing? You're in just as many scrapes, if not more so." Bit Audra from across the table.

"I guess we could almost single-handedly keep Doc Merar in work.  Makes you wonder though.  Maybe we need a nurse at the ranch.  Especially over the main season."  Muttered Heath, skewering a piece of bacon. 

Victoria nodded.  "With over seventy-five workers in the main season, there are always a few laid up in the bunk house infirmary.  Oh, of course usually a couple of the older cowboys tend to the less urgent wounds and illnesses of the men.  But nursing them can be time consuming, often involving Audra and myself as well, at times." Reflected Victoria.

"That is something I would like to talk to both you, and other ranchers from the area about, soon, Victoria," continued Geraldine," We have been bringing groups of our nursing trainees out to spend time frontier nursing, to better equip them for more than just the hospital environment.  Of course, this doesn't suit some personalities at all.  We have had one or two society ladies who have left after little more than a day.  La de dah." She put on a starchy voice, then raised an eyebrow and pursed her lips in a knowing look. 

"We really need girls with more spirit than that.  This is a profession where one gets ones hands dirty.  Which is why we have begun nurse training for some of the 'healers' as they sometimes call themselves.  Young women, often caring for a family group and other neighbours in their area, they are seldom able to read, but provide a lot of the nursing care of various sorts.  Folk medicines and the like.  We teach them to read, and build on their knowledge with more scientific medicine.  I believe one of our latest recruits helped nurse you, a while back, Heath?"

Heath looked up, puzzled.  "Me?"

"Oh, Heath, you remember, Oh, maybe you don't.  You did have a concussion after all.  When Nick and Eugene were away, and those raw hiders attacked you.  Remember the..."  Said Audra.

"Allie Kay!" interrupted Heath.  "Well, I'll be.  She still around these parts? After she finished nursing for the Dicksons, she was headed off nursing for a widower in Modesto way.  We kind of lost touch.  Her not being able to write and all." Heath wiped his mouth and rose from the table.  " I'll look forward to hearing more this evening, but right now I've got to be getting back to work."

"Heath, would you mind driving Matron O'Rourke out to the ranch? I've invited her to stay with us, until her Stockton business is completed."

"Sure, mother.  I should be ready around, oh, say three o'clock.  Where shall I collect your bags from, Ma'am?" asked Heath.

"Well, Mr Barkley, I have been staying at Mrs Hoyts Establishment.  I'll look forward to meeting you there at three." Said Geraldine. 

"Three o'clock it is.  Oh, mother.  Since Nick doesn't know about Geraldine's arrival, you might …"

"Heath," Victoria placed a hand on his arm and looked at him.  "Audra and I have already something planned.  See you at dinner," Victoria smiled.

Heath trotted across to the telegraph office, and sent a reply to Hank van Loor, the Orchard crew boss confirming arrival details, inviting him to arrive a day before the crew, stay over the night of the Frost Festival.  That would give them some talking and orchard riding time the next day.  He had plans to discuss a more permanent crewing arrangement with Hank.  Heath respected Hank's knowledge, and had a few other items he was keen to pick his brains on as well. 

A reply was in, confirming the orders Heath had sent off that morning.  And from the Strawberry runner supplier notifying shipment despatched.  Since they were coming from the east, they would not arrive for another two weeks.  Plenty of time for the ground preparation.  It was a big shipment.  At least 1500lb weight, and bulky.  He added an entry in his notebook for pickup.  Heath just wondered at the size of the operation producing such a quantity that could ship out the order on the day received.  Well.  He thought, as he strode down to the foundry, if we want to compete in the fresh trade market to the east coast, we will have to be just as good. 

The time at the foundry didn't take long.  Heath left the sketch for the frost stars, and ordered more spit roasters.  He had worked out a simple way to rig the frost stars from soldered wire loops.  That way they could use them for other occasions too, with flowers, or stuck with popcorn or any of the other ideas that Audra had.  Already she seemed to have plans for the next orphanage event.  She seemed to have visions of hundreds of these stars lining the paddocks, but Heath had managed to convince her that fireworks and flares could do that, and a few less would work just as well.  He would have liked to have made them himself, but days were so full, he didn't think he could find the time.  All the metal would need would be a spray of water, and a night or several in the cold frosty air.


By the time the wagonload was completed Heath could feel his muscles and back stiffening up, and the day cooling down.  Thankful, he slipped on his fleece-lined jacket and turned the collar up to warm his neck.  He was looking forward to soaking in a hot bath that night, the only thing that seemed to ease his back once it started throbbing, as it was doing now.  That, and rest of course.  Some light duties.  Perhaps tomorrow. 

 

 

BVBVBVBVBVBVBVBV

 


At three o'clock Heath collected Matron O'Rourke from Mrs Hoyts.  He had to stifle a laugh as he drove down the street towards his imagined 'proprietor of the Stockton Ladies Finishing School'.  Well, in a way, he thought Geraldine was doing just that.  Proffering lessons for young ladies of Western Society. 

He was impressed with her.  She was a strong woman.  Had to be to have worked in those places.  She also had a social conscience, and was in a position in which to do something to help people, without being part of the San Francisco society clamour.  Indeed, on reflection, she seemed to have many of the qualities that people so admired in Victoria.  Heath wished "Good luck, big brother," under his breath, and wondered what the evenings diversions would reveal. 
Several heads turned in envy as Heath and Geraldine pulled out through the streets of Stockton towards the ranch.  Geraldine didn't fail to notice the looks.

"Seems you have a few admirers, Mr Barkley?" she goaded.

Heath tilted his head and slightly raised an eyebrow.  He could see her sense of humour would be fun let loose on Nick.  "Please call me Heath, Ma'am"

"Please call me Geraldine.  Matron is fine for the nurses.  You are the brother of an old friend, such informality does not seem inappropriate."

"Yes, Ma'am.  I mean, Geraldine.  It will be a slow ride out today, with this big load.  We might not be in till dusk, but then, I, ah, imagine that's why mother suggested this, rather than a buggy? Audra and mother have their horses today.  They'll be home well before us."

"Not much gets past you, I can see, Heath.  Audra told me all about the cat chase, this morning, while Victoria was at a meeting.  She also told me that I must be Nick's best kept secret.  Part of the plan for tonight is to convincingly represent all of you, Victoria, Audra and yourself, as old friends of mine.  Victoria was to speak with Jarrod as soon as he arrives home, too.  The Allie Kay link with you will be the easiest to play on, because Nick doesn't really know who she is, either." she chuckled.

Heath smiled, but turned a serious face to Geraldine.  "Geraldine.  I know this is meant to be a lot of fun, and Audra wants to catch him back for this morning.  I think I can trust you.  But go easy on him.  Huh? He has had his heart broke a few times.  Got to take care of my big brother now," he joked to make light of the words.

They rode in silence for a while, with just the creaking of the wagon, the jingling of traces, their thoughts for company.  It was a slow ride out to the ranch.  Much longer than the usual one-hour journey due to the heavy load the horses pulled.  Heath was thankful the road was dry. 

"Heath?"

"Hmm?"

"What makes you think Nick might think of me in that way?"

Geraldine's voice had taken on a slightly different sound.  Heath glanced at her from the corner of his eyes and noted the sparkle in hers.  He turned and looked toward the road, wary of holes, and softly answered.  His words coming in a slow drawl, as he pondered over them before letting them out. 

"Well, Geraldine I surmised what Nick was up to.  The two of you.  Meeting in town.  He told me your name.  By accident." he paused, "I was teasing him.  But… … Geraldine, the way he spoke your name.  It, well, he left me in no doubt.  About how he felt.  Course, I don't rightly know that Nick knew how he felt right then, or even now."

He paused and looked out at the horizon, and then turned and scanned the road.  Riders were barely visible heading north across the ridge of a paddock ahead of them.  Geraldine watched the riders disappear from view. 

Heath let out a long breath and after a long pause, continued. 

"Normally Nick waltzes into the house loudly announcing his conquest and rapturous love with a young lady of the moment.  He has been playing you very close to the chest.  Nick hasn't mentioned you to a soul.  Now, forgive me for being forward.  But if I know Nick, I'd say he's a mite unsettled … From what you were saying at lunch, seems like, maybe… … you two have been seeing each other for a while?"

"Well, Heath, thank you for your candour.  I can see this family all cares for one another very much.  You know Audra told me almost the same thing? About Nick loudly bragging.  You have both been quite perceptive.  To be honest, we have spent very little time together since we renewed our acquaintance.  Ordinarily I catch the train as far as Stockton, if I am travelling out with my trainees, or to make a visit to assess them.  There is usually a short wait, around 30 minutes for one of the coaches heading south or east.  If I am in town, and Nick is in town on the same day, and time, we meet.  If not, we don't.  I look for the wagon, or he waits at the coach stop.  In fact, that's how we met again.  At the train station, in Stockton, having both travelled on the same train all the way from San Francisco.  That sounds just right for us.  Same train, same origin and destination, our paths just don't cross in the getting there." she continued, wistfully.

"When I speak of it now, it seems so absurd that too grown adults, well able to look after themselves, each managing large staff, cannot organise themselves to meet properly.  Perhaps I didn't want to hope.  Nick didn't know I would be in town for a few days.  Maybe you are right.  Maybe I should have let him know.  I was going to surprise him." she sighed and looked off towards the purpling winter west. 

"You will at that.  I'm just going to spell the horses a bit.  There's a blanket in the driver's box, if you're cooling."

Heath leapt gracefully down from the wagon, and immediately regretted that move as he landed, jarring his back, the dull ache reset in motion.  After checking on the horses, he walked to stretch out his legs, hoping to walk out the aching pain now pulsing down them.  Taking in the still twilight.  The air was crisp and delightfully cool, a nose dampening eye smarting cool.  Cool enough to freeze the scents of earth and horse before they reached the nostril.  Small fog eddies were gathering in the hollows and along the nearby creek channel, giving the small clusters of oak and red buckeye the appearance of moon skirted dancers in a gossamer waltz. 

Heath turned to watch the heat steam slowly from the horses, in the dying light, and looked to the east for the rising moon.  Another hour away yet, but the stars would be out soon. 


Geraldine wandered, stretching her legs.  The peace of the moment broken only by her silent visible breaths. 

As the land darkened the sky came out.  She watched the dusk draw slowly towards the western sky.  Then she too, turned and look east for the first star.

"Best be moving," called Heath.  "Victoria and Audra will be home by now.  That was them passed us a while back.  They will have taken the short cut across the south of the farm."

Geraldine stepped up onto the wagon, and watched as Heath slowly walked stiffly back to the wagon, wondering if she should say anything.  He collected a lantern from the drivers box, lit it, and hung it at the front of the wagon.  He winced silently as he climbed up, and they started moving again.

"Not long now, another half hour or so," he said amiably.  "Warm enough?"

"I'm very fine, thank you.  It is a lovely evening.  Mrs Hoyts would be fussing about her guests coming in from the 'dangerous' Stockton streets, and locking the doors, about this time.  It is so refreshing to be outside.  This is my favourite time of the day.  These are some of the best moments of my work.  I enjoy all of it, of course.  But outside, just nature and me, like this.  Well, that's special I find.  Adds a special pleasure to the day." she sighed contentedly.

"Reckon I'm in agreement with you there, Ma'am, I mean, Geraldine." Said Heath.  "Took me more than a few months to get used to not calling mother, Ma'am.  Might take me a while to get used to not calling you Ma'am, too."

"What do you mean, calling mother Ma'am? I don 't understand?"

"Well, I thought Nick might of said, something.  About me.  I thought you knew...  I guess you could say I'm sort of adopted, by Victoria, mother.  Tom Barkley was my father, but Nick and I have different mothers.  I've been here about fours years now, although sometimes it seems like I've always been here.  Its home." Heath stated matter-of-factly. 

"I can't say I remember Nick mentioning that, although he has spoken about you.  The brother who breaks in the horses, his partner on the ranch? I did notice the compliment of brothers changed between when I last knew Nick and meeting up with him again.  So much of when he mentioned home, he was delirious, and when he wasn't, we talked about us, each other, not home."

 

She paused and ventured," That must have been hard for you?"

Heath nodded his blonde head, then shrugged.  "There is not a day goes past when I don't give thanks for being here.  For finding my family.  A home." Said Heath.  "A man couldn't ask for more.  Good brothers, a younger sister, and mother.  She's special.  To take me into her family as she has done.  That takes courage."

"Yes, Heath, but what it mostly takes, is Love."

"I agree with you." Heath thought for a long moment.

"What happened to your parents, Geraldine.  Did you have other family?"

"I was an only child.  I was away at school when my parents were killed during the Civil War.  I had been at school since before the war had started, up in Philadelphia.  So, I had not seen them since I was twelve.  I have an aunt on a farm in Saddle River, New Jersey, so I went to them after it happened.  I lived and worked with them on the farm, for a short time, until i went nursing.

It was to have been until the estate was settled.  They were my legal guardians.  Of course, being war time, that was going to take an awfully long time.  Actually, another three years, not until 1868.  But, kind as they were, I soon found I couldn't settle to be an ornament of no use.  I decided that I could not live with my aunt's family indefinitely, hoping faintly upon the prospects of marriage to rescue me.  There is only so much a woman can do to earn her keep, I needed to throw myself into something, find a purpose for my life.  At sixteen it almost seemed to have come to a halt before it had begun. 

Helping the war effort by becoming a service nurse seemed like the perfect opportunity.  I would have board and lodgings provided, training in a profession, and a wage to support myself.  Many of the nurses I worked with were from religious nursing orders, but I never did feel the call in that direction.  I suppose I always expected that I would marry and have a family, one day.  After meeting Nick, and looking back, it was for such a short, short time, I never really met anyone else, well, who measured up. 

Well, listen to me.  Here I am prattling away to you as if I've known you all my life, when I've only just met you.  You are a good listener Heath Barkley." Geraldine smiled and patted his shoulder.  The very same gesture that Victoria often used. 

Heath slowed the wagon. 

"I'd like to hear more about that frontier nursing you were talking about at lunch.  Suppose I'll get to hear my fill tonight?"


Heath turned and swept an arm toward the view in front of them.  "Welcome to the Barkley Ranch.  By rights I should go get Nick and let him do the honours.  He can do that next time."


The wagon pulled up to the front of the house and Heath unloaded bags onto the porch, and then turned to help Geraldine down, but she had beaten him to it.

"Now Geraldine, I'll go and scout for mother.  Won't be long."


He turned and began his slow walk towards the house.

"Heath Barkley, you will do no such thing.  Remember I'm a trained nurse? Just look at you, you're so tired you can barely walk.  You should be soaking in a hot bath and resting that back of yours young man." she scolded.

He turned, with a shocked look on his face. 

"I'm the Matron, remember? The bossy one.  You might be able to hide that little problem there from your family, but it's a common enough sight amongst the men in the work camps I've nursed in.  Rest, that's what you need."

"I will, Ma'am, just as soon as I've attended to you, and finished my ranch and family duties."

Silas opened the door at the sound of voices.

"Evening Silas, Mr Nick around? And hows Nick?" Heath beamed.

"Evening Mr Heath.  I believe Mr Nick is presently having a bath, sir.  Nick is down in the barn.  Nick took her down there several times this evening already.  Sure is going to be fun watching those two square off.  Can I take the young lady's bags?"

"Silas, this is Miss Geraldine O'Rourke.  Well, I should say Matron O'Rourke.  She'll be spending a few days with us.  Nick is not to know she is here.  You understand.  Mother will have prepared one of the guest bedrooms for her."

"Yes sir, Mr Heath.  Follow me Miss Geraldine."

 

 

BVBVBVBVBVBVBVBV

 

 

The Barn was empty, save for the odour of hay and mash, the sound of steady munching, and occasional stomping hoof.  A blonde head bobbed between lamplight and shadow, arms moving in a regular rhythm, grooming the wagon horses.  Heath felt better moving around after the hard sitting of the wagon journey.  Thinking to hunt out the Nick, he suddenly felt a dark soft object land on his shoulder, launched from the framing above.  With a 'prrruppit' she leapt onto the horse's back, black paws flitting after the bobbing shadow, then landed in the straw and rolled on her back at his feet. 

 

"Come on you" chuckled Heath, scooping an arm beneath the cat's belly, her paws dangling.  Immediately deep purring vibrated upon his arm.  Rising and he thought towards that hot soak in the bathtub his body was so desiring.  First, there were a few things to finish off.  Stepping up a few ladder rungs towards the hayloft, he tossed the cat up.

 

"Rat catchin' time, now, you hear.  Now don't let me down."

 

Bidding Charger a farewell pat Heath checked the time, collected the lamp and moved on to the wagon in the store barn.  Quickly calculating, whilst lighting the lamps, the tired cowboy estimated with four others they could have they load stowed in an hour.  Heath was feeling pretty crook by now, tired, hungry, suddenly remembering he had been up all night, and his back was throbbing.

 

Outside it was a still, icy evening.  The Bunkhouse windows glowed streaming shafts of gentle gold out to join the silver tints of the rising moon.  "Should be full moon for the Frost Fest ", thought Heath absently as he entered the warm, noisy building.  The men were cleaning guns, playing cards, chatting and waiting to be fed.  There was an agitated buzz in the air.  Heath sought out Jeb, one of the younger hands, and spoke quickly to him about sorting out the preparation of the dogs for next weeks hunting, with Phil, one of the older experienced hands.

 

"You sort it out with Phil, starting tonight.  Don't forget now.  I'm countin' on ya."

 

Heath patted him on the back as he turned to look for Dan.  The room began to quieten as the men realised Heath was there.  Seeing Dan over by the door to the infirmary Heath sensed something was not quite right.  Grimfaced, Dan came briskly towards him and bent his head towards Heath, speaking rapidly, keeping his voice low.

 

"There's been some trouble down by the orchard irrigation canal, where Matt and Fred were today.  We brung them back just now.  Didn't turn up, so Phil and Mac went down to see.  They' re just getting cleaned up, then heading out to look for tracks.  Need to send for the Doc, Heath.  Fred is pretty bad, still unconscious.  Real odd too," he scratched his head.  Fleetingly Heath's eyes widened in surprise, before his jaw set in a grim line and a frown formed. 

 

Dan continued.  "Border dyke headland all cut up, plough broke.  Bullock with its leg broke, throat cut and part butchered in the field, and t 'other one just ain't around.  No horses neither.  We'll head out soon as we've got torches, and horses and rifles ready.  Real odd.  Just don't know what to make of it, Heath." 

 

Sounds from the men had dwindled to the odd cough and all eyes were on the two men deep in intense conversation in the corner.  Heath's frown deepened.  He pursed his lips, and stood back, hands on hips, eyes raking the room.

 

"That's all we know, Heath.  Be able to get something, maybe, out of Matt.  Old Red and George are in there with them now, trying to stop the bleeding." 

 

A calm efficiency settled over Heath and his eyes hardened.

 

"Alright," said Heath briskly to the assembled men.  "I need four men to unload the wagon Rex, Bill, Mick and Harvey.  You'll see where the horse and cattle feeds are stowed.  The seed goes off the ground.  Mick and Bill you take the wagon into the grain store tomorrow to collect and stow the balance of the seed order, and get the sheriff to come out, first thing, you understand."  Heads nodded.

 

"I'm telling you now 'cause I don't rightly know where this," he nodded towards the infirmary, "is going to head, or how long we'll be out tracking.  I'll take some of you with me and Dan, and some of you stay here with Nick.  Post some guards around the property.  Till we know what's going on.  Sort out your shifts and put ém up on the slate there.  So Nick knows." 

 

The men rose and began to head in various directions.

 

He turned back to Dan.  "Best take some pack horses and provisions, enough for a few days, blankets, ropes as well, and a spare horse.  I'll let Nick know what's happening and meet you at the orchard gate.  Remember.  There'll be tracks and we don't want mess with them before we start.  Watch for lights or fires around the place, too.  Its light enough to ride without the torches, but take 'em anyway.  Better eat before you go.  They might only have five miles on us.  Could catch 'em tonight."

 

Heath turned to enter the infirmary, then glanced back at Dan over his shoulder and looked him in the eye.  "See if you can get anything out of Matt, description, anything…  A nurse is staying up at the house.  I'll fetch her right back.  We'll let the sheriff know in the morning.  When the wagon heads in.  See ya in a bit." 

He turned and slipped silently through the infirmary doorway.

 

"Heath!" hissed Red in an urgent tone.  He sat over by Fred.  By his waxy pallor and unconscious state Heath guessed he was in a pretty bad state.  The breaths came in short, raspy gasps.  His hair and face were matted with blood and mud.  Heath glanced at the other bed.  Matt lay sprawled across it.  Dark stains marked the clothing of arms and legs, the blood stemming bandages already darkening with fresh blood.  Eyes shut tightly, teeth clenched against the pain, sweat beaded his lip and brow.  George was preparing bandages at the end of the room.

 

"Red, George.  A nurse'll be here soon.  'm just going up to the house to fetch her.  See if you can git any descriptions from Matt."

 

At the sound of his name, Matt opened his eyes a slit, and started to whisper. 

 

Heath bent down and grasped his hand and gave it a squeeze.  "Tell it to George.  I'll be back just as soon as I can with help.  Hang in there, buddy." Heath turned to George, "Some water boiling?"

 

George nodded and raised his eyebrows in affirmation.  Red moved over to Heath.  "Heath," he said in a low urgent tone head bent towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder, propelling Heath away from earshot of the two injured cowboys.  "Fred is in a pretty bad way.  Been trampled.  I don't know if he's going to make it.  Don't be too long, eh? Matt was stabbed.  Pitchfork.  More'n once."

 

"Be right back."   Heath darted out of the bunkhouse and vaulted over the veranda rail, continuing to jog towards the house.  All other thoughts overtaken by the urgency of the situation at hand.  "What had happened," he wondered, thoughts whirling through his mind.  "Some kind of attack, but no gunshot wounds? Didn't Fred and Matt have their guns on them? Surely they would have had rifles on their horses.  Where were their horses? Seemed an awful lot of effort just to butcher a steer.  Something just didn't smell right."  

 

Striding through the back door into the kitchen his urgent tone and movement told Silas all he needed to know.

 

"Silas, I'll be needing a few days provisions.  Heading out in about 15 minutes.  I'll explain later." 

 

"Yessir, Mr Heath.  I'll have that ready for you.  Mr Nick going too? Mrs Barkley in the parlour with Miss Audra.  Mr Nick still taking a bath.  Mr Jarrod, he still not home yet."

 

"I think Nick should stay here, till we know what is going on.  I'm taking six hands out with me.  Jarrod not home yet?" Heath frowned and hurried towards the parlour.

 

 

  * * * * * * * *

 

 

"Heath, come and sit down by the fire," beckoned Victoria with a smile, and then she took in his taut expression and brisk gait.  "Is there anything wrong?"

 

Audra frowned and placed a hand on her mother's knee.  "Heath, what has happened?

 

"Trouble.  Not sure exactly who or what yet.  Couple of our men been injured, one trampled.  Fetching Geraldine to see to them.  I'm heading out with Dan and five of the hands to see if we can track 'em.  Who ever it is could only be about 5 miles away, and there's a good moon tonight.  George and Red are staying, and the rest of the men have got their work for the next few days.  Could be gone till then, could get lucky.  Mick and Bill will go for the sheriff at first light.  Nick can organise that.  I gotta git!"

 

He turned and hurried towards the stairs, turned and said quietly, "Jarrod should've been home by now…" then hurried upstairs.

 

 

  * * * * * * * *

 

 

Knock.  Knock.  Knock.

 

Geraldine heard a quiet tap on her door.  She hurried over to answer it, expecting Audra, but instead Heath stepped into the room.

 

She stepped back, alarmed, when she took in the look on his face.

 

"What's wrong?"

 

"I'm afraid you've got two patients waiting for you already.  It's serious.  I haven't got time to explain, George and Red can fill you in.  Heading out with the hands to try and track down whoever did this.  I'll take you down the back stairs, so Nick won't see you," he turned and stepped out, collecting his bedroll and saddlebags in a graceful swoop from the floor, before turning to wait. 

 

A momentary ripple of excitement passed through Geraldine.  She was ready for action.  She raced to collect her medical bag, and larger bag of plasters and medicines.  She hurried towards the stairs behind Heath, marvelling that there was no trace of the tired cowboy she had seen not twenty minutes earlier, a blur to her right caught her eye.  Turning, she gasped at the roar and blur that funnelled past her bodily hitting Heath side-on mid-back and punching him up against the wall.

 

"NICK?" Cried Heath.  "What are you doing? NICK, listen to me, we've …"

 

Nick wasn't listening. 

 

"CAN'T LEAVE MY BACK TURNED FOR ONE MINUTE !" Nick was roaring and ranting away at Heath.  He hooked a right, punching Heath's head back, blood began to run freely from his nose, as Heath slid down the wall to the floor, holding his face in his hands.

 

"I don't want to fight you Nick.  Nick we've got an emergency.  NICK! NICK LISTEN TO ME! " spoke Heath through muffling hands.

 

"AN EMERGENCY! I'LL SAY.  I CAUGHT YOU JUST IN TIME BY THE LOOKS.  SNEAK THIEF! WHY I OUGHTER..!

 

"NICK! NICK LISTEN to me!" Heath tried to kick Nick's shins in an attempt to draw his attention.  Nick continued to rant and bellow, standing over him, angry face leaning in finger stabbing the air as he spoke.  Dark eyes glaring furiously, neck muscles tense and bulging.

 

"ALWAYS SNEAKING AROUND! so that's what you were up to last night, HUH ? How long has she been here, HUH? HUH! ANSWER ME, BOY!"

 

Heath struggled to get to his feet, hand clutching his face, congealing blood streams down his face and the front of his shirt.

 

"ARE YOU GONNA LISTEN TO ME OR NOT!" glared Heath, leaning forward aggressively, and returning a cool blue fiery glare, finger stabbing into Nick's chest. 

 

Victoria and Audra arrived at the top of the stairs and motioned for Geraldine to join them.  She was oblivious to them, flattened against the wall, eyes locked upon the battling brothers.

 

"I got nothing I wanna hear from YOU "said Nick turning on his heel.

 

"Nicolas! " shouted Victoria. 

 

"Nick! Nick! What are you doing?! There's an emergency in the bunkhouse! Heath came to…" Audra broke off at Nick's glowering glare.

 

Placing a hand on Nick's shoulder Heath spun him, ducked the blow he knew was coming, and shot a foot out.  Nick sailed towards the floor. 

 

Heath stood back and spoke with a cool hard-edged voice.  "Geraldine is coming with me.  Got a couple of hands hurt.  Red will tell you the rest.  When you're ready to listen."  He turned and collected his gear, and disappeared down the back stairs.

 

Geraldine had watched the entire outburst in horror, cowed against the opposite wall, her face ashen..  She was torn between heading for the stairs, crossing to push Nick off from where he stood over Heath roaring, or fleeing back to her room and locking the door.  The sudden explosive fury left her shaken and cold, and wondering just what sort of man she had thought Nick Barkley was.  Not this man.

 

Collecting her bag, nodding to Victoria, ignoring Nick she followed Heath.

 

 

BVBVBVBVBVBVBVBV

 

 

Silas led Geraldine through the noisy bunkhouse dining room towards the infirmary door.  Heads turned as they went, leaving a trail of whispers and murmurings behind them.  "Wew! She sure is a pretty looking thang" said one cowboy slapping his thigh.  "Actually, now ya cum ta menshun it, I'm feelin me a bit crook too," said another.

 

"Don't you worry none 'bout them cowboys, Miss O'Rourke "said Silas.  "Mr George here, he keep them in their place for you.

 

"Silas," Geraldine turned a brief grin towards him, "It's so much part of my work, I don't even hear it anymore.  I find it is something to laugh over, more often than not.  Thank you Silas," she said stopping at the Infirmary door.  I'll take it from here.  You get back.  Make sure Heath puts some ice on his face, gets some food into him before he heads out.  Better still, try and stop him from going.  There's plenty of men here could be doing that, surely? "

 

"Oh, you don't know Mr Heath, Miss.  Why he's a tracker from way back.  Worked scouting injuns for a while.  'course he's taught some of the lads some.  Mr Nick he's pretty good at it too.  But he's staying here to guard the ranch, so Mr Heath said." 

 

"Perhaps Nick might go instead?  Silas, don't hold up dinner on my account.  I'm not sure how long I'm going to be.  Please give my apologies to Mrs Barkley." 

and with that she vanished into the Infirmary.

 

 

  * * * * * * * *

 

 

"Hello, Red and George, is it? I'm Matron O'Rourke.  But just call me Matron." She extended her hand to shake theirs as she entered the cosily heated spartan room.  Her eyes sweeping a quick perusal of the room, before alighting confidently upon the cowboys before her.  Geraldine was once again Matron, in her domain. 

 

Red and George exchanged looks at her 'schoolmarmish' tone and extended hand. 

 

"Red, Ma'am.  I mean Matron." The stooped and weathered cowboy replied, his face and voice both reflecting years of riding all weathers.  He extended a gnarled hand of thickened twisted fingers and shook hers.  He was surprised at her strong firm grip, but didn't show it.

 

"George." Was the deep voiced, gravely response from the taciturn cowboy.  His enormous hand enveloped hers briefly before retuning to hang in his front jeans pocket.  He nodded his head towards the waiting hot water and bandages, and patients "Them's your patients there."

 

 

  * * * * * * * *

 

 

Audra intercepted Heath in the kitchen, packing food into his saddlebags. 

 

"He-eath." She said, placing a firm hand on his arm.  "Mother's talking to Nick, they are upstairs.  Let me clean up your face before you go… Heath? Sit down a minute, I'll go get some ice from the icehouse." 

 

She walked over to the wet bench and held a clean cloth beneath the pump, wrung it out and returned to Heath's side.

 

"Thanks, Sis." Heath said dabbing at his nose with the cloth.  "I can't wait around too long.  I'll just grab one of Silas' sandwiches here and then I gotta git."  He looked up and gave her a wry grimace, and shrugged his shoulders.  "You know, Nick 'll be fine when he calms down, and thinks about it all.  You talk to 'im, huh? Geraldine, too.  She's a strong woman.  I don't think this will scare her off none." 

 

Audra replied with a sad look, and headed for the ice.  Returning, she spoke as she wound the ice into a towel from the linen store in the laundry.  "Sometimes I'm scared of him, Heath.  Oh, I love him, he's my big brother and all, but sometimes.  I.  Well.  When … … like this.  It's like he's a different person.  I think I don't know him at all.  I don't like him when he's angry.  Even when we were little he had a temper…" her eyes looked away, head tilted, remembering.  Then she snapped back to the present. 

 

She placed a hand on Heath's forehead.  "Just tilt your head back a bit and hold the ice there for a while.  This should help the swelling …" she continued verbalising her thoughts," .  Father always said he'd find trouble with his temper… …Your nose is looking a bit bruised, lean back a bit further and close your eyes.  Then I can put the ice right on it.  There … …But most of the time, he'd just laugh when Nick was in one of his rages.  of course, that used to rile Nick even more.  I used to find going silent and limp like a ragdoll worked, and after that he'd leave me alone.  Spread out this ice a bit.  Might stop you looking like a Racoon by tomorrow."

 

"Racoon, sounds like a good tracking disguise eh? How old were you then, though, Five?" Heath tried to make light of it.  "Uh, Audra, how my gonna finish my sandwich with my head back like this?" He choked out in a heavy nasal tone.

 

Audra ignored the question and continued dabbing at Heath's face, cleaning the blood off.  "Keep still.  Stop eating! You can eat that later.  Heath? "

 

"Hmmm?"

 

"Do you think Geraldine will be alright?"

 

"Am I allowed to move my lips or is this a ventriloquists dummy act?"

 

"Heath?"

 

"Nick's not a bad man, but he does have one hell of a temper.  I think that frightened Geraldine some, and I don't think she's one to frighten easy.  Judging by some of those stories she told us today.  It's a misunderstanding is all.  If anyone can help, it'd be you, Sis."

 

 

  * * * * * * * *

 

 

George had overcome his momentary shock at seeing such an attractive, confident young woman offer to shake his hand.  This was not at all how he was used to young ladies behaving.  He felt sure she wasn't up to caring for these cowboys, and listening to the faintly panting shallow breaths coming from Fred's bed felt sure he should send Jeb for the Doc right now.  Still, Heath had seemed to think she would do all right, and he trusted Heath's judgement.  So he took a deep breath and got on with telling her how things lay.  "We got the bleeding stopped some, Ma'am, I mean Matron.  And..."

 

"Now," Geraldine briskly cut him off mid-sentence, not seeing his jaw drop in astonishment, her head down opening her bags on the table.  She glanced quickly at the two patients, and withdrew a brown bottle.  One patient was suffused with an unusual redness, the other deathly white.

 

"While you're telling me what happened, this", she placed the bottle in George's hand," goes in some hot water.  Two teaspoons per pint.  Do you think you can remember that? Don 't just pour it in.  It must be measured." 

 

Moving over to the beds, the experienced nurse began to remove the covers, and then the clothes of the men.  Red cleared his throat, and shuffled his feet, but said nothing, and Geraldine did not shift her swift moving focus from the tasks at hand.  Turning to Red, she dipped her hands into the newly made solution and dried them on a new towel.  Tying an apron around her clothes and rolling up her sleeves, she turned into Matron O'Rourke.

 

"Red, you can use that solution to wash them all over.  Keep those filthy clothes away.  They should be boiled as soon as possible.  I also need several clean cups and bowls, a bucket for dirty items, and place a sick bowl and chamber pot beside each bed." 

 

As she proceeded to check Fred over, George and Red related the small amount of information Matt had managed to convey.

 

"Matt, he's the only one bin conscious.  Keeps slipping in and out.  He …"

 

Geraldine ran her hands down Fred's limbs', and across his ribs seeking breakages.  She frowned at what she found.  Then tapped his chest and abdomen.  The usual hollow sound was absent.  Then taking her stethoscope she listened to his lungs and heart, at the same time checking his eyes.  The eyes were black, the pupils greatly enlarged.  The heartbeat rapid, but very faint.  His skin was white and translucently waxy, very cool to the touch, breathing shallow and rapid, but almost undetectable. 

 

"…mumbled something about sharin a smoke.  Fred and him and… "

 

Holding an eye open Geraldine held the lamp close to Fred's face.  The pupils remained the same.  Next she opened Fred's mouth and smelt his breath.  Poisoning.  She was sure of it.  Probably Digitalis, from the cigarette.  Geraldine quickly moved to check Matt's eyes.  They were the same, so it wasn't Fred's head injury affecting the pupils, definitely poisoning.  He responded when she gently tapped the skin beneath his eye.  She didn't need her stethoscope to listen to his galloping heart, his colour, and wrist pulse were enough.  She thought grimly of Fred's prospects.  The poison induced heart rate would have sped up the internal bleeding from his injuries.  Hurrying back to her bags on the side bench, she extracted a bottle of Lobelia Vinegar, measured out drops into a cup and topped it up with water.  This she handed to Red, along with what looked like a turkey baster. 

 

"Get Matt to drink as much of this as you can, as quick as you can, use the dropper, and press on his jaw just below his cheekbone to open his mouth, then stroke his throat.  He'll swallow automatically.  Turn him on his side.  Keep his head low, and get that sick bowl ready.  They've got symptoms of poisoning."  

 

"What's in that bottle anyway, smells like vinegrey? "

 

"Vinegar.  Yes it is, lobelia vinegar.  The wash down water is vinegar, and borax.  After You've wiped them down you can make up another bucket and wipe down the beds and the floor."

 

Quickly turning back to her other patient, Geraldine next extracted plasters from jars in her bag.  Smoothing a nasty looking browny black looking sheet onto Fred's still damp chest, she checked her watch.  6pm.

 

"Remove that and wash the area at 10pm, George," she directed, in a clipped tone. 

 

"Ah, Ma'am, I mean, Matron, I, well I… don't have no watch, don't tell time neither… leastways nuttin' like that...  just take me a quick peek at what the moon's doing and then I'll have a feel for it."  George rumbled shyly in his deep voice, heading for the door. 

 

"Forgive me George, my hospital manners.  I didn't think.  I'll do it myself.  No bother.  We need you here a while longer yet."

 

Next Geraldine extracted two pellets from other small bottles and placing a hand on Fred's chin, gently applied pressure to pull open his mouth.  He did not respond with any reflexes, and she knew this was a bad sign.  Still she had to try, this last hope of hers, and she placed the opium honey, and turpentine tablets under Fred's tongue. 

 

"What're those? Can you help him?" asked Red. 

 

"Well, he's in a very bad way.  Badly broken bones, internal bleeding.  His heart 's very, very weak.  I think he's also been poisoned.  We've got to get that out of his system, and we can only do that if I can get him to respond.  He's not showing reflexes to light, which means its touch and go.  One will aid with the internal bleeding, and stimulate his gagging reflex.  Uh… "she paused and frowned at the two cowboys' puzzled looks.

 

"Initiate a response to vomiting."

 

Still blank looks.

 

"Throwing up?"

 

They nodded. 

 

"The other will help with the pain, if he does come around.  The plaster," she indicated his chest,"  is a very painful irritant.  I hope he might react against the burning sensation, and draw him towards consciousness."

 

She finished lips set in a grim line, her look indicating less hope than her words had conveyed. 

 

"…Matt said something 'bout travellers in the canal...  jabbering … and him viewing the world upside down.."

 

"… and hearing the cattle-beast bellowing, then silence and lots of jabbering …"

 

"… being poked at with a fork, like he was a piece of meat, and the ground rushing up.  Matts been stabbed, we reckon a pitchfork.  Phil and Mac said there was a lot of blood on the ground under one of the oaks, where they found Matt, and figured Fred had been trampled.  Found him near a part butchered cattle beast.  His breathing's bin getting worse and worse.  You do anything else for him, or should we send for the Doc?"

 

Geraldine moved onto Matt.  "With Fred we will just have to wait and see if he responds to us first.  I've been nursing for quite a long time now, George.  Saw a lot of wounds like these puncture wounds during the war, "she indicated an oozing wound to Matt's upper arm. 

 

"I think you 're right about the pitchfork.  When the southerners started to run out of ammunition towards the end of the war we started to see quite a few injuries like this.  There's a real risk of gas gangrene here, and tetanus." 

 

Geraldine could see by their blank looks neither cowboy knew what she was talking about.  "The most important thing is to get as much of whatever poison they smoked, out of his system.  Then we need to dilute the poison that the wounds produce with as much water as possible.  Give him a glass of water each hour.  Every hour.  Red.  Its good if he vomits.  Now help me turn him here, stretch his arm out, that's it, that will stop him rolling over.  I'll give him an emetic enema as well.  After that, we'll need some clean sheets." She smiled gently as she proceeded to make up the mix with gloved hands and watched the grimacing cowboys turn away.  She hadn't met a man yet no matter how hardened to the world, whose stomach didn't turn at the thought. 

 

That done, Geraldine turned at last to Matt's wounds.  The pressure bandages had done their work and stopped the bleeding, but she was concerned about dirt in the wounds.  She remembered back to the military hospital all those years ago.  The men who came in with hardly a mark on them, just seeping puncture wounds, who were lucky to leave with their lives, let alone their limbs, and the sickly sweet smell of gangrene infected wounds.  Focusing on the task at hand, while she began to dab all the wounds with an alcohol soaked cloth, she asked.

 

"George, could you bring me some fresh bread soaked in some boiling water, add some linseed mash from the horse feed, and a small piece of charcoal from the wood stove, please.  Hurry back"

 

Next she removed a small china mortar and pestle from her bag, and another brown stoppered bottle.  Red let out a low whistle.  She glanced at him, and querying eyebrow raised.

 

"Matron, you sure do come with a lot of stuff.  You always travel like this?"

 

"Well, Red, I guess the answer to that is yes.  I'm training nurses for a Frontier Nursing Service, so I always travel with equipment when I am in the field travelling out to see my girls.  You alright there with that?" she asked as the enema started to take its effect.  "That's a good sign.  The vomiting should start soon, then we can get him to take some water."

 

George was back in a flash," Thank you George, I'll have you cut up some of those wider bandages into squares if you will, and as I place these poultices, we will re-bandage the wounds."

 

George watched in curiosity as Geraldine proceeded to grind up a measure of linseed and then charcoal and added them, along with a measure of clear syrupy liquid from the stoppered bottle to the squeezed out bread.  After kneading the mixture together, it was spread on the square sheets and bandaged around the puncture wounds on Matt's upper and lower arms, thigh and hip.

 

"He was lucky here," indicated Geraldine pointing to a wound on Matt's hip, "the fork hit bone, saved him from bleeding out into his abdomen.  I think he's going to be just fine."  Soothed Geraldine, trying to sound more confident than she felt.  He wasn't out of the woods yet.  The wounds were seeping, which showed his blood pressure and circulation were fine, but tetanus, that was a very real, and nasty possibility too, and worse with that they wouldn't really know for a week or two.  It was true that people could survive it, but not often.  Looking down at the strong fit-looking dark-haired man on the bed before her, she wondered if he had a fight left in him.  In a days time they would know.  She thought to get some ties ready, just in case.  Lastly she spooned a measure of Caster Oil into a mug, ready for Matt when he'd emptied the poison out of his system.  His colour was starting to return to normality, which was a good sign the poison was leaving his system. 

 

Just as she reached out a hand to feel his wrist pulse again Matt coughed and began to vomit.  She held his head forward as Red grabbed the bowl. 

 

"Talk to him," said Geraldine.  "He should hear a familiar voice, so he knows he's in safe hands.  Hmmm?"

 

Red flushed with embarrassment, cleared his throat and muttered "Come on lad, spit it out." And then lapsed into silence.

 

Geraldine gave him an exasperated look, then began to soothingly stroke Matt's sweating forehead and hair.  "Come on Matt, you're all right now.  I know its not very nice, but we need to get all that poison out of your system.  That's its.  Keep going.  I'm Geraldine.  Standing in for silent Red.  You and Fred are in the bunkhouse.  You're safe.  We're going to take good care of you now.  That's it.  You're hearts probably beating so loud in your ears you can't hear me too clearly, but I want you to try and take a mouthful of this." She said, holding the cup of water up to his lips and continued to talk in gentle even tones to the sick darkhaired man in front of her.

 

"Can you do that for me Matt? Come on.  That's good.  Can you open your eyes for me? And another sip, that's good.  That tastes better, doesn't it? "she continued as Matt slowly began to take sips of his own accord.  After he had taken in over the half the mug, Geraldine let up her battle to make him drink and concentrated on getting him to open his eyes. 

 

Shaking his shoulder she intoned more loudly than before "Matt, Matt, look at me, Matt.  Open your eyes."  his eyes flickered, but did not open. 

 

"Matt, you lazy-dog cowboy, what you doing lying around at this time of day? You get up this instant, boy " ordered George, patting Matt on a sweaty shoulder.

Matt responded by opening his eyes a slit and weakly whispering "go way….  …George.  ' Mm havin'… nice dream ………… Nice… …la -dy … therrrrre …" and the dark brown eyes slid closed. 

 

Geraldine rose, and grinned at George and Red.  "That's, a good sign.  He's responding, and understanding what we said.  Well, that's all I can do right now," she began to strip off her apron, and wash her hands in another basin of hot water on the washstand.  "We'll clean up those other minor cuts and scratches when he's finished getting that poison out.  I suggest you two go and get yourselves some dinner, and then one of you come and relive me about ten o 'clock.  She said checking her watch and seeing it was already eight thirty.

 

"No, Matron.  We had a bit of a peck whilst we was waitin' for ya.  You're a guest of the Barkley's my guess is theys probley waitin' for ya up at the house.  You go git your self fed, and come back when you're ready.  Me an Red play us some cards while we' s taken the first shift.  Now I don't mind none sitting here all night.  We kin cum git ya if Fred gits worser.  Ain't no stranger to this kinda thing ya know.  Uselee gunfights though.  Sides, we're the nearest thing to kin these boys've got.  Wouldn't feel right not bein' here with 'em." 

 

"Well, goodnight, gentlemen," said Geraldine extending her hand to them again.  "I'll be back as soon as I've eaten."

 

"Night Ma'am" said the cowboys, together doffing imaginary hats and ignoring her hand.  Geraldine smiled, thus the rules of the ward and the bunkhouse were observed.  Casting a last look at the sleeping patients, she headed for the house.  With a shiver of trepidation she wondered just what she should, or could say, to Nick. 

 

 

BVBVBVBVBVBVBVBV

 

 

Nick bumped along the track atop Coco in the moonlight.  The orchard gate was up ahead a ways, and he let his mind replay the night's events whilst keeping a wary eye out for anything unusual. 

 

Victoria had been furious with him.  He hadn't seen her that angry since he was a small boy. 

 

"Nick, just what were you thinking of!" she commanded, eyes flashing.  He stood glaring, but unresponsive.  The full meaning of what had just transpired not yet apparent to him.

 

"You need to learn to control that hair trigger temper of yours before it gets you into more trouble than just a spat with your brother.  AND frightens off every girl in the district with your reputation! Aren't you the least bit concerned as to what the emergency is?" Victoria stood, hands on hips challenging him.

 

At the sound of spat, Nick's mouth opened, and an ugly angry look stole across his face.

 

"SPAT? Spat! Now mother, you just listen to me.  That boy's been creeping around here.  Looking like butter wouldn't 't melt.  He has definitely had something on his mind lately, and now I know what.  Do you know what he was up to last night? Had his light on all night.  Smelt of ladies perfume this morning! AND," he paused for breath," WHAT WAS HE DOING IN HER ROOM ?! And how long as she been here.  What is she doing here anyway? I'm not interested in anything more." he demanded glaring, hands on hips, an angry thin-lipped, dimpled grin on his face.

 

"Nicolas! I am not going to answer any of those questions until you calm down."

 

"Calm down? Calm down! How can I calm down," he began pacing, "when my own brother, someone I'd trust with my life, goes behind my back and does that to me."

 

Victoria saw an opening and just like her son Jarrod, began to probe and drawn out Nick's reasoning for him to examine himself.

 

"You'd trust him with your life?"

 

"Of course I would.  I have."

 

"That's a lot of trust.  To trust someone with your life."

 

"Yeah, Yes mother, it is."

 

"And would Heath trust you with his? Can he trust you?"

 

"Well, of course.  It's just an unspoken rule between us."

 

"Well, Nicolas, how is this different? Why don't you trust him now? Has Heath ever given you reason not to?"

 

"Not in so many words, but you know he communicates more by what he does than what he says."

 

"Maybe you should listen a little more closely Nick, Heath says a good deal when he's of a mind to.  And it usually makes good sense, too.  He does usually THINK before he does so."

 

Nick didn't respond but softened his stance, and crossed an arm across his belly, and with the other cupped his chin.

 

"Alright," continued Victoria in a more conversational tone," So what is it exactly that you think Heath has done?"

 

"I don't think he's done anything, I SAW HIM doing it."

 

"Doing what, Nicholas?"

 

"Coming out of the guest room with Geraldine in tow, all packed up with bedroll and saddlebags.  And this morning smelling of lavender fragrance, and his light on all night."

 

"Well, I don't see anything particularly unusual in any of those things.  In fact they all have quite simple explanations." 

 

"They do?" Nick boggled, then frowned.  For the life of him, he couldn't figure out what those simple explanations would be, he was still feeling too riled up.

 

"Oh, Nick! Just think on it a moment.  What happened to Heath yesterday? What brings Geraldine to the area? And why would Heath's light be on all night? More to the point I would say, if we're talking about trust, young man, is the answer to how you know to ask that question."

 

"Well, mother.  The cat scratched Heath.  Frontier Nursing training brings Geraldine to the area.  I don't see the point in this," He spread his arms out, palms open, then with a shrug the dark haired cowboy scratched his head, raked his hair back and pulled at an earlobe, thinking. 

 

"How about the answer to my last question?"

 

"Well I "Nick said softly rubbing his neck and glancing sheepishly at the floor, "I thought he was up to something yesterday, so I thought I'd wait outside his door, catch him out.  Was there all night…" he trailed off, seeing the angry glint in his mother's eye.

 

"Up to something? Up to something?! Nihcolas," Victoria grabbed his wrist, and dragged Nick towards Heath's bedroom.  

 

"Mother," Nick growled wrenching his wrist free, but continuing to follow his mother into Heath's room.

 

Victoria reached out to the Journal left on Heath's nightstand.  As she did so her toe encountered the stack of books hidden beneath the bed.  Looking down she saw her foot was upon an envelope beside the spilled books.  Handing the Journal to Nick, she bent down to straighten the books and glanced at the envelope.  She scanned the envelope's originating address, then slipped it back beneath the pile of books, but not before wondering why a faint aroma of lavender wafted in the air.  She put it down to Heath's use of balm on his scratches the previous evening.

 

"Well, well," marvelled Nick, "who would have thought it, eh?" He closed the Journal after a superficial flick through and tapped his fingers against it, "and you think he was up all night with this?

 

Victoria nodded. 

 

"Or reading these."   She indicated the books with a nudge of her toe, smiling broadly, and returning them to their hiding place.  Nick glanced briefly at the stack, but was not interested further to peruse the titles, or greatly ponder on why they were there.

 

Nick returned her smile, now calmer.  He still wasn't seeing the broader picture, but Victoria was sure the little spat would soon be forgotten. 

 

"What's so darn important that he couldn't get a good night's rest?" commanded Nick.

 

"I think you'll have to ask him yourself.  In fact it would have been a whole lot easier if you'd done that, instead of sleeping outside my door all night, big brother," smiled a weary, red nosed Heath from the doorway.  "I see you've found my little pile of reading.  Not that I don't mind you creeping around in my room, but… why are you?" He said flatly. 

 

It was tiredness, not the surliness or animosity Nick was expecting, evident in his voice.  Heath's eyes fell on the journal in Nick's hand as he moved stiffly from the doorway towards the pair.  He reached Nick and placed a hand on his shoulder, and paused a brief moment to look Nick in the eye.

 

"You calmed down yet?" he asked in a mock serious tone, as ever hiding his own discomfort, and presenting the world his calm, confident demeanour.  He already knew the answer.  He could read Nick as clear as a book, he wore his feelings almost as easily as clothing.  Changed them as easily, too.  Heath felt in a few days this would all be forgotten, and he had more important things on his mind to dwell too long over a misunderstanding.

 

"Ah, sure," admitted Nick gently, dropping his head and looking at the floor a little embarrassed.  "Just want some answers, that's all."

 

"Ask away, Nick.  I got nothing to hide.  You should know that by now.  You'll have to be quick, I'm heading out to track whoever it was attacked Fred and Matt." 

 

Heath eased himself slowly down to perch on the edge of the bed, and sat hands on knees, arms stiffly holding his body upright.  Nick and Victoria exchanged glances.  They knew that manoeuvre of old. 

 

"Well, I'll just go and check to see if Nick left you any hot water for a bath Heath, and leave you and Nick to sort things out."  Victoria bustled from the room.  She wondered if Geraldine may have something for him in her bag of tricks, and headed down the back stairs, only to encounter Silas and Audra in the kitchen, and become caught up in conversation with him about the evenings events.

 

"Well?" said Nick

 

"Well?" replied Heath.

 

"I'm not apologising till you tell me what's going on,"  said Nick.

 

"Well I might as well leave right now then."   snapped Heath, leaning forward as if to rise.

 

"Oh no you don't," said Nick placing a restraining hand on his shoulder," C'mon Heath, I need to know what's going on here."

 

"You're going to feel awfully silly when you do, big brother.  But hurry up, I've let enough time slip by already with all this Tom Foolery.  Got to meet up with Dan down at the orchard to scout the attackers."

 

"If there's one thing you're NOT going to do, it's that.  I'll go, spent most of the day staring at those figures we did this morning, ride will be good.  Just tell me what's going on, will ya?!" ordered Nick, trying to find a plausible sounding excuse to substitute for Heath without question.

 

"Simple Nick." Heath paced his delivery watching the rise of realisation and embarrassment cross his brother's face as he went.  "Geraldine's in the area for a few days with her trainees.  Mother and Audra know her, too and when we all met up again in town, mother invited Geraldine to stay at the ranch for the duration of her visit in Stockton.  Mother thought it would be a nice surprise for you.  As you may recall, you did pull a prank on them this morning, which they took in a much better humour, I'd have to say, than you have so far, Big Brother."

 

"Oh," said Nick quietly, apparently missing the fact of the rest of the family's prior friendship with the tall redhead from San Francisco.

 

"Now, Nick," Heath continued more urgently, rising from the bed ".  We've got a couple of hands been attacked down by the irrigation canal leading off the river.  They were down there ploughing today.  Didn't come in till late.  Dan was just going to send for the Doc when I arrived back.  Rather than send for the Doc, I figured Geraldine was closer at hand.  That's it…."

 

"… And you were coming out of her room, because you were trying to keep it surprise for me."

 

Heath nodded as Nick interjected. 

 

"Oh, I feel such an oaf! "Nick hit his hand to his forehead, and then clapped Heath on the back, so hard he winced.  "Sorry little brother.  I really am.  Now you go and get in that bath and I'll go meet Dan.  Now don 't argue about it.  Oh," he paused, looking down at the Journal as he returned it to the nightstand, "You can tell me about this, too, but I've the feeling that's going to take more time than I have right now.  Keep up the good work." He smirked, remembering a phrase his school was fond of, giving his brother's shoulder another pat Nick headed towards the door.

 

"Take my saddlebags, Nick, they're all ready to go.  Food for a few days from Silas."

 

Nodding to Heath, Nick strode away down the stairs to collect Heath's gear, a serious worry about what had been afoot at the canal beginning to replace the earlier fury.  Too, he was angry with himself for flying off the handle so irrationally in front of Geraldine, and now, for wasting so much time holding Heath up from getting on the trail.  Feeling too foolish to confront Geraldine right now, the lanky cowboy simply pulled on his heavy winter jacket, hat and gloves, hoisted the saddlebags and bedroll and made his way to the stable. 

 

 

BVBVBVBVBVBVBVBV

 

 

Nick was unaware of the eyes watching the lit-up ranch buildings from an adjacent slope, and now noting the lone rider heading out.  No doubt following the others, thought the hidden watcher.  A grin slid eerily across the face of the watcher.  He planned on leading them a merry dance and no mistake.  One of his horses whinnied to the departing horse, and he turned quickly to silence it with his whip.  The lone rider seemed not to hear and continued to canter away from the house. 

 

The watcher mounted his horse, and leading another, quietly jogged down towards the corrals behind the barn.  Leaving the horses at the rail to entice the corralled horses over to the rail, he removed some freshly butchered beef from one of the wrapped bundles tied across the backs of his horses, hacked off a few slabs, and moved quickly in the shadows to quieten the kennelled dogs.  The man stealthily tossed meat toward the kennels.  The dogs tucked into the proffered meat, but not before stirring up the corralled horses with a sharp burst of agitated baying. 

 

 

  * * * * * * * *

 

 

In the bunkhouse, the five remaining cowboys not out on guard, or with the patients, were chatting around a game of cards, and good-naturedly razzing each other about a possible chance with the Matron.  Jeb suddenly stood up with a start from his card game, knocking his chair to the floor.

 

 "Forgot the dogs! "

 

The sudden sound of dogs had reminded him of his earlier promise to Heath.  In all the commotion of the evening, and with Phil out on the chase, he had forgotten to take care of the dogs.  He reddened at his sudden realisation and guiltily, feeling shamed he had almost failed in the duty Heath had entrusted to him before he had even begun, hurriedly nipped out into the cool evening, collecting bones from the Meat Locker on the way. 

 

The short burst of baying from the dogs set the young corralled horses on edge.  Snorting, stomping, eyes rolling, ears on the alert they jostled around each other and thronged toward the saddled horses outside the rail.  This and an odd sound set Jeb on the alert, he halted pressing himself up against the barn shadows, holding his breath, heart racing, rapidly scanning the moonlit corrals and fields.  A crack and tear of timber was audible across the yard as the railing gave way.  Then the drumming of hooves was clearly audible in the still air.

 

At the sound Jeb turned.  Straight into a fist thrown by a tall stocky stranger who suddenly appeared from out of the shadows in front of him, and he dropped with a grunt to the ground.  Out cold. 

 

The hostile figure moved quickly to chase after the rapidly departing horses, cursing as he went.  One of the saddled horses was easily caught, and after quickly mounting he galloped off, returning shortly with two of the young horses in tow, roped to his saddle horn.  The plan hadn't gone completely according to plan, with a good number of the released horses now out of sight, and he was one good horse down as well.  He cursed the interference of the young cowboy and swore to go back and make him pay once he'd carried out his next task. 

 

Leaning from the saddle to open the gate to the stable yard, he moved towards barn and dismounted.  Checking all the barn doors, he eventually located the seed store and opened wide the doors.  He slipped inside, horses in tow, this time securely tying his horse to a wall ring. 

 

Quickly he sought a length of rope and set about tying up sacks of precious seed into pairs to throw across the horses backs, smiling on the good luck of chancing upon the Barkley's in town yesterday at the goods store.  Maybe his luck was changing. 

 

 

  * * * * * * * *

 

 

Situated on guard in the hayloft, with one of the upper loading doors ajar Pete had been put on alert by the brief sound of dogs.  Hoisting himself up to peer through the slatted light-well turret he caught a brief glimpse of horses, backs shining in the moonlight, moving towards the trees on the far side of the rear fields.  He dropped from the turret, preparing to race towards the bunkroom and alert the others, and as he did so glimpsed the bulky stranger arriving with his group of horses through the gap in the loading door. 

 

Working to load the horses the stranger was unaware any noises apart from his own, until he suddenly heard an unfamiliar sound close to his ear.  A low rumbling stuttering growl.  The hairs on the back of his neck lifted and he froze mid-action.  Turning he was hit by a dark yowling object that leapt with frightening speed towards him from the seed stacks.  He yelped in pain, and staggered backwards as the black hairy ball of fury fastened itself across his face and shoulders, screaming, clawing and tearing at his flesh.  A rat skittered across the sack he was holding as it dropped to the ground. 

 

"Ahh!" He yelled in surprise, and dropped to his knees, hands frantically tearing at the animal secured to his face, and shoulders.  With a departing hiss and spit Nick leapt away.  More stunned than injured, the man leant forward on all fours to catch his breath.  Blood dripped upon the dusty floor. 

 

A weathered boot appeared on the dusty ground, in front of the shaken man's red gaze, and he heard the ominous click of a revolver being cocked.

 

"How 'bout you just stand up nice and easy..." began Pete, before the stranger's hand shot out lightening fast and his foot was pulled from under him.  Firing into the barn roof as he fell, Pete quickly twisted to reposition himself, as the stranger's foot clamped down on his gun wrist.  The stranger grinned maliciously, and raised both hands as a hammer fist to bash Pete.  Suddenly he fell to the ground, unconscious. 

 

"That'll teach you to mess with me," smiled an angry Jeb, a large dog bone swinging by his side.  He extended an arm to pull Pete to his feet.

 

"Looks like you got here just in time," said a deep voice from the door.  Jarrod walked in frowning at them both, holstering his gun. 

 

"Well, if it wasn't for the 'Attack Cat' there, catching him off his guard," Pete gestured towards the Nick, busy washing herself atop the seed sacks, "it might have turned out different.  Thanks, Jeb."

 

Jeb nodded, then reached down to bind the man's wrists, brought up each ankle and quickly tied them off over his back, leaving the unconscious stranger immobile upon his belly.  He finished standing quickly, raising both hands above his head, stepping back with a mock serious look on his face, as if he'd just roped a calf.

 

Despite the seriousness of the situation Pete and Jarrod both couldn't help but chuckle at the young cowboy's antics. 

 

"Getting in a bit of practise for the spring calf-roping, eh? Thirty five seconds, you'll have to do better'n that to beat Nick 'n Heath," laughed Pete.

 

"What's going on? Who is this?" inquired Jarrod, frowning again.

 

"Well, Mr Barkley, don't rightly know." explained Pete, shrugging.  "He's a stranger to me for sure.  We had a couple of men attacked of the blue, down by the irrigation canal today.  Seems like no reason that we cun figure.  Heath, he organised some of us on guard duty till we know what's what, then he and Dan took a few men out to look for tracks.  The men, Fred 'n Matt.  Theys pretty bad I hear George say.  Heath brought a pretty little nurse over to tend to them."

 

Jarrod' s frown deepened as Pete spoke.  Was this the same ranch he had left this morning, he wondered? Admittedly Nick and Heath were up to a prank this morning, but now the ranch was populated with attack cats, nurses, and strangers that appeared to be stealing seed. 

 

"Well, we can't leave him here all night, and I'm damned if we are going back into to see Fred tonight.  Seems to me, Nick and Heath have it under control.  Say, aren't those some of our young stock? I saw a group of horses on the other side of the field as I rode in," queried Jarrod nodding toward the Barkley brand on the rump of the two young horses. 

 

Pete and Jeb both glanced at them then scrutinised the saddled horse a little more closely.  Pete rubbed his chin, tilted his head, frowned at Jed. 

 

"Yeah, I reckon so, Mr Barkley," replied Jeb seriously.  "Looks like this fella, might've been looking to do a little rustling ta boot.  This looks like Jimbo," he patted the saddled horse's neck as he spoke, "the horse Fred usually rides.  I'll go get George and we'll round up the rest of them.  Geeze, musta bin twenny horses in that corral.  Probly won be far aways.  Heath has them part broke, since theys only young-ins.  Best get goin.  Say.  Shall we put this guy in with Fred n Matt? Old Red kin keep an eye on 'im there.  Give us a hand, eh, Pete."

 

Pete turned and hoisted down a wheelbarrow from the tool wall.  Pete picked up the bound man's arms by the elbows as Jeb lifted his ankles.  They stepped over, and dumped the man unceremoniously into the barrow. 

 

"Murdering @#@ Thieving @#$ son of a @##$$!**," muttered Pete under his breath, wanting to do this lump of a man before him a serious mischief for what he appeared to have done to his mates.

 

"Now don' you worry nun, Mr Barkley.  We's got this end covered, and Heath's got it all sorted.  Best you talk to Nick, Heath willha told ím for he left.  Sure.  Even had the nurse here in right quick time.  Mick and Bill going in with the wagon for more seed in the morning, early, and to get the sheriff to come out, Heath organised that tonight, 'fore he left."

 

"All right, Pete, Jeb.  I'll write out a note they can take in the morning to Sheriff Madden." and with that he turned and lead Jingo into the stable area, he face revealing he was already pondering over the unusual events.  A Nurse? How on earth? Where did Heath get a nurse from at this short notice?

 

"I'll call Ciego to take care of Jingo, Mr Barkley,"  called out Jeb to Jarrod's departing back.  Jarrod waved a hand in response.

 

 

  * * * * * * * *

 

 

"Mrs Barkley.  I'm so glad to see you.  Miss Geraldine.  She said not to go waitin on her, cause she don rightly know how long she be.  Din't want to upset the family now.  What you want to do about dinner, Miz Barkley?" asked Silas as Victoria appeared from the back stairway. 

 

Victoria glanced at Audra, and smiled to see her daughter trying to separate eggs for meringue.  She paused for a moment to consider.

"Silas, since Mr Jarrod is also delayed, and Mr Heath not yet bathed, I think we can all wait for Miss Geraldine to return.  I hate to think of our guest eating alone on her first night with us.  Shall we say … … eight-forty-five?"

 

"Yes Miz Barkley.  Oh, Miz Barkley? Mr Heath? He got me to fix him some food.  Said he was going out urgently, that was some time ago Miz Barkley.  Mr Nick? He here for dinner?"

 

"Well, Silas, there was a bit of a mix-up."   Audra eyed her mother with an ironic smile.  Victoria returned the same, and arched an eyebrow. 

 

"Mr Nick has gone in Heath's place." she said decisively.  "Are you making dessert, Audra?"

 

"Yes, mother I thought I'd try Apple Queen Meringue.  That way I wouldn't have to struggle over pastry, you know that awful leathery pastry I make," she grimaced, "but I could still make one of Heath's favourite apple puddings.  Cheer him up a bit.  Oh bother!" She said as she fished yet more pieces of eggshell from the whites before starting to whisk them.

 

"Is Mr Heath poorly?" asked Silas.

 

"No, no, he's fine, well his back is troubling him, but he won't let on about that at the best of times.  I don't think Heath's at all down, even given tonight's events.  He seems to know how to handle Nick's outbursts now, but I'm sure he will enjoy your dessert.  In fact he's been in remarkably good spirits lately, now that I come to think of it." she reflected.  "I must speak to Geraldine, though.  Poor girl.  What on earth must she be thinking of us?"

 

"Oh, Ms Barkley.  The men, when I took Miss Geraldine over, well the men in the bunkroom, they was asking about a chance to see the nurse."

 

Victoria smirked.  "Are you sure they didn't mean that in a different way, Silas?"

 

"Oh, no Ms Barkley, they was wondering if the nurse was here to run a clinic."

 

"Well, I'll have a word with Geraldine.  Maybe she might find time to run a clinic for the men, whilst she is here.  Isn't she travelling over to the orphanage with you and Heath tomorrow afternoon, Audra?"

 

Audra nodded affirmation.  "Nick was meant to be coming too.  He and Heath are repairing something or other."

 

"Well, maybe in the morning, then.  My goodness!" She exclaimed, "maybe Heath was right at lunch when he suggested we needed a nurse over the main season.  I thought he was joking, but … and this is the off-season." 

 

 

  * * * * * * * *

 

 

Jarrod entered the front door and glanced across the empty parlour.  He pursed his lips, frowning, and was removing his winter coat when Victoria came through from the kitchen.  "Jarrod.  I'm so glad you are home.  There have been a few unusual events here today.  No trouble on the road I hope?"

 

"Well, yes and no.  I just came across a stranger stealing seed in the barn, but the men appeared to be on guard and quickly took him in hand just as I arrived.  What's going on?"

 

"Heath is upstairs.  He can give you more background as to what happened out at the irrigation canal.  When he comes down you can fill him in on what has just happened." she said, looking very worried and placing a hand on his arm. 

 

Jarrod shot her a querying look at the mention of Heath's name.  "Where's Nick? Is he alright?"

 

Victoria explained.  "Nick's headed out with Dan and four of the men tracking, and Heath needs to give his back a rest.  Heath organised it all, while Nick was in the bath, who then replaced Heath, after a small debate.  How quickly things change…." Jarrod threw his mother an inquiring look.  She sighed, before continuing.  "To be honest, Jarrod, he was up all night reading, and from what I saw of his journal, he has been working a good deal of extra time on those ideas of his." 

 

Jarrod smiled warmly at this as he strolled with his mother towards the warmth of the fire.  "Sherry?" She nodded, and he poured drinks for both of them as he continued.

 

"Yes.  He came to talk to me today.  I must say I was tremendously impressed.  Not only at the ideas, but at the depth to which he had thought things through, and the amount of work he has put in on it, without us even noticing.  I wonder how long he's been working away at these? He never mentioned a thing until now, and it looks like he has it looked at from all ways.  Mother it really made me proud to see him stretching out and reminded me in no small way of father.  I would guess by the depth he seems to have gone into things that would not be the first night our Heath has worked away.  Funny though, when he was talking to me today, so full of it, not realising how expert he sounded, he's still reticent about sharing his ideas with Nick.  As if he automatically expects them to be rejected, for there to be a battle.  With this incident tonight he will not have had time to talk any of it over with Nick, but I can't wait for Nick to hear about it.  He'll be so proud of his little brother.  I think we really need to step in behind him with these ideas, so Heath can see our confidence in him."

 

Victoria smiled wryly at Jarrod's mention of battle.

 

"I think Heath knows only too well that he will have a battle on his hands with Nick, but like you, I also think our belief in this will help him achieve it.  That he is capable, I don't doubt, but knowing your family is right behind you, I feel that will make all the difference.  And with Nick… …we can only hope, Jarrod.  Oh, I hope so.  Yes, he did so much remind me of Tom, with that fiery glint in his eye as he spoke.  You know, I don't think it will help to tell him so, I… I mean….  …I think Heath is actually capable of a lot more than he might let himself believe, without being aware of it.  He thinks he's simply a cowboy who loves his work and his family and is simply seeing opportunities for the ranch to diversify and expand, but it we make comparisons with Tom's entrepreneurial spirit, well, you don't suppose it might make him think he has boots that are too big to fill?" She sighed, not entirely sure she had made herself clear, but Jarrod nodded in affirmation, his blue eyes conveying understanding, stretching his glass holding arm out along the arm rest, and extended his crossed legs out towards the warmth of the fire.

 

She continued. "We are both travelling to San Francisco on Monday.  So you'll have company.  Heath and I have a few investigations to undertake.  Actually all of this has rather put me in mind of an idea I had a few years back, before all this bother with the railroad.  Now seems like a good time to follow up a few ideas of my own.  Don't worry I'll tell you all in good time." she responded to his querying look and raised eyebrow.

 

"Once this other problem has been dealt with, I would think later in the week might be a suitable time to broach it with the rest of the family.  Hmmm? Oh, I'm forgetting you will be away with your trial.  How about Sunday evening then, after the Frost Festival? Well, you will be wanting to clean up.  Dinner will not be until eight forty-five.  I hope Geraldine will be completed by then."

 

Jarrod threw her a puzzled look.  "I'll join you in a little while for a drink and you can explain more about this Geraldine to me, mother dear" he said pecking her a kiss on the cheek before ascending the stairs and turning towards Heath's room.

 

 

  * * * * * * * *

 

 

Heath had collected his journal and stretched out on his bed.  He wanted to make a few notes while he thought of them, before his bath.  His tired body responded to the pleasure of stretching out on the bed and he suddenly felt extremely tired.  He jotted down a few notes, and then leafed through the Agriculture Journal till he found what he was looking for.  He copied out figures and rates and set about calculating.  Soon the page was covered with neat calculations and tables, plants per acre, yields per acre, harvest estimates, market sales rates from the journal, and income per acre, labour rates, seasonal timings and finally a comparison to cattle per acre.  What he saw gave him pause for thought.  "Nick's not gonna like this," he thought, "not one little bit.  Still, if this drought continues we will be sending cattle off early, and so will everyone else……….." 

 

Jarrod tapped on the door.  "Heath, I …" he stopped and smiled at the sight of Heath stretched full length on his bed, fully clothed, his journal open in one hand, pencil behind his ear, fast asleep.  He did wonder at times if his little brother ever actually stopped to take a rest.  The whole family knew by now just how dedicated and skilled a worker the tall blonde cowboy was, but the longer they knew him, it seemed the more his hidden talents became apparent, although, Heath, as ever, continued to play his thoughts close to the chest.  Nick called it "Sneaky '. 

 

The lawyer in Jarrod could understand the need to feel his way through the facts, to analyse and list, and contemplate.  If he had to call it anything it would be ' Doing his homework'.  That was it! Heath was in effect applying a lifelong habit for the bright young man who spent little time in real school, but now applying this to the ranch, that of teaching himself.  Seeking knowledge.  ' The Sneaker ' Nick might call him, Jarrod thought ' The Seeker' seemed far more apt.  He frowned as he took in the sight of the bloodstained shirt and beginning bruise on the bridge of his nose.

 

"Heath," gently he shook Heath's shoulder.  "Heath, wake up..."

 

Heath raised an eyebrow and opened an eye.  "Not 'sleep….  Jus … resting …  … my eyes." The eye slipped closed again.

 

"ah huh," said a sceptical Jarrod, "and I'm the President.  Mother's scheduled dinner for eight forty-five.  See you downstairs for a drink, then you can fill me in on what has been going on today.  I've got some news for you, too.  Easier to tell the whole family at once, so hurry up young man."

 

 

  * * * * * * * *

 

 

Heath slid his tired body into the hot bath with a long satisfied sigh.  He closed his eyes, relaxed back, letting the hot water and steam envelop him and soak his muscles.  Soon he became consciously aware of his heart beating in his temples, sweat trickling down his face.  He glanced briefly at his hands pink with the heat, and was surprised to find the water the same colour.  He sat up with a start.  His nose had started to bleed again, with a vengeance.  He grabbed a towel and held it to his face, annoyed but sighed in resignation, and leant back to await its termination.  As the water cooled he emerged and with difficulty dried himself off, maintaining the towel at his nose.  The flow was showing no sign of waning.  Jarrod tapped on the door, wanting to bath himself before dinner.  "Heath, will you hurry up in there, what are you doing?"

 

"Minding," came the muffled reply.

 

"Huh? Minding? Minding what?"

 

"My own business," replied Heath irritably, opening the door and exiting, towel to his face, and another slung around his hips, water still speckling his shoulders and back.

 

"You alright? "

 

"Just a bloody nose, that's all.  I'm fine." 

 

Heath sat on his bed grasping the bridge of his nose and tried to think of his mother's remedies for stopping a bleed.  Try as he might he couldn't remember, and finding the pressure too sore, ultimately just sat dripping over the towel, eyes closed, waiting for it to cease.  He had no idea how long he had been sitting there, but the towel was saturated when he opened his eyes again at the sudden sound of Geraldine's voice and knock at his door. 

 

"Heath, Victoria asked me to look in on you, I've…oh! Is that still bleeding? Hold a minute, I've something for epistaxis, too."

 

Heath looked up, feeling a little light-headed.  "Epi… What?"

 

Soon Geraldine returned, with ice, and a cup of brown foul smelling liquid.  Here, drink this quickly.  Its not pleasant, but effective.  'Dr Warren's Patented Haemorrhage Solution', no less!" She said as she applied the ice cubes to the base of Heath's neck. 

 

"Do not ask me why this works, but it does.  I usually use it for postpartum haemorrhages," she smiled at his grimace as he sculled the foul odorous liquid, and rubbed the ice up and down Heath's neck.  As she glanced down she was surprised to see fine white welts crisscrossing his upper back, and signs of healed gunshot wounds to belly and upper arm, and knotted collarbone.  Clearly he was quite resilient, fit and healthy.  "Victoria asked me if I had anything that could help relieve your back pain, and I have a couple of things that worked well for the men I treated in the timber camps, but they are best taken on a full stomach, and certainly not combined with what you've just taken.  How is it?"

 

Heath nodded, dabbing at his nose.  The flow was easing. 

 

She dropped the spent ice remnants with a 'clink' into the cup.  It was in that silence that he suddenly realised he was sitting there, with Geraldine, in his bedroom, wearing nothing more than a towel around his hips.  He looked up horrified and grabbed quickly for the edge of the quilt to cover himself. 

 

"Geraldine, I...  I…" He stammered.

 

"I wasn't even here Heath, it's my job, remember," she said patting his shoulder and turning her back, quickly exiting, closing his door as she went.

 

 

BVBVBVBVBVBVBVBV

 

 

Audra and Victoria were changed for dinner, sipping a fireside drink with Jarrod, when refreshed and very hungry Heath joined them.  "Boy Howdy, when's dinner, I'm famished!" He said collecting an apple from the bowl on the way past and tucking into it.

 

"Care for a drink, Heath?" inquired Jarrod.

 

"No thank you, Jarrod.  I'm just popping over to check in with the hands, and see how Fred and Matt are doing, before dinner.  I need to check on the guard roster, too… "

 

"Ah, well, you might be interested to know, I came across Pete and Jeb subduing a stranger in the seed store as I returned tonight.  Jeb seems to think he might have had Fred's horse and several of our young colts with him.  He appeared to be making off with sacks of seed.  Pete and I also saw some of our horses way out across the other side of the back-field.  I would surmise he was angling to steal some of our colts as well."

 

"Jarrod, you don't think…" began a startled Victoria.

 

"Oh my…" gasped Audra.  "In the barn, why that's so close and..."

 

"Was he alone?" interrupted Heath urgently, immediately on the alert, already heading towards his gun-belt.

 

"Well, I wouldn't like to hazard a guess at that Heath.  Jeb knocked him out cold.  Pete told me you'd organised a guard roster, so I wasn't too worried.  We can find out more when this fellow comes round in an hour or two."

 

"We don't know if he was acting alone.  Jarrod! And there I was soaking in a hot bath! The men will be thinking I've gone soft, not out there helping them round up and pulling my share of guard duty." Heath said turning, strapping his gunbelt on. 

 

"But wait, Heath.  Jeb let me know you had organised to notify the Sheriff about the attack in the morning.  He and George were going to round-up the colts.  This evening I was planning to note down statements from myself, Pete, Jeb, and interview the captured man, and...  Heath!" he shouted to Heath's back departing towards the gunroom shrugging on his heavy sheepskin jacket as he went. 

 

He returned a moment later, shotgun in hand and moving urgently, fuming.  "Jarrod!" cried a frustrated Heath.  "Why didn't you tell me this when you first came in.  Mother, I'm sorry about dinner, don't wait for me.  Jarrod, mother will fill you in on today's happenings." and with that he was gone.

 

Jarrod turned and raised his eyebrows at Victoria.

 

"I do believe you have just been told off," said Victoria.

 

"I believe I have." smiled Jarrod, walking over to select and trim a cigar as he spoke.  He paced back towards the fireplace and stood leaning an arm on the mantle.  "Suppose you tell me just what the problem is with the hands.  What exactly happened out there today? In fact, now that I think of it, mother dear, it seems like I have come back to a completely different place tonight than I left this morning.  Do you know that it was Nick that caught the man in the seed store tonight?"

 

"Nick?" cried Audra, "but I thought he was out tracking with Dan and the other men."

 

"No, no," chuckled Jarrod.

 

"Well.  I hardly think this is something to jest about Jarrod.  There are two men who could be dying in the Bunkhouse Infirmary, and now this.  We still don't know who attacked them, and, and.  Well, I think you owe Heath an apology.  Just what were you thinking not telling him? What do you mean 'Not Nick', why are you talking in riddles " Audra pouted.

 

"Audra, dear.  Calm yourself.  I was referring to 'Nick the cat', or as Jeb referred to it tonight – the 'Attack Cat'.  Sounded very appropriate to me." 

 

"The cat?" uttered a surprised Victoria.  "Well, I suppose I do owe you an explanation too.  Geraldine is a nurse, and an old friend of Nick's, they met during the war.  You remember him talking about her when he came home, I'm sure.  Anyway, she is now the training Matron of the Nursing School at San Francisco Hospital.  She is setting up a Frontier Nursing Service for the Valley and the surrounding work camps.  When we met up again today in Stockton, we naturally invited her out to the ranch to stay.  Well, Heath did actually, we all thought she would be a surprise for Nick.  Given what has already transpired I'm more than thankful she is with us.  Already Geraldine has seen to three patients this evening, and I'm hoping to prevail upon her to run a clinic for the men in the morning."

 

"Three patients? I thought you said there were only two injured hands?" responded Jarrod, sipping his drink.

 

"I asked Geraldine if she might have anything for Heath's back.  She offered to look in on him on her way to change for dinner.  In fact, she said she had noticed him hiding his discomfort on the journey out the to ranch and hadn't been sure whether to mention it to me or not.  Evidently she is quite familiar with this type of thing from treating men the work camps."

 

"Work camps?"

 

"Yes, that's right.  Mining and forestry towns like Angels Camp.  Mr Barkley I presume? Allow me to introduce myself," said the tall, freshly washed and changed red head, striding across the room, hand extended.  She smiled," I'm Geraldine O'Rourke, an old 'army ' friend of Nick's.  You must be Jarrod?"

 

Jarrod was taken aback a moment both by the formality and confidence of the greeting, and by the stunning woman whose hand he took in greeting.  Her damp, freshly combed wavy hair was coiled, twisted, and drawn into a knot on her neck.  Free strands of red-gold hair coiled about her peaches and cream complexioned face and neck.  Her dark brown eyes and brows were a surprise.  She wore a blue and white striped lawn dress, with full sleeves and ruffles at the neck, and wrist.  Small pearl earrings graced her ears.  The plain simplicity was captivating. 

 

Even Audra was surprised at the different woman who stood before her now, compared to the woman clad completely in practical grey-drill cotton work-skirt and blouse of earlier in the day. 

 

Victoria smiled and nodded, pleased to see the healthy flush back in Geraldine's cheeks, she seemed to have recovered from the incident earlier in the evening.  She thought the mettle of the woman who stood before her was more than a match for her son, Nick. 

 

"The pleasure is all mine.  Yes, I'm Jarrod," He murmured appreciatively.  Extending his elbow, he said, "allow me to escort you in to dinner."

 

"Where's Heath?" inquired Geraldine.

 

"Some of our horses have escaped from the corral.  He has gone with the men to round them up.  I am sure he will join us during dinner," responded Victoria.

 

The family settled down in the dining room.  Victoria motioned to Silas to serve and soon lively conversation was underway about the cowboy clinic, the frontier nursing service, the ranch, and the orphanage.  Each Barkley enjoying Geraldine's easy company and some of her humorous nursing tales.  Only Victoria seemed to be concerned about the strange goings on of the day.  She wondered to herself if Nick and the men had found any trails to follow in the dark.

 

Heath joined them as dessert and coffee arrived.  "Pretty nippy out there now," he rubbed his hands together as he sat down, and Silas dished his plateful.  He nodded his thanks. 

 

"Thank you Silas.  Got all the horses but one.  Probably back by itself in the morning, I should think.  No sign of anyone else, men neither.  That fella hasn't come around yet.  Jeb must have given him a real wack.  We should be alright for the night." He smiled a half grin at Jarrod.  Jarrod nodded, peace made. 

 

"Geraldine, George says Matt is doing fine, and they are happy to take the night shift.  George said to tell you he'll take that plaster thing off, and take care of Fred best he can … " he looked down remembering briefly the laughing, boisterous Fred of that morning, complaining about going ploughing.  This morning seemed so long ago now. 

 

Aware of the silence, he raised his head and looked around at his family's sober faces.  "I kinda get the impression the rest of the men are counting on seeing you in the morning, Matron?" he cocked his head with a curious half-grin.

 

Geraldine nodded in affirmation.  "Yes, Victoria has asked me to run a 'cowboy clinic' for the men in the morning." 

 

"Don't think some of 'em woulda ever seen a Doc.  Just as well Nick's away then, tomorrows normally a half day," grinned Heath. 

 

The whole family chanted smiling, "this is a working ranch." 

 

"Do you ever stop working?" replied Geraldine.  "I don't think I ever saw my uncle and aunt work this hard on their farm back East."

 

"Well, that's the life of a rancher.  Although usually this time of the year is a quiet time.  What size was their farm?" Replied Victoria as Heath ate steadily.  It always amused her how he managed to get away with saying so little during a meal.  Tonight she thought he'd been unusually talkative.

 

"I'm sure it would almost fit into your front paddock.  So small in comparison to what I imagine the size of this ranch is.  I am looking forward to seeing it tomorrow in daylight when Audra and I ride out to the Orphanage.  It was, oh, eighty acres I guess.  My Aunt Sabina married a Dutchman, Albert van Eyck.  He and his brother, Jan ran properties side by side.  My cousins, work on the farms also, though mostly on the plant side of things.  Two, Wim & Jan trained as horticultural apprentices back in Holland, just like their father.  I think they are wanting their own farms.  They are American.  Their father, my uncle is a traditionalist.  He wants them to stay and work in the family business.  Aside from running milking cows for their cheese making business, he also grew flowers for the city markets, and they have a small apple orchard for Cider.  I used to help them with milking and harvesting when I stayed during school breaks, and afterwards, before I went nursing for the army." She grimaced

 

"The worst job ever for me was sitting in a sweltering hot shed in the summer, sorting and brushing soil from the bulbs before hanging them in sacks under the eaves.  I still remember the soft brown mushy ones full of worms, ugh!" She shuddered, and the whole table laughed at the thought of a nurse being squeamish over a dead plant. 

 

"I still miss those early morning milkings."  Geraldine's brown eyes had taken on a soft glistening look as she talked about what was obviously the nearest thing to 'home', and it seemed as if she was indeed back at her uncle's farm with the cows.  Victoria's voice drew her back to the present.

 

"Would you like to join with Ciego and Rosie for Sunday's milking? We keep a few cows milking through the winter.  I will mention it to them tomorrow."

 

"Victoria, that would be wonderful," smiled Geraldine, and for an instant the Barkleys saw a glimpse of the young farm girl beneath the capable 'Matron' exterior, "would you?"

 

Victoria smiled and nodded.  Her smile broke into a broad grin and chuckle as she glanced towards Heath.  All the dinners began laughing at the image before them.  The weary cowboy was sitting, forearms leaning upon the table, cutlery poised over his half eaten plate, eyes closed.

 

"Just resting those eyes of yours again, hmm, Brother Heath? "laughed Jarrod as he tapped him lightly on the arm.

 

"Himm? Wassa matter?" said Heath with a start, and grinned slowly at the watching faces.  "I..." 

 

Suddenly he turned, immediately on the alert, as a movement caught the corner of his eye. 

 

"Oh, its our little 'Attack Cat', the hero of the evening, according to Jeb and Pete," chuckled Jarrod.  The rest of the family laughed. 

 

 

Heath's face relaxed into a grin as he recognised the cat.  "Hey, little fella, what are you doing inside, come on, outside with you."

 

So saying Heath twisted and swiftly bent down from his seat to scoop up the cat.  As he did so there was an audible click from Heath's back and he winced as he stood, pushing off from the table, cat in hand.  He limped towards the door, hand on hip, throwing the furiously purring cat over his shoulder with his other arm. 

 

Without turning he said, "I'm on the four o'clock guard.  Time I was in bed.  Night." 

 

Geraldine was frowning.  Her nurses eye told her all was not well.  The family, she noticed, had noticed nothing amiss.  Perhaps this a normal occurrence? Much like Nick 's outburst too, she reflected.  Time to think on that later.  She called after him.  "Heath, I've the medicine I spoke of for you.  If you wait I'll just retrieve it for you."

 

"'M fine," he muttered, if he could just get to his bed and lie down for a while, he was thinking.  He continued limping out the door

 

"Oh, Heath hasn't tried my dessert.  I made it especially," cried a crestfallen Audra.

 

"Victoria, thank you for a lovely dinner," Geraldine turned to her hostess, "I'll collect the items I need for Heath's back treatment, and be up to see him shortly.  It would be good if either you or Audra could be present, so that you may learn the process, and can apply it if it is needed when I am gone." 

 

"That sounds involved.  Are you sure it is really necessary.  I'm sorry this seems to be turning into a working evening for you.  I thought you had treated Heath earlier? "

 

"Think nothing of it, Victoria.  I am happy to be needed.  The powder is best after food, and does not combine with the other medication he took earlier in the evening "

 

Victoria frowned.  "Is Heath not well?"

 

"He is fine, his nose bleed had recommenced, that is all.  It could be broken, that was some blow Nick threw.  I simply gave him something to help stem the flow."

 

"Oh?" inquired Jarrod.

 

"I'll explain it to you.  Audra, why don't you go with Geraldine? "instructed Victoria.

 

 

  * * * * * * * *

 

 

Reclad in apron and sleeve protectors, in the kitchen Silas and Geraldine prepared a pan of hot water and Audra following Geraldine's instructions, rolled towels.  From her medical bag Geraldine withdrew a small bottle and emptied a few drops of pungent liquid into the water.

 

"What's that?" asked Audra. 

 

"Wintergreen and Lavender" Then with a narrow metal spatula she measured out a white powder and stirred it into a glass of water. 

 

"What's that?" asked Audra. 

 

"Salicin powder.  Indian healers use willow tea, but this is more accurate.  It 's a painkiller.  Very popular for toothache, and for fevers.  I would say it is the medicine my nurses use the most."

 

"What you do now, Miss Geraldine?" asked Silas. 

 

"Well, now Silas, I need you to go entice Heath down here to the table.  Its best to deliver the warm muscle treatment on a firm surface.  Tell him just to come in his shorts." 

 

Silas gulped and nearly choked on a breath.  He was too polite to open his mouth in shock.  He had no idea what 'warm muscle treatment' was, but he couldn't see Heath being comfortable with this.  He wondered briefly if he would be out of place in saying so.  He glanced at Audra, hoping she would protest.

 

"Audra, you go too and explain.  It's a very successful treatment.  I learnt it from a Chinese healer I met up in Auburn, and used it many times since.  Audra, Silas, Heath does a fairly good job of covering his discomfort up, but it can be quite serious, especially with the kind of work he's doing.  Let me try to help him.  Please…"

 

"Alright, Miz Geraldine, but Mr Heath, he ain gone like this one little bit.  Not us talkin bout him neither.  I'm shaw all him needs isa gooood rest.  You go Miss Audra.  He problee take it betta frum you, I'm shaw."

 

A tired, and by now quite irritable Heath, in robe and shorts, padded barefoot down the back stairs behind his sister.  He thought this was most inappropriate, and for the third time this evening anticipated finding himself in a compromising situation that was not his doing.  If it hadn't been for Audra's persuasion he wouldn't be doing this. 

 

Reaching the kitchen, and seeing Silas there as well, he felt terribly exposed, and considered tolerating the pain and retreating to his bed.  He stood stock still, the only movement an imperceptible nervous picking at the cord of his robe, watching as Silas and Geraldine plunged rolled towels into a steamy pan of pungently fragranced water. 

 

Geraldine sought to set everyone at ease by giving them each tasks upon which they could concentrate. 

 

"Silas, how about some more of that excellent coffee.  I know I'll be ready for a cup when this is through.  Audra, you sit here at this end of the table, where you can watch what to do.  That will stop you being tempted to tickle Heath's feet." 

 

Audra smiled and relaxed a little at this, and seated herself, beaming encouragingly at Heath.

 

Geraldine seemed to know just was he was thinking, she was acutely aware of his embarrassment and placed a comforting hand on his arm.  "Don't look so worried.  I assure you, you will feel much better after this.  I've used this warm muscle treatment over and over on men in the work camps, since I first learnt it from a Chinese healer.  They got over their shyness once they saw me as just a nurse.  Drink this.," she handed Heath the glass of salicin solution.

 

Heath gave her a wan half-smile, but said nothing.  She might think she was just a nurse, but as far as he was concerned she was his brother's what? girl? Old friend? someone to steer clear of anyway.  Nick had made that pretty clear tonight.  The picking however ceased, and he let out a long slow breath.  He took the glass from her and scrutinised its contents.

 

"It's salicin powder.  It will help to take the edge off any discomfort you are having and lessen any swelling.  It is quite safe.  My nurses use it widely.  I'll leave you with some when I go.  In fact you can take it whenever you need to, as its not at all addictive.  The only stipulation is to have it on a full stomach, otherwise it can cause quite bad stomach cramps.  Actually its similar to the Indian Willow Tea, I imagine you might have heard of that?"

 

Heath nodded imperceptively, and renewed picking at his robe.  "For all that it tastes just as bad as that other stuff," he replied, grimacing.

 

"Now Heath, you just pop up here and make yourself comfortable."  Said Geraldine patting the table, and then turning to busy herself wringing towels.

 

The warm fragrance of the kitchen was beginning to take the edge off Heath's nervousness.  He gingerly shed his robe and hesitantly eased himself down onto the table, then rolled onto his belly.  Audra smiled at him, but he didn't notice.  He was staring intently at a spot on the table in front of his nose.  He exhaled a short sharp breath and muttered tersely, "all right lets get this over with," as he rested his forehead upon his crossed arms.

 

Geraldine, who had been completely absorbed preparing the towels with Silas whirled and unfurled a towel across Heath's back, and then another, covering it entirely. 

 

"aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh…" came the long appreciative sigh of relief from beneath the towels.

 

Audra giggled.

 

"Now, Silas, I'll get you to remove these towels as they cool.  We'll rotate them back into the water, several more times as I work..  All right?"

 

Silas nodded, beaming.  This wasn't nearly what he had been expecting.  Wasn't nothing wrong with it after all.  Miss Geraldine, he thought, she had a good heart.

 

Geraldine moved her hands expertly over the Heath's back kneading with her knuckles and palms through the towels.  At intervals, long sighs emerged from beneath the towels.  Audra, Geraldine, and Silas all exchanged amused smiles. 

 

"Well, Heath, I'm all finished," said Geraldine as she vigorously rubbed him with a dry towel, and then scooped up all the towels in her apron.  "I think I will just go over and check on Matt and Fred before I have that coffee, Silas.  These in the laundry? "

 

And with that she was off out the door, leaving a bemused audience in her wake.  Audra thought maybe Geraldine was just as embarrassed as Heath.  hmmm, she arched an eyebrow, tomorrow at the Orphanage should be interesting.

 

"Ah, well, that want half bad.  Might even try that again some time.  Hope you were watching close little 'Sis."  Heath winked at Audra. 

 

"Night all," mumbled a sleepy Heath as he re-robed and headed up the back stairs.

 

 

  * * * * * * * *

 

 

The night air was a cool shock to her cheeks after the warmth of the kitchen, and Geraldine hurried across the stable yard towards the bunkhouse and Infirmary.  A low lamp glow emanated from the Infirmary window.  The bunkhouse dayroom was empty, the men having either turned in or on guard duty, she supposed.  She tapped lightly on the Infirmary door, and when it opened a crack she saw George's face, a finger to his lips.  When he saw who it was he opened the door wider and slipped into the room with her. 

 

"Matt's seemed ta be finished pewking up as much as he can.  Musta been his brakfas for the last week at least.  He's been taking drinks regular like.  Sleeping soundly, now.  No sign a feva yet.  Fred, well, he jus a same.  No better rin no worse.  Ain't come round atall.  Neither has that fella that Jeb crocked over the head, but we's not worryin 'bout him none.  Sheriff 'll deal ta him in tha morn'n.  Now we's fine here.  You go gi yerself som rest now, yousa guest here arentya? We'll be seen ya in tha morn'n then.  G'naght Ma'am", and again he tipped an imaginary hat before turning back to the Infirmary.

 

On her way back to the house Geraldine briefly reflected on the close knit camaraderie that was evident on the ranch, in the way the men cared for one another, similar to the army in many ways, she thought. 

 

Her thoughts crossed to Heath, which surprised her.  Usually it was Nick that she thought of when she thought of the army.  Those scars on his back which she had briefly glimpsed tonight before covering them with the towels reminded her of the army too, of some of the terrible sights she had seen all those years ago.  Sometimes she wondered if they had hardened her to suffering.  She found it easy to deal with it in a clinical way, but after years of being exposed to all manner of horrors, when it came to reaching out to comfort, she felt closed off, almost dead inside.  At the worst times she even thought an unconscious patient was the easiest to deal with.  She enjoyed contact with her nursing students, but that was entirely different, they did not drain her of compassion. 

 

She bid a goodnight to Jarrod, Audra and Victoria in the parlour, jotted a telegram to two of her trainees who would be joining the ranch for the week as Victoria had suggested while she travelled up country.  It was to be taken in in the morning, she left it with Jarrod's notes for the Sheriff, on the foyer table.

 

As she made her way up the staircase to turn-in she thought over the eventful day, and felt a little sad.  "Geraldine, you're just tired.  Pull yourself together, girl,"  she thought, admonishing herself.  She hoped she hadn't overstepped the mark by bossing Heath around and, really, forcing him to undergo the treatment in the kitchen.  Now she thought she knew why he had been so reticent, although she was surprised by his bashfulness even earlier when she had found him with his nose bleeding. 

"Too long a nurse, you are, Geraldine, old girl.  Yes, you are hardened to sorrow, but are you hardened to joy as well, to the look of a handsome man? ,"she sighed again, "yes, you're just tired.  Just tired," she tried to tell herself, and hoped it was true.

 

She opened the door to her room, slipped inside, and began to undress.  She sighed, "mostly," she thought, "she was sad because of Nick.  She no longer felt excited about seeing him, and about the possibilities that that might bring.  She had seen him for such a sort time that evening, and he had hardly even acknowledged her presence.  Then he had left without speaking to her."  She suddenly felt very foolish for having anticipated a closer friendship after all these years, and as she slipped into bed she buried her face in the goose-down pillow and cried herself to sleep.

 

 

 

Continued in Chapter 2, Part 2