Westward Moon (12 page)

              “Good.  Thank you,” He Who Runs said and veered off to the left away from her.

              Sparrow went back to the tipi and called to Mike and Raven to bring out some bowls.  They did and she filled them.  She took one in to Jack who took it with a smile.

              “Thanks.  Smells great,” Jack said. 

              “You’re welcome,” Sparrow said.

              Jack took a bite and was barely able to swallow it.  He had no appetite all of a sudden.  As the food hit his stomach, nausea started and Jack handed the stew back to Sparrow.

              “What’s the matter with it?” Sparrow asked.

              Mike said, “Nothing.  It’s delicious.  It’s the laudanum.  It can also cause gastrointestinal discomfort.”

              “English, Mike,” Jack said.

              “It can make you sick to your stomach,” the boy said.

              “Now I know why Uncle Owl hated taking it,” Jack said.  He lay down and was soon asleep again.

              Marcus sat with Sheriff Mitch Taylor and his wife Sammi at their kitchen table.  He’d informed them of the recent events surrounding Sparrow’s rescue and the attack on her and Jack. 

              Sammi said, “I say we go out there and shoot every last one of them.  Not our tribe, but theirs, I mean.  Just thought I’d better clarify that.”

              Marcus chuckled.  “I agree with you, but the problem is that you guys don’t know who’s who.  We do.”

              Sammi shook her head.  “I know who’s who.  The ones shooting at me are the ones that need to die.  If they don’t come at me, I know they’re ours.”

              Mitch laughed at his wife’s simplistic logic about it.  “That’s why I love you.  You make it sound so simple, but it really isn’t.”

              Marcus said, “No, it isn’t.  They’d try to trick you by telling you they’re from our tribe.  Remember, many of them were part of our tribe until four years ago when they left.  Some of them know English and they know you and Mitch.  No, you guys better just watch the town and leave the other stuff to us.”

              Mitch nodded.  “Ok.  I’m sure Jack’s thrilled to have Sparrow back.”

              Marcus said, “Yeah, he is.  It’s nice to see them happy.  It’s been a long time coming.  Well, I’m gonna go tell Owl and then go home.  You guys have a good night.”

              Marcus was getting ready to head out to the camp when Joe Dwyer caught him at their apartment.  Marcus answered the door and Joe walked right in.

              “Come on in, Joe,” Marcus said sarcastically. 

              “Thanks.  Mitch told me about what’s goin’ on with our tribe.  I want to go talk to Black Fox.  As I understand it, you know a safe way in and out.  Take me with you and show me.  It might come in handy sometime,” Joe said.

              Marcus said, “Joe, it’s not completely safe.  There’s a chance that by now, the others know about the stream and will be lying in wait.”

              “Well, then, you shouldn’t go by yourself anyway.  We don’t need one of our docs getting’ shot up,” Joe said and gave Marcus a winning smile.

              It didn’t work on Marcus most of the time which irritated Joe no end.  “And we don’t need our mayor getting shot up, either,” Marcus pointed out.

              “I’ll just follow you then,” Joe said.

              “Joe, don’t make me hogtie you,” Marcus said.  “Because I will.  Just tell me what you want Black Fox to know.  I’m serious, Joe.  Dawson needs you and if you’re not here, that means George Levine is in charge.”

              That got Joe’s attention.  He and George hated each other and were constantly arguing.  Joe would sooner die than have the town turned over to George.  Joe let out a sigh and said, “All right.  I just wanted to meet with him leader to leader, you know, but tell him that if we can be of help, just let us know.”

              Marcus put a hand on Joe’s shoulder.  “I’ll tell him.  Thanks, Joe.  You’re a good man.  Now get out of here so I can leave.”

              Jack was standing up on his good leg when Marcus entered his tipi. 

              “What are you doing?” Marcus said angrily.  “You’re not supposed to be on that yet.”

              Jack said, “I’m not on it.  See?”

              “But you were gonna try to walk on it, right?” Marcus said.

              Jack’s annoyed expression told Marcus that he was right. 

              “There’s not even anyone in here to help you, either.  I’m sure that was part of your master plan.  No one around to stop you,” Marcus said.

              “Uncle Marcus, I need to know if I can at least hobble on this thing.  What if becomes necessary for me to do that?  If the camp is attacked?  You know it’s a real big possibility,” Jack said.

              Marcus knew Jack was right.  “Ok.  Let’s see how it goes.  I’ll help you.  Just go slowly.”

              Jack put an arm around Marcus’ shoulders and smiled.

              “What are you smiling at?” Marcus asked.

              “I’m taller than you,” Jack said.

              Marcus said, “You’ve been taller than me for two years.  You’re just noticing it now?”

              “Yeah.  Ok.  Here I go,” Jack said as he gingerly tried to put weight on the leg.

              It held him reasonably well when he was just standing, but walking was going to be the real challenge.  He took a hobbling step and would have fallen if Marcus hadn’t been holding on to him.  Jack swore vehemently and then said, “All right.  Let me try again.”

              Mike walked into the tipi and saw that Jack was up.  “Are you trying it again?”

              “Again?” Marcus said.  “You already tried it and it didn’t work?”

              Jack nodded.  Marcus slapped the back of Jack’s head.  “You idiot!  That’s not going to change in a matter of hours.  You’re gonna do more harm than good.”

              “That’s what I told him.  I think there’s a lot of irritation to the Achilles tendon because of the arrow damaging the gastrocnemius muscle.  It’s impeding plantar flexion, which is why he’s having trouble with forward motion,” Mike said matter-of-factly.  “I don’t think it’s severed from the tendon, though.”

              Jack was sweating by this point.  “I have no idea what he just said, but I think I need to sit down.”

              Marcus said, “You’re both right.”  He helped Jack get settled just as Sparrow came in.

              “Were you trying to walk again?” Sparrow asked as she put her hands on her hips.

              Marcus said, “Yes, he was.”

              “Jack, you can’t do that.  You tried and almost fell.  You’re going to hurt yourself more,” she said.

              Jack said, “Yeah, you’re right.  I need crutches.  At least with crutches, I could get around some.  Uncle Seth still has his, I think.”

              “I’ll go get them,” Mike said.  “I should go see Mama and Pa and them, anyway.  There’s no sign of infection, so he’ll be fine if he just rests.”

              Marcus agreed and said, “I don’t think I needed to come check on you with the other Dr. Samuels on the job.”  He smiled at Mike.  “Now I know how Doc used to feel when he’d come check on one of my patients.”

              Mike said, “Well, this is my first one, so I don’t mind you checking.”

              Jack smiled.  “If I’m your first patient, then that must mean you’re planning on having more.”

              “Not really, but the likelihood of me having to step in again sometime is pretty good,” Mike said.  “Well, I’m gonna go get those crutches.  I’ll be back.”

              “Mike, why don’t you let me go?” Marcus said. 

              “Why?  I know the way even better than you do,” Mike said.

              “I know, but what if your parents don’t let you come back?  Who’s gonna take care of Jack if I can’t get here?” Marcus said.  “I’m not feeding you bull, Mike.  I mean it.  I finally made Hannah stay home from the clinic because she’s due any day.  There could be any number of emergencies come up that I could get stuck dealing with and if something happens to Jack or anyone else here, they’re gonna need you.”

              “What makes you think I can help them?” Mike said.

              Marcus gave him a knowing look.  “If you know everything you just told me about Jack’s condition, I’m guessing there’s boat loads more medical knowledge up here in that big brain of yours that could prove helpful.  You already know what each of these medicines are and what they do.”  He indicated the bags that hung around the tipi.

              “I know some of what they do, not all,” Mike said.

              “Ok.  Here’s what we’re going to do.  I want you to tell me what you know this one does,” Marcus said.

              They started out on a long medicinal lesson, but by the time they were done, Marcus was satisfied that Mike had the information correct and that he had retained it.

              Mike knew that he was needed, but he said, “Can I please go with you for just a little bit?  I miss everyone and Christmas Eve is tomorrow.”

              “Oh, how the heck did we forget that?” Jack said.  “It’s Christmas Eve tomorrow.”

              Sparrow didn’t really celebrate the holiday, but she knew how important it was to Jack and his family.  She felt guilty that their holiday season was being disrupted by her.  When planning her escape, she hadn’t remembered that it was Christmastime.

              “Ok, Mike, you can come with me, and I’ll talk to them about letting you come and go, ok?” Marcus relented.  “Let’s go.”

              Mike smiled.  “Great!  I’ll be back after a while,” he said and ran out of the tipi.

              Black Fox came to see how Jack was doing a short while after Marcus and Mike had left.

              He sat down by the fire and smiled at his nephew.  “I hear that walking didn’t go so well.”

              “You know, Mike has a really big mouth,” Jack said.  “He must have told the whole camp.”

              Black Fox smiled.  “Actually, Raven told me.”

              Jack nodded.  “So what’s goin’ on with the trails?  Any chance of me getting’ out of here for Christmas?  Don’t take that the wrong way.”

              The chief chuckled.  “I understand.  It’s strange about the trails.  It seems as if Two Dogs’ men cleared out.  We went scouting last night and didn’t find any of their braves around, nor did we today.  There are tracks, but we’re not sure how far they go from here.  He Who Runs and some others are seeing if they can figure it out.”

              Jack nodded his understanding.  “So the trails are clear then?”

              “Yes.”

              “Good.  Maybe they only sent a smaller party after us because of the winter weather,” Jack said. 

              “Perhaps.”

              Jack said, “You don’t sound any more confident about it than I feel.”

              “I don’t think I’ll be getting much sleep until He Who Runs comes back,” Black Fox said.

              “Yeah.  I know what you mean.  Mike is bringing me back some crutches.  I’m gonna rest up for a while and when he gets back I’m gonna get going to the ranch.  If something bad happens here, I’m more of a hindrance to you,” Jack said.  “You don’t need to waste manpower trying to protect me.  Sparrow will be with me.”

              “Ok.  If I don’t see you before you leave, be well, nephew,” Black Fox said.  He got up and stepped over to Jack to grasp arms with him.

              Jack smiled as he watched his uncle leave the tipi. 

              Dean unlocked the door and ran from the house when he saw Marcus coming with Mike. 

              “Pa!” Mike said and ran across the pasture to his father.

              Dean didn’t care if Mike was fifteen now, he hugged his son fiercely and kissed the side of his head.  Then Tessa was there and Mike was enveloped by both of them.  As they walked towards the house, all three of them were talking at once.  Marcus smiled as he listened to them.  The reunion got even louder when they went in the house.

              Like any mother who’s been worried about one of her children, Tessa had Mike sit down at the table so she could make him something to eat.  He tried to tell her that he wasn’t hungry, but Dean winked at him and shook his head.  Mike smiled back and didn’t protest anymore. 

              Marcus filled them in on how Mike had saved Jack’s life and they were all stunned and proud of him.  Mike grinned and blushed as praise was heaped on him.  When Mike was alone with Seth for a few minutes, he said, “Hey, Uncle Seth.”

              “Yeah?”              

              “I know what it is that you’re not too old to do, now,” Mike said with a grin.

              Seth recalled the conversation he’d had with Tessa in the cookhouse and how he’d left her out to dry when he’d left her to explain it to Mike.  Now, looking at the devilish smile on the boy’s face, Seth laughed hard over it.

              “Explain it to you, did she?” he asked.

              “Nope.  I already knew about sex,” Mike said.

              “What?” Seth said in alarm.

              “I grew up on a ranch, didn’t I?” Mike said and laughed at his uncle’s expression.  “Besides, it’s in the Bible.”  He decided to leave Seth think about that one while he went to go get the crutches from Maddie who had said she would have to look for them.

              Marcus argued heatedly with Dean about letting Mike go back to the Lakota camp. 

              “I don’t give a damn how good he is, he’s our son and he’s going to stay here with us,” Dean said.

              “It’s just to give Jack the crutches and then come back with him, Dean,” Marcus said.  “I have to get back to town.  They’ll be able to get Jack here on a horse now that the trails are safe.  Black Fox told me they were before Mike and I left to come here.”