Damaged Hearts (14 page)

“Thanks Rick.”  Angel told him.  “I probably wouldn’t tell Kat about it if I was you but I appreciate what you did on her behalf.”

“Don’t worry; I don’t plan on telling her.  I know her better than that.”  He chuckled, picturing her argument if she were to know.  “Although, it may almost be worth getting her riled up for.”

They grew quiet again as the doctor used one hot cloth until it began to cool and replaced it with another steaming one.  Looking gravely at Rick and Angel he posed a very serious question “We have two choices once I get as much infection out as I can.  Either I can attempt to sew up the wound and dress it with an antiseptic solution or we can cauterize the wound and treat the burn afterwards.  Regardless of the decision, the situation will be severe.”

“What gives us the better chance and the quicker recovery?”  Rick asked knowing that would be the question Kaitlyn would ask.

“The better chance for a quicker recovery would be the cauterization but let me tell you now Son, it’s not something for the faint of heart.”  Dr. Applewhite explained.  “The pain is beyond anything that I can describe.  It is similar to branding but you are doing it to human flesh.”

“But if I understand correctly,” Angel inserted.  “Chances of infection are much more slim then having a sutured wound that must be packed.  Am I correct Doctor?”

“That is correct; but again I must caution you on the pain factor.”  He argued.

“Doctor; as Kaitlyn’s future husband I’d like to speak on her behalf.  Angel can definitely add input as she is her sister but I feel our answer on this matter matches.  I feel we should go ahead with the cauterization.  We both know and understand the risks however; we also both know Kaitlyn.  I feel this is the decision that she would make.”  Rick stated firmly.  “In addition, this may go slightly easier on her if she is already passed out rather than waiting until she wakes back up.”

“Miss Carson, are you in agreement with Mr. Jamison?”  The doctor asked gravely.

“Yes Doctor.  I believe that this is the choice my sister would make.  I think we should get this done as soon as possible.”

“Let’s get this fire stoked up then and bring me a knife with a bright finish.  I do not want to take the chance of giving her a forced infection.”  The doctor finally agreed.  “I will also need some cold water or ice if possible, some extremely clean cloths, some baking soda, and some butter.  Someone will have to stay with Miss Carson night and day until her fever from all of this breaks; it could be as much as four to five days.  In addition, someone with a strong constitution will need to be available to change her dressing.  Can I count on the two of you to do all of this?”

Both Rick and Angel solemnly nodded their heads understanding the severity of what was about to happen.  Angel went to gather the items the doctor had named off and Rick took the opportunity to ask some questions.

“So what are our chances here Doc?  Honestly?”  He started.

“Just how much do you care for this young lady Rick?”  The doctor temporarily changed the subject.  “Just what is she to you?”

“I already told you, she is my future wife.  She agreed to my proposal and we are to be married as soon as she gets well.”  Rick answered testily.

“Has she told you her history?”  Dr. Applewhite asked, wanting to make sure they both knew what they were getting into.  “After everything that happened to her previously and now, I am not sure how much of a chance she will have of bearing children.  She was beaten pretty severely when she was young.  I have been worried for years that there may have been some internal damage that I don’t know for sure because she never married and there’s no way to be positive.  It has been a long time and I’m not even sure she remembers how badly she was hurt the last time. 

“Doc, whether or not she can have children holds no bearing on how I feel for her.  I love her and I know deep down that she loves me too.  She has a huge heart and if she wants more children than the two I already have and can’t have them, we can adopt.”  Rick answered with love for her showing in his eyes.

“Well, I guess as long as you know what’s going on.  I wish you both the best of luck.  She has had an extremely difficult life; and you didn’t exactly have an easy time of it with your wife passing on so soon.  I hope you can bring each other a lifetime of happiness.”  The doctor finished as Angel came into the room with all the supplies.

They stoked the fire one final time, making sure it was as hot as they could get it before putting the knife in.  As large as the wound was, they would need to do the same procedure twice and none of them were looking forward to it.  When the knife blade glowed cherry red, the doctor looked at Rick and Angel and nodded.  He took the knife carefully from the fire using a folded rag to hold it.

Angel and Rick both tensed as he applied the searing blade to the wound on the back of Kat’s leg.  It took both of them to hold her down as she thrashed about in pain before letting loose a blood curdling scream and passing out again.  They had all just taken a deep breath when the door burst open bringing Consuela, Morgan and Ali into their midst. 

Seeing the girls, Rick gave a telling look to Angel and taking each girl by the hand, quickly left the room.  The doctor took that moment to slide the knife back into the fire and began to examine the partially cauterized wound. 

“Madre de Dios!”  Consuela exclaimed.  “What are you doing to this poor senorita and what is wrong with her?”

Angel gave a quick explanation and Consuela, having dressed more than her share of wounds went to work immediately helping her and the doctor inspect the cauterization and get ready for the second one.  Before long, Morgan came back into the room alone.

“Where is your papa and what is he thinking letting you come back in here?”  Consuela shouted.  “He should know better than that.”

“I asked him to let me come in for just a minute while he gets Ali settled down.”  Morgan whispered.  “I wanted to tell Kat that I am sorry and that she can come live at our house.  I wanted to promise her that I’ll try to be nice to her and everything.”  She cried before taking Kat’s limp hand in her own.  “She has always tried to be nice to me; even before dad asked her to be his new wife.”  She added tearfully.  “Now she’s sick and I can’t even tell her I’m sorry.”

“She knows Morgan.”  Angel reassured her.  “And she’ll be happy to know that you’re going to try to be nice to her.  But, we need you to help us out with something.  Can you take your sister to the barn and show her Belle’s puppies so your father can come back in here and help us?”

Knowing that they had more they needed to do to make Kat better, Morgan left without an argument and sent her father back in to help.  Angel knew that Consuela was mad at Rick but didn’t say anything.  She agreed with him on this matter and thought it was past time that Morgan made her peace with Kat.

The doctor quickly explained to Consuela what they still needed to do and the four of them set to finishing with the unfavorable task at hand.  Angel had just put baking soda and butter on the wound to cut down the pain and Consuela had cut bandages to apply to the wound.

Rick took his place back at the foot of the bed where he could hold her leg for the doctor.  Noticing the sweat running down the doctor’s face, he sought to reassure him.  “Just once more Doc and we’ll be done with the worst of it.”

“I know Rick.  I just hope like hell she can take it one more time.”  The doctor wiped his face and shoved the handkerchief back into his pocket.

“Don’t worry Doc.”  Angel spoke up.  “My sister is much stronger then she looks.  She’s been through hell enough times that she’ll fight to get back up again.”

“Well everyone, hang on because we are about to find out.”  The doctor stated as he once again pulled the knife out of the fire and applied the blistering blade to the back of her leg, just a bit lower than the previous time.  Again, she lashed out and attempted to kick her unseen adversary, calling out for Rick; screaming his name over and over.

This time, instead of Consuela and the girls, Matt and Marie flung the door open as they ran into the now crowded room.  “Go wait out in the front room and we’ll talk to you when we’re finished.”  Consuela commanded sternly.

Booking no argument, they backed out, closed the door softly, and left as they were told.  Taking advantage of the momentary break, Rick moved up to the head of the bed.  He gripped Kat’s hands in his and spoke softly to her, repeatedly telling her that he was there and he would protect her.  Finally, she settled down again and the doctor examined the cauterized areas, pronouncing them as good as could be expected. 

Consuela hurried to get the wound dressed and wrapped and Angel acquired another of Rick’s oversized shirts that had materialized from somewhere.  Between the two of them, they managed to get Kat modestly covered after the doctor checked her ribs again.

Giving Consuela a bottle and some quick instructions, the doctor made his way out the door, promising to be back in two days to check her progress.  Rick walked the doctor out and when he returned to the room, found it crowded with people again.  Marie and Matt had come back in, and his girls had returned from examining the puppies.  Angel was bustling around checking all of her ready supplies that she might need overnight and Consuela was heading to the kitchen to make herself at home, start dinner, and to check on the broth incase Kat awoke.

~XIX~

As she was going into the kitchen; James happened to choose that moment to come out and there was a loud commotion as they ran into each other, both dropping everything they had in their hands.  “Who are you?”  They both asked in unison.

Laughing by this time, James helped Consuela up and bent to pick up the items that she had dropped as he asked her about Kat and Rick.  “I had to leave them in the middle of the night to take a body to town.  I had planned to hurry back here to the ranch but well…there was a mix-up and I ended up in jail.”

“What?”  Consuela shrieked.  “That sheriff threw you in jail for delivering the body of a dead man that inflicted all that pain on that little girl in there?” She added irately.  “If I could get a hold of that man for just fifteen minutes, I’d show him a true reason to put someone behind those bars of his.”

“It’s ok.  Matt showed up with his father and the Mayor and got me out.  The problem is, the sheriff is missing now.”  He informed her.  “By the way, you may want to plan to put up and feed three more people.  While he was at his parent’s house getting his father, his mother got herself into a tizzy and decided that since Rick had been shot they all needed to be here so they are coming out and bringing Anna too.”

“Well, then its settled.  You must help me prepare rooms and food and…” the front door flew open this time, interrupting Consuela.  “Did I hear you say prepare rooms and food?”  A woman about Consuela’s own age asked as she and an older man carrying a trunk came in.  Sticking out her hand and smiling, she introduced herself and her companion. 

“We are Samuel and Grace Simmons, otherwise known as Simmons and Cook.  We worked for Marie’s father until we heard what had happened with poor Ms. Carson.  We came as quickly as we could, so what can we do to help you?”

“I am Consuela and I work for the Mr.’s Jamison.  It looks like there will be plenty of people to help out around here, that’s for sure.”  Consuela conceded.  “Samuel, if you and um…” she looked pointedly at James in question.

“James” He supplied, realizing that they had not yet gotten around to introducing themselves.

“Thank you” She said, starting over.  “Samuel, if you and James would like to go out and split up the bunkhouse, we could use three to four more sleeping areas.  There should be some blankets out there I’m guessing, and they can be hung up to divide the place into rooms of some sort.”

“Grace, if you would like to help me out with the cooking and maybe get that extra room ready for the Jamison’s, I’d appreciate all the help I could get with that.  If they are on their way, we will probably need somewhere for them to sleep too.  It’s too late in the day to send people home now” She marched down the hall and into Kat’s overflowing bedroom.

“What are all of you doing in here?”  She yelled making everyone jump guiltily.  “No wonder the poor girl can’t get any rest.  Out, out; at least four of you need to leave.  Matt, you can go to the bunkhouse and help James and Samuel.  Marie, you can help Grace and I keep track of Ali and arrange rooms and furniture.  Morgan, could I please ask you to go fetch as many eggs as you can find?  Looks like we’re going to have a house full of people to feed…”  Consuela barked out orders.

The room quickly cleared out, leaving Rick and Angel.  “Any change?”  Consuela asked in a much softer voice.  “Poor thing” she cooed at Angel’s response of the negative.  “Well, keep alternating the cool rags.  Her fever is raging to fight off the remaining infection.  We just don’t want her burning up before that happens.  If she does wake, let’s get some broth down her before she goes out again.” 

She quietly left the room, pulling the door closed.  Rick still sat on the edge of the bed, quietly stroking Kat’s hair, holding her hands in his.  “I can’t believe all that she has gone through.”  He whispered to Angel.  “I am having the hardest time seeing her here so still and pale.  I have to keep reassuring myself that she is ok.”

“Just think of it this way Rick.  In a matter of days when she’s yelling, cussing, and demanding to be let out of bed; you’ll wish she was still and quiet.” Angel said matter-of-factly.  “I am worried though that she hasn’t at least woken for a drink of water or to move around since the doctor started the cauterizing.” 

Angel straightened the covers and made sure the rag on her forehead was cool before turning to leave for some fresh air.  “I’ll be back shortly Rick.  I need to go talk to Matt and make sure no one needs anything.  Please call for me if she wakes up.  I think the doctor wanted her to have some of this laudanum to help her through the pain but I’d get rid of it or hide it somewhere if I were you.  She hates this stuff and would more than likely kick both our butts if we gave her any”

Rick didn’t argue and carefully hid away the bottle once Angel left the room.  He figured he knew Kaitlyn well enough to agree with Angel on the matter, knowing she’d want no part of that if she had the option.  He ran his finger softly down her least bruised cheek, carefully brushing a stray hair away.  “Oh baby, wake up for me.”  He whispered.

Her eyes fluttered as if hearing his plea and he heard her utter a soft request.  He looked down and found himself gazing into the endless depths of her sparkling blue eyes.  Moving just slightly so he could pour her a sip of water, he helped her lean up enough to wet her lips and tongue.  She nodded her thanks as he gently eased her back into the pillows.

“You sure did have me scared baby.”  He told her quietly.  “I am so very sorry about everything that has happened.  How are you feeling?”

“L…like I’ve been tr...” she licked her lips before trying again “trampled by Coal and hi…his harem.”  She tried to smile forgetting her swollen lips and face.  “Ouch!” she muttered knowing that she had just split her lip back open again.

Rick tenderly took the cool cloth and dabbed at her lip.  “Shush” he whispered.  “Don’t try to talk right now.  If you promise to rest, I’ll tell you what the doctor had to do and the decisions Angel and I made for you.  I just hope we made the right ones.”

“I’m not worried Rick.”  She answered him softly.  “I’m still here so the decisions must not have been too bad.”  Her eyes drifted shut as he talked to her, opening occasionally telling him that she was trying to stay awake.

“The doctor said that we needed to decide between stitching up the back of your leg and cauterizing it Kaitlyn.  We chose the cauterization.  I know it hurt very badly and probably still does but you run the least risk of infection this way, and will have the quickest recovery time.  You will probably be sore longer, and it won’t be near as pretty as a small scar from the stitches but I think it will be better in the long run.  Less side effects anyway.”  He told her trying to remember every argument the doctor had given.

She nodded as if agreeing before drifting back into a fitful sleep.  Rick sat uncomfortably in the small chair next to the bed watching and hoping that she would not be subjected to the stages of delusional fever and chills.  She had been sleeping for almost an hour when she began to thrash around and mumble incoherently in her sleep giving him warning that that would probably not be the case. 

In trying to calm her and keep her from injuring her leg further, he inadvertently made things worse.  Lost in an unconscious state, she mistook Rick for George and began fighting him trying to escape from the horror of the previous day.  Finally, Rick was able to break into her nightmare and bring her back to consciousness.

“Kaitlyn honey, wake up.  Wake up and look at me.”  He said once she had stopped shaking so violently.  “It’s ok.  I’m here with you and no one is ever going to hurt you like that again, ok baby.”  He continued to talk to her in a soft, soothing voice; gently stroking her hair.  

After what seemed like eternity, her eyes fluttered open again and he could tell she was at least partially lucid.  “I need...I need to talk to my sister Rick.”  She told him, pink tinting her cheeks. 

He knew what she needed but wasn’t about to push his luck right now, even though he could very easily help her. 

“I’ll be right back honey.  We have some more to talk about to but that can wait.”  He left the room in hunt of Angel or Consuela, opting for the first more for Kaitlyn’s comfort level.

“She’s awake?”  Angel almost yelled.  Running down the hall, she gained more attention than she had intended.  Turning into the room, she closed and latched the door, affording her sister with at least a minimum amount of privacy.

“Kat” she whispered, seeing her sister’s eyes were closed.  “I’m here.  I can help you but it will take a little time to get sat up.”  She started.

“Angel?”  Kat opened her eyes as she whispered.  “I really need um, you know.”  She said, uncomfortable with asking for help of this kind for the first time in her adult life.

“Ok Kat let me go get the emergency one.  Hang on and I’ll be right back.”  She said quickly leaving the room and going out to the washroom.  Meeting Consuela and Grace on her way back in, she quietly explained the situation, and they agreed to keep watch over the door so no one accidentally wandered in unannounced.

She returned to the room and attempted to try to help Kat sit up.  Kat struggled and tried to move but her most of her body was limp weight until her hand grazed her leg, making her gasp and jump almost off the bed in pain.

“Wow, what a way to get movement and reaction from my body.  At least I’m partially up now.”  She commented.  “If only it was as simple to use a chamber pot.”  She attempted both with and without Angel’s assistance but could not make her leg accept her body weight.  It throbbed severely but it would not hold her up.  Almost in tears, she finally gave up.  “Angel, it’s no use; send in Consuela or Rick I guess.  It’s not your fault but my leg is all but useless right now.”  She groaned in frustration.

Opening the door cautiously, Angel spotted Consuela not too far away.  “Consuela, could we borrow your assistance por favor?”  Once she entered the room she continued, “Kat’s leg will not support her weight yet and she needs to relieve herself.  Could you please help me hold her over the chamber pot?”

“That is no problem Miss Angel; we all need help from time to time.”  She bent to help lift Kat to her feet and then supported one side while Angel took the other, holding Kat semi-upright while attempting to keep most of her weight off her injured leg as she took care of her personal needs.  Finally, relieved but completely mortified, Kat was assisted back into bed; the little bit of movement completely exhausting her meager strength.

Consuela conspicuously got rid of the contents of the pot, wiped it out, and hid it away in the corner while Angel helped Kat get comfortable and covered up the best she could with a wrapped leg.  Opening the door, Angel then nodded at Rick who had returned to stand guard by the door.

Seeing Rick admitted, everyone else in the house wanted to follow suite.  Rick settled himself in a chair near the head of the bed where he could be close to her, and watch to make sure she didn’t get too tired or excited.

Morgan and Ali were among the first to trail in, heading straight to the head of the bed where their father sat next to Kat.  “You are going to get better aren’t you Kat?”  Ali asked her, looking none too sure.

“Of course I’m going to get better Ali,” Kat told her as her hand went out tiredly to smooth the hair on the girls head.  “How else will us girls go riding and trade hair care secrets?  I’m going to have to be able to get out of this bed to do that.” She told her.

“Do ya mean it Kat?  Can we really go riding with you?”  Ali asked her excitedly. 

“Only if you want to.”  Kat answered.  “We will have all kinds of things to do once I am out of this bed.”

“Well, you should just get out of it now then” Ali told her using a five year’s old logic.  “That way we can get started.  Daddy says we’ll never get anything done if we don’t hurry to start.”

Rick smiled and then sensing how exhausted Kaitlyn was “Ok Ali, we’ll work real hard at getting Kaitlyn up and around but the doctor says she has to be really still for a few weeks first so her leg and other owies can get better.”  He explained.  “Why don’t you take Morgan out to go see those puppies again?  If you work it right, you might convince these two sisters to trade ya a puppy for a kitten.”  He laughed as Morgan rolled her eyes and smiled.

Kat thought to herself that the girl was exceptionally pretty when she did that and told her so.  “You should smile more often Morgan.  Your face is very beautiful and it makes your eyes shine.”