Damaged Hearts (15 page)

Looking at Kat, Morgan surprised her “Thanks Kat.  I never realized until just recently how very much I had to smile about.”  She took Kat’s hand in hers and squeezed it gently.  “I’m glad you’re going to be ok; for our sake as much as Dad’s.”  She added, smiling one more time before leaving to check out the puppies with her sister again.

Marie came next, talking a hundred miles an hour as usual.  “Oh my goodness, Kaitlyn.  I am so sorry to hear about everything that has happened.  We haven’t gotten to talk to each other much yet but I love Angel as much as a sister already and I can’t wait to get to spend time with you.  Frank has already promised to teach me to ride better and Angel said she’ll show me how some of the things here on the ranch work.  Well, I had better go help Cook again.  Get well soon so we can talk.”  And with that, she turned and hurried out the door nervously.

“Wow.”  Kat said arching her eyes.  “What was all of that about?”

“She was really nervous.”  Angel informed her.  “Just be glad she didn’t sing for you.”  She said as Rick smiled, and Matt started laughing as he walked in next.

“So how’s my favorite sister-in-law?”  He asked almost seriously.  “I am so very sorry about all that happened.  You’re still looking awfully pale, under all that bruising anyway.  Overall, I’d say you look pretty good for what you’ve been through.  I must say though that Rick’s clothes tend to make all females look rather fetching.”  He added, laughing again as he ducked the pillow Rick threw at him, while he was leaving the room.

“And don’t come back until you can behave yourself!”  Rick yelled threateningly at him.  “Sorry Babe.  He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” 

“Ummm, exactly how many women have worn your shirts to bed Rick?”  She asked with arched eyebrows, smothering a huge yawn.  “I am beginning to think that we need to have a little talk where
you
do all the talking after I get caught up on some sleep that my body seems to think I need.”

“Oh come on Honey.  You should know me better than that.”  His eyes pleaded.  “After all, I was married once before.”

“Hmmm” She replied.  “I suppose I’ll have to sleep on it for a bit and tell you what I decide.”

“Oh, look more visitors.”  Rick changed the subject.  “Hello James.  I heard you had a little incident in town earlier.”

“It wasn’t much Mr. Jamison.  Matt came and got me out of jail and we talked to Mr. Weatherby before coming back to the ranch.  By the way, your parents should be here in a couple hours.  When Matt went to get your father, your mother became worried about your injury and decided they all needed to be here.”

“There are going to be more people in this house at one time then we’ve ever had here the entire time the house has been standing.”  Kat laughed before grabbing her ribs.  “So you are really ok then James?  I hear thanks are in order to you for helping Angel scout me out.  I really appreciate it.”

“There’s no thanks necessary Miss Kat.”  James blushed.  “If I would have been doing a better job watching out for you, you wouldn’t have been kidnapped to begin with.  It ought to be me apologizing to you.”

“Oh James, you couldn’t have known any more than I did that he’d ride right up into the yard and take me like that.  Please don’t hold yourself at fault.  None of us knew.”  Kat said anxiously.

James looked at the floor, still clearly not comfortable with the idea.  “Well, I am glad you’re back Miss Kat.  If there is anything at all that I can do to help you in any way, please don’t hesitate to send for me.  Now, you had better get some rest because I figure you’ll want to be chasing cattle in a matter of days or weeks”

James quietly left the room leaving Angel and Rick to settle her back in.  Finally, after checking the dressing on her sister’s leg and not seeing any evidence of her wound seeping, Angel convinced Rick to try to rest on the bed with Kat while she sought her bed for a while.

Coming out of the bedroom and heading to the kitchen to inform Consuela of her decision to rest, she noticed that there were people standing in the entryway looking a little lost.  There was a young lady that looked a little out of place with an older couple that she assumed was Matt and Rick’s parents.

“Hello.  I’m Angel; you must be Matt’s parents.”  She introduced herself.  “Please come in and find a place to make yourselves comfortable.  Would you like something to drink?”  She asked.

“It’s a pleasure Miss Carson.  I am Sarah, this is my husband Edward and my daughter Anna.”  Matt’s mother said.  “So have I heard the rumors correctly?  Are you and our youngest son getting married?”

Matt came into the room, effectively saving her from having to make the explanations.  Putting his arm around Angel, “Mother, Father, Angel has agreed to become my wife and we are just waiting for the preacher so we can finish making the arrangements.”  He informed them.

“Well, since we are all here maybe someone can convince the preacher to show up and we can just have the wedding while everyone is together.”  Sarah announced.  “Where is the girl that was injured?”

“Kat is in her room,” Angel started “But she is attempting to rest after having gone through a terrible ordeal.”

“You both can probably meet her tomorrow.”  Matt added, sensing Angel’s hesitation at letting his parents barge into her sister’s room.  “If you would like though, I can go see if I can find Rick.”

“If you will just show us where to put our bags, then we will go with you to find Rick.”  His mother told him.

“Hello, I am Marie.”  His future sister-in-law              bounced happily into the room.  “I believe you are Sarah and Edward.  You have been to some of my father’s dinners.”  She said reintroducing herself.  “And you must be Anna.  I believe we were in school together for a while and I think I’ve see you at the dinners as well.  Good to see you again.  If you would like to share my room, I’d be happy to have you.”  Taking over the hostess duties for Angel, she turned and made a polite request “James, could I possibly convince you to assist Mr. and Mrs. Jamison with their luggage and show them where they can settle in?”  She finished with a dazzling smile that she had perfected out east.

Marie indicated for Matt to take Anna’s bag to her room and she and his sister followed along behind him.  Taking a deep breath, Angel quickly snuck down the hall and into Kat’s room silently closing the door.

“Rick!”  She whispered.  “Your parents are here and I feel a terrible headache coming on.  Marie has temporarily diverted disaster but your mother is demanding that we bring her and your father to you immediately.  I am sure she knows you are with Kat and the curiosity is getting the best of her.”  She all but wailed.

“Ok Angel, calm down and let me think about this.”  Rick said looking down at Kaitlyn’s sleeping form.  “I don’t dare leave for a second.  I promised I’d be here when she woke up so that she would rest.”  He said, feeling rather besieged at the moment.

The door opened quietly as Matt slipped in.  “Oh my God Rick, Mother is going to be the death of us all.”  He announced.  “She is bound and determined that she and Father are going to come see you regardless of where you may possibly be.”

Kat began to stir and her eyes fluttered open going straight to Rick.  Stretching slightly, as he took her hand in his; she smiled at him before closing her eyes again; totally oblivious to the tension in the room.  Reaching up, Rick felt her forehead frowning.  “She is very hot Angel.  I am afraid the fevers have started.  She has been going in and out of consciousness and is pretty much unaware of what is going on.”  Rick told her sister worriedly.

Angel came up to the bed and felt Kat’s forehead herself swearing under her breath.  “Let me go get Consuela.  She will know what to do.”  She left the room and looked for Consuela while attempting not to draw too much attention to the panic that was setting in.  She had a house full to bursting with people that she and Kat did not know, her sister was sick, and she didn’t have any idea what to do now.  She just knew that they didn’t need their future in-laws in the way.

“Consuela, please come quick.”  She said finally finding her.  “Be very quiet though, I do not want Sarah and Edward to find us if I can help it.  Kat is burning up with fever and Rick says that she is not lucid.”  The hurried down the hall to Kat’s room, quickly and quietly shutting the door behind them.

“Matt” Consuela started.  “You must keep your parents occupied so they do not come looking for Rick.  Rick, you and Angel must take cold rags and begin sponging Miss Kat’s body over and over until she cools.  This is the worst part of fighting infections.  If the fever rises too high, she may not recover.  Just keep her cool and once her temperature drops, be sure to cover her back up.  She will alternate between freezing and burning up.  Are you both prepared for this?”  She asked seriously.  “Angel, let Rick take the first shift.  You have to rest or stress will cause you to lose the bambino you carry.”

Rick looked her in the eye.  “I will do whatever it takes to make her better.  She is my life.”  He declared.

Angel looked surprised.  “I knew you loved her but I think I am totally convinced.  Whatever happens Rick, thank you.”

“Don’t talk that way.”  He ground out.  “Help me strip the bed down before you go get some rest; I have a bath to give.”

They carefully folded the covers and put them to the side for later.  Consuela came into the room with a basin full of cold water with ice floating in it and several more rags.  “If you need me, I will be in the kitchen with Cook.  Rick, I’ll bring you something to eat and some broth for Miss Kat should she wake up long enough for it.  Don’t worry.  We will all get through this.  Angel, once you wake up from your nap, come get a bite to eat before relieving Rick.  Don’t worry, if there are any problems or if he needs any help while you are resting, I can handle it.”

The door clicked shut softly as Consuela and Angel left leaving Rick to start the cooling process for Kat.  “Your name sure doesn’t suit you now does it baby?”  He whispered quietly.  “You’re more like a new born kitten right now.”

Carefully avoiding the dressing on her leg, he sponged every inch of Kat’s body continually until the water was warm and the ice had melted.  Rick made use of Marie and sent her for more water having her dump what he had left.  Finally, after sending Marie two more times, he noticed that Kat’s temperature was dropping and her body and face were no longer red from heat.  Deciding he better get her covered before the chills set in, he slipped her into yet another of his shirts before gently removing the wet bedding beneath her and covering her.

Knowing that he now had a few minutes to rest, he pulled his chair back up to his place by the head of bed.  After taking a couple bites of the food Consuela had left for him, he decided it tasted like sawdust.  Instead, he took one of her small hands in his and leaned his head back against the wall to wait for the next onslaught.

~XX~

“I don’t know what more to do Matt.  I am worried sick but I think she is at least resting comfortably now.  She’s been through a horrible ordeal and now has a houseful of people that she doesn’t know.  I feel terrible that I’m not a better hostess but Kat is my first priority.  I’m so tired and so terribly sick to my stomach; I don’t know how much more I can take.”  She sighed snuggling against him as he wrapped an arm around her. 

“It will be ok Angel.  You have been excellent between organizing, helping the doctor, and caring for your sister.  I’m worried about you though.  I think your stomach is reminding you that you are pregnant and need to rest and eat.”  Matt told her gently.

“How can I rest and eat when my sister hasn’t been able to say more than five words to me in two days.  I’m sorry Matt, this isn’t your fault and I don’t know why I’m getting testy with you.  I guess you’re right, maybe I do need some rest.”  She conceded.

Matt grabbed her a plate of food and maneuvered her though the doorway and out to the bench on the porch.  Sitting down, he pulled her onto his lap and fed her bits off of her plate before encouraging her to lean back against him and rest if just for a little bit.  As he suspected, within minutes she was sound asleep.

He held her, stroking her hair and back, marveling at how lucky he had been finding her.  He thought back to how jealous he had been the first time he saw her talking to Adam; he hadn’t even known her then but the minute he saw her he knew he was hooked.  Now, in a matter of months he would be both a husband and a father.  It was shocking when he thought about it like that.  He hoped they had a beautiful little blond haired girl.

“What is going on Son?”  His father asked coming through the doorway and out onto the porch.  “Since we have arrived, we have been bounced all over between this house and the makeshift guesthouse.  Level with me, if we’re not wanted here we’ll go home; we don’t want to be in anyone’s way.”

“It’s not that dad; quite the opposite actually.  I am glad you and mother and Anna are here, really I am.  It’s just that Kat is very sick and doesn’t need a lot of commotion right now.”  Matt explained.  “I didn’t want to tell you this way and please don’t tell anyone else yet but Angel is pregnant.  I’m going to be a father, Dad.  And Rick is engaged to Kat, his girls are going to have a mother.  It has all happened rather quickly and so much else has happened too.  I don’t even know where to begin.  I know Mother would like to be involved in planning the wedding and everything but Dad, Angel and I are going to wait until Kat is better.  We are going to get married together Dad; Rick and I are each other’s best friends and it’s the same with Kat and Angel.”

“Wow Son.  It does sound like a lot has happened since the last time we saw each other.  Your mother will just have to understand that you are both men and you make your own decisions.  It also sounds like congratulations are in order on two counts.  It will be nice to have another child and grandchild.  Congratulations Son.”  His father patted his shoulder.  “It sounds to me like both of you picked out some fine women.  I wish all of you the best of luck.  Now, I will go have a few words with your mother, and we may or may not be leaving in the morning.”

Matt smiled as his father walked away.  Short as it was, that was one of the best talks they had had in a long time.  Well, come to think of it, it was one of the only talks they had had in a long time.  Sitting there thinking, he realized just how short life was.  He would definitely have to make an effort to see his family more often.  Maybe they could do like many families and have Sunday afternoon dinners during the summer.  Finally, he let his mind rest and stared out at the sunset marveling once again at the fact that he was going to be a husband and a father.

As the sun went down, so did the temperatures.  Finally, Consuela came to shut the door and noticed Matt and Angel there on the porch.  “What are you two doing out here in the cold, and why did you skip dinner?”  She asked.  Her eyes took in all the details of the picture in front of her.  “Madre de Dios, she is going to have a Niño!”  She exclaimed.  “Get that girl inside out of the cold.  We don’t need both of them down sick Matt.”

“Not you too, Consuela!”  Matt said irritated.  “Like my father has finally figured out; we are grown men, we can make some of the decisions in our life for ourselves.”

“While that may be true Senor Matt, you still act like a little boy.”  Consuela said with contempt.  “Si, the girl needs her sleep to make a big strong bambino but if she catches cold, her sleep will not be used for the baby but for fighting sickness.  Think first and choose your fights wisely Niño.  Si, you are a full grown man, but that entitles you to act like one.”  She closed the door and walked away leaving him sitting on the porch with a pregnant fiancé on his lap.

“Wow, she sure told you.”  Angel giggled.  “Almost sounded like some of the scolding that Kat used to give me when I was younger.  You do have a point though; you and Rick should be able to make your own choices and decisions.  I mean, regardless of what you or I decide, we both have to live with those choices.”

“You sound like a mother already Sweetheart.”  He informed her.  “Let’s get you inside before Consuela decides to banish me from all desserts for a week.”  He laughed lightheartedly.

They walked back into the house holding hands.  Anna was in the kitchen getting a drink of water and looked up.  “Hello again; I am sorry I didn’t get to talk to you much earlier but it seemed like you were in the middle of something pretty urgent.”

“Thank you for noticing.”  Angel told her.  “My sister has had a run of back luck recently and unfortunately we had to cut and cauterize her leg.  She had a severe infection and the doctor was worried about it.  She is doing a little better now though.”

“That’s wonderful that you were able to help her.”  Anna said sincerely.  “I am looking forward to meeting her.  I’m glad I got to meet you also but I must confess that I’d love to have more time to get to know both of you.”

“Well, looks like you’re in luck because I’m pretty sure both of us will be in the family for quite a while.  As you heard earlier, Matt and I are getting married.  Not many know yet but Rick and Kat are going to be getting married at the same time.  We decided on a joint wedding.”  She replied.  “Well Anna, if you would like to come with me; I need to check on Kat and see if she’s awake.”  Angel headed towards her sister’s bedroom.

They went in and silently closed the door behind them.  Rick seemed to be asleep in the chair holding on to Kat’s hand for dear life.  Kat opened her eyes as Angel checked her forehead.  “There are a lot of people here huh?”  She asked her sister quietly. 

“It seems like the population of the ranch is multiplying like rabbits Kat.”  Angel replied.  “I am pretty sure that we now have more people in this house than we’ve had visit us since we built it.”

“What in the world is everyone doing coming here?”  Kat asked confused. 

“Well Kat, the best I can figure from all of this is; you hired Frank and James.  Rick and Matt are here for us.  Marie came here because she didn’t know where else to go.  Consuela and Rick’s two girls came here because Rick and Matt were here.  Samuel and Grace left Marie’s fathers house and didn’t know where else to go.  Now, Matt and Rick’s parents are here; and this is their sister Anna.”  Angel said stepping over and gently pushing Anna forward.

“Hello Anna; it’s nice to meet you.  I’d get up and shake your hand, but I don’t think that’s going to happen right now.”  Kat smiled.

Rick awoke and looked at Anna.  “I thought you were teaching school.”

“Well Rick, we have this little thing called a spring break that gives us time off for planting.”  Anna laughed.  “Besides even if we didn’t, meeting new family is always important.”

“I take it you met Kaitlyn and Angel then.”  Rick said.  “From what I hear, the family is multiplying like rabbits.”  He winked at Angel, stealing her words and causing her to laugh.

“You seem to listen in on a lot of conversations.”  She said still laughing.  “Almost makes me wonder what else you’ve heard.”

“You probably don’t want to know.”  Matt answered for him as he dropped to the edge of the bed, having followed Angel and Anna into the room.  “Rick has always had this little habit of making you think he was asleep so you would let down your guard, then he would surprise you by hearing all kinds of details he wasn’t supposed to know or by tackling you as you went by him or any number of other things.”

Anna laughed as she joined in.  “Yes, Rick told our parents about my first kiss when I was eight.  I had a friend sleep over and we stayed up late into the night talking.  Rick’s room was across the hall and he apparently overheard our entire conversation.  The next morning, my mother informed me that I was definitely not allowed to kiss Adam anymore.”

“You kissed Adam?”  Matt looked at her and over to Rick.  “Like Adam that works out at the ranch?  Why didn’t I know about that?  I wouldn’t have hired him if I knew he had been kissing my baby sister.”

“That’s why you were never told.  Good God Matt, she was eight and Adam was ten.”  Rick laughed.  “I never saw any reason to condemn someone for something they did as a kid.  It’s not like Anna spends a lot of time at the ranch, and we both know that Adam does not spend much time at all at Mother’s.”

“Ok guys, ease up.”  Kat said looking worriedly at the two brothers.  “Let’s not fight over something that happened when you were children.  We’ve got more to worry about now trying to figure out this wedding and everyone’s living arrangements.”

“Well, I thought I’d give you a stock report while I was in here.”  Matt informed her, changing the subject to ease her mind.  “Frank and Adam moved Coal over here today and I had them put him in the pasture with the cows and heifers that you had separated.  I was going to talk to you and see what you thought about moving the other twenty head in with them.  It will keep Coal busy for a while, plus, I think most of them are getting pretty close to ready.  The horses are fine and Frank has been cleaning out the barn daily.  I think Dusty is getting pretty agitated though; he threatened to bite me earlier when I changed his water.  We moved Sunbeam into the barn, she’s showing signs that she could foal any day now.”

“Wow, thank you Matt.  Sounds like I’ve got a good crew doing my job for me.”  She told him, looking somewhat dejected.  Turning and looking at Rick, “Maybe you can take me outside to see Dusty and the puppies tomorrow.  I’m sure if you helped me, I could make it out that far.  Besides, the sunlight and fresh air will do me some good.”  She added before he could argue.

“Kat,” Angel started.  “I am not sure that the doctor would approve, but…,”She said as Kat tried to argue.  Giving her sister a look before continuing, “But I bet between Rick, Matt and I, we could probably find you a comfortable chair close enough to the barn that you can talk to Dusty.  And Belle wouldn’t mind having the puppies outside for a bit.” She finished.

“Angel!”  Rick and Matt growled in unison.  “The doctor specifically said…”

“I don’t care what he said.”  Angel interrupted.  “He also said to give her laudanum; which Rick, I noticed you already hid.  I think you would all agree that between Kat and the three of us, we can probably make our own decisions.”  She added throwing an altered version of Matt’s own words back at him.

“I happen to agree with my sister.”  Kat informed them.  “Rick, thank you for getting rid of the laudanum though; I’m glad you know me well enough to know I wouldn’t willingly take that vile stuff.”

Anna stood there for a little while longer listening to the playful banter between her siblings and her soon-to-be in-laws.  Finally noticing the exhausted look on Kat’s face, she made her escape.  “I’m getting pretty tired; it was nice to meet you Kat but I am going to have to see you in the morning.”  With that, she quietly shut the door on her way out and went back to the room that she was sharing with Marie.  Thankfully, the other girl was absent so Anna quickly washed her face, dressed for bed and climbed in; desperately hoping that she would be asleep by the time her roommate returned.