Part 7
The rest of the evening was spent with Nathan and Chris taking turn cooling Vin's body with the spring waters and attempting to get Vin to take more of the tea to fight the fever now testing Vin's strength. Nathan packed and repacked Vin's arm. Elevating it on blankets; checking the swelling and the fingertips for signs of blood flow. After checking the arm for he felt must have been the millionth time, Nathan stood slowly. Shaking his head, he looked down at Chris and said. "Continue trying to get that tea into him, Chris. I'm gonna get some air."Chris had been watching Nathan's continual inspection of Vin's arm and the increasing worry work it's way into the healer's face. Placing a cool compress on Vin's head, he left the tracker sleeping and moved to join Nathan outside the cave.
Watching Josiah ride away, Chris approached the healer. "What's going on Nathan?"
He continued to watch Nathan's back until the healer turned slowly to face him.
"Sent Josiah after Kojay. Vin's arm's getting worse. Three of his fingers are cold. "ll white around the tips. Means there ain't no blood getting to them. The blood..it's being cut off by the swelling." Nathan paused looking Chris in the eyes. "I've done all I know how...short of....." Nathan bit his lip and turned again from Chris's stare.
"Short of what, Nathan? What are you thinking?" Chris followed Nathan walking around so Nathan again faced him.
Rubbing his forehead to relieve the headache that was forming, Nathan shook his head sadly and raised his head to Chris. "Short of taking his arm off. Once the skin starts dying ...there ain't nothing else to do...gangrene it'll set in...ah, hell Chris..you were in the War." Turning back to the cave entrance, Nathan picked up a bucket of cool water and went back to tend Vin.
"Cut?...take it off!!" Chris's mind was suddenly filled with visions of injured men sick and broken on forgotten battlefields. Cries of horror as their limbs were chopped off without aid of painkillers ...limbs that were covered with blackened and smelly skin...removed from bodies that died later despite being dismembered. "ll the sounds and sights assaulted Chris as he pictured Vin in the same condition.
"Nathan!! You can't!! Vin...he'd.. " Chris paused at the edge of the spring watching Nathan unwrap the swollen lump that had become Vin's left arm and hand.
Looking up with tears filling his eyes, Nathan's eyes were full of pain as he answered. "You think I want to do that? Leave Vin with only one arm? Make a cripple out of him?" Gently setting Vin's arm back down, he rose to gather more poultice. "But I can't let him die either. That's why I sent Josiah to get Kojay. I'm hoping he can help. Man has forgotten more about healing than I'll ever know."
"Think he'll come into town?" Chris knelt beside Vin and began working the cool water across the tracker's chest.
"Kojay loves Vin like his own. He'll come, but I told Josiah to take him to your shack. We're moving Vin there tonight. Need you to get a wagon. I'll stay with Vin while you let JD, Buck and Ezra know what's going on." Nathan took the cool cloth from Chris's hands.
"Think you and Kojay can save his arm?" Chris asked. When Nathan didn't answer, Chris persisted. "Nathan? What do you think?"
"I think Kojay and I can save Vin's life. "in't making no promises about anything else." Looking up into Chris's face he continued. "Now go and get that wagon. Make sure it's bedded well. This boy don't need anymore hurting than he's already got."
The wagon carrying Vin approached Chris's shack about dawn. Chris, handling the reins, noticed an Indian pony tethered with Josiah's horse at the corral. "He came Nathan! Kojay's here." Clicking to the bay, Chris urged the animal onward.
Josiah came out of the shack as it came to a halt. Stepping to the wagon, he easily picked up Vin while Nathan supported the injured arm. Chris hurried ahead inside finding it empty; a soft palate prepared next to the fireplace.
Part 8
"Where's Kojay? Josiah? He came right?" Chris's mind was wild with worry. The trip although uneventful, had been hard on Vin. The tracker's fever now at it's peak had him moaning and calling out despite Nathan's constant care."Went out after we got here. Said he had some things he needed. Nathan, he said to prepare the dandelion tea and add it to the other's you've been giving Vin. I put water on to boil." Josiah eased Vin down on the palate. Chris cradled his friend's head and wiped away the tear that lingered on Vin's cheek.
Nathan nodded and set about crushing the flowers Kojay had left. "Chris get behind Vin and sit him up, will you? We'll try and get some more of this down him."
"What' s that do? Those dandelions?" Chris moved to lift Vin's upper body and did not see Kojay coming through the door.
"The drink will help your friend's body get rid of water. The snake's poison has made water stay inside. We must shed this water and return his body's balance." Kojay kept Chris's stare as he knelt beside Vin. Unwrapping the injured arm, Kojay cleared away the mud poultice and looked at it carefully. "It is bad, your friend's arm. But there have been worse." Rising he walked quietly to the table and opened up his pouch.
Nathan watched Kojay lay out various herbs and poultices. "This we must mix with warm water." The medicine man held up horsetail plant and gave it to Nathan. "Where is the mud you have brought from the springs?"
Josiah held out the bucket of sulfur mud. Kojay nodded and placed some carefully inside a clean cloth. Adding angelica oil and wild pansy, he worked the mixture together. Taking the poultice, Kojay laid it on the cooking stone in front of Chris's fireplace.
Chris dripped more of the warm tea into Vin's mouth. Vin felt the liquid and began sucking on the droplets Chris was giving him. Suddenly Vin struggled upright. Pulling himself from Chris's arms, he flung both arms outward in an attempt to get away. "Wait, Vin! Easy...hold on...it's okay." Chris grabbed out trying to hold on to Vin. He got a hand on Vin's left shoulder but Vin jerked away and Chris ended up grabbing the injured left arm.
The scream that came from Vin brought Josiah and Nathan back into the house on the run. Chris pulled his hand away as soon as he felt the skin give way. He stared at his hand in disbelief. It was covered in blood and skin. Vin's skin. Feeling Vin being lifted away, Chris staggered outside and emptied his stomach. Falling on his hands and knees, Chris heaved and retched until he collapsed in exhaustion. Laying in the dirt his tears mixed with the dust as he cried his heart out.
Vin continued to struggle in Josiah's arms. The injured arm swung wildly as blood spattered the palate. Kojay knelt down before Vin and placed cupped his hand on Vin's face. Chanting quietly, he slipped a mixture of brownish leaves under Vin's tongue. Nathan quietly wrapped Vin's arm in a clean cloth and held it away from his body. Everyone was quiet as Vin's eyes opened and he looked directly at Kojay.
Kojay reached with his other hand and held Vin's head between his hands. Continuing to chant, Kojay let his fingers work their way into the base of Vin's skull. Slowly massaging Vin's neck and head, Kojay saw Vin's eyes slowly close as he lost consciousness again. Releasing Vin to Josiah and Nathan, Kojay handed the heated poultice to Nathan indicating that the healer should wrap Vin's arm with it.
Watching until he was certain Vin was quiet, Kojay slipped outside. Looking around he finally saw Chris hunched at the base of a large tree. Kojay could see that Vin's friend was weeping. Approaching silently he stood and waited.
Chris couldn't stop crying. He had gone to the well and washed and rewashed his hand, but he could still see Vin's bloody flesh on it. Kneeling he had rubbed his hand in the dirt until it bled. Crawling to the base of the tree, Chris cupped the raw hand against his body crying openly.
A presence disturbed the air around him. Turning his head Chris saw Kojay standing quietly beside him. Reaching up, he let himself be lifted off the ground by the strong healer's hands. Accepting the medicine man's comfort, Chris sobbed again wondering if he would ever gain control of his emotions again.
Part 9
After a few minutes, Chris took gasping breaths and pulled his head upright. Kojay wrapped an arm around Chris's shoulders and started to lead him back inside. Chris resisted; staring at his hands."You did not hurt your friend. Your souls are joined. There is no part of you that can injure him. The only way you can seal his death is by removing your presence from him." Kojay gently pushed Chris toward the shack. "Go. Your energy is needed for the healing to continue." Chris looked back at the medicine man as he stumbled toward the door.
Vin slept restlessly in Josiah's arms. Nathan had managed to get more valerian and dandelion tea down him. Josiah was dripping goldseal tea into his mouth as Chris entered the shack. Nathan immediately saw Chris's injured hand and studied it. Chris didn't take his eyes off of Vin's face even when Nathan doused his injured hand with carbolic acid. Frowning he looked down at his hand, but only out of curiosity. It was as if he was saving all his energy in pain and emotion for Vin.
With his hand securely wrapped Chris knelt down by Vin and gently straightened the wet hair from his forehead. "I'll tend him now Josiah." His eyes smiled a multitude of thanks as he took Josiah's place beside Vin. Whispering Chris began to tell Vin stories. They were the stories that he had told "dam whenever the boy had
taken ill. Tales of castles and knights in shining armor. Dreamy words to send a troubled mind to a peaceful rest.
Kojay calmly walked into the room and smiled at the sight of Chris and Vin. Looking at Nathan, he said. "He rests."
"Yeah, neither Josiah or I could get him to calm down. Chris walks in here. Don't think he even knows he hurt his hand and takes Vin and begins telling him those stories. Strangest thing I've seen in a while," Nathan said shaking his head. Looking at Kojay's expression, Nathan smiled. "Not strange is it? You know it too."
Kojay gestured to the table and began mixing comfrey and bittersweet root together in another poultice. "These things of the earth we bring to heal our young tracker are not what will heal him. The bond sealed between them is what will bring healing to our son. The force of strength you seven create as one will sustain it."
A continuous round of various poultices and teas and the steady presence of Chris's energy began to show a turn in Vin's condition by the third day. Vin's body seemed to ooze water. Constantly wet, Josiah was hard pressed to supply Nathan and Chris with dry clothing and bandages. But the medicine was working. Although not yet conscious for any length of time, Vin's arm was noticeably better. The skin still blackened where the snake had bit him, but his fingers were now normally shaped and had warmth to them.
On the evening of the third day, Kojay gathered his belongings and went quietly to his horse. Josiah followed him. "You're leaving." A statement not a question.
"The young tracker will heal. He needs time and nourishment when he awakens. Nathan knows what he needs. And his strong friend is giving him the rest." Looking up at the moon, Kojay laid his arm on Josiah's shoulder. "Do not judge them harshly. Their's is a friendship above what we know. Good will come from it. They fill the empty parts in each other." Kojay turned and mounted his horse. Catching Josiah's nod, he urged his horse forward.
Part 10
Josiah stood at the window and watched Chris tending Vin. Except to attend to personal needs, Chris had been constantly with Vin. The tracker looked pale and listless but Josiah could tell there was a healing energy present now. He no longer called out in pain constantly when the dressings were changed. No longer arched away from Chris in painful spasms that emptied his body of fluids and darkened his face with unforgivable pain. The only thing that really seemed to calm Vin were the stories. Chris had resorted to telling Vin fairy tales and other adventure stories he had once told "dam. He didn't know if Vin would remember them, but the steady drone of his voice seemed to calm the ailing tracker. Nathan had resorted several times to making Chris drink slippery elm bark tea to restore his failing voice."s Josiah came in the shack, Chris put aside the book of Robin Hood stories he had been reading out loud. Looking up he smiled. "Well, what ever Vin missed in schooling as a boy, he's made up for in the last few days. Kojay leave?" Josiah nodded yes and took a chair pouring coffee for himself and Chris. Nathan slept peacefully on the bed in the next room.
"He' s gonna be fine, Josiah. I can feel it. He's sleeping so deeply now." Pausing, Chris let the silence between them settle. "He's more than a friend Josiah." Looking directly at Josiah, Chris waited.
Sipping his coffee slowly Josiah nodded. "You are a part of each other Chris. I see that now. There's only love in this house. Kojay noticed it right away. Helped me understand. What you have is special. It's good that God has seen fit to give you to each other." Chris smiled quietly and turned to watch Vin snuggle closer against him. "Thank you, Josiah. Thank you."
Chris leaned over and sniffed the mixture of oil and powdered bark Nathan had left for him to use on Vin. Lifting his head quickly, Chris grimaced and turned his head away. "Ash bark, huh? Smells like burned something." Taking a generous amount on his fingers he gently applied it to the broken skin on Vin's left arm. Massaging in slow easy circles, Chris watched in satisfaction as Vin slept on without waking.
Three more days had passed with Nathan forcing purple cornflower tea on Vin in addition to the valerian, dandelion, feverfew and snakeroot teas. Vin had been awake at intervals. Well enough to complain that everything he drank went straight through him. Josiah and Chris had helped him stand at the bedside many times over the last few days. Nathan was happy. The more Vin had to urinate. The more poison and toxins cleared his body.
They had moved Vin to Chris's double sized bed yesterday. It was easier on all the men to nurse him and Vin no longer seemed to need the direct heat from the fire to stay warm. There was color beginning in his face but a lean weariness still lingered. The effects of the illness were still present in the lines around his eyes and mouth but his was alive and getting better. That knowledge alone was enough to make Josiah, Nathan and Chris happy men.
Nathan set out all the teas and ointments in order for Chris. He and Josiah were heading back to town. Nathan had a couple women expecting babies soon and he felt that Vin was well enough for Chris to tend him. Josiah had warned them after a trip to town that Nettie Wells was "madder than a wet hen" about not being told of Vin's illness. "ll three men expected to see her tomorrow.
Part 11
Chris listened carefully to Nathan. Put this ointment on at this time. Look for this kind of oozing. This kind of swelling. Chris was fairly sure he could notice any change. He had seen Vin's arm at it's worst. It was now pink and warm except for a small area around the viper's fang marks. There the skin was still tender and open. But healing. The black dead skin that had threatened Vin's life had been driven away by great healers, prayers and the strong presence of strength from good friends...friends whom he considered his brothers. The circle of healing that had kept Vin from death was still present in the room. The circle was breaking up but the healing karma was still there.Vin felt it's energy in the room as he dozed quietly on the bed. Turning his head was still an effort, but he looked and found Chris without trouble. He could have found Chris without opening his eyes ...the man's presence was that strong..but Vin wanted to watch Chris move effortless around the shack. So he lay quietly not moving. Just enjoying the fact that his entire body didn't burn with fever and he could wiggle the fingers on his left hand. That still hurt, but he could move them and that meant the world.
"You' re not fooling anyone. I know you're awake." Chris grinned and looked over his shoulder as he stirred oatmeal. "Best cover up. I see Nettie's wagon coming. Reckon we're both in for a talking to." Smiling Chris came bedside and helped Vin sit up propped with pillows. Lifting the first of Vin's many daily teas, Chris raised an eyebrow in warning when Vin turned up his nose. "Don't even think about it cowboy. These teas and a whole lot of love got you through this. You're not well enough to argue. Drink."
Vin was finishing the bitter tea when the door was assaulted by deadly blows. Grinning, Chris crossed quickly to save his doorframe. Opening it, he was greeted by the only other person who loved Vin as much as he did. Nettie Wells.
"Chris Larabee!! I can't believe you kept this boy up here in this drafty shack and made the rest of your so called friends lie to me about his health." Pushing past Chris, Nettie made her way straight to the thin pale figure propped up with a blanket under his chin; his left arm wrapped and up on pillows.
"Good Lord, boy! You can't possibly have lost anymore weight from that tiny frame? Wasn't any fat there to loose! Vin, you had me worried to death." Rattling on, Nettie brushed Vin's sweaty hair from his face and gently caressed his face. "Snake bite...you' re gonna scare me into an early grave. Chris bring me my bags from the wagon," Nettie said without turning her head.
Giving Vin a raised eyebrow and a smile, Chris gave over control of Vin's care to Nettie Wells. She needed to tend him and Chris was secretly grateful for her presence. He was bone tired from days of nursing Vin. He knew Vin would do anything Nettie told him to do. Walking back and setting several bags on the floor beside the bed, Chris nodded to her. "Nettie, I'm gonna tend the livestock and get some firewood in. There's fresh water beside the sink and I'll bring more from the well. I'll show you about Vin's teas and ointments when I get back. He needs to eat more of that oatmeal. Anything else?"
Nettie smiled at Chris. "Just a couple things. Where's the brown sugar? Sassy child won't eat oatmeal without brown sugar." Chris brought it over and Nettie nodded. "And when you get back I'll expect you to take a nap."
Hearing Vin giggle, Chris tried the glare but it rapidly fizzled. "Nettie, I don't need any nap..." Looking at Vin trying to hide behind his blanket, Chris knew they were both doomed. "Alright. Okay, Nettie. Reckon a short nap wouldn't hurt me none."
"Wouldn' t hurt neither of ya." Turning back to Vin, Nettie mixed a generous amount of brown sugar into his oatmeal. Still trying to hide his bare chest from Nettie, he took the spoonful she offered. A flannel shirt landed on his bed, and he nodded in thanks as the cabin door closed.
Part 12
Finishing with his chores, Chris entered his shack to see Vin sleeping with his flannel shirt on and Nettie setting soup stock on the fire to simmer for lunch. Looking up she smiled at Chris. "With a full belly and that warm flannel shirt on, he couldn't even stay awake to tell me how this all happened." She left the question hanging in the air as she gathered dirty laundry.Chris set fresh water near the stove. Unconsciously placing a hand on his sore back, Chris straightened slowly and turned to Nettie. Nettie held up a hand and pointed toward the bed. "Why don't you join Vin on the bed? I'll wake you when lunch is ready." Chris looked from Vin to Nettie and started to protest.
"You gonna tell me you ain't slept on that bed with Vin before are you?" Nettie kept her face without emotion or reaction. "Go on. I'm not the innocent you think I am."
Shaking his head in wonder, Chris grinned. "I never thought you were, Nettie. Thought never crossed my mind." Kissing her lightly on the cheek, he moved quickly to escape the dirty towel she used as a weapon.
Vin opened one eye and caught site of a blonde haired head resting on a pillow beside him. Surprised, he raised his head and looked across the room. The cabin was empty but he could hear Nettie outside hanging up laundry. Easing over toward Chris, he reached out with his good hand and fingering the hair at Chris's neckline. Enjoying the quiet moment, Vin sighed in contentment as he worked his fingers further up Chris's neck.
"Keep that up and Nettie is gonna be in for some big surprises," Vin heard Chris whisper. Vin withdrew his hand quickly as Chris turned over to face him. "Think she knows though."
Vin studies Chris's face seeing the fatigue that had settled around his mouth and eyes. Reaching out again, he let his fingers trace the outlines he found on his lover's face. "Hope you didn't get these fretting over me." Vin lowered his hand and then his eyes trying to avoid Chris's gaze.
"If I did they would still be worth the effort." Smiling at Vin's head buried deep in the pillows. Both men stiffened as they heard a wash bucket being dropped on the ground outside.
"Dang it!! Chris Larabee!! You get up and give me a hand," Nettie's voice sailed in through the open window and Chris grinned as he eased himself off the bed.
"Coming Nettie." Chris leaned over and kissed the top of Vin's head.
"Thought that was my line," Vin said as he stretched and eased himself over on his back.
"Don' t." Chris pointed a finger at Vin and gave him a mild imitation of "the glare."
Pulling on his boots, Chris heard giggling coming from underneath the bed blankets.
"You' ll get yours Vin Tanner...behave."
Vin peeked his head hopefully over the top of his blankets and whispered. "That a promise?" Getting another of the famous Larabee glares, Vin let his head flop back and let his good hand stray to his groin. Just waking to having Chris next to him, had produced a profound effect on Vin. Groaning silently, Vin tried to think of "other things" as his semi-erect penis resisted any attempts at relaxing.
Part 13
Chris came back into the shack carrying the wash tub followed by Nettie. Seeing the flushed look on Vin's face, Chris tried to hide a smile as he sat the tub where Nettie wanted it. Nodding his head toward Vin, Chris smiled and spoke. "Reckon I ought to help Vin outside. He's had a lot of those teas since this morning."Letting her glance go from Vin to Chris, Nettie nodded her permission. "Reckon he probably does need to step out. I'll have lunch ready when you get back."
Vin heard the conversation and began to ease himself upright before Chris got to the bed. "Ah, thanks Chris. I guess I do need to step out." He let the blanket fall away enough so that Chris was able to see the bulge made by his erection. Chris turned his back toward Nettie and smiling helped Vin wrap a woolen afghan around him.
"Okay Vin, let me get your boots and then we'll help you out." Winking at Vin, Chris made quick work of the boots. Helping Vin from the cabin, he eased the tracker toward the privy.
But Vin resisted turning his body toward the barn. "Don't need the privy Chris. Need you." Catching Vin's eye, Chris stared briefly and then picked the sharpshooter up. Heading quickly toward the barn with his prize, Chris felt his groin start to stir.
Setting Vin down in the hay bales away from the door he helped Vin undo the afghan and reached inside to bring out the throbbing organ he had glimpsed earlier. >You sure you're up to this?" Chris looked back at Vin and down again at the hardened shaft in his hand.
"Reckon I'm already up, Chris. It's relief I'm aching for." Leaning his upper body back into the soft hay, he felt Chris carefully wrap the blanket around his body while his other hand began to stroke Vin's penis. "Yes!! Oh..man ..how long has it been?"
Chris leaned over to lick the pre-cum off Vin's slit. "Too long. Way too long." Reaching down he opened his pants and eased his swollen member out. The pain of it's swelling was diverting his concentration from his immediate task. When Vin started to reach out, Chris took his hand. "We'll wait on that for a minute. It'll keep."
Kneeling down next to Vin, Chris placed his hand at the base of Vin's shaft and began a soft stroking motion. Vin audibly moaned and thrust his hips upward into Chris's hand. "Chris....so good...." Chris smiled and opened his mouth to take in Vin's throbbing heat. "God!!! Uh...." Vin was pushing and twisting trying to get himself further inside the warm moist mouth of his lover.
Chris decided not to make Vin wait and began a sucking motion with his mouth that brought a scream and a splash of warm liquid against the back of his throat. "Chris...oh, man!! Oh...." Vin was overcome with the intensity of his orgasm thrusting again and again as Chris continued to suck and lick him. Letting his hand stray to his penis, Chris began stroking himself. Increasing the effort and the pressure, he soon was creaming and thrusting against his hand. Letting Vin's now limp penis fall from his mouth, Chris looked at Vin's exhausted but beautiful body as he moaned his relief. Letting his head fall on Vin's legs, Chris lay panting until he could breath again.
Vin felt Chris shoot against his leg but didn't have the strength to lift his head. "ll the energy he had gained from his morning nap had been expended in the wonderful orgasm Chris has just given him. Lifting his good hand, he let it fall on Chris's blonde hair as he stroked it lightly. "God, Chris!" He moaned. "Can't move. Don't want to."
Chris heard the exhaustion in Vin's voice and immediately became concerned. He heard the back of the shack door open and Nettie calling out his name. Quickly replacing his own shaft, Chris helped Vin redress and wrapped him carefully in the blanket. Lifting Vin, he made hastily toward the door.
"Hey Nettie. Vin wanted to see Peso for a moment. We'll be right there." Looking at Vin's grin, Chris said to him quietly. "Stop that. She'll kill us both if you get a chill." Heading back to the shack, Chris felt Vin laughing.
"Well, what I just felt weren't no chill, Chris. Matter of fact, I'd say I was far from it." Snuggling his head into Chris's neck, he let himself be carried inside.
Part 14
Chris placed Vin on the bed carefully; picking hay quickly off the blanket. Vin nestled deeply into the covers and started to drift off to sleep."No you don't young man." Nettie sat an assortment of teas and hot soup next to the bed. "Wake up so you can get this down. Chris help me sit him up." With Chris and Nettie's help, Vin got down all the herbal teas and a good portion of the hot soup before he dozed off in the middle of eating a bite of fresh bread. Seeing his eyes close, both Chris and Nettie reached to brush away stray hairs from his forehead at the same time. Embarrassed they both smiled slightly and moved off the bed. Nettie took the dishes to the sink while Chris eased Vin down into the covers.
"Adam used to do that," Chris said as he walked up behind Nettie. "Fall asleep like that in the middle of a meal." Nettie nodded her head as she continued washing lunch dishes. Chris grabbed a towel and dried. They worked in silence for a while a quiet tension hanging between them.
Nettie finished the last dish and handed it to Chris. Making her way quietly to Vin's bed, she stood watching him sleep. "Beautiful isn't he?" Nettie said softly as Chris came up behind her.
"Yeah, he his." Chris said no more, not trying to guess where the conversation was going.
"You' ll take good care of my boy, won't you Chris? He don't need no more hurting, ya hear?" Turning she looked Chris straight in the eye her gaze unflinching.
Chris kept her eye contact and placed both hands on her shoulders. "I love him, Nettie. You know that. And Vin love's me. It's just something that ....that happened." Nettie continued to hold Chris's eye for a while. Nodding her head, she took Chris's hands in her own.
"Peso' s in town, Chris. Ya gotta learn to think faster. A Laughing she wrapped her arms around Chris's chest and hugged him closely. "'m gonna lay in a good supply of fresh bread and soup. You seem to have things under control here. I'll bring back the rest of the laundry day after tomorrow. Late morning around noon?" Chris felt her stand on her toes to give him a quick kiss. Turning she made her way to the bed and did the same to Vin. Lingering just a moment, she straightened and made her way quickly to the kitchen. Busying herself with preparing dough, Chris noticed as she wiped a tear from her cheek.
When Chris came back from afternoon chores, Nettie had her bags in the wagon and was setting the dough aside to rise. "The rest of this dough needs about an half hour in the oven then test it. Sarah taught you how right?" Chris smiled and nodded. "Vin woke up and I gave him his evening teas. He ate some hot bread and honey and then went back to sleep. Changed the dressing on his arm. Looking better ; the area around the bites has closed over." Looking around the shack, she studied it carefully. "Well, I guess you two won't starve until till I get back."
Chris reached out and hugged her. Kissing her on the cheek, he helped her out to the wagon. "Sure you don't want to wait until tomorrow to leave? Gonna be almost dark when you get home."
"Chris Larabee, I've been traveling this territory at dark for you were born. Now you go back in there and take good care of my boy." Clucking to her horse, she turned him away from Chris's shack.
"Bye, Nettie. Be careful," Chris called as he saw her wave one more time. He waited until she was out of sight before he stepped back inside the shack. Crossing to the stove, he took the bread dough and placed it into the hot oven. Checking his watch, he collected the Robin Hood book and made his way to the bedroom.
Vin opened his eyes the minute he felt Chris's weight sink the other side of the bed.
"Hey," he said softly.
"Hey, yourself." Chris leaned over and kissed Vin solidly on the mouth. Tasting the honey left on Vin's lips, Chris leaned back and licked it off with his tongue. Seeing the look in Vin's eyes, Chris smiled but shook his head. "No chance, cowboy. Not till you're stronger. Look what happened this morning."
Vin reached inside the covers looking for Chris's groin. Chris reached and grabbed it before the supple fingers reached him. "Nope. Ya gotta promise me we'll wait or I"m sleeping on the floor." Seeing the pout on Vin's face, Chris laughed. Ignoring Vin's look, Chris opened his book.
Vin saw his plan wasn't working so he relaxed against the pillows and watched Chris. Settling on his side while easing his injured arm to rest on pillows, Vin snuggled closer to Chris. "Chris, you got that story about the hooded man? You know the one who robbed from the rich to give to the poor?"
Chris looked down at Vin in surprise. "You remember that?"
"I remember most of that one. Some other things. A princess who made things from pumpkins? A family of bears eating oatmeal." Shaking his head, Vin looked up with blue eyes shining at Chris's face. "But mostly I remember a strong deep voice that held me safely and wouldn't let me go. I love that voice." Vin settled his head again and waited.
Looking at the soft auburn hair on the pillow next to his, Chris took up his book and began to read. "The hooded man looked across the small river and saw the largest man he had ever encountered blocking his path..."
The End
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