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Ok here it is such as it is. I"m sorry it seems a bit rushed, but I wanted to get it to a good enough place that I can leave it for a bit. Unless I get a wild hare and decided to add more to it I have decided to take a sabbatical, I need a good long break. If y'all want to keep going your free to do so but I have run out of gas. And will be taking a leave from writing for a bit. I've left my other two RPG groups, V The Unseen Resistance I have put on hiatus and Planet of the Apes I left the group. It just seems the longer it takes for posts and the more the story drags the less interested I get in it and it's hard to write. I feel like my muse is just old and tired.? So I am taking a break .? I'll just be leaving Josiah,Vin and Cheyanne where they are for the time being.
Have a great day y'all any comments or concerns feel free to email me off list.
Until we meet again
Linda


Josiah:Part two

Belle hurried from the telegraph office back to Nathans. Most of Josiah’s friends had gone for the time being choosing to wait elsewhere. She pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders more out of uneasiness than cold. She tapped lightly on the door to Nathans room and wondered if it would be Nathan or Cheyanne that would answer. She was relieved when Nathan appeared in the doorway.

“How is he?” she asked in a small unsteady voice

“He’s holden his own m’am” Nathan answered giving her a hopeful smile.

Belle took in a heavy breath then slowly let it out “Would it be possible for me to see him?”

Nathan thought for a moment before he answered “I suppose so, but he he’s still unconscious ma’am”

“I promise I won’t stay long, please Mr. Jackson” she begged “I need to see him”

Nathan hesitated then nodded giving his permission and moved aside to let her enter.

Belle entered the small room and going over to Josiah’s bedside she sat on the chair next to where he lay, tears trickled down her cheeks as she reached over and gently took his hand.

“I’m so sorry Josiah, if you hadn’t been protecting me none of this would have happened.”

Josiah slowly stirred, his eyes began to open and he tried to smile when he beheld the woman he was beginning to care for “Belle” his voice weak and raspy.

“Hush don’t try to talk,” she answered holding back her emotion.

“Not, yo-ur f-fault.”

“Shh” Belle insisted “Rest now.” She looked over at Nathan.

“That bullets still in there Josiah,” Nathan told him “You got to stay still, no more talking, We sent for the doctor,”

Josiah looked over at Nathan, “An-nie”

“I expect her any minuet. Now will you take it easy; you need your strength.”

“Vin- ne-need- to ta-talk to- Vin” he queried <>

“He’s gone for the doctor, lay stay still now” Nathan repeated more strongly “I don’t want that wound to start bleeding again”

After giving Nathan a weak nod that he understood Josiah attempted to speak again then closed his eyes and mercifully lost consciousness.

Belle tenderly set his hand down and bent over and kissed his cheek.

“I’ll be back to check on him later.” She told Nathan and with one last look to Josiah she quietly left.

**

Cheyanne raced from the church back to Nathans arriving Just as Belle reached the bottom of the stairs. Their eyes met for only a moment before Cheyanne scurried passed flashing a vile glare Belles way as she rushed up the stair way.

*

Quietly Cheyanne opened the door to Nathans room and went inside. Her eyes immediately fell on the wounded Josiah. Her worry unmistakably written in her furrowed brow.

“He came to a few minutes ago, he was asking for you.” Nathan offered

Cheyanne slowly went over to where her benefactor lay sleeping. She knelt by the bedside and took his hand. “I am here Josiah.”

She stayed for a long moment there at his side until finally she stood going over to the bundle shed brought with her she began to unravel it.

Nathan watched as Cheyanne unwrapped the small bundle she had brought with her and set the contents out on the table. He’d seen her do this once before When her Friend Emma had been shot, he stayed quiet and looked on as she began her ceremony.

She lit the bundle of sweet grass and gently blew on the glowing embers until the smoke rose from the bowl using her hand she softly waved the smoke over first her heart, then her head and around her shoulders. She reached over and from her bundle of objects retrieved two feathers and began using them to fan the smoke from the smoldering herbs inside the bowl around the room and over Josiah as she spoke in her Cheyenne language.“Great spirit I ask not for myself but for this man who would be my father. Give his spirit peace, give his body strength to heal.”

**Later**

The hours seemed to tick bye slower than normal. Cheyanne had taken up vigil at Josiah’s bed side. The smell of sweet grass and sage still lingered in the small room from the healing ceremony she’d done earlier. The sun had given into the darkness and Nathan lit the oil lamp in the corner of the room before settling into the chair on the opposite side of Josiah’s bed to better watch over his patient.

A knock at the door broke the unending silence and Nathan quickly moved from his chair to the door and opened it reveling the familiar form of Shawna Larrabee.

“I brought you both some food” she said softly “I thought you might be hungry.”

“Yes ma’am” Nathan smiled as he reached for the tray. “Thank You”

Shawna returned his smile “it’s the least I could do.” Her smile gave way to a more solemn <>expression

“How is Josiah doing?”

“well” Nathan glanced back at his friend still lying motionless in his bed, then returned his gaze to his guest. “He’s hanging in there, how I don’t know, but he is.”

“And Cheyanne?”

Nathan tipped his head and shrugged “As well as to be expected I suppose.”

“Would you mind if I spoke with her?” Shawna asked looking over to her friend who had yet to acknowledge her presence.

“I guess that’d be alright, maybe you could get her to eat something.”

“I can do that.” Shawna smiled as she followed Nathan inside.

Stepping inside Shawna set the tray on the small table just inside the door then made her way over to Cheyanne.

“Hello Cheyanne?” she greeted her simply “I brought you something to eat.”

Cheyanne looked up at her and braved a small smile. “I am not hungry”

“You have to eat something, please, I’ll sit with Josiah while you have some dinner.”

Again Cheyanne refused

Shawna knelt in front of her friend then put a comforting hand on hers.

“Listen” she began gently “I know how worried and frightened you must be, but you can’t take care of Josiah if you are to weak to take care of yourself. Now Please, have something to eat.”

Finally giving in Cheyanne gave her a small nod. She didn’t eat much but enough to satisfy Nathan and Shawna.

Shawna picked up the tray after they had finished then looked to Nathan “If either of you needs anything don’t hesitate to call on me” she offered

Nathan opened the door for her “Thank You, I think right now all that’s needed are prayers.” He said solemnly.

Shawna managed a smile before she nodded in agreement and left.

**

Sometime during the night Nathan had fallen asleep in the chair. He had made a bedroll For Cheyanne on the floor but she could not sleep. Instead she kept watch at Josiah’s side, dosing off once or twice only to awaken again with renewed vigilance.

****

Belle wrapped the quilt from her bed snugly around her as she walked over to her bedroom window pulled back one side of the curtains and looked out. The sun had set hours ago, the town was quiet and still she could not sleep. Her thoughts were on Josiah, She prayed silently that her father had gotten her telegram and that the doctor would make it here in time to save Josiah’s life.

A sudden Thunderous rapping at her door down stairs broke the peaceful silence of the late-night startling her so that an involuntary scream ripped from her lips. She momentarily felt cemented in her spot until the pounding came again. A horrendous fear flowed through her body and the first thing that came to mind was that something had happened to Josiah. Willing herself to move Belle raced from her room and rushed to the front door of her store. She quickly removed the lock and chain took in a deep breath calming herself before she slowly opened the door.

“Sorry to wake you Miss Chandler” Jase Redman the telegraph operator apologized He was clad only in his pants, boots and undershirt with one suspender over his shoulder and the other hanging loosely. It was clear he had just gotten out of bed.

“But this just came in from a Colonel Chandler and it said Urgent.” He went on as he handed her the telegram.

Belle took the folded paper from him and quickly opened it.

/*Camped outside of Blue Creek. stop. received your telegram. Dr Adams on his way, will meet your rider on the trail. Stop.See you in a few days. All my Love Dad . Stop*/

Belle clutched the note to her chest, closed her eyes and heaved a heavy a sigh of relief. “He’s coming, Thank God he’s coming”

A smile crossed her lips as she thanked Jase and closed the door then returned to her room to dress. There would be no sleep for her tonight and She wanted to get over to Nathans and give him the good news as soon as possible.

*

The sun was just barely starting to rise as Cheyanne reached over and felt Josiah’s head. He felt warm, fever was a sign of infection and her concern grew. Going over to Nathans workstation she mixed more of the herbs and medicine to make a poultice in hopes that it would help to bring the infection out. As she finished and began to remove the old bandage and apply a new one Josiah’s eyes slowly opened. He gave her a weak smile “Annie”

Cheyanne managed a small smile of her own “Yes Josiah, you must not speak, save your strength”

“Vin?” he asked taking in a deep breath. Every word he spoke was a struggle.

“He has not yet returned” she answered him as she finished with his bandage. “Lay quiet”

Nathan woke and rubbed his neck. Sleeping in the chair had not been a restful sleep. He had been up several times during the night to check on his patient. Since Cheyanne had refused the bedroll he had taken the opportunity to get a couple hours of more soothing sleep. Unfortunately, his concern for his friend had ultimately hindered his rest. That and Belle had come by late last night to give them the news that her father’s surgeon was on his way.

Going over to Josiah he felt the warmth of his head and looked at Cheyanne clearly troubled, she met his gaze with the same expression.

It was the sound of horses outside and rushed footsteps clambering up the stairs that took their attention toward the door. There was a soft knock and the door slowly opened.It was Vin and at his side an older man in a cavalry uniform. But unlike the others she had seen this man carried with him the familiar black bag she had often seen doctors with.

“This here’s Doctor Adams” Vin quickly introduced the stranger with him “Miss Bells fathers private surgeon.”

Doctor Adams waisted no time in going over to Josiah and examining him then at once began insisting on the things he needed with an urgency in his tone that meant business.

“And taker her out of here” he continued “You” he looked at Nathan “You’re the healer I was told about?”

He glanced at Vin before he answered and Vin gave him a quick nod

“Yes sir, Nathan Jackson”

“Fine, I’ll need your help, I need more light can you find more lanterns and pull those curtains back.” Doctor Adams ordered

Nathan smiled hopefully and quickly began doing what the Doctor asked.

“Vin” Josiah’s weak and raspy voice called to his friend

Vin stepped over to the bed next to Cheyanne

“The doc here’s going to fix you up Josiah, don’t you worry about a thing”

Josiah reaches over and took Vins hand, he reaches for Cheyanne with the other as she in turn reached over and took his hand in hers.

“If..I” Josiah began still struggling for his words “don..Don’t make, it. Annie, you Ta take.. care of..her, she’ll be.. alone, wi will need,,you.”

“Awe com on Josiah don’t talk like that, your gonna make it”

Josiah weekly shook his head “P Promise, Promise me”

The Doctor continued to set up his instruments then looked over at Vin

“If you two don’t get out of here you will most definitely will end up being this girls guardian, do as he asks and let me try to save this man.”

Vin turned to Josiah, “You know I’ll look after her, no matter what happens, I promise you Josiah, she won’t ever be alone.”

With that Vin took hold of Cheyanne’s shoulders “Come on, Blaze could use some lookin after,”

Cheyanne tried refusing to leave but with some encouragement Vin managed to get her out the door.

***

Belle had been busying herself in the store just after dawn when she heard the horses ride in. There had been no time for pleasantries as she saw Vin and the Doctor ride straight for Nathans. She longed to go over there herself and offer her services but she was unsure of Cheyanne’s reaction. So she kept to herself and tried to keep her mind on her work. Still she worried and she prayed.

***

Vin and Cheyanne lead Blaze back to the barn. And tended to him. The horse was exhausted but he had “ran with heart.” As Vin had put it. Cheyanne and Vin worried that it had been too much for the paint. And although he had lost a shoe and was favoring his left front leg. All in all he seemed not so worse for the ware.

***

It was hours after their return to Nathans before Doctor Adams finally emerged from the room followed by Nathan with a towel as he dried his freshly washed hands.

A crowd had gathered as they waited for news. Chris, Ezra, JD and Buck had all made an appearance to check on the wellbeing of their friend and partner.

Doctor Adams said nothing as he leaned against the railing and took in a heavy breath of fresh air and surveyed the town. He turned looking into the faces of those who stood and waited for him to speak. Cheyanne, the Indian girl he’d been told was his patients ward, looked especially worried and fearful.

Chris never one for waiting looked over at the healer “Nathan?”

“He’s alive” Nathan finally confirmed “He’s lost a lot of blood but he made it through the surgery”

Sighs of relief seemed to emanate from those standing there.

“He’s a strong man” Doctor Adams finally spoke “It’s the infection that has me worried. But he’s a fighter. I’ll give him that.”

“That he is” Chris stated with a smile as he started for the stairs. He was in need of a drink. The waiting had drudged up an ample thirst.