by Marla Monroe
“Looks like it’s going to watch over her, as well,” Bryson said.
“As long as it doesn’t wake her up or get near her leg. I want to see how the wound looks but I’m afraid it will disturb her.”
“She’s sleeping pretty soundly. We’d better make sure it isn’t festering.”
“Lift up one corner, and I’ll check it. We don’t have to take the towel all the way off.”
Bryson carefully lifted it on one corner while Mason peered underneath. The wound didn’t look bad. It was red and inflamed but didn’t look to be filled with pus or infection. The bleeding had stopped, but the doc had said that the bleeding had been a good thing at first by forcing some of the poison from her wound so that less of it could make its way into her bloodstream. But seeing all that blood had scared him. It reminded him that the planet they were on was dangerous and fraught with creatures they knew very little about. They could have lost her before they’d really gotten to know her.
“She seems to be resting well. I’m glad she isn’t suffering,” Bryson said.
“I’m going to go downstairs and fix some soup for when she wakes up. She’ll need to eat to keep up her strength.”
“I’m here. I won’t leave her side.” Bryson pulled the club chair closer to the bed and sat.
“Call me if she wakes up before I get back.”
Mason clapped the other man on the shoulder then walked downstairs to the kitchen. He searched the pantry and freezer before settling on some cubed beef to make a broth. He found an onion and cut it up to brown with the meat before putting it all in a boiler to simmer.
He looked out the window at the dead carcass of the dorrie. Evidently, the bunnycat had made short work of the creature. Mason walked outside and found the shovel from the shed then scooped up the dead animal to carry it outside the fence line to bury it. He didn’t want it anywhere close to their Randi again. Dead or not, it could still be poisonous. He wasn’t taking any chances where her wellbeing was concerned.
Maybe Tinker could stay after all. It seemed to be protective of Randi, and that was a good thing since they weren’t always going to be right there to protect her. She’d need to learn to depend on the creature’s hints when danger was near. He was sure Randi had been right, and the bunnycat had been trying to warn her of the dorrie’s presence.
As much as I don’t like the thing in the house, Randi’s happiness is all that matters. I can live with it.
He’d live with just about anything to see her smile and listen to her laughter. She was fast becoming the most important person in this new world to him. He was sure Bryson felt the same way. Listening to her scream when they’d made her come had made him feel ten feet tall. He couldn’t wait to do it again.
Mason checked the stew. It was simmering fine, but he added a little more water before covering to go check on Randi. He doubted she’d be awake this soon, but he wanted to see her for himself. He’d spell Bryson, and let him check on the stew.
“How’s she doing?” he asked when he walked into the room.
“Sleeping. No change. She still doesn’t appear to be in any pain.”
“Good. Why don’t you take a break? You can check on the stew I left on the stove. I’ll watch her for a while.”
Bryson stood and stretched. “Thanks. I hate to leave her in case she wakes up. Call me if she does.”
“I will. She needs the rest though.” Mason took the chair when Bryson walked away.
“I’ll be right downstairs if you need me.”
“No problem. Don’t forget the stew.”
Mason leaned forward and propped his elbows on his knees as he watched Randi’s chest rise and fall in a smooth rhythm. It settled him to see that she wasn’t in any distress. The doc had assured him that the medication he’d given her would prevent any complications. Thank goodness, they’d been prepared for something like this. Those who’d come before had been the guinea pigs, but they’d learned from their mishaps.
Someone had to have been bitten by a dorrie in the past in order for them to have the medicine now. He would make sure they got a replacement for what he’d used as soon as he felt comfortable leaving her with Bryson. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the other man to watch over her, it was just that he didn’t want to leave her until she woke up and he could see that she was going to be fine.
The bunnycat lifted his head and licked Randi’s hand before settling once again. Randi didn’t react to the creature’s movement. It appeared to be as worried as he and Bryson were. Once she woke up, he’d go check around the fence line to figure out how the damn creature had gotten in to bite Randi. They’d walked the fence line at the beginning of the week. Maybe they needed to walk it every day to be sure nothing made it inside again.
He sighed. They’d make it one of their daily rituals and take turns doing it. He’d contact the others to tell them what had happened and warn them to walk their fence lines, as well, once Randi woke up. Until then, he wasn’t leaving her side unless Bryson was there to take over.
They’d come so close to losing her. If she’d been unable to reach them, she might have died out in the garden all alone. From now on, she needed to keep one of the portable radios with her at all times. Something like this could have turned into a horrible tragedy. He wasn’t about to take anything for granted again. They’d assumed they were all safe with the fence surrounding them. Hell, they were fenced inside a fence.
I’m sorry, babe. I shouldn’t have let myself slack off on checking everything. It cost you, and I’m so damn sorry.
Mason reached out to touch her hand but hesitated. He didn’t want to wake her. Instead, he sat back and didn’t take his eyes off her until Bryson returned an hour later. Together they kept up the vigil waiting for her to wake up.
Chapter Eight
Randi opened her eyes to find Bryson sitting next to her on a chair. She looked over to her left to see what was on her hand and smiled. Tinker was okay. She was okay. Thank God. She’d had a terrible dream that the dorrie had killed Tinker and she’d lost her leg.
Her leg!
She sat up so fast Bryson nearly tumbled out of the chair to grab her.
“Whoa, hon. You’ll hurt yourself.”
“My leg. Is it okay?” she demanded.
“It’s fine. You’re going to have a scar, but it’ll be fine.”
“I had this horrible dream that I lost it.”
Bryson frowned, a line forming between his brows. “Don’t worry, Randi. We took care of you. Nothing happened to your leg. You need to rest though. Let me get Mason. He’s been worried sick over you. He and I’ve been taking turns sitting with you all night.”
“I’m sorry I’ve caused you so much trouble.” Randi hated being a burden on anyone.
“You did nothing of the sort. You scared us, that’s all.” Bryson walked over to the door and called out. “Mason. She’s awake.”
From the sound of the clomps on the stairs, the other man was racing up them two at a time. Mason burst into the room and hurried over to where she now sat up against the headboard with two pillows behind her for support.
“How do you feel?” he asked.
“I’m fine. My head is a little woozy, but I think it’s from sleeping so hard.”
“The medication combined with the bite did that. Doc said you’d sleep ten or twelve hours,” he said. “I’ve got stew ready. We can warm it up as soon as you feel up to eating. You need to keep up your strength while your leg heals.”
“I don’t feel like eating yet. What I’d really like to do is have something to drink. My mouth feels like I’ve been eating cotton all night.”
“I’ll get you something to drink,” Bryson said before rushing from the room.
“I’m really sorry I scared you guys. I never saw the dorrie until it attacked me. How did it get inside the fence?” she asked.
“It was too dark to check by the time I felt comfortable leaving you long enough to find out. I’ll be combing the fe
nce line today and figuring that out. We won’t let it happen again. From now on Bryson or I will be checking that fence every day.”
Randi smiled. “It wasn’t your fault. We know we’re on a strange planet with dangerous animals. There’s no way to prepare for everything.”
“Yeah, well we shouldn’t have just assumed that we had everything under control. It won’t happen again, babe.” Mason squeezed her hand.
Randi ran her hand over the bunnycat that had climbed into her lap as soon as she’d set up. It made the cutest mewling noise that was a cross between a purr and a growl. It sounded like the stuttering engine of the plow.
“Stinker stays with you at all times when you’re outside. If it acts suspicious, head inside immediately. Got it?” Mason asked.
“Tinker tried to warn me, but I didn’t understand what he was doing. I know better now. Don’t worry. First sign that he’s agitated, and I’m out of there.” Randi couldn’t stop the grin that formed at the bastardized version of the cute little bunnycat’s name from Mason.
“Good girl.” Mason looked up when Bryson returned with a glass of posco tea.
Randi accepted the glass of tea and smiled at Bryson. “Thanks.”
She sipped at the cool drink, relieved at how it cut the nasty taste in her mouth. She’d been thirstier than she’d thought. Randi drained the glass. She wanted more but hated to ask Bryson to go back downstairs. Mason seemed to tell that she was still thirsty. He took the empty glass from her.
“I’ll get you some more. You’re bound to be thirsty after sleeping for so long.”
“I should have brought up the pitcher. I didn’t think about it,” Bryson said.
“No problem. I’ve got it.” Mason walked out of the room, leaving Randi and Bryson alone.
“Thanks for looking after me. I hate you guys were up all night though. You’re bound to be exhausted.”
“We’re fine. We’ll catch a nap later. All that matters is that you’re better. We were worried.”
“I know. I’m going to be fine. Right now, I need to get up though.”
Bryson jumped up and caught her hand when she tried to sit on the edge of the bed.
“You don’t need to get out of bed yet, hon. It’s too soon.”
“I need to go to the bathroom. I have to get up to do that.” Randi was sure her face was a bright shade of red considering how warm her cheeks felt.
“Oh. I’ll help you. I don’t want you to put any weight on that leg yet.” Bryson had just helped her to her feet when Mason walked in.
“What is she doing out of bed?” he demanded.
“I need to use the bathroom. Bryson’s helping me.” Randi sighed at having to say it again.
“Bryson, carry her. I don’t want her walking yet,” Mason said.
“I’ve got her.” Bryson swung her up into his arms and strode to the bathroom, depositing her directly in front of the commode. “Call me when you’re ready to come back.”
Randi sighed but nodded. She quickly took care of business then washed her hands by hopping over to the sink. She called out that she was ready and waited for Bryson to carry her back to bed. Mason waited for them with her glass of tea in his hand.
“Thanks. I was thirsty.” She sipped more slowly on it than before.
“Think you could eat something now?” Mason asked.
“Maybe. Can I go downstairs? I’m sick of the bed.”
Bryson and Mason exchanged looks. Mason spoke up.
“We’ll carry you down to eat, but you can’t use your leg until tomorrow. You need to make sure it’s healing so you don’t do any more damage to it.”
“Thanks. I have a feeling I’ll be ready to take a nap after the stew,” she said.
“Bryson, why don’t you heat some up for her, and I’ll carry her downstairs.” Mason took the glass of tea from her and handed it to the other man.
“Do you have to carry me?” Randi asked. “I’m bound to be heavy.”
“You’re not heavy at all, babe. I’m not taking a chance with you.” He bent down and scooped her into his arms as if she didn’t weigh a pound. “Hold on to my neck.”
He made short work of the stairs and deposited her on the couch with a pillow behind her back and one under her ankle to lift her leg some. He fussed with the pillow until he had it like he wanted it. Randi couldn’t believe how careful both men had been with her. They acted as if they more than cared about her. How many men went to this much trouble for a woman they barely knew?
Okay. They know me pretty damn well considering they’ve had their hands and mouths all over me. I know that I care more than a little bit about them, but love? Isn’t it too soon for that?
Randi smiled up at Mason. He stood next to the couch as if he had nothing else in the world to do.
“You don’t have to stand over me. Go sit down. I’ll call if I need anything. I promise I won’t get up without one of you with me,” she said.
“I’ll go see if Bryson needs help with the stew. Stay on the couch,” he said.
She shook her head at the man. Before she could comment, Tinker jumped up on the arm of the couch near her feet. He cocked his head then picked his way down the length of the cushions to curl up on her lap.
“Sorry I didn’t understand what you were trying to tell me, Tinker. I’ll listen better next time. I’m so glad you weren’t hurt. I dreamed you got killed. It scared me.”
“Talking to the bunnycat, are you? As long as it doesn’t start talking back then it’s okay,” Bryson told her.
He shooed the creature off her lap and placed a tray there with a bowl of stew and a piece of her homemade bread covered with stone berry jam. Mason followed him in and set a fresh glass of posco tea on the coffee table next to her.
“Thanks, guys. This looks good.”
“Mason made it. If it isn’t, it’s his fault.” Bryson’s face stretched into a wide grin.
“You warmed it up,” Mason reminded him.
Randi sipped the hot liquid and swallowed. She smiled. “It’s good.”
Both men looked relieved. She nearly burst out laughing at the look on their faces when she continued eating. They were so cute. She sobered. They’d been worried about her. She wasn’t going to tease them over the stew. It really was good, and she was starved.
* * * *
“It’s been four days. My leg is doing fine. In fact, it’s healing remarkably fast. Obviously whatever cell that we have from the planet helps with healing.”
Randi was tired of being cooped up in the house with one of the guys always watching her. She wanted to get back outside working in the garden. There was no reason for them to keep her vegetating on the couch any longer.
“You can go outside for a couple of hours. Then we’ll see how you’re doing. If you get too tired, you’re going back inside,” Mason said.
“Honestly, you guys are taking this too far,” she told them.
“You could have died, hon. Forgive us if we’re a little protective of you.” Bryson pulled her into his arms.
“Overprotective is more like it,” she mumbled into his shirt.
Mason chuckled. “You can complain all you want to, but you’ve enjoyed us waiting on you hand and foot.”
“Maybe.” She pushed back from Bryson’s chest. “Now I’m ready to get back to work. I’ve had my rest.”
“Like we said. Half a day unless you get tired. Then you’re going back inside to rest.” Mason shook a finger at her. “If you aren’t careful, I’ll put you back on bed rest.”
“You wouldn’t.” Randi narrowed her eyes at him.
“Don’t try me, squirt,” he said.
Randi smiled but didn’t say another word. She really wanted outside before she went stir crazy. She followed Bryson out the back door. She couldn’t believe how much the plants had grown. It looked more like two weeks instead of the four and a half days it had been since she’d last been outside. At least the guys had been keeping up with the weeding. Sadly enou
gh, the weeds grew just as fast as the vegetables did.
“Go slow, babe. Remember it’s hotter out here than you realize.” Mason handed her a hoe, and he took another one.
Bryson grabbed a spade and walked to the opposite end of the garden on the far row to start. Randi felt so much better doing something instead of sitting on the couch or in her chair. There was only so much inactivity she could handle. Even her beloved books couldn’t distract her. This was what she’d needed.
After an hour, she could tell that her strength wasn’t quite up to speed. She slowed down but felt the effects of the sun and her recent illness. Two hours later, she told the guys she was going inside to get a drink and would bring them both something back when she returned. She didn’t miss their smirks but chose to ignore them.
When she walked out thirty minutes later, it was to meet them coming out of the garden.
“We were getting worried,” Bryson said.
“Sorry. I had to go to the bathroom then stir up some more tea. We’ve drunk a lot of it lately. I guess it’s the hot weather,” Randi told them.
“Ready to call it a day?” Mason asked her.
“Not yet. I want to work another couple of hours. We can’t let the weeds get a head start on us. They’ll take over the garden,” she told them.
“Another hour, then you’re going inside while Bryson and I finish up the morning. We’ll rest and tackle the rest of it after a couple of hours break around lunch.” Mason cupped her cheek. “Don’t try to argue. You’ve been sick, Randi. You need to take it easy while you’re building your strength back.”
“Okay. You’re probably right. I hate sitting around though. I’ll fix lunch for us when I come back inside.”
She was more than ready to get out of the sun forty-five minutes later. She told the guys she was done and strode inside with Tinker following close on her heels. The little bunnycat hadn’t let her out of his sight all morning. It had followed her upstairs, but she’d shut it out of the bathroom. He hadn’t liked it and made all sorts of noises until she’d emerged a few minutes later.
Now, as she put together sandwiches for the men, the creature lay curled up under the table taking a nap. When she opened the pantry door to get a jar of tomatoes to start supper with, he looked up, ears twitching until he realized she wasn’t going anywhere. Then he lowered his head and continued with his nap.
