“Thank you for telling me. Now I won’t worry when I don’t see you at church.”
Red put his hat on. “Goodbye, Laura.”
“Goodbye, Red. God speed.”
~~~~~
Hawk came out of the stable when Red rode into the lot. “Where’s your lady and her boys? I thought you were bringing them out to see the place today.”
“She gave me the mitten.”
Hawk gave a low whistle. “Mind if I ask what happened?”
Red explained as he unsaddled and rubbed down Ralph. When he was done, he asked, “Is it all right with you if I head up to the line shack for a bit? I’ll check the area for strays. I’ve got some thinking to do, and I’d just as soon do it alone. Alberto can handle anything here, and you can send someone for me if I’m needed.”
“Sure, but I want you to do something while you’re up there. I was going to head that way myself. With you going, I can do some other searching.”
“Whatcha need me to do?”
Hawk explained about the King gang and his work with Sheriff Riverby and the US Marshals. Red was surprised that Hawk had been one himself. He’d never mentioned it before.
“I’ve kept it under my hat so as not to alert the outlaws there’s an experienced Marshall in these parts. I’d appreciate you doing the same. If you catch wind of them, don’t try to apprehend them yourself. You’ll just end up dead. Hightail it back here, and we’ll get up a posse to round ‘em up.”
“Will do. I’m gonna go and pack up my war bag and get Juanita to gather me some airtights, beans, and bacon. Once that’s done, I’ll take Milly as my pack mule and head out on Ralph.”
Hawk laughed. “You really want to take that stubborn ole’ donkey. She’ll give you nothing but fits.”
Red chuckled. “Might teach me a thing or two about women I need to learn.”
“She just might at that.”
~~~~~
Laura looked at Eddie and Mark. They hadn’t eaten their supper well, which was highly unusual. They just sat there. Both boys were listless and slightly flushed. Reaching out, she laid a hand on Mark’s cheek. It was warm.
“Honey, are you feeling okay?” Laura gathered him into her arms from his chair next to her.
“My head hurts.” Mark coughed and looked up at her. His eyes were red and teary.
“How about we get you to bed? Hopefully, you’ll feel better in the morning.” She stood with Mark in her arms. “Eddie, you don’t look like you feel good either.”
Eddie sneezed. “I don’t, Ma. I’m cold.”
She placed her hand on his cheek too. It was hot. “Come on, let’s get you tucked in, too.”
Both boys were hot. She prayed it was just a cold coming on. This time of year always seemed to bring them. Living in the House, and previously the Place, diseases often spread quickly.
After settling the boys, Laura went back downstairs. “Both boys have a fever. Do any of your children seem ill?” she asked when she entered the kitchen. Blanche and Ruth were there, along with Libby.
“I didn’t notice, and no one has complained,” Blanche said. She had four children ranging in age from thirteen down to six.
Ruth’s daughter, Kathryn, brought the last of the supper dishes into the room. “How do you feel, Kathryn?” she asked.
“Fine,” the girl said. “Why?”
Laura told of her boys’ fevers.
“Seth Cutler and Steven Hayes went home from school today, sick. Junior Brooks didn’t look too good after school. He didn’t stay around and pester anybody like he normally does.”
The women all looked at one another. Each knew of someone who had lost children to epidemics. It was too early to tell if this was anything more than simple spring colds, but, with at least two children in the House and three others from school becoming ill on the same day, it just might be the portent of something serious. Laura knew she’d be spending some time praying this evening for health for all those of the House, Stones Creek, and the surrounding ranches.
She got up in the night and went into the bedroom Eddie and Mark shared. Eddie was coughing, and Mark was tossing, tangling his covers around him. Eddie wouldn’t be going to school in the morning.
When she went back into the hall, Blanche was coming down the stairs, a night candle in her hand. “John’s complaining that he doesn’t feel well. His nose is running, and he’s hot. I’m going to get some rags and a basin of water.”
Laura wiped a hand down her face. “I don’t think this is just a spring cold.”
“Neither do I,” Blanche said. Laura watched as she headed down to the first floor, the faint light from the candle fading as she went.
~~~~~
In the morning, both Eddie and Mark were feverish, coughing, had weepy red eyes, and just felt terrible. Laura ran over to the gun shop and told Noah she wouldn’t be doing any laundry today or probably tomorrow. She hoped they only had bad colds, but Laura had a sinking feeling about whatever this illness was.
By the end of the following day, Blanche had called Doc Eli over. His diagnosis; Measles. Along with Laura’s boys, Blanche’s John and Nancy, and Gema were all sick with fevers, coughs, and sneezing. The red rash of measles began appearing. News came to the House that the epidemic was spreading through the children of Stones Creek and the adults who hadn’t had the dreaded disease.
Laura didn’t know if she’d had it since she couldn’t remember. She tended Eddie and Mark as well as Blanche’s two sick ones, Gema also.
The ladies labored bringing beds down to the second floor, and the children were all placed in one room. They were never left alone. If Laura wasn’t there, Libby or Ruth were. Blanche helped when she could after she came home from the café.
Lucy and the twins were sequestered on the third floor in the hopes they wouldn’t be exposed, though no one thought the twins would escape the infection. The ladies were concerned about Lucy, too. She’d not recovered from the shock of the attack on her homestead and death of her husband.
Laura, while not doing laundry for her customers, was kept busy doing it for those who were sick. Daily she did several loads of sheets, towels, rags and night clothes. Surfaces were wiped down with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.
Five days in, Lucy came downstairs holding Arleta. The baby was listless, with a runny nose.
Ruth took the feverish child from her mother. “Lucy, I’ll take care of her. You stay with Jack.”
Lucy nodded and turned to head back up the stairs, took three steps, and collapsed in a heap.
“Libby, Laura,” Ruth called. Libby came out of the sickroom and Laura’s footsteps could be heard running up the stairs. “Lucy’s sick. She didn’t say anything. She just gave me the baby and turned back, then fell unconscious.”
“I’ll run up and get Jack,” Libby said as she mounted the stairs to the third floor.
“We’re going to need the cribs.” Laura was nearly in tears. She was exhausted. All the ladies were who had the care of those who were sick. None of them were getting enough sleep. She was fortunate to be able to just say she wasn’t taking laundry until the epidemic was over. Ruth was still cleaning the bank. Massot had told her she could skip his place until everyone was well. “I’m not sure I have the strength to bring them down. I’m simply too tired.” Laura rubbed her eyes.
“I know,” Ruth said, swaying back and forth as she held Arleta. “I’m not sure any of us could right now.”
Laura knew it wasn’t allowed, but said, “I’m going to get Hank. I know he’s not supposed to be up here, but we need him to move the beds.” Without waiting for a reply, she ran down the steps and out the back door.
~~~~~
Hank had kept an eye on the House ever since he’d heard about the epidemic. He’d made sure the wood box was always filled. He doubted the ladies even knew he was doing it. Not that he cared. He’d never tell them either. Don’t brag about what you do for others, just do what’s right because it’s right. This wa
s right.
He tossed and turned at night, praying for the little ones who were sick. When he heard that the pretty Russian girl had fallen ill, Hank began praying for her, too. There was a light burning in the House all night. Someone was always awake tending those who were ill.
The back door to his building opened and slammed shut. Hank went to the doorway to the hall and saw Laura running toward him. He rushed to her and wrapped his arms around her, fear gripped him. Had one of her boys succumbed?
“Hank, we need help. We’re so tired. Lucy and Arleta are both ill now. We need the cribs brought down from the third floor to the second. We just don’t think we have the strength to do it. Will you help?”
Relief swept over him. As bad as more people coming down with measles was, she hadn’t told him Eddie or Mark had died. “Of course. Let me get my coat. Laura, you should have put one on before you came over. It’s raining.” Hank took in her damp hair and clothing as he flipped the open sign to closed in the shop window. “It was foolish not to. You’ll catch your death.”
They’d gone to the end of the hall, and Hank turned to head up the steps to his apartment. “You stay here. I’ll get my coat and something to cover you.”
“But I need to get back,” she protested.
“No, Laura, wait here. I’ll just be a minute.” Hank hated that his tone was so fierce, but she needed to obey. It was raining even harder now, the sound as it beat on the window told him ice was mixing in with the water droplets. She nodded, and Hank flew up the stairs two at a time.
Laura was leaning against the wall, her hands covering her face, when he jumped down the last four steps. He had his heavy coat on and carried a blanket and oilcloth.
“Here, let me wrap you in these.” Hank pulled her to him and wrapped the thick wool blanket around her shoulders and over her head, tucking the edges into her hands. “Hold this,” he instructed, then he covered her with the oilcloth. “This will keep you dry.”
Pulling her tight against his side, Hank held her close as he opened the back door. He wished they could wait until the storm eased, but knew she would never allow the delay. “Let’s go. Keep hold of me. It might be slick. It’s starting to ice.”
They moved as quickly as they dared across the alley between the buildings. Ice was accumulating on every surface. Hank was careful not to let Laura slip and fall.
They shed their wraps in the washroom, leaving them on the floor as they entered the House. Hurrying through to the stairs and up to the second floor, they found Ruth and Libby trying to pick up Lucy who was still unconscious on the floor.
“Let me. You just tell me where to take her,” Hank said as he bent to pick her up.
“In here,” Laura said. “She can stay in my room. We don’t have beds in the other rooms. Not ones that are ready, anyway.”
“But, Laura,” Ruth began.
“No, I’ll manage. We can get some other bed ready before I sleep. Lucy needs to be close to the other sickrooms.”
“Listen, it will be better if we have Lucy and Gema in the same room.” Ruth took hold of Laura’s shoulders and looked her in the eye. “I’ll let Hank put Lucy in your room until we can get another bed into that room. It gives us time to get her changed into a nightgown, too. Then, he can carry her over. That way you’ll have your room.”
Hank saw Laura’s shoulders slump. “You’re right. I wasn’t thinking. In here, Hank.” She pointed to a doorway.
He carried Lucy in and laid her gently on the coverlet. “Now, what do you need moved?”
Ruth and Libby closed the door behind Laura and Hank, saying they’d get Lucy changed. Soon, Hank was heading to the upper floor to bring two cribs down.
When he brought the first one into the large room they’d converted into a sick ward, Hank frowned. It was dim as the curtains were drawn tightly closed to keep the daylight from hurting the eyes of the sick.
The way the room was arranged wouldn’t handle one more bed, let alone two cribs. He set the crib down in the hall. The two babies were on the floor. One lay curled on a blanket while the other sat sucking his thumb.
“I’m going to need to do some rearranging. There’s no room.”
Laura looked at him then at the beds. “You’re right.” She started to go in, but he stopped her.
“You get the babies out of here. I can’t be tripping over them.”
It wasn’t long before Hank had rearranged the beds, end to end along the walls with the cribs in the middle. The space was crowded but would work. He’d placed a small table at the end of each crib allowing the ladies to have the supplies they needed nearby.
Hank stopped at each bedside after he was done and knelt, speaking to the occupant. That each child was quite ill was apparent. An angry red rash covered each face. Lips were cracked with fever. Sweat matted hair, and eyes were red.
Eddie and Mark’s appearance clenched his heart. He knew them best, had come to love them. Losing either one didn’t bear thinking about.
“Hey, buddy. You can’t be shirking your duty. I’ve got combs to clean and floors to be swept. There’s hair this deep.” Hank held his hand waist high.
Eddie gave a weak grin. “I’ll get to it real soon.”
“You do that.” Hank touched Eddie’s cheek with a gentle finger. “Rest and get better.”
Moving to Mark’s bed, Hank fought back tears. Mark’s eyes were nearly swollen shut. He was coughing weakly. “Hey, cowboy.” Hank caressed Mark’s cheek. It was hot and rough from the rash. Heartened by the slight smile Mark gave him, Hank continued. “You get better real fast. I know when Red comes back, he’s going to want to take you to the ranch and teach you to ride.”
“You think so?” Mark asked.
“Yeah, I do. I’ve known Red a long time. He’s a good cowboy. He’ll keep his promise.”
Mark nodded.
“Hank.” Laura’s voice had him rising to turn to her. “We need a bed moved so we can get Lucy settled.”
“Right.” He patted Mark on the shoulder and took one last survey of the occupants of the beds he’d moved before going to do as requested.
~~~~~
“You don’t have to help with this,” Laura protested as Hank hauled yet another bucket of water.
“Stop telling me what I don’t have to do. I know that. I want to. Despite what I told Eddie about waist high hair clippings on my floor, business has been slow since the epidemic started. This is a way I can help.”
Laura watched as he poured the water into the boiler. She had several loads of wash that needed to be done. It seemed that children’s stomachs didn’t handle fever and food all that well.
They now had six sick children, two of them one-year-olds who needed constant attention, and two of the ladies. Libby had taken on the care of the twins, leaving the rest to Laura, Ruth, and Blanche, when she could get away from the café. Fortunately, Blanche, Almeda, and Chloe brought meals which removed the burden of cooking, but the dishes still needed to be washed.
They kept water going for tea all the time, trying to be careful not to let the pot run dry. Broth was warm in a kettle ready to pour into a cup to quench thirst and soothe throats.
Laura watched Hank head back out in the rain. It hadn’t stopped in the hours since they ran across from the barbershop, though the ice had stopped and was melting. The alley and backyard were muddy messes.
Hank was doing so much to help her and the rest of the House occupants. He’d moved beds, carried Lucy, who was still unconscious, from one room to the other, gathered up laundry and brought it downstairs. Now, he was helping with the upkeep of the House.
The wood box was full. Laura was sure Hank had been keeping it so. She’d certainly never thought about it when she went to get wood for any of the stoves.
Tears flooded and threatened to overflow. Hank was so very good. He was so gentle as he’d moved the beds around. Sometimes he had to pick up the sick child and place them on another bed while he moved theirs. She could see hi
s lips moving as he worked. He was praying, she just knew it. Praying for each child.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Lucy’s awake. She’s asking for you, Libby.” Ruth touched Libby’s shoulder, waking her as she sat in the sickroom.
“What time is it?” Libby rubbed the sleep from her eyes. The room was dark, lit only by the lantern set low.
“Just after three. Libby, she’s worse. Worse than any of the others. Gema seems to be getting better. I know she came down with measles several days earlier, but she was never as sick as Lucy is.”
Rising, Libby hugged Ruth. “Pray, that’s all we can do. Will you stay here? They seem quiet, but you never know when the crisis will come.”
“Of course.” Ruth hugged Libby and released her to go to the other sickroom.
Gema was curled on her side, asleep, facing the other way. Lucy lay on her back, her eyes closed. Libby sat in the chair set close to the bed.
“Lucy, how are you, dear?”
“Libby, I need you to promise me something.” Lucy’s words were barely over a whisper. “I want you to take care of my Arleta and Jack. I need to know you’ll love them like I do.”
“Oh, Lucy.”
“Please, I can’t die without knowing they’ll be loved like Silas and I did.”
“Don’t say that. You’ll recover. Fight. Please.” Tears started to slip down Libby’s face. “Don’t give up.”
“No, Libby. I’m not going to make it. I have no fight in me. I can’t even fight for the twins.” She paused, took a deep breath, and then coughed. “I’m giving them to you.” Lucy raised a hand. Libby took hold of it. “I want you to adopt them. Make them yours.” She stopped again turning her head to look at Libby in the dim light of a candle sitting on the nightstand. “I know you love them. I can tell.” Another deep breath and cough. “Sell the homestead. All the property. Maybe there will be…” Lucy took another breath. “Maybe enough to live on. I don’t know.”
“Lucy…”
Lucy shook the hand she held that was lying on the bed. “Promise me. I can’t die peacefully until I know the twins will be cared for and loved.”
Laundry Lady's Love Page 13
