Page 43 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
“Thank you. It’s so generous of you especially…”
“It’s not your fault. You had no way of knowing. How are they?”
Maddie shook her head and gave a quick report.
“Be assured our prayers are with you.” Olivia handed her the food and departed.
The spicy aroma made Maddie’s mouth flood with saliva. When was the last time she’d eaten? When was the last time she’d given Jonathan something besides a dry biscuit?
She filled two bowls and fed Jonathan as she downed the minestrone soup. The warm food made her sleepy, but she shook off her drowsiness. She steered Jonathan toward the cupboard before she dragged herself back to the sick room.
Ivy’s eyes were closed, and Maddie bent over, watching her chest. When she saw the covers rise and fall, she exhaled with relief which did nothing to undo the knots lodged in her ribs. Otis’s labored breathing informed her that he was alive and fighting for each breath. She’d grown up with only an older brother buthad heard dreadful stories of this disease. How children died of pneumonia, struggling while their parents stood by helplessly. Others were left blind. Some were never right in the head. And she’d brought the disease into this ranch family. She reasoned the children had come in contact on the journey. In a few days, they would know if Kit and Lindy would get ill and how ill they would get.
Time passed without registering as she tended to the children, most of her attention on Otis. She tried to persuade herself he was holding his own, but he struggled so hard to breathe that she sucked in gulps of air as if by so doing she could help him.
Her head fell forward. She jerked back to alertness.
A cool draft raced across the room. She glanced at the window. Had it opened on its own? But the heavy curtains did not move. Footsteps thudded across the floor. Her heart jolted. Was she dreaming? Had Wally come home?
“Maddie!” He planted a hand on her shoulder. “Olivia rushed out the minute I rode in the yard to tell me the children are sick. I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”
Life-affirming warmth flowed from his hand to her heart. No longer was she alone. She gathered up her wits to answer. “Otis is the worst right now.” She paused to listen to his breathing. “You can hear for yourself.”
“I can.” He dragged in a chair from the kitchen andparked it beside her. He held Jonathan on one side. “I found this little guy half asleep on the floor.” Jonathan rested his head on Wally’s shoulder.
“I’ve been neglecting him. I can’t be in two places.”
Wally took her hand and drew her attention to him. “I’m not criticizing you. But now I’m here to help.” He paused as if considering what to do. “When was the last time you or Jonathan had something to eat?”
She blinked, her mind moving sluggishly. “What day is it?”
“Friday.”
“I think we ate today. Olivia brought over soup. Might still be some if you’re hungry.”
“I’ve been eating quite well but I understand you’ve been sitting with this pair day and night.” He shifted Jonathan. “Measles?”
“Yes. I wonder if that’s what Jonathan had when we came.”
“Did he have a rash?”
“Maybe, but I only thought he was flushed.” She choked back a sob that threatened to consume her and resumed sponging Otis. He mumbled but she couldn’t make out what he said.
“Let me do that.” Wally handed Jonathan to her and took the cloth. He tended Otis with such gentleness that her eyes stung. “How long has he been fevered?”
“This is the fourth day.” She leaned close tomurmur for Wally’s ears only. “Long enough to do harm.” High fevers often left children mentally damaged.
“We’ll keep doing the best we can. I need cold water.” He hurried from the room. The pump handle squealed as he filled the basin with water directly from the well. Icy water.
Why hadn’t she thought of that?
Because it seemed extreme.
Wally returned with the basin and several more cloths. He dampened them all, pushed the covers off Otis, then removed his shirt to spread the cold cloths on Otis’s bare skin. He moved at a furious pace. Over and over, repeatedly changing the cloths and getting more water when needed.
Maddie clutched Jonathan as if by doing so she could prevent anything bad from happening.
Wally’s footsteps echoed on the wooden floor as he went to get fresh water.
