Page 130 of The Enchanted Land

“That, Mrs. Colter, I don’t know. I’ve seen a couple of these cases, but not many. A lot of people think it’s some kind of tick bite, but no one knows for sure.”

Morgan sighed. It didn’t matter what the cause was, just the cure. “What do we do now? How do we make him well?”

“There’s not much I know to do, really. If the boy’s healthy, he’ll fight it off. But if not, then you ought to prepare yourself.”

She smiled at the doctor. Her hearing wasn’t working at all. Through the mist, she heard Seth’s voice.

“There’s absolutely nothing we can do?”

“Try to get some liquids down him. And pray. That’s all anyone can do. He’ll probably have diarrhea soon, and he’ll need to replenish the water he loses.”

The fog was beginning to clear. What did he mean, “prepare yourself”? The doctor was leaving. She pulled away from Seth. “You can’t leave! My baby is sick. He needs you! You have to help him.”

The doctor’s eyes were sad. He looked up at Seth as the big man took his wife’s shoulders in his hands. At Seth’s silent nod, he left the room. God! he thought, there were times when he hated his job.

Her voice was high, rising higher. “He can’t do anything? My baby is sick and he can’t do anything? He says to prepare myself.”

Seth’s fingers bit into her shoulders. “Listen to me. Adam is sick, very sick. He needs you. You can’t indulge yourself in hysterics now. Do you hear me? Adam needs you.”

“Yes.” Her chin came up. “Adam needs me.”

“Now the doctor said to try to get some liquids into him, and that’s what we’re going to do. Adam knows you best of all and he trusts you. You’ll feed him.”

“Feed him, yes.”

“I’m going to the kitchen to tell Roselle, and when I come back, I want you in that chair and quiet. Adam needs his mother now, not some crazy woman tearing her hair. Do you understand?”

“Yes. Adam needs his mother.”

Morgan sat obediently by Adam’s bedside. Carol entered. “I’m sure he’ll be all right, Mrs. Colter. My little brother has fevers all the time, but he always gets well.”

Morgan tried to smile at the girl.

Seth returned carrying a steaming bowl of beef broth. “I’ll hold him up while you feed him.”

Adam’s eyes hardly fluttered when Seth lifted him. Seth was shocked by the incredible heat emanating from the child’s body. He felt so fragile in Seth’s arms. He opened his eyes when the warm spoon touched his lips. He swallowed and then his eyes screwed together in pain as the liquid went down his throat. He moaned in agony. He turned away from the spoon his mother held and looked at her in question. Why did she want to cause him pain?

“It hurts him, Seth. He can’t eat it.”

“Try again.” Adam kept his lips sealed, refusing more of the broth. Seth lowered him. “We’ll try again later.”

Carol came into the room carrying clean towels and a basin of warm water. She also held diapers. Seth stared at the diapers. Adam hadn’t worn them in months.

His mother and father bathed the fevered child and changed his gown. Then they sat down to wait. There was nothing else to do.

The house was silent. No one made any loud noises. Morgan bathed her son’s face continually. Roselle brought food, but neither parent touched it. They watched their son, locked together in one purpose.

“I feel so helpless, Seth, I just don’t know what to do. Adam has always been such a sweet child. Everyone has always loved him. The only time he’s ever selfish is when someone threatens his food. Now—” She wiped a tear from her eye. “—now he can’t eat.”

“Morgan!” Seth’s voice held a warning. “I don’t know what to do. If only there were something … someone…”

He dropped his head onto his hands, his elbows on his knees. “I never know what to do. I nearly died once, when Montoya shot me. Lupita said I had a fever for two weeks. She said…” He stopped and looked up at Morgan. “Lupita,” he whispered. He stood up. “Lupita!” He shouted her name. “I’ll go get her. Lupita will save my boy. I know she will. I’ll get her.”

Morgan ran to her husband. Here, at last, was hope. “Can you do it, Seth? Can you get her here soon? It took us two days to get from your ranch to here.”

“I’ll do it. Hell won’t stop me. Lupita will save him, I know she can.” He stared down at his wife. He kissed her mouth hard, quickly. “Take care of him. Get Roselle to hold him and you feed him. I’ll be back as soon as possible—with Lupita.” He pulled her to him and held her for a few seconds. “God knows Adam, and He’ll take care of him. He won’t let anything happen to our little boy.” He released her and was gone. Within seconds, she heard the horse’s hooves.

“Mrs. Colter, you really should eat. You must keep up your strength.”

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