Page 135 of The Enchanted Land

Adam put out a hand toward his mother’s tortilla and she broke off a piece for him.

Martin came into the room. “Mr. Colter said to tell his wife”—his eyes twinkled—“that the ranch is falling apart. He’ll be very late tonight, since he needs to put it together again.”

Morgan laughed. “Thank you, Martin. Who brought the message?”

“A young hand called Tim.”

“Well, take him to the kitchen and give him some green chili stew and tortillas. There’s enough, Lupita?”

“What you think—I cook only a little bit for the three of us?”

“And Martin, you and Roselle help yourselves.”

“We already have. The smells from Lupita’s cooking were irresistible.”

“Oh, Lupita,” she laughed when Martin was gone, “I spent an entire year training with a French cooking master, and none of my food ever gets the raves your food does.”

Morgan turned back to Adam. She felt slightly guilty because she hadn’t really thought about Seth all day. She was too concerned with Adam, always aware of how close she’d come to losing him. She put her hands on the small of her back and stretched.

“It is time for you to go to bed.”

“I’ll sleep in here, in case he wakes in the middle of the night and needs anything.”

“No. You will go to your own room and sleep. I will stay in here. If he needs you, I will call you.”

Morgan knew when she was attempting a losing battle. She was asleep as soon as she snuggled under the covers.

It was late when Seth got back to the house and he stopped outside Morgan’s door, his hand on the knob. He smiled in anticipation because he knew they could not possibly sleep together in the same bed for the second night in a row without making love.

He looked down at himself. He was dirty and tired. And in the morning, Morgan would be running into Adam’s room. No, it would have to wait. When he made love to his wife for the first time in years, he wanted time to caress her and touch every part of the body he’d once known so well. With a sigh, he turned to his own room.

Morgan awoke early. She still wasn’t used to Adam not banging on her bedroom door. She threw on a dressing gown and went to her son’s room. Immediately she knew something was wrong. The room was a mess. There were towels on the floor, a tea kettle beside the bed. Both Adam and Lupita were asleep. She sat down heavily in a chair. It came back to her with renewed force that she had come very close to losing her son. Last night, while she slept, she had almost lost him again. If Lupita hadn’t been with him…

Morgan turned and saw Lupita’s eyes open. “What happened?” Her voice reflected her despair.

“Nothing happened. He was restless so I made him tea.”

“What about the towels?”

“I had them ready in case the fever returned, but it did not.”

“He had a relapse, didn’t he?”

“Morgan, no! I was just being cautious, but he needed no more treatments.”

“Why didn’t you call me?”

“You weren’t needed. Nothing happened. I—”

Seth entered the room and looked in puzzlement from one woman to the other. “Is something wrong?”

“Adam was ill again last night,” said Morgan. “He isn’t over it at all. He’s still very sick.”

Lupita threw her hands into the air, mumbled something under her breath in Spanish, and then turned to Seth. “Adam is all right. Last night he was restless and I was afraid it was the sickness again, but it was not. Your son is getting well quickly and there is no more danger.”

Morgan looked skeptical. “I’m just worried, that’s all.”

“Well, I believe Lupita.” He kissed the woman’s forehead. “Let’s all go downstairs and eat breakfast. Carol is here and she can stay with Adam.”

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