Page 134 of The Enchanted Land

Lupita forced several herb teas down Adam’s throat, each laced with powdered rose hips. She and Roselle wrapped his little feverish body again and again in hot, steamy towels. Toward dawn, the fever began to lessen, and Lupita collapsed on the little sofa. She hadn’t slept in nearly two days, and now that she knew there was nothing else she could do except wait, she fell asleep instantly. Roselle tiptoed from the room. No matter what happened now, there would be a need for food.

“Eat.” The word didn’t come out as loudly as he had planned. He tried again, but his mouth still didn’t work. He looked at the big woman asleep beside his bed. Who was she? He was wet all over his body and he was hungry and thirsty. Where was his mother? He’d go to her room. She’d get him something to eat.

He started to move but his body didn’t obey. It hurt, and his head hurt, too. “Mama.” he whispered, and the tears began to flow. He felt so awful and there was no one with him except this woman that he didn’t know.

Lupita opened her eyes to see Adam’s face screwed up and tears rolling down his cheeks. Her tears followed, because she knew the danger was over.

“Ah, little one. You will be safe now.” She immediately set about making the little boy comfortable. She changed his clothes and bed linens, talking to him soothingly all the while.

Adam decided he liked the woman. And he seemed to remember her voice from somewhere. But he was still hungry and he still wanted his mother. “Mama,” he whispered again.

“Yes, I’ll get your mama for you.”

Lupita tried two doors before she found Morgan’s room. She paused a moment to stare at the sight of Morgan and Seth curled together in the big bed. She was glad they were together again. There was no need to wake both of them. “Morgan.” Seth stirred and rolled away from his sleeping wife. Lupita touched her shoulder. “Morgan, Adam is calling you.”

“Adam?” she murmured sleepily, eyes still closed. Then suddenly they were wide open.

“The fever is broken. He will be well. I will go back now. You come when you can.”

Morgan jumped from the bed and ran to her wardrobe. She snatched a dressing gown and rapidly thrust her arms through the sleeves and tied it.

Adam whimpered slightly when he saw his mother. She held him close and he was comforted by her presence. He looked tired and he’d lost weight, but for the first time in a long while, his eyes were clear and focusing.

Seth came into the room, his eyes riveted on his son. He held the boy’s hand and ruffled his hair. “I’m glad you’re going to get well, son.” Morgan saw the tears in his eyes. No matter how much she ever doubted Seth’s love for her, his love for his little son was never in question.

Seth came to Morgan’s side and took her in his arms. “I have to see to the ranch now. After four days without supervision, it’s probably near bankruptcy. I’ll try to get back for dinner, but if I can’t, I’ll send word.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I love you.” He released her and left the room.

She stared after him for a second, but she couldn’t worry about Seth now. Adam was still very sick and he needed her.

Morgan spent the entire day with Adam. She spoonfed him, read to him, and drew pictures on his little slate. Lupita slept most of the day and Roselle stayed downstairs except to bring food.

“Mrs. Colter, why don’t you go for a ride?” said Roselle next afternoon. “Adam is asleep, and I’ll be here if he wakens. You need some fresh air.”

“I know, Roselle, I guess I should. But I’m afraid he’ll wake up and need me. I’ll get over the feeling, but I came so close to losing him that right now I’m almost afraid to close my eyes.”

Roselle agreed. Had her little girl lived, she would have felt the same way about leaving her.

When Lupita entered the room, Morgan ran to her and hugged her. “It seems I’m always saying thank you for all the things you do for me.”

“I did not save the boy for you … only maybe a little for you. If anything had happened to him, my Seth would not think so highly of me. I cannot have that.” She grinned at Morgan. “Also, remember, Adam is one of my children.”

Adam gave Lupita a tentative smile when he heard his name. The woman was becoming familiar to him very quickly.

Lupita caressed the hair by his temple. “Now you will grow as strong and as big as your daddy. I think I will go to the kitchen and see how this Roselle is feeding my children.”

“Her cooking is a lot different from yours.”

“Hmph! That is why the child was so sick. He needs more chili. I’ll see what I can make for supper.”

“Chili! That sounds marvelous. How about a green chili stew with potatoes and meat? The three of us could eat here, together.”

Lupita smiled at her. “Yes. The three of us together. That is nice.”

In a short time, the two of them were happily eating quantities of green chili stew and freshly made tortillas. Morgan fed Adam a beef broth flavored with green chili. He ate all of it, and drank some milk. Once he smiled at them, the first time Morgan had seen his dimples in a long time. There was a milk mustache on his upper lip, and he said, “Eat.”

The women had laughed together. “Now I know for sure that he’s going to be all right,” Morgan declared.

“Food has to be interesting, or it is not good to eat. He would not eat before because the food had no taste.”

---