Love's Abiding Joy (Love Comes Softly #4)(37)

"Awake an' hungry, Wong. Ya think ya might have somethin' fer him?"

Wong smiled. He enjoyed the children.

"Yes, yes. Wong find."

Nathan called to Josiah. "Hi, Joey. Ya all done with yer sleep? See what big brother is doin'. Look! I'm helpin' Wong make doughnuts. We're gonna have 'em fer supper."

"Maybe. Maybe not," said Wong. "Too slow. Maybe tomorrow."

"I'll hurry," said Nathan and began to slap down the cutter in rapid succession, making queer-shaped doughnuts with chopped-out sides as one cut overlaid another.

"Slow. Slow," called Wong. "We have some for supper. You make slow."

Nathan slowed down. Willie squeezed the boy's shoulder. "I can hardly wait," he said. "Those shore look like good doughnuts." Then he turned to Wong.

"Speakin' of supper, ya wanna jest feed the boys? The women are both havin' a sleep, an' I plan to let 'em sleep as long as they can. The boys can play outside fer a while an' then they can eat. I'll jest have a bowl of soup or some stew in the bedroom."



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Wong nodded.

Willie returned to the bedroom and took his place beside Clark. There was no change.

The hours crawled by slowly. Cookie came in and stayed with Clark while Willie washed his sons and readied them for bed. He spent extra time with them, holding them and reading to them, and then he tucked them in and remained in their room until they had both dropped off to sleep.

When he returned to the sickroom, he was surprised to hear Clark groaning. Cookie was bending over him, trying to restrain him from movement.

"He's comin' out of it," said Cookie. "Don't be surprised iffen there is some screamin'."

Clark moaned again and fought against his extreme pain. He was not aware enough to realize yet where the pain was coming from.

"Don't know how he's gonna stand it when he wakes up a bit more," Cookie muttered, and Willie had the impression that Cookie knew firsthand what he was talking about.

Willie feared what Clark's cries might do to his sleeping household.

"Isn't there anythin'--?"

"Ya watch 'im," said Cookie. "I'm gonna find Scottie."

Cookie hobbled out, and Scottie soon came noiselessly into the room, breathless from running. Willie watched as he pulled out a small package from his pocket to open it. Willie did not see the contents of the package, nor did he ask any questions; but Scottie seemed to feel that some information was in order.

"A little morphine. Cookie's. He needs it now an' then fer the pain thet still bothers 'im. Makes me keep it so thet he won't be tempted to take it oftener than he should."

Willie nodded.

Clark was thrashing and moaning, his brow covered with perspiration; his hands clutched at the bedclothes as if to tear away the pain. Scottie leaned over him and spooned the drug into his mouth. It was awhile before it took effect, and the men guarded and soothed Clark as they waited for the medicine to



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work. At last Clark became quieter and eventually fell into a deep sleep. Willie was thankful for the respite; but what would they do when Cookie's small supply of morphine ran out?

It was almost morning before Clark woke again. Willie had been dozing in the chair and was awakened by Clark's moaning. Clark's eyes were open when Willie looked up at him; and, though the pain would have been considerable, Clark was rational.

He looked at Willie and, for the first time in three days, seemed to be aware of his situation.

Willie was relieved to realize that Clark was alert. At least his mind had not been affected.

"How ya doin'?" asked Willie softly and lifted some water to Clark's lips.

Clark sipped very little and then turned his head. A groan escaped him.

"Pain," was all he said. "Pain."

"Where does it hurt the most?" persisted Willie. He had to know the extent of the head injury.

"Leg," said Clark.

Willie felt a measure of relief pass through him. "How's yer head?"

"Hazy . . . little ache . . . all right."

"Good."

Clark rolled his head back and forth, the moans escaping from his throat.

"Where's Marty?" he finally asked.

"I made her go sleep fer a while."

This satisfied Clark. He lay clenching his jaw to keep the screams from coming. Willie knew that he needed more medication and moved the lamp to the window, their prearranged signal.

"How long?" Clark gasped out.

"You've been here fer three nights. It happened the afternoon of the day before."

"The old mine . . . I remember."

It was a good sign. Willie breathed a thankful prayer.



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"How are the boys?"

"Haven't heard much since we brought you out," said Willie and let it go at that.

"Did ya get Abe out?"

"His pa did."

"Good."

Clark tried to fight away the pain so that he could sleep again, but it didn't work. Scottie was soon there, and Clark took the medication without protest. This time he did not sleep as soundly. He dozed off and on. The pain was still with him, but he was able to bear it.