Summary:<\/b>\u00a0 Ben is unwell and passes it onto his family with dire consequences.
\nRating:\u00a0 PG\u00a0 (9,225 words)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The Cartwright Saga Series:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Lawyer <\/a><\/span> \n Winter Ills<\/strong><\/p>\n The two weeks after Jess\u2019 wedding were very quiet, the heavy snow preventing any trips to town. Adam spent some time working with his father on the outline plan for the summer\u2019s work and finalising the work plans for the new flumes they had decided to build on the west shore. Each family spent time alone but most days they gathered in one of the houses for at least part of the time. All enjoyed each other\u2019s company and getting to know the babies. Already they were taking notice and developing very individual personalities. Anne was by far the most demanding, a child of moods, of iron will, but her tantrums didn\u2019t last long and she could always be quietened by her father. Johnny was the placid baby, nearly always happy, seeming to mirror Sue\u2019s utter contentment with life. Adam was a very serious baby, not given to the giggles and grins of the other two, but when he did smile it lit up his whole face. Joe had a strange feeling that his son was going to take after his brother in more ways than one.<\/p>\n Adam had been landed with a legal problem involving the Consolidated Virginia; Sharon appeared to be up to his old tricks again, back to the old problem of encroaching veins. Adam wasn\u2019t too surprised, Sharon had been quiet for all too long but it had necessitated a trip down the mine to see for himself. Knowing that any of his family would have gone along with him if he mentioned it, Adam had been careful to only tell Carole. Ben had had a nasty cold and despite being well on the way to recovery the heat in the mine wouldn\u2019t help and Adam had no intention of dragging either of his brothers away from their sons. It had been a very hard year and summer work would start all too soon. He knew just how content both were and wanted them left in peace to enjoy it while they had the chance.<\/p>\n The trip down the mine was uneventful but with both John Mackay and Jim Fair along, both of them fussing, it took a long time for him to check all the facts that he required. By the time he\u2019d finished Adam had a stinking headache, he had picked up his father\u2019s cold and was feeling a little under the weather anyway. He was short tempered as Jim kept pushing him, not best pleased at being lumbered with this problem, which seemed to be routine but time consuming. It could have been handled by the lawyer on contract with the mine. For once Adam couldn\u2019t hide his temper and he cut Jim off abruptly when he wanted to stop and talk. \u201cIt can wait ten minutes while I shower, then we\u2019ll talk over coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim would have pushed it but John shushed his partner, he could see that Adam was close to losing his temper even if Jim couldn\u2019t. Adam was very relieved to get back to the surface; he\u2019d rapidly been getting to the stage where he found it hard to breathe. It was bitterly cold with snow on the ground, striking even colder after the heat of the mine and Adam was glad to get into the shower. Even there Jim was talking at him and Adam, with his head pounding, wished him to perdition, but they were business partners so he bit back his anger. He had to waste two hours telling them exactly how he would handle it. The job was going to be time consuming rather than difficult but with Sharon involved the only way to placate his partners was for Adam to handle it personally. Adam consoled himself that on this sort of job, his youngest brother could do his fair share, cut down the time it would take considerably. They had a deadline and inevitably Jim had put off telling anyone until the last minute hoping it would go away. Eventually Adam got away but he still had several other chores to do before he could go home. He dropped by the stockbrokers Marye and dealt with some of the formalities, taking papers home to work on. Then he had to collect some stores, having left a list earlier and finally go to the Bank. His chores finished Adam went over to the Palace for a drink.<\/p>\n Dan was sitting talking to Roy in the corner and they beckoned Adam over. Dan\u2019s eyebrow raised quizzically as he saw that Adam was drinking brandy rather then his more usual beer, \u201cTough day?\u201d Adam lent back in his chair, sipping his drink, he rubbed the bridge of his nose, shutting his eyes momentarily. Neither Dan nor Roy missed that and Roy asked \u201cYou okay Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, just a mite tired. I\u2019d better get home.\u201d Adam drained his brandy and got to his feet, \u201cI\u2019ll be seeing you.\u201d He collected Blackie and headed out, remaining alert with an effort as he was carrying a fair amount of cash. He was on the final stretch, their own private road on the Ponderosa when he saw Doc\u2019s buggy. Scared what it might mean Adam pushed Blackie, galloping up to join Doc. Paul saw him coming and knowing what Adam would want, he pulled up the buggy and waited. Adam pulled up by the buggy, the question obvious on his face but to his relief Doc was smiling at him, \u201cEasy Adam, nothing disastrous.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam felt as though he had stopped breathing on seeing the buggy and only now started again, \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSue isn\u2019t well. She\u2019s picked up that cold from your father, looks like you have too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell yes, but why call you out for a cold?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s moved down onto her chest, she\u2019s going to be fine but she\u2019ll have to stay in bed for a week or so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou sure she\u2019ll be alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes positive, mind you I\u2019m not sure I\u2019ve got Hoss convinced.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll drop by on my way home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAn early night and a day in bed wouldn\u2019t do you any harm either Adam.\u201d Doc knew as he spoke that he would be ignored but his old friend looked tired and drawn. Adam forced a grin, \u201cI\u2019m fine Doc. I won\u2019t hold you up any longer, thanks for waiting.\u201d Adam rode on home heading for Hoss\u2019 house first. He tied Blackie up and went in calling for his brother. Hoss came to the top of the stairs looking harassed and worried. He was holding Johnny and Adam could see the fear in his big brother\u2019s eyes. He went upstairs swiftly and put his arm round Hoss\u2019 shoulders. \u201cI met Doc on the way home, how is Sue?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s sleeping now, something Doc gave her.\u201d Hoss sighed, \u201cOh God Adam she couldn\u2019t hardly breathe.\u201d Adam could feel the tension in his brother and he gently took Johnny. \u201cCome on old son you need a drink. Have you had anything to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah Nita and Carole ganged up on me. Nita\u2019s been looking after Johnny all day too but I needed him.\u201d Adam could understand that but he insisted on Hoss having a large brandy. While Hoss was sipping it Adam pulled up a footstool and sat down in front of his brother, forcing Hoss to meet his eyes. \u201cDoc says she\u2019ll be fine in a week or two, a few days rest in bed. No doubts, no maybes. A few days of discomfort but then she\u2019ll be fine. I promise Hoss, Doc was positive. He\u2019s never wrong when he\u2019s that sure.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss stared at his brother the drink forgotten, wanting to believe him but scared. Adam smiled, \u201cEasy Hoss I\u2019ve never lied to you, neither has Doc. Sue\u2019s going to be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss studied his eldest brother\u2019s face as though the future was written there and slowly he relaxed, he\u2019d trust Adam as he always had. \u201cOkay Adam I believe you.\u201d Hoss shook his head, \u201cAin\u2019t no need, Doc reckoned she\u2019ll sleep until morning. I\u2019m gonna put Johnny down and then I\u2019ll go join her. You look as though you need your bed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou sure you don\u2019t want me to bed down in the spare room, just in case?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, go home to Carole.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe won\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know but there\u2019s no need. Thanks for coming by, I feel better about her now and I can cope.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay but send Kam Ling over if you need anything.\u201d Adam passed Johnny back to his father and then went on home; about all he felt fit for was his bed. Carole took one look at him and poured him a large brandy as she realised that he had a streaming cold. Adam accepted it gratefully but he didn\u2019t want any food, just his bed. Carole got in next to him and cuddled up close. Feeling the tension in him, \u201cSue will be fine in a week or so, is anything else wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, just a cold. I guess it\u2019s making me irritable, imagining things.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMight feel better if you talked it out darling.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sighed heavily, \u201cI don\u2019t know if I can put it into words.\u201d He hesitated and then pulled her close \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n Carole kissed him \u201cThere\u2019s nothing wrong in that!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam just held her tight, he loved her so much, relied on her, and maybe he did take her for granted, leave her to her own devices but that was twice within a month, within his own family, that he\u2019d read disapproval of his actions. Maybe he was just imagining things but he didn\u2019t like the feeling. Finally deciding he was just overtired, Adam relaxed a little. He admitted to himself, albeit to noone else, that he hadn\u2019t fully recovered yet from the injuries and strain of the previous year. He still found himself having nightmares and memories, even while he was awake, were too strong on occasion. With a quiet period it was almost as though reaction had finally set in and he was well run down. Knowing that lying awake worrying about it wouldn\u2019t help, Adam tried to settle to sleep with only partial success. Adam had to get on but seeing that his little brother had the cold too and was irritable with it, he decided to complete the preliminaries on his own, get Joe to help with the detailed submission later in the week. Adam locked himself in his study and worked quietly, at least it gave his own cold a chance to recover. Carole kept him supplied with hot drinks and kept the children away. At his insistence she didn\u2019t tell his father or brothers just how big a problem he\u2019d been landed with or how ill he was feeling, covering up for him as she had so often, even if she thought he was mad. Ben was pleased to find his big son so much calmer and he was intending to return home on Monday, but by then he found he was still needed, this time by his youngest son. Nita had caught her husband\u2019s cold and was feeling thoroughly miserable with it so when she was woken by her son crying at 4 a.m. she wasn\u2019t best pleased. She got up and went to Adam to find the baby burning up with fever, his diaper soaked with continual diarrhoea. Scared, knowing that it could be a killer in such a young child she woke Joe up. For a moment he was dopy and she wasn\u2019t very coherent, so Joe couldn\u2019t make head nor tail of what she was saying, he just knew that something was seriously wrong. Nita began to cry more naturally and Joe held her close for a moment. Then he held her face gently in his strong hands, forcing her to look at him, \u201cTell me.\u201d He ordered.<\/p>\n \u201cIts Adam he\u2019s sick, diarrhoea and he\u2019s burning up. I can\u2019t stop him crying, what do we do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGet Doc for a start. Sue\u2019s ill but maybe Carole will have some idea. You wipe him down with cold water, try to bring the fever down and try to get him to drink, anything, water, milk. I\u2019ll go and get Carole, send Adam for Doc.\u201d Joe was pulling on his pants as he spoke, and kissed Nita\u2019s forehead, \u201cEasy my sweet, he\u2019s a Cartwright and we\u2019re fighters. He\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe ran across to his brother\u2019s house, thankful that they were so close at hand. He ran upstairs to Adam\u2019s bedroom and hammered on the door, but then not thinking straight, he went in, just conscious of his need of them. Carole sat bolt upright but Adam barely stirred, he\u2019d only been in bed half an hour and was in a very deep sleep. However his wife\u2019s voice penetrated where Joe\u2019s banging hadn\u2019t as she asked \u201cJoe whatever is wrong?\u201d Adam was awake and out of bed on the instant, his brother\u2019s face all too clear evidence that something was terribly wrong. Joe swiftly explained and Adam was already getting dressed, \u201cI\u2019ll get Doc. Carole you\u2019d better warn Kam Su before you go over.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe said, \u201cI\u2019ll do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Carole kissed him, \u201cEasy Joe, young babies always seem very bad when they are ill, but they recover first.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe murmured, \u201cOr not at all.\u201d and turned on his heel to go and wake Kam Su. He was only too aware of the number of children under a year who died. Carole looked horrified but Adam kissed her, \u201cHe\u2019ll be okay and so will young Adam. Bet he\u2019s been carrying Nita and it must have been a shock. I\u2019ll be back as soon as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam went out to find Joe already half finished saddling Blackie for him and within five minutes of Joe\u2019s arrival at the house, Adam was on his way to town. Carole was outside ready to go as Adam rode out. Kam Su was primed to look after the older children as they woke and she had wrapped up Anne and brought her. Joe looked worriedly at the baby, scared she would catch it too but Carole took his arm, \u201cEasy Joe we can keep the babies apart. Let\u2019s get back to Nita.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe would have liked to fetch his father too but he wouldn\u2019t until morning. Hoss had been worried enough over the last few days and there was noway he could get his father without disturbing his brother. Nita was trying to spoon water into an uncooperative baby and Joe seemed to have been gone forever. Carole spared time to settle her daughter in one of the spare rooms and then went through to join them. She found Nita crying in Joe\u2019s arms, the baby wailing, already looking thinner. Carole felt his forehead gently and cleaned him up again. She had collected the pipette Adam had used for Anne and it was boiling downstairs. For now the most important thing was to calm Nita down. She gripped her sister\u2019s arm, \u201cWe\u2019ll pull him through Nita. I know you\u2019ve not been well and that you are very worried but you must calm down. Adam needs his mother; he\u2019ll react to your mood.\u201d Nita shuddered in Joe\u2019s arms, she was so scared but Joe kissed her and asked Carole to get the brandy, he thought they could all do with a drink.<\/p>\n When Carole came back up Nita had, with a great effort, got control of herself. She kept telling herself, she was a Cartwright now and she couldn\u2019t let them down, especially her husband, she wasn\u2019t going to go to pieces. She had seen them coping, all of them under even worse strains and somehow she would do the same. Joe was very proud of her but he would tell her later, for now he knew the emotional tightrope she was walking, indeed so was he. He knew all too well what it was to fear for the life of a loved one, for a baby, but this time it was his own infinitely precious firstborn. He\u2019d thought that he understood what Adam was going through on the boat with David but now he realised he\u2019d had no idea and he mentally congratulated Adam on the way he\u2019d coped against even longer odds. That just underlined how much he needed his brother now, but he knew that Adam couldn\u2019t even have reached town yet.<\/p>\n Slowly they managed to force a little water down Adam, all too aware of the threat of dehydration and as the baby wouldn\u2019t nurse, Carole helped Nita express some breast milk and they persuaded the baby to take that too. Joe kept wiping him down with cold compresses but his son\u2019s fever remained alarmingly high. Carole had to leave them as Anne yelled for attention and with her calm presence removed Joe felt near to despair, nothing they did seemed to do any good. Then remembering Adam\u2019s long fights first for David and then for the even tinier premature baby, Joe felt ashamed of himself. If Adam had given up neither his oldest nor his youngest would have lived, he had to do as much as his brother. Hearing horses he got up and went to the window and to his relief saw Doc and Adam in the yard. He went to the top of the stairs to greet them and led the way back to his son.<\/p>\n Doc had been worried when Adam woke him. He, perhaps more than any other outsider, knew what their children meant to all the Cartwrights. For many people the death of a baby was unfortunate, but just one of those things, the child easily replaced; indeed all too often, especially with girls, almost a relief one less mouth to feed. All too many young babies died of some form of gastroenteritis and Adam was only just three months, the most vulnerable age, not old enough to have developed much stamina but outgrowing the protection he\u2019d gained from his mother. Doc knew that there was very little he could do to help but he had to try. He was very quiet on the ride out to the ranch and Adam knew him well enough to read the fears that he tried to hide. Adam knew that Doc hadn\u2019t expected Anne to live, but she had and Joe\u2019s son was older and stronger, he was convinced that his brother would pull the baby through with their help.<\/p>\n Nita was glad to see Doc, but like Joe she gained even more strength from Adam\u2019s arrival. From hating him she had grown to rely very heavily on the tall cowboy and his quiet smile seemed to promise everything would turn out right. Joe had his arm protectively round Nita as Doc examined the baby but he was more grateful than he could ever say for Adam\u2019s firm grip on his shoulder as Adam stood behind the pair, knowing and sharing their fears for his godson and namesake. Joe licked dry lips, seeing Doc\u2019s doubts about Adam\u2019s survival all too clearly. Paul forced a smile, \u201cEasy Joe, he\u2019s got a hell of a lot more chance than his cousin had and I saw her downstairs, guzzling away, a greedy little madam.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe felt Nita relax a little, but he couldn\u2019t help remembering that Doc had given Anne no chance and a hell of lot more than none could still be very small. He felt cold, his worst fears fulfilled and it was left to Adam to ask what Paul advised. Doc had brought some medicine out with him, with luck it might slow down the diarrhoea, apart from that he could only offer advice. For the next twenty four hours he only wanted the baby given sweetened water, with a little salt in it, no milk at all. As much of the water as they could persuade the baby to take to combat dehydration and they should continue to sponge the baby down to try and bring his fever down, but in between to wrap him warmly. With such a high fever there was always a risk of convulsions but apart from making sure that his breathing wasn\u2019t blocked, they shouldn\u2019t worry too much about them even if they should occur, it was unlikely to do any real damage. Doc had to get back to Virginia City, half the town seemed ill at the moment, but he promised to be back the following day and he would ensure he left word where he was so that they could contact him if necessary, Adam went down with Doc and got him coffee. Doc sat staring into the fire, \u201cI\u2019m sorry Adam, there\u2019s so little I can do to help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe know you can\u2019t perform miracles. Joe will pull him through, young Adam\u2019s a Cartwright, he\u2019ll fight it.\u201d Adam took the living proof of that from her mother and held Anne close to him, needing the reassurance that God was still with them. He waited until Doc had gone and then asked Pak Tsien to start some breakfast. He sent Carole home to check on their own brood and then went back upstairs. Joe was on the slow job of forcing water into Adam, holding his son close to him. Adam went over to Nita and put his arm round her. Nita relaxed against his shoulder, \u201cDoc was so pessimistic.\u201d She looked up at him, beyond tears now, just so scared.<\/p>\n Adam kissed her forehead, \u201cDoc has to try and be realistic, he\u2019s never lied to us, that\u2019s why we trust him but Adam is a Cartwright. Have more faith in your husband Nita. I told you once before you underestimate Joe. He\u2019ll pull his son through and my Godson is a fighter he\u2019ll give Joe the chance.\u201d Adam\u2019s confidence was partly forced but neither Joe nor Nita realised and as so often they put their faith in him and relaxed a little, Adam was even able to bully them into eating breakfast, both had been ill and they wouldn\u2019t be able to help their son if on the verge of collapse. While they ate he held his namesake, silently praying that he\u2019d be proved right once more. When Joe was reduced to pushing his food around on his plate, Adam passed his son back. \u201cI\u2019ll go and tell Pa and Hoss they ought to know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry the big moose, there\u2019s nothing he can do with Sue sick.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll tell him the truth Joe, that the baby is very sick at the moment but will be fine in a few days, that you and Nita are very worried, but coping well.\u201d Adam kissed Nita again and gripped his brother\u2019s shoulder, \u201cTake it easy I\u2019ll be back soon.\u201d Then he headed over to Hoss\u2019 house to find his big brother, sitting holding Johnny and attempting rather unsuccessfully to eat some breakfast. Sue was still sleeping and although Hoss knew it was the best thing for her, he couldn\u2019t help being worried. Ben was with him, he\u2019d tried to persuade Hoss to relax without much success and now here was his eldest son and it was all too clear from his face that he had bad news. Adam poured himself some coffee, \u201cTake it easy both of you. Young Adam has taken ill but he\u2019ll be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben pushed his plate away, \u201cAlright Adam let\u2019s have it.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sipped his coffee, knowing that is father and brother could read him all too easily. He described how Joe had woken them in the early hours, making no attempt to hide that both Joe and Nita were desperately worried, neither of them fully fit after bad colds. He did gloss over what Doc had said, giving them the gist of the words but not the fear so obvious on his face. Hoss stood up, pacing around, looking down at his son, knowing how he\u2019d feel if it was Johnny at risk, wanting to go to his brother but knowing that his wife needed him. Adam went over to his big brother and put an arm round his shoulders, reading Hoss easily. \u201cYou have responsibilities here Hoss, Sue has to come first. Joe knows that and he doesn\u2019t want you fretting about him. Trust us Hoss, Pa and I will do anything that needs doing and Joe can cope.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe baby? He\u2019s so young.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know Hoss but a hell of a lot stronger than Anne was. He\u2019ll be okay, God\u2019s still with us.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben joined his sons, \u201cAdam\u2019s right and I promise we\u2019ll let you know exactly what\u2019s going on, only a few yards away. If you want us we\u2019ll be here, everything\u2019s going to be fine.\u201d \u201cSure but Joe will cope, have faith in our little brother.\u201d Ben went straight over to Joe\u2019s but Adam stayed to keep Hoss company until Sue was awake, seeing all too many signs of sleepless nights. Hoss was glad of his brother\u2019s company, although not really wanting to talk and once Sue had fed Johnny, he even allowed Adam to take the baby off for Carole to look after. Adam was right his main responsibility was his beloved wife.<\/p>\n Carole stayed at home with the children. Joe knew as well as anyone what to do and Nita would lean on Joe\u2019s strength. Carole knew her brother-in-law very well and was confident in that strength, at east until the outcome was certain, one way or the other. Adam checked that his father would stay with them for moral support, just in case the worst happened.<\/p>\n Ben left his youngest son for a minute and followed Adam down, \u201cYou didn\u2019t tell me just how sick he is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know Pa but you were coming over anyway and Joe didn\u2019t want Hoss worried. Doc was worried but I still think he\u2019s underestimating Adam\u2019s strength, to say nothing of Joe\u2019s determination.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben accepted that, \u201cYou don\u2019t look too brilliant yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hadn\u2019t been in bed very long when Joe came over, just a mite tired.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith the ubiquitous cold.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam couldn\u2019t deny that but took advantage. \u201cIf you can cope for a while I\u2019ll go and have a nap so that I can take over later.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben accepted that as sensible. He knew that there was very little either he or Adam would be able to do but if the worst happened Joe and Nita would need them. Adam went on home but not to sleep, he still had a deadline to meet and he was obviously not going to get any help, so he locked himself away in the study and worked all day. Twice Carole had been out while the babies were sleeping and she was able to report that Sue was a little brighter, but Hoss hadn\u2019t told her about the baby. Adam was still burning up, lying prostrate, seemingly very weak, but Joe was quite calm. Nita was keeping control with a struggle, leaning heavily on her husband\u2019s strength and on her father-in-law. She had been very glad to see Carole, feeling so very useless. Joe was more adept than she was at persuading Adam to take water, he had spent long hours watching his older brother and copying him had developed the knack. Carole calmed her down; persuading her that all the time she kept calm she would be helping both the baby and her husband. Adam would always react more to his mother\u2019s mood than anything else. Nita sat looking at the bay in near despair \u201cHe\u2019s so weak.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBound to seem so Nita he hasn\u2019t had food all day and until the poison is out of his system he won\u2019t look any better, but you must remember how resilient babies are. In a few days he\u2019ll pick right up again.\u201d<\/p>\n Nita stared at her not daring to put her doubts into words and Carole put her arms round the young blonde. \u201cHave faith Nita in Joe and in God. Adam will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe knew that his father was there and that Carole had been in and out, but all his attention was on the tiny baby, his firstborn. He was surprised himself just how confident he was that Adam would survive. His brother had succeeded in saving his children from much worse odds and what his brother had done so could he. Joe was very loathe to let Adam out of his arms, even to go to his mother; he had seen now much David weakened when removed from his father. Nita was unused to dealing with sickness and still feeling ill herself she was willing to allow her husband to cope just staying near him for support.<\/p>\n Joe forced himself to eat, worrying about Nita and wanting her to eat, he couldn\u2019t force her to do so without doing so himself. By mid-evening the baby was looking very drawn, his eyes seemingly enormous in his pale face and Nita was close to collapse, almost sure that she was going to lose her son. Joe was very worried but outwardly still confident and he was determined that Nita should get some rest. He asked his father to get a dose of laudanum to ensure that she rested and Ben had just persuaded her to take it and rest on her bed when his eldest son came back. Ben didn\u2019t think his son looked as though he\u2019d had a rest but he didn\u2019t waste time arguing. He was very tired himself, still getting over his cold and if he tried to stay he would only worry Joe. He told Adam to call him about three to take over again and then went to settle down in the spare room.<\/p>\n Adam had been over to Hoss\u2019 before he came and he was able to reassure Joe that Sue was on the mend. Then he insisted on taking his nephew for five minutes while Joe went and had a wash saying he\u2019d feel better for it. Joe had to admit he did feel more human afterwards and took his son back while Adam poured them both a brandy. When Adam brought the drinks Joe was studying the baby intently, \u201cHe looks so wasted already.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot nearly as bad as David did and the diarrhoea seems to be easing off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith just water there\u2019s nothing to come through. He is going to be alright Adam.\u201d Joe said it almost defiantly but his brother just smiled, \u201cYou don\u2019t have to convince me Joe, I\u2019m sure of it too.\u201d Adam lent forward and gently touched the baby\u2019s forehead, \u201cA Cartwright is a fighter. His fever isn\u2019t as high as it was this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo convulsions thank God. Nita\u2019s scared enough anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom what Pa said she\u2019s kept up very well, especially as she\u2019s not well herself. You must be very proud of her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am.\u201d Joe lent his aching head back and closed his eyes momentarily. \u201cI know how she feels; this blasted cold has caught most of us. Doc thought it was probably the same with Adam, just affected him differently.\u201d Adam would have liked to bully his young brother into bed, knowing that Joe needed rest as much as any of them but he remembered how he\u2019d felt when his own children were sick. He had been very grateful then for Joe\u2019s lack of fuss and his quiet support, now he tried to repay the favour. He collected fresh water and more nappies with some coffee and brandy for Joe and let his brother cope, there if Joe wanted anything.<\/p>\n By 3 a.m. Adam had to admit to himself that he was near exhaustion and anyway his father had the same in-built alarm that he had himself. Adam got to his feet, \u201cDo you need anything Joe? I\u2019m going to call Pa and then get some sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust have a look at him for me before you go.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam bent over the baby, who was awake, looking up wide-eyed at him. He felt the baby gently, \u201cHis fever is down again.\u201d The baby gurgled at him and Adam grinned at his brother, \u201cHe\u2019s a lot better Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought so but I wasn\u2019t sure if I was kidding myself.\u201d Joe relaxed a little, \u201cGo on, you look dead on your feet.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam went through to find his father just sitting up. Adam grinned \u201cThe baby is better, fever well down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank God for that. I\u2019ll look after things you get some sleep, you look exhausted.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMite tired, so is Joe but he won\u2019t leave Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled, \u201cI know you all pretty well Adam, I won\u2019t try pushing Joe anymore than you did. He can catch up on sleep later.\u201d Adam grinned, maybe his father did know them and anyway he was tired out. He slept like a log for three hours and then went back to join his father and brother. Neither of them was particularly surprised to see him back and despite the relatively short time he did look reasonably rested.<\/p>\n Adam frowned as he took in just how drawn Joe looked and he moved over to Joe. His brother bit his lip, \u201cFever\u2019s going up again.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam checked for himself and the small baby was obviously more feverish, looking thinner and very drawn. Joe went on, \u201cThere\u2019s some blood on his diaper.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam put his arm round Joe\u2019s shoulders, feeling the near despair, accentuated by his earlier conviction that the baby was on the mend. \u201cEasy Joe, the fever is not very high.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s gaze went to the dirty diapers and Adam gripped his shoulder, \u201cDoesn\u2019t necessarily mean anything Joe. You\u2019ve had diarrhoea yourself, know how sore it gets, probably just rubbed raw somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe relaxed slightly, he hadn\u2019t thought of that but Adam\u2019s idea made sense. He had automatically thought of the most disastrous reason for the blood, \u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019re back. Pa will you hold your grandson for a few minutes, I want to wash and change,\u201d Ben took the baby and Adam went with his brother, Joe checked Nita but she was still sleeping and he didn\u2019t disturb her. Then he went and doused his head with cold water. He felt tired and drained but knew he could keep going all the time his son needed him.<\/p>\n Adam took the chance to wash his face too and as he straightened up he said, \u201cEasy Joe, his fever is still a lot lower than it was yesterday and he\u2019s taking water without fuss, stop him getting dehydrated. He\u2019s strong enough to do without food for a day or so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s so tiny so much part of me, if only …..\u201d Joe turned away to the window, not wanting even his brother to see his near panic. Adam moved over and gripped his shoulders, \u201cIf only you could give him some of your own strength. I\u2019ve been there Joe, I do know how you feel. It\u2019ll be alright little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe lent back against his brother for a moment, thankful for his warm strength, then straightened up, \u201cI\u2019m okay, let\u2019s get back.\u201d Adam went along with him sure that his brother was well in control.<\/p>\n Nita was up by the time Doc arrived. She was relatively optimistic, the baby might be worse than he\u2019d been at 3 a.m. but he was still a lot better than when she had gone to bed. And Joe hadn\u2019t mentioned the blood. Doc checked the baby over carefully and examined the diapers he\u2019d asked Joe to keep for him. As he straightened up all four Cartwrights were studying his face. Doc smiled, \u201cEasy. He\u2019s better, holding up very well.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe licked his lips, \u201cWhat should we do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCarry on for another twenty four hours, sweetened water only, but remember to add a little salt too. Let\u2019s try and ensure the germs are out of his system. His fever will probably rise a little higher during the day. I expect it so don\u2019t worry. I\u2019ll be back in the morning, check again before we put him back on milk.\u201d<\/p>\n Nita asked, \u201cSuppose he gets hungry?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t really expect him to for now, he\u2019s still a sick baby, maybe tomorrow he will but not just yet.\u201d<\/p>\n Nita moved closer to Joe for reassurance but he was content to see the difference in attitude Doc was showing. Yesterday Doc had doubted his son\u2019s survival but now he was confident the baby would be alright, just a matter of time. Adam had read the same on Doc\u2019s face and he smiled, \u201cThere\u2019s still some work needing doing on this ranch. I\u2019m going home to Carole and get on with it. Be back later.\u201d<\/p>\n Nita had come to rely on her tall brother-in-law and she studied his face but Adam was smiling, \u201cJoe will cope and my Godson is going to be fine, relax little sister.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam disappeared he had a lot of work to do and Ben could do all that was needed to support Joe and Nita. Before he went home he headed over to reassure his big brother. Hoss felt a lot happier about Sue but as though abhorring a vacuum he found himself worried about his little brother, the baby and Nita too, but most of all Joe. To outsiders Hoss often seemed lacking in imagination, but in many ways he was more imaginative than either of his brothers. Knowing how he would feel if it was Johnny who was ill, he knew exactly how his little brother felt and with responsibility for Sue and Johnny there was no way he could help Joe. Hoss had stayed with his own family, knowing that even if he went to Joe\u2019s there would be nothing he could really do to help, which didn\u2019t ease the need to see for himself. He was sipping coffee watching his own healthy son kicking in his cot when Adam came in. Hoss didn\u2019t need to ask, he could see it in Adam\u2019s whole bearing, \u201cThe baby is better?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam grinned, \u201cIt\u2019s as obvious as that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKnow you pretty well, now fill me in just how is my nephew?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou just told me Hoss.\u201d Adam sat down and poured himself some coffee before filling his brother in in detail. Twenty minutes later he went home and reassured Carole before he settled to work.<\/p>\n Joe was glad of his father\u2019s presence but as the day went on, his son seemed to settle more comfortably, Nita slowly relaxed, believing Joe\u2019s confidence that the baby would recover. Joe was sure enough in the late afternoon to pass his son over to Nita, trusting his father to look after them both and he went to bed. He slept soundly for six hours, feeling much better for it. That more than anything reassured Nita and the baby\u2019s fever was right down, Adam was sucking the sugar water from a bottle eagerly now.<\/p>\n Carole was sufficiently worried about her husband to try and persuade him to get some sleep late in the afternoon but Adam wouldn\u2019t be budged. He still had a lot to do and he wouldn\u2019t change his mind about going back to relieve his father that night. He knew his namesake was better but he also knew just how low you could feel in the early hours of the morning after a couple of sleepless nights. As always Carole gave in, consoling herself with her knowledge of his inbuilt strength.<\/p>\n Adam went over at ten p.m., during the day he\u2019d relied on Carole to check on both houses and bring him back reports while he worked, knowing that his father would take care of Joe and his family. Now it was his turn again and his tiredness was just a nuisance, he would sleep again towards dawn and luckily he had always been able to get by on minimal sleep. Ben was thoroughly overtired, not fully fit himself and he didn\u2019t see through Adam\u2019s act, assuming that his son had slept earlier. The baby was fractious, which Joe insisted was a good sign, but it went straight through Ben\u2019s head and he accepted Adam\u2019s offer of a bed at his own house away from the cries.<\/p>\n Joe had a bad headache too but he was so relieved that his son had the energy to complain that he welcomed the baby\u2019s cries. If Adam was hungry that could only be a good sign. He insisted on sending Nita over to Carole as well, she needed her sleep and he overrode her protests. Eventually Nita gave way knowing that the brothers would look after her son and she was just worrying Joe more by arguing.<\/p>\n Joe paced slowly up and down with his son in his arms, at least temporarily pacifying the child and as he did so he talked. He explained just how scared he had been and how he had come to realise, for the first time, what Adam had been through on the boat and them more recently with Anne. He tried to thank his brother indeed all his family for the support, without which he couldn\u2019t have continued. Then as the baby dozed Joe sank down in a chair and accepted the coffee Adam passed him. To his surprise Adam was smiling and he looked up quizzically. Adam said \u201cYou claim to only now understand how I felt but I think you always did know. I know how heavily I lent on you Joe. With David and Carole there was only you, with Anne I had Hoss as well and the girls, but you all understood. So often it seems there\u2019s trouble and it\u2019s only my family who keep me sane, make it worthwhile to carry on. It’s what we all thanked God for, remember at Christmas?\u201d Ben had got out of Carole just how little sleep his eldest son had had and a little after 3 a.m. he went back over to send Adam to sleep. Neither of his sons had even heard him come in and for a minute weren\u2019t aware as he stood in the door. It was a sight that Ben was never to forget, his tiny grandson holding firmly onto two of his son, wide eyed and gurgling contentedly with both his sons totally at peace. For all the material possessions he\u2019d gained, the thing that Ben thanked God for above all was the relationships, the deep love amongst his family and this was a visible proof that the ties between them were strengthening all the time, even with the increase in the size of the family.<\/p>\n Even when Adam and Joe finally noticed him they hardly moved. Joe just smiled a little more broadly, \u201cEverything\u2019s fine Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Slowly Adam disentangled his hair from the baby\u2019s grasp and kissed his godson\u2019s head, cool now, all fever gone. \u201cI\u2019m for bed, see you in the morning. I told you God is still with us.\u201d<\/p>\n Over the next few hours the baby became increasingly fretful, the sugared water was no substitute for his mother\u2019s milk and Adam made that very clear to everyone. Doc was out early again, Adam wasn\u2019t the only young baby with similar symptoms and the previous day three babies had died. Doc had known Joe nearly all his life and the Cartwrights were his closest friends so he needed to check, scared disaster had struck Joe again. Ben came down to meet him, having heard the buggy, and Doc knew from his old friend\u2019s expression that the baby was improving.<\/p>\n Nita and Joe were both up with the baby and Doc examined him, questioning them carefully about Adam\u2019s behaviour. He could only confirm their opinion, the baby was on the mend but he warned them, Nita in particular, that his advice would not be popular with her son. They could put Adam back onto milk now but needed to make progress very slowly. For the next twenty four hours he wanted Nita to express milk and feed him only a very limited amount and he showed her what he meant on the bottle, and that only every four hours. Any sign of the diarrhoea returning and it was back to sugar water. He questioned her about Adam\u2019s normal feeding habits, how long did he take and Nita bit her lip, \u201cMaybe six or seven minutes each side.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight, provided he has no reaction to the bottles today you can give him two minutes a side tomorrow and again not more than every four hours. I\u2019m afraid he is not going to like it but he goes a little hungry now, if the diarrhoea returns we\u2019ll have to starve him for longer. Provided he stays fine you can gradually increase the time to normal over say four days.\u201d<\/p>\n Nita nodded, she trusted Doc implicitly. She had seen his work all too often since her marriage and she knew just how much the men trusted him. Doc wanted some coffee before heading back out into the cold and Joe left Nita to tend her son, going down with Doc. Doc had no intention of upsetting Nita, she had been very good but he wasn\u2019t as sure of her strength as he was of Joe\u2019s. Over coffee he told Joe about the deaths in town, babies older than Adam who had succumbed to the same disease. Ben moved closer to his youngest son, wondering what Doc was saying, Joe swallowed hard, \u201cAdam is going to be okay?\u201d<\/p>\n Doc smiled reassuringly \u201cYes Joe I am confident of that but I thought you ought to know. Over the next few days, as he gets stronger and wants more food than he\u2019s getting, he will be very fretful. It\u2019s all too easy to give into a crying baby but in this case you have to be cruel to be kind or you can find yourself back where we started, with the same fight to win over.\u201d Doc didn\u2019t add that they might not be so lucky next time but it was obvious to both father and son. Joe straightened his shoulders, Adam was better now that was all that mattered. He would keep him that way.<\/p>\n Doc wasn\u2019t intending to come back to check anymore, he would leave it up to Joe and Nita to contact him if they were at all worried. He would make sure that his wife knew his whereabouts at all times. That more than anything encouraged Joe, knowing Doc would be there if he was worried. While he was out at the ranch Doc decided to go and check on Sue and then hopefully for a while he could revert to only coming out to the ranch on social occasions.<\/p>\n Doc was able to give Hoss encouraging reports on both his wife and his nephew but although Sue felt a lot better Doc was insistent that she remain in bed for another four days at least or the infection would just flare up again and even when she was up she was to take it very easy for the next couple of weeks. Hoss promised that he would make sure she did as she was told and then having settled her with a book, he left Kam Ling to look after Johnny while he went over to Joe\u2019s. He wanted to see his little brother and check for himself that Joe and Nita were alright.<\/p>\n Hoss went into Joe\u2019s house and as noone was around he called out. Joe yelled \u201cCome on up Hoss.\u201d He was pleased to see his big brother and for a moment he studied Hoss\u2019 face, seeing signs of lack of sleep and worry, \u201cHow is Sue?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBetter but Doc wants her to stay in bed for a few more days, not give it a chance to flare up again. She\u2019ll be fine. How about you and Nita?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2019s going to be fine, Just need to take a few days to get him back to normal feeding.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know about Adam, Doc filled me in. How about you Joe? You look exhausted.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a very hard couple of days. I was so scared he seemed so tiny, so frail.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can imagine. I know how I\u2019d have felt if\u2019n it was Johnny, Only wish I could have helped.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou had problems of your own, anyway nothing you could have done. Pa and Adam have been around, I admit I was glad of the company but there was very little they could actually do. You know as well as I do that these things, in the end, have to be faced alone. It helps a little to have moral support especially in the early hours but…\u201d Joe broke off, memory of those long hours close to despair clear on his face. Hoss put his arm round his little brother \u201cEasy Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe rested his aching head against Hoss, glad of his strength, Hoss held him close, \u201cI know little brother, you\u2019ve been in hell these last few days but its all gonna be fine. Easy now.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe slowly relaxed and told Hoss exactly what had been happening, finding a certain catharsis in talking. Finally Hoss persuade him to go and get some sleep and Nita backed him up. She could cope with their son and Joe looked fit to drop.<\/p>\n Adam had headed back to work. Now that he was sure his namesake was going to be alright the legal problem had to have his full attention. He knew that his father was going to stay at least one more day in case Joe and Nita needed him but he didn\u2019t really expect that they would.<\/p>\n During the day the baby continued to be fretful but he showed no sign of recurrence of diarrhoea, Nita stuck firmly to Doc\u2019s instructions, even though she was tempted to feed him a little more. Joe had caught up a little sleep and insisted that he would look after his son over night. Once Nita had expressed enough milk for two bottles, he wanted her to go back over to Carole\u2019s to get a decent rest and eventually she gave way and did as her husband wanted. Joe even managed to persuade his father to go to bed, on the promise that he would call if there was anything Ben could do.<\/p>\n Joe had to walk the floor with his son who was becoming increasingly hungry and stronger was determined to let the world know of his dissatisfaction. As Joe walked around he talked to his son and it did seem to quieten Adam a little. Joe didn\u2019t mind, sure now that his son would be alright, he found the night passed quite fast as he speculated about the future, telling the uncomprehending baby all about the ranch which would one day be his and of their plans for the future. Joe knew that he was very lucky, he could give his son so much and with his family around he knew that whatever happened to him, his son would be taken Slowly over the next couple of days Adam began to recover and life got back to normal. Sue was much better and Ben was finally able to return to his own home.<\/p>\n Adam had been working all hours to meet the deadline on the submission for the Consolidated Virginia, but late on the Thursday he had the satisfaction of completing the work with a reasonable certainty that they would get the verdict. He packed up all his papers, ready to take them into town the following morning to deliver to the court. But for now he went out to give his wife some attention and for an hour they sat chatting before heading for bed.<\/p>\n Adam had promised to check over Jess\u2019 first set of accounts and give him a hand with his taxes and he had the normal routine chores in town, so he was planning to complete his chores in town and then scrounge an evening meal with Jess. Carole knew what he was planning but at least he\u2019d had a reasonable night\u2019s sleep and they had had a relaxed breakfast before he headed for town. Adam kissed her goodbye and stopped by both his brothers\u2019 houses to see if they needed anything from town. A normal routine trip which didn\u2019t quite turn out that way.<\/p>\n \n
\nThe Homecoming<\/a><\/span>
\nHome to Stay<\/a><\/span>
\nHoneymoon and Arguments<\/a><\/span>
\nJoe and Marie<\/a><\/span>
\nAdam and Carole<\/a><\/span>
\nA European Trip<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Aftermath<\/a><\/span>
\nA Busy Summer<\/a><\/span>
\nA Tree Falls<\/a><\/span>
\nSan Fracisco Trip<\/a><\/span>
\nA Stranger from the Past<\/a><\/span>
\nA Sense of Blame<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Medicine Man<\/a><\/span>
\nCourtship and Cattle Drives<\/a><\/span>
\nAngels with Red Hair?<\/a><\/span>
\nThieves and Murderers<\/a><\/span>
\nPipeline Problems<\/a><\/span>
\nGuests for Christmas<\/a><\/span>
\nA Turbulent Preacher<\/a><\/span>
\nJoe and Nita<\/a><\/span>
\nBen and Beth<\/a><\/span>
\nBanks, Pipelines, and Railroads<\/a><\/span>
\nLost<\/a><\/span>
\nA New Operation<\/a><\/span>
\nA Slow Recovery<\/a><\/span>
\nCelebrations<\/a><\/span>
\nForest Fire<\/a><\/span>
\nA Premature Birth<\/a>
\n<\/span>The Bank of California<\/a>
\nTrail Drive<\/a><\/span>
\nRobbery and Assault<\/a><\/span>
\nVirginia City on Fire<\/a><\/span>
\nRebuilding Virginia City<\/a><\/span>
\nCatching Up<\/a><\/span>
\nChristenings, Commissions, and Christmas<\/a><\/span>
\nWinter Ills<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Lawyer #2 \u2013 Advance Warning<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Lawyer #3 – Family Row #1<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Lawyer #4 \u2013 Family Row #2<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Lawyer #5 \u2013 Family Row #3<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Lawyer #6 \u2013 The Spanish Land Grant #1<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Lawyer #7 \u2013 The Spanish Land Grant #2 – Court Hearing<\/a><\/span>
\nThe Lawyer #8 \u2013 The Spanish Land Grant #3 – Knight Errant<\/a>
\nThe Lawyer #9 – The Spanish Land Grant #4 – The Long Journey Home<\/a>
\nThe Lawyer #10 – The Spanish Land Grant #5 – Troy’s Last Stand<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\n\u201cLot of paperwork, just that its cold, need something to warm me up before I ride home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cDo you want me to stay Hoss, split the nursing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\nOver the weekend Carole and Nita took care of Johnny, except for Sue feeding him, but Hoss wouldn\u2019t let anyone else relieve him, he was going to nurse Sue himself. He did agree to his father coming to stay. Just to be on hand in case Hoss needed any help but otherwise insisted that he could cope. Sue was weak and sleeping most of the time so it wasn\u2019t a particularly onerous job and his family let Hoss do as he wanted.<\/p>\n
\nBy Sunday evening Hoss had relaxed, Sue\u2019s breathing had eased off and although she was coughing a lot and very tired and weak, he could now allow himself to believe in Adam\u2019s certainty that she would be fine. She was so restless, coughing when she lay down, that Hoss moved into the guest room across the corridor to leave her in peace. He left the doors open, confident that he\u2019d hear if she wanted him.<\/p>\n
\nDoc straightened up, having wrapped a blanket round the baby. He couldn\u2019t lie to them, they trusted him and anyway they knew him too well. \u201cHe\u2019s one sick baby Joe and there\u2019s not a lot that I can do. You\u2019re doing most of it anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nHoss relaxed a little, \u201cYou\u2019ll let me know if there\u2019s anything I can do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nJoe knew exactly what his brother meant and knew that no thanks were needed but with his son recovering in his arms, living proof of God\u2019s mercy, he felt the need to pray and almost without thought, found himself saying the 23rd psalm so beloved of Marie. Adam put his arm round his brother and joined him in the psalm and he wasn\u2019t surprised to find Joe\u2019s face wet with tears. He held Joe close to him and let his brother cry it out on his shoulder, the inevitable reaction now that he was sure his son would survive. The small baby rested quietly in Joe\u2019s arms, close between the two brothers. Half an hour later Joe was quiet, he had been for some time, just resting his aching head on his brother\u2019s shoulder, when young Adam stirred. The baby reached out and took handfuls of hair in both hands, his father in one and his Uncle in the other. Content with what he had the young baby gurgled up at the brothers and both Adam and Joe felt a strange warmth inside. This tiny mite on the way to recovery now, would over the years be yet another tie between them, firstborn of one and both Godson and namesake of the other. Adam knew he would always have a very special relationship with this child just as Joe did with his second son. The brothers met each other\u2019s eye as the baby stared up wide eyed at them and each recognized the peace this child had brought, a peace which banished all thoughts of tiredness.<\/p>\n
\ncare of.<\/p>\n