“Cathy, sit up. Doc Erin will be here soon.
“Why?” She mumbled, even though she tried to speak properly, but everything was moving slower than usual. Her body felt like she was dragging it.
“Cathy, do you remember taking the drugs?”
“I took the medicine the doctor gave me.” She had. The doctor in New York was right. It did make her feel better. She smiled at him shakily.
“Please, Abe, stop frowning. You look sad.”
She giggled, but put her hand over her mouth as he didn’t laugh. He looked angrier, if anything. She giggled again, she couldn’t help it.
“Stop laughing, Cathy. This is serious. How did you get the medicine?”
“Stop shouting at me.” She started crying. Why was he shouting?
“Cathy, think. Where did you get the bottle?”
“From the Doc. I told you. He said I was to take it to feel better.”
“He? Did you not see Doc Erin.”
“Erin wasn’t there. Mrs. Grey said she was busy.”
She didn’t like it when he was angry. Then he reminded her of someone else. If only she couldn’t remember who that was. Her eyelids were closing again. But he wouldn’t let her sleep. He kept waking her up.
“Abe, I think it’s a different doctor she is talking about. Doesn’t make sense for her to be talking about our Doc. He’s usually out visiting the ranches. Doesn’t spend much time in town now Doc Erin is here. He doesn’t like admitting she’s more popular than he is, I guess.”
“But she didn’t have that bottle yesterday. I’d have seen it. So she had to get it today.”
“Well, Doc’s here and she can set us straight.”
Doc Erin walked in straight over to Cathy, followed by Mary who accused him of trying to drown his wife.
“Mary, be quiet and go fix us some coffee. Please.”
Mary left reluctantly, but not before she gave him a dirty look. She obviously blamed him and maybe that was the truth. Cathy was so unhappy she had tried to end it all. What did that say about him?
“Cathy, wake up. Where did you get the medicine?”
“From doctor.”
“She keeps repeating that every time I ask her,” Abe explained.
“I didn’t give to her and she didn’t get it from Mrs. Grey or…” Erin picked up the bottle and looked at it closely. “Unless she helped herself.”
“So now she is a thief, too?” Abe responded sharply.
“I am not judging her, Abe. I believe she can’t help it. The addiction to opium is powerful, much more than we ever believed. She must have been given laudanum by a doctor in New York to help settle her after the tragedy.”
“But why would they do that if it was dangerous?
“Why do some people do anything? Her family may have wanted her sedated. Maybe she threatened to harm herself,” Erin responded, examining Cathy closely.
“Like she did today?”
“I don’t believe she wanted to kill herself today, Abe.”
“It sure looks that way.”
“No, that is how you think it looks. I am guessing Cathy hasn’t been sleeping well. Has she been listless one minute and anxious the next? Is she very ratty with you?”
Abe nodded. It seemed better than expressing in words just how difficult living with Cathy had been over the last few days. At times she was wonderful. She was funny, intelligent, witty. At other times, it was like living with a different person.
“I think the cravings for sleep got to her. I believe she had a nasty experience in town with some people who were unkind to her. She may just have wanted to block everything out of her mind for a while.”
“So she will be fine?”
“I didn’t say that. Abe, your wife is an addict and for as long as that stuff is in her system there will always be a chance she will lapse back and take more medication. She needs to be locked up so she isn’t a danger to herself or to others.”
“No.”
“But Abe…”
“I said no. Cathy’s worst fear is that someone will lock her away in asylum. I refuse to do that. I will look after her.”
“You don’t have any experience dealing with this type of problem.”
“No, he don’t, but I do. I’ll help him. I have a place higher up in the woods. We will use that.”
“But Cookie, you know the risks.”
“Yes, Doc more than anyone. But I’ve done it before and no doubt I will do it again. The only way to get that gal better is to do this. You know it and I knows it. The boy will come, too.”
“I ain’t a boy. “
“Sorry, son. I didn’t mean it like that. Come on, let’s get going. We can be there before sundown.”
“What will I tell Little Beaver?” Doc Erin asked. “We agreed to keep Cathy on the ranch.”
“You tell him to come visit. He knows the cabin. He’s been there plenty of times.”
Doc Erin nodded. Abe started to pack a bag with some of Cathy’s things. She had fallen back asleep, completely oblivious to what was going on around her. She looked so peaceful. He’d failed her. She didn’t tell him how bad she was feeling. Why? Did he scare her?
“Wait one minute. I haven’t agreed to this. Are you going to trust him with my sister?” Mary protested.
“She’s my wife. I take care of my own.” His reply came out sharper than he’d meant it to. But Mary ignored him anyway. Her attention was focused on the doc.
“But he nearly drowned her. Made her vomit and everything.” Mary continued her protests.
“He did what he needed to do to save her life. Cathy was lucky he did. If he hadn’t, we wouldn’t be fighting over how to treat her.” Cookie’s reply brooked no argument.
Mary swayed causing Ben to grab one side and Erin the other.
“Go, I will look after Mary. You come get me if you need me, Cookie,” Erin said. “Good luck.”
“Thanks, Erin.”
Abe gave one last look at Erin’s face before she left. Whomever had upset Cathy was in for an ear-bashing from the doctor. He hoped they learned their lesson, because as soon as his wife was better, if anyone upset her again, they would be hearing from him.
Chapter 28
He mounted Diamond and Cookie lifted Cathy up into his arms. He followed the older man up into the forests, leaving the ranch behind them. As they moved higher, the forest became denser and the air colder. He shifted Cathy so she was better protected. She was still asleep, but her pulse was stronger than it had been. Just as he was about to ask Cookie how much further they had to ride, Cookie gestured to stop. He couldn’t see a cabin but he followed his friend’s command.
“We’ll walk the rest of the way. The path’s a bit rocky, hard on the horses.”
It was difficult to secure Cathy to the horse but he did it, hoping they wouldn’t have to walk for long. Then he saw it. The cabin was so well-hidden, nobody could find it unless they happened across it by accident or knew it was there.
“I didn’t know you had a place up here.”
“The bunkhouse gets a might crowded at times. When I need some thinking time I head up here. Been a while, though, so I best get to cleaning up. The bed linens are clean so why don’t you put your missus to bed. I will get dinner on soon enough.”
Abe carried Cathy gently into the cabin. It was surprisingly spacious inside with two rooms, one of which was the bedroom. He undressed her gently and put her lying in the large bed in the corner of the room. There was little else but a couple of pegs and a chair. He closed the door over but not completely shut in case Cathy woke up, frightened at her new surroundings. He glanced around the main room. In addition to the fireplace there was a sink and small units for the kitchen, a table with two chairs and then a large sofa. In front of the fire was a bearskin similar to the one that lay in their house back at the ranch. The place was relatively clean, too. He was pleased with the sink and taps, as getting water from a spring was too much hard work for his liking. He filled
up the kettle and put it to boil over the fire before going outside to find Cookie.
The Indian deputy sheriff was with him. Abe instinctively checked his gun, causing Little Beaver to give him a cold hard stare.
“Not here to take your wife but if I was, that wouldn’t stop me.”
“Don’t mind Abe, Little Beaver. He’s had a tough day. His missus got in some trouble in town.”
“Yes, I see her talking to Ma Kelley and knew there would be trouble. I will take the horses back to the ranch for you. You will stay a few days up here?”
Abe looked to Cookie for confirmation. He didn’t know how long they would be.
“I have put some things on the porch for you. Mrs. Higgins asked me to bring basket. Said you didn’t have time to grab anything.”
“Please say thank you for us. Have you any other news?”
“You mean the Pinkertons? They are not coming now. Doc Erin has powerful friends in New York. He got a lawyer for your wife to help fight the man, Archibald Johnston.”
“Cathy’s cousin. Well, sort of cousin.”
Little Beaver took a step toward Abe and held out his hand.
“Cookie and Mick say you good man. I do not wish fight with Cookie and Mick’s friend.”
Abe shook the hand.
“I will ask the spirits to help your wife heal and for only good times for you both. You have both had much sadness.”
Abe stared at the man who on closer examination seemed younger than him but sounded years older.
“Experience makes us both older and wiser, yes?” Little Beaver smiled and then said his goodbyes.
“You need me, send signal.”
“Thanks Little Beaver. See you in a few days.” Cookie said as the Indian walked away trailing both horses behind him.
“Didn’t have chance to repair the barn and it’s too cold to put those horses in a roofless shelter. Little Beaver will look after them.”
“He seems like a kind man.”
“The best. I would much rather him on our side than be against him. That’s for sure.”
Abe didn’t get a chance to answer as he heard Cathy calling out. He ran to find her struggling to get dressed.
“Where am I? Why are we here? Where’s Mary? I need my medicine.”
“Cathy, you can’t have any more of that stuff. It is poisoning you.”
“But I need it. I can’t sleep or think or do anything without it.”
“Yes you can, and you will. But the next few days will be tough. Do you trust me?”
“I barely know you.”
He moved quickly to her side and forced her to look at his face. “Do you trust me?”
She looked him in the eyes before whispering yes.
“I will help you get better. With Cookie’s help. He’s had experience with this. Together we will get you off this stuff.”
“But I need it so bad. Can’t I just have a little bit to get through today and we can start tomorrow?”
“No, darling, you can’t . We don’t have any of that stuff up here and no way to get it. Now let me get you something to eat. You must be hungry.”
She didn’t reply but sat on the bed, drained of energy.
“Why don’t you get back into bed and I will bring it to you?”
“Did you put me to bed before?” she asked, her face crimson.
“Yes.”
“You mean, you undressed me?” Her voice rose with panic.
“Cathy, you’re my wife. Now, relax and let me get you some food.”
Abe prepared a small snack for Cathy, his instincts telling him she wouldn’t be able to eat a lot. She didn’t. But at least she had some water to drink.
“Thank you for being so kind to me. I really don’t deserve it.”
“Why not? You haven’t done anything wrong.”
She went a little pink as she replied. “I have hardly been the easiest to get along with these past few days. I promise I am not always so temperamental.”
“Really? I thought all women were like that.” He loved teasing her, the way her face lit up as soon as she realized that was what he was doing. It seemed to him for all the money her family had, they never had much fun. She seemed to crave it.
“I mean it, Abe. I am much nicer than this.”
“Stop feeling bad and start thinking of getting better. Then we can talk about where we will live.”
“Live?”
“Yes, Cathy. We need to make some decisions. I was on my way to New York. I just stopped here to find Cookie and Mick. I wanted Cookie to go see a mutual friend. He is back now and it was time for me to move on. But now…”
“I delayed you. But Abe, why New York?”
“Why not?”
“It is so different to out here. Colorado is so peaceful and pretty. I don’t know why anyone would leave to move to a big city.”
Now wasn’t the right time to tell her his reasons.
“We will talk about it in a few days. Now you need to get some sleep.”
“Abe, you don’t need to take me with you. You were forced into marrying me. You shouldn’t feel responsible for me.”
“Cathy O’Malley, I made my vows before God. As far as I’m concerned, you are my wife. We face everything together. Now and in the future.”
“Really?”
His insides turned warm at the light of hope in her eyes.
“Yes, really. Now will you please sleep, woman? Some of us have chores to do.”
“Yes, husband.”
She smiled as she lay back in the bed, her eyes already closing. He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips.
Closing the door, he found Cookie siting at the table a pot of coffee in front of him.
“You not eating, either?”
“No lad, not now. Maybe later. How is she?”
“Calm. Feeling bad about being a burden.”
“You know that will change, right?”
Abe wasn’t sure what would happen, so he stayed silent.
“The craving will come back. She will do just about anything to get that medicine. You have to be prepared to stop her. Restrain her if necessary.”
“I can’t tie my wife to the bed,” he replied shocked at Cookie for even suggesting it.
“You can and you will. Otherwise we might as well pack up and go to town and let her have as much of that poison as she wants. It isn’t going to be pretty, son. The next few days will be a nightmare that never leaves you. But it will be worth it in the end. Just keep telling yourself that.
“Cookie, how many times have you done this?”
“This extreme? Once.”
“And did it work?”
“Yes, it did. The man involved has never touched a drop since and he has access to laudanum on a daily basis.”
Abe didn’t want to ask who it was. He had his suspicions but he didn’t want to put Cookie in a difficult situation.
“Now you trust me, don’t you, lad?”
“Yes, Cookie, of course. Why are you asking me?”
“Your wife may tell you stories. You got to believe it is the drugs talking.”
Abe stared at his friend. “What are you saying?”
“Addicts do strange things, say stranger stuff. They will tell you anything they think will help them get their next taste. She may tell you a lot of lies. You just got to believe they ain’t true. You knows I never put a finger on her.”
“I know that, Cookie.”
“Good.”
“Cookie, why did you never marry again?”
“How did you know I was married?”
“Something you said back there. You were, weren’t you?”
“Yup.”
“What happened?”
“She ran out on me.”
“That’s rough. Could you not find her?”
“No. Didn’t try. No point. She was right to leave.”
“Cookie.”
“Listen, son, you and I don’t share the same beliefs. You belie
ve you made a vow to that girl in there and have to keep it, come what may. Not because of her but because of your God. But I knew I was bad news for my missus. She was better off without me. The war changed me, son, and for the better. Before it ,I was always drinking. Nearly as bad as your Pa.”
“You hit your wife?” Abe couldn’t keep the disgust from his voice.
“No, but I hurt her just as bad. I was always getting into trouble. Made promises I didn’t keep. Then the war came. Nothing about that helped anyone give up drink. But eventually I realized I had to make a choice, quit drinking and start living or dig my own grave. I stopped drinking and ain’t had a drink since.”
“But your wife?”
“She had gone before I got drafted. She met someone else. He was kind to her. She told me she wanted to get married. So I got a divorce and she left. Ain’t seen her since. No idea if she is alive or dead.”
“Cookie, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, lad. She was a nice lady, but she wasn’t right for me. I wasn’t the man she wanted, either. We got married to please our parents. We were too young and foolish to say no. By the time we had our first baby, we hated each other.”
“Your child?”
“He died. I guess if he had lived, we may have tried harder but he didn’t. There you go. My life story, for what its worth.”
“Is that when you started hating God?”
Abe was stunned by the look of horror on Cookie’s face.
“Whatever gave you that impression? I love my God.”
“But—well, you said…”
“I said you made your vows in a church. My God isn’t a church. He is something kind and all powerful. He cares more about what you say and do every day than whether you dress up nice on a Sunday and go to a service.”
“Sorry, Cookie. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“I know that, lad, but I must be doing something wrong if you thought I was not Christian.”
“I hate Him.”
“No, you don’t. You’re just angry. You blame him for what happened to Sally and the baby. Won’t be the first to do that and won’t be the last.”
“But why did he let them die?”
Cathy Page 9