The Cure for Cabin Fever

by Beth Bennett

  The morning crawled by as she listened to the weather reports. The forecast didn’t change. Chance of snow, twelve more inches on top of an already good foot. Laurel’s mind reviewed the last couple of days. She had gone to Jeremy’s store to pick up some supplies and had run into that arrogant James Caulderfield again. He was such a jerk. Every time she saw him, he commented on what she was doing. Was she prepared, had she gotten enough wood, on and on. His swagger made her want to spit. Well, she’d be damned if she let him bother her. He didn’t need to know she really was worried about the coming winter. It was none of his business. He made a great show of “stopping by” several times too. All he did was criticize her preparations. He tried to invite himself inside, but there was no way Laurel was going to let him in. Then he’d have a whole new subject to grouse about. To top it off, he had taken over her job of the roof repair. Laurel wished she had given that ladder a good shake. That creep could just keep his nose where it belonged.

  The headache Laurel woke up with got worse as the day wore on. She felt silly going to the doctor for a cold, so she just stayed home hoping it would get better on its own. She didn’t really feel like doing much of anything productive, but out of necessity, she did manage to pull her small wagon across the porch and bring in some wood. After loading the stove, Laurel lay on the couch to rest.

  A few hours later she decided to try and take a shower. Maybe that would make her feel better. The hot water seemed to wash away some of her discomfort and the steam relieved the congestion in her head. When she dried her hair, the curls fell in a thick cascade down her back. Slapping on some moisturizer and Chap Stick, Laurel was done with the day’s beauty routine.

  She stepped to the front window to check out the sky. It had a frosty look to it, the blank white clouds caused the mountains to disappear. The radio continued to forecast a storm, predicting its arrival sometime after midnight. A deep cough rattled around in her chest. She felt terrible. Deciding to rest on the couch, she leafed through a few magazines, and finally decided to go to bed. One last time, she filled the stove with wood and crossed her fingers. She hoped it would be enough to last all night. She turned the flue down and jumped under her electric blanket. It was set to high. Laurel lay on her side, and promptly went to sleep.

  The morning sun pried her eyes open like a screwdriver on a rusty latch. She watched her breath make frosty clouds in the air. A deep chill had settled over the cabin during the night and the fire had burned out in the stove. She clicked on the electric blanket several times and finally realized the power was out. Getting up to look out the window, her eyes were met with a winter wonderland of newly fallen snow. Soft and deep, the storm had left a silent testament to its power. Nothing moved under the white expanse.

  Her head pounded so hard she leaned her forehead against the window to let the cool penetrate the pain. Ugh, Laurel thought, I feel awful. She couldn’t even croak out a groan, she was so congested. Laurel looked wryly over at the wood stove which made no response. It seemed to silently reprimand her for letting the fire go out. Finding two Tylenol, she swallowed them and attempted to start a fire with the last of the wood she’d brought in the night before. Just that little bit of effort made her so tired she wanted to lay down. She got back on the couch and went to sleep.

  ***

  James Caulderfield looked broodingly out of his window. The snow had never bothered him before, but this time, he had little Miss Sassafras on his mind. The smoke from her cabin’s chimney had slowed to a thin wisp. He had no way to assure himself she was okay without going over there. James posted himself at his bay window, and posted his eyes on his lovely neighbor’s front door.

  He knew he had no responsibility where Laurel Danner was concerned, but he felt responsible anyway. She was over there all alone, and he didn’t like it. She’s too much of a greenhorn to weather this storm by herself. If he’d been honest, he would have admitted the real reason he couldn’t get her off his mind. He was taking a real shine to Laurel Danner. He’d never been told off that well by anyone. Glancing to the sky, worry continued to crease his brow.

  He focused on Laurel’s front porch again. A few days ago, he’d been by her house and tried his best to make suggestions to help her get ready for the winter. She was so aggravating, everything he said made her mad. She would not listen to a damn word. James refused to ride his snowmobile over there just so she could slam the door in his face. Letting out an annoyed sigh, he tried to decide what to do. Why couldn’t he just forget about her? He mused longingly about that switch he had used on her once before.

  ***

  Laurel opened the cabin door and stumbled outside. She was wearing her pajamas and had wrapped herself in an old quilt. She left her goose down coat on the rack in the entryway too tired to put it on. Besides, she was only going to be outside for a minute. She’d be right back with the wood and get that fire going again. Feeling utterly horrible, Laurel had no idea what to do if she got any sicker. The cell phone coverage and internet were down because of the storm. She could always try to make her way over to that jackass, James Caulderfield’s place. She would definitely have to be closer to death than she was right now to get that desperate.

  A blast of cold air greeted her when she opened the front door. She shivered so hard her teeth chattered. The view from her porch swayed and rocked, morphing like runny water colors. She struggled to remain on her feet. The wood pile was just to her right. The thought of picking up even a few sticks felt like an unmanageable task. Maybe if she stopped for a moment, she could catch her breath and continue.

  Laurel leaned against the woodpile trying to clear her mind. She finally gave in to exhaustion and sat down. Her nose hurt it was so cold. She buried her frozen fingers within the folds of the quilt. Bang, bang, bang, pounded her head. I need to rest just a moment, just a moment and then I will go inside. Her thoughts were slow and she was beginning to feel sleepy.

  When she heard the engine of the snowmobile coming her way, she raised her head. She knew immediately who it was. As his foot hit the bottom step of her porch, she turned and attempted to crawl away. James bounded up the steps, grabbed her from behind, and tossed her up and over his shoulder. “Damn it.” He swore under his breath as he carried her inside the cabin. It was nearly as cold inside as it was outside.

  Sitting Laurel on the couch, James did not waste a second as he removed his gloves. Placing a hand on her head he could tell immediately that she had a fever. She was flushed and her breath was coming in wheezing gasps. His face was etched with worry as he smoothed the hair back from her forehead. He announced his assessment of the situation. “You’ve gone and gotten sick.” Laurel raised bleary eyes to his face, but she felt so lousy she didn’t even tell him to go away. A hacking, uncontrollable cough took the reply out of her mouth.

  “That’s it,” James growled. “You’re coming with me.”

  He removed his cap then ran a hand through his hair as he stood up. He glanced around the cabin. “Don’t worry, I’m going to take care of everything.”

  James quickly crossed into her bedroom. Laurel tried to call after him. “Wh, wh, what are you doing?” Her voice was reduced to a hoarse whisper.

  “You silly woman,” he called. “You’re nearly dead with pneumonia. You’re coming with me to my cabin.” Laying her head down on the arm of the couch, she curled her legs beneath her and closed her eyes. She felt so rotten she didn’t care where she went.

  James entered the den with a small duffel bag stuffed full of clothes. He found her heavy winter coat and warm wool wrap. Grabbing her snow boots from beside the front door, he crossed to kneel in front of her. “Darlin, you just sit still.” James gently sat her up and quickly put the boots on her feet.

  Laurel didn’t move, but she protested in a croaky voice. “I can’t go to your house. You’ll catch it.” James ignored her and threw the coat over her shoulders. He placed her arms through the sleeves and zipped up the front. He wrapped the wool scarf around he
r head and neck. Slipping his gloves on her hands, he pulled the hood over her head and tied it beneath her chin. Placing one arm around her back and the other underneath her legs, he picked her up and left through the front door.

  Laurel gave a pitiful cough and moaned as a piercing pain ran through her chest. James sat her in front of him and wrapped her tightly in his arms. He gunned the snow machine engine to life. Laurel felt a scratchy beard and warm lip tickle her ear. “I’ve got you now, Sassafras, you’ll feel better in a few days.” The deep timbre of his voice made a shiver go down her spine.

  Laurel closed her eyes while the biting wind flew past, enduring the few minutes before they arrived at his cabin. Parking the snowmobile in the garage, he snatched her up and entered through the side door while pushing the garage door button with his elbow. Glumly, Laurel peeked over his shoulder to watch the garage door close. As he carried her inside, Laurel got her first look at the inside of his beautiful home. She resentfully thought that his cabin was nicer than the Plaza Hotel. He was an irritating SOB, but she had to admit he had a really nice house.

  James’s western palace had a wood stove in every room. He told her he had done all the woodwork himself, using floors from an old house in town. Every piece was placed with care. The tongue and groove paneling that covered the walls shimmered to oiled perfection. Glancing up, Laurel noticed that the ceiling beams were exposed, adding to the warm flavor of the place. Everything was well done, warm and masculine and neat and clean as a pin. Even the coffee mugs matched and were neatly stacked in a row on an open shelf above the coffee maker.

  The cabin was as warm as toast and as Laurel’s body adjusted, she began to shiver uncontrollably. Her teeth chattered despite her attempts to keep them quiet. James left her sitting on his big leather couch in her coat. She thought she would never be warm again. Fever was a strange thing, the higher it went the colder she felt. She had never felt so cold in her life. She sat in misery too sick to even move.

  James put Laurel down and disappeared toward the other end of the house. Laurel could hear him rifling through a cabinet. The cabinet door closed and James reappeared carrying what looked like a large first aid kit.

  Putting the kit beside Laurel, he unzipped her coat and removed her hood, scarf and gloves. He then pulled the boots off her feet and scanned her face. She truly looked terrible. Squatting in front of her, he gently caressed her cheek and pushed her hair behind her ear. Waiting until she looked him in the eye, he spoke to her in a low voice. “Laurel Danner, you are one very sick little lady. I have some basic medical training, and I know what I am doing. You are safe here. I’m not going to do anything improper to you. Do you understand me?” Laurel made no reply, but James continued to reassure her. “You just leave everything to me. I’ll get you better.”

  James took an old fashioned thermometer out of its case and shook it down. He cupped her chin and stuck it quickly into her mouth. “Under your tongue,” he instructed. Laurel tried to turn her face away, but he held her chin with a firm grip. She had no choice but to let him place the thermometer where he wanted it. Taking out the blood pressure cuff, he rolled up the sleeve of her pajamas and wrapped it around her upper arm. He put a stethoscope in his ears and squeezed the bulb. He finished with the blood pressure and took the thermometer out. “Good grief 103.”

  “I’ll be okay,” Laurel rasped. “I just need to go home.” Ignoring her comment, he reached up her legs and pulled the socks off her feet.

  “Laurel, I’m going to put you to bed in the guest room. You have your own bathroom right off the bedroom.” James reached down and picked her up without waiting for permission.

  “James.” She tried to get him to listen, but he continued to carry her toward the bedroom. “James, please, I just want to lay down. I feel so terrible. Please take me home.” James gave her a gentle squeeze as he made his way down the hall.

  “Honey, you’re too sick to be home alone. I promise I’ll take good care of you here. I’m putting you to bed right now. Once you lay down, I want you to take some Tylenol. I’m going to call Doc Hayford to see what he says to do.”

  Laurel felt so rotten she didn’t resist as James pulled the covers over her. “Don’t worry, Laurel,” he cajoled in a deep, warm voice. “You’ll feel better soon.” James left her to go into the bathroom and she could hear him running water from the tap. She rolled over and sobbed miserably into the pillow. It made her chest hurt. When James came back, he sat beside her on the bed. His strong hands reached to turn her towards him, and he began to wash her face with the warm washcloth. “Shhh, Laurel, I know you feel bad.” The wash cloth smelled of clean white soap, and Laurel found his touch soothing. “You take this medicine and then close your eyes. It will help and so will some rest.” He slipped his arm underneath her back and helped her sit while she willingly swallowed the tablets with a sip of water. In exhaustion, Laurel turned on her side and went to sleep in the soft, warm, bed.

  Chapter Four

  When he heard her breathing fall into a deep, even, rhythm, he went to the den to power up the SAT phone. On the third ring a familiar voice answered. “Dr. Hayford.”

  “Hey, Doc, it’s James, you still alive in this snow?”

  “Barely, nobody’s making it in to the clinic today or for that matter the rest of the week. No emergency calls either. How you makin it out at your place?”

  “Well, it’s interesting you should ask. I had to go pick up Laurel Danner, you know, she just moved into Ida’s old place. She’s staying with me till the snow clears a bit and she’s really sick. I’m pretty sure it’s pneumonia. She’s got an awful rattle in her breathing. Blood pressure is fine, but she has a fever of 103 as of this afternoon. I expect it will keep rising.”

  “Did you give her some Tylenol?” Rich questioned. James replied that he had. “She should be all right, James, but you have to watch it and be careful. I won’t be able to make it out there till tomorrow. Give her Tylenol every four hours, especially through the night. That fever doesn’t need to get any higher.”

  James rifled through the first aid kit. “She says she started out with a cold and just kept getting worse. This breathing problem and high fever has only been in the last day or so. I don’t have any antibiotics.”

  “Hmm.” James heard Rich on the other end of the line consider what to do. “She’d be on an IV if she were in the hospital. We’ll do the best we can. Keep the Tylenol going and watch that fever. Also use the stethoscope and let me know how the breathing is going. I’ll be out there as soon as I can tomorrow. Any change for the worse, you need to call me immediately. Give her plenty of fluids. If she feels like eating, she can have whatever she wants. Don’t worry if her appetite isn’t up to par for a few days though. If that temperature goes above 103, you need to call me right away.”

  “Okay, Doc, I’ll be in touch.” James hung up the phone and went to check on Laurel. She was fast asleep so he decided to turn in too.

  James watched over her during the night and every four hours made Laurel take three Tylenol. She fell quickly back to sleep after each dose. Around 9am James heard the water running in the bathtub. He couldn’t believe Laurel was even out of the bed. He stomped in her room and knocked on the bathroom door. “Laurel, what are you doing out of bed? I’m coming in there.”

  Laurel coughed and managed to croak, “No, I’m taking a bath. I feel filthy. Please, give me a minute. I won’t take long,” she grumpily commented. Her words were punctuated with deep croupy coughs.

  “You have no business out of bed,” he lectured as he tried the doorknob. It was locked. “Open this door right now, missy.” The door knob rattled as James’s intimidating voice grew deeper. “One more second and I’m coming in.”

  “James, I’m naked in the tub, please don’t come in. Can’t you just wait for me till I’m done? I promise to call if I need you.”

  Letting out a loud breath, James gruffly agreed. “All right, but I don’t like it. I’ll be waiting right her
e until you get out. You better call if you start to feel light headed. I’ve seen naked women before.” James reached above the door post and took down the key. The bed squeaked as he lowered his substantial weight on it.

  James could hear Laurel splashing around in the tub. He tried to keep his mind from imaging what she looked like naked in his bathtub. The water was running again and it sounded like she was rinsing off. He hoped so. He didn’t want her moving around so much. She needed to be in the bed for heaven’s sake. He would give her a few more minutes and then, he was going in there, whether she liked it or not.

  He knew there were some nice big fluffy towels in there for guests. He supposed Laurel would call if she needed anything. He heard Laurel get out of the tub. Then, nothing. He waited. Then he waited a little more. Laurel gave a cough or two and then got quiet again.

  “Laurel,” James called. “Are you okay? I haven’t heard anything for a minute or two. Do you need me to come help you?” The worry in his voice was obvious and the only answer he got was a raspy noise. He popped the lock and slowly opened the door to peek in. When he saw her on the floor, he quickly crossed to kneel in front of her. James put one hand on her forehead and the other on her shoulder. She was wrapped in one towel with another around her head. She leaned against the wall with her knees drawn up and her head down. She was completely out of breath. James began to fuss.

  “I told you it would be too much to take a bath by yourself. When are you going to listen to me? I should take a paddle to your behind…” James stopped mid-sentence. He realized Laurel’s face was turning stark white.