"Ungh……" Was all he could manage before trying to lick impossibly dry lips.
Gently, Rebecca brushed a damp cloth across Charlie’s lips to help the process. "You are sick." She whispered needlessly.
Charlie was very well aware of the fact he was sick. If it were not for the tender caring of the woman at his side, the good Colonel would wish himself dead, so he would feel better. His body was hot, his chest, head and stomach hurt as if he had been kicked by the biggest horse in the stables. Closing his eyes to keep the room from spinning and his stomach from rolling, he merely nodded his head. Gently.
"Guess who is staying in bed today, Colonel Redmond."
The thought of protest crossed his mind. Then the rolling sensation crossed his stomach. The protest tucked its tail between its legs and dutifully lay down in the corner of Charlie’s mind.
"Jocko……" He rasped, softly for fear of yet another coughing jag.
"You leave it to me, Charlie. I will see to it that we get word to Jocko."
"Thank you."
"And in the meantime, Charlie Redmond, you will stay in this bed and you will do everything I tell you to do."
"Yes, Ma’am." Charlie just really felt too bad to argue. Besides, he was learning rather quickly that Rebecca Gaines had a stubborn streak a mile wide and when her mind was set to something, it was just better not to argue, because when she was riled, Rebecca could talk the ear off the Devil.
A smile curled at the Colonel’s lips when another cool cloth was place across his burning forehead and gently fingers combed through his damp hair. He could feel her breathing on his cheek and hear her whispering in his ear. "Rest, Charlie, I will be right back with something to help your chest."
Unable to open his eyes for fear of what would happen to the contents of his stomach, he listened as she left the room. He could hear a slight creaking in the stairs as Rebecca descended them.
He pushed down the covers, feeling far to hot with them on. A shaky hand traveled to his nightshirt and he felt the wetness that had been absorbed from his sweating skin. He moaned as his hand dropped back to the bed. Turning his head slowly, he could see it was still very dark out and he wondered what woke Miss Rebecca.
Then he realized he must have been fussing in his sleep and awakened her. He listened as she made her way back up the stairs, holding a plate with a steaming towel on it. He wanted to tell her he would be out of her way soon, that he would go back to his tent until he felt better, but the words just would not pass through his dry mouth and thick tongue.
Suddenly he had no choice but to open his eyes when he felt the button being opened on his nightshirt. He turned his head and looked at her with wide, startled eyes.
"Relax, Colonel, it is only a mustard plaster for your chest. It is all right, I am not going to hurt you."
Being hurt was the last thing on Charlie’s mind. The first thing was the gentle touch of this lady’s hand as she applied the medicine cloth to his chest. They never broke eye contact the entire time it was being done and Rebecca’s sweet smile reminded him it was okay. He need not worry; he was just as safe with her as she felt with him. She would not tell his secret or betray his trust.
"Relax." She whispered again.
His mind began to reel with her tender touches, continuously replacing old clothes with fresh wet ones to cool his fevered brow. He closed his eyes, absorbing the comfort she was offering. It had been a very long time since someone other than Jocko or Dr. Walker had taken care of him. He imagined that the man who would eventually have Rebecca as a wife would be the luckiest man alive. Charlie only hoped that whoever it would be would have the good sense to cherish the woman. He relaxed even further, knowing that he was falling asleep and unable to stop it.
Rebecca watched as Charlie’s eyes closed. She could not help but smile. She did feel sorry that the Colonel was sick, but falling into a peaceful slumber as he was, she felt good that she was able to relieve some of the distress. She brushed her fingers through damp hair, smoothing it back.
"Rest well, dear Charlie." She placed a tender kiss on the Colonel’s forehead, lowered the wick on the lamp and quietly left the room to let Charlie rest.
As the sun came up, Rebecca saw Sergeant Jackson, riding up to the house. She moved the pot of mint tea she had been preparing for Charlie to a hot plate on the stove, then moved to the backdoor. Opening it, she smiled at Charlie’s friend as he climbed the steps.
"Good morning, Sergeant Jackson."
"Good morning, Ma’am. I am here to inquire about Colonel Redmond. He has not returned to camp this morning."
"Yes, Sergeant, I know. Colonel Redmond is quite ill this morning. He is upstairs asleep."
"Ill?" Jocko’s brows came together. "Should I send the medic?"
"No, Sergeant. It is a cold. A bad one I am afraid, but just a cold. I can take care of the Colonel. There is no need to bother your medic. He is upstairs in the master bedroom if you would like to go see him. I am making him some mint tea. I doubt he will be able to hold down much more than that."
"Yes, Ma’am, I do need to speak with him."
"Up the stairs, last door on the right."
"Thank you, Ma’am."
She returned to tending to the tea, listening to the sound of Sergeant Jackson’s boots as he climbed the stairs.
After the sergeant left to carry out the Colonel’s orders for the day, Rebecca prepared a tray of mint tea and warm bread. Returning to the bedroom, she found Charlie rolled on his side with his back to her. "Colonel?" She inquired softly in order not to wake him if he was sleeping.
Slowly he rolled over, opening blood shot eyes and gracing her with a smile. "Miss Rebecca."
"I brought you a little breakfast."
"I do not think……"
"Hush. You need to understand that while you are under my care, Colonel, you will do as I say."
He nodded. "Yes, Ma’am."
Placing the tray on the floor, she helped Charlie sit up, with his back against the headboard. Taking a moment to fluff his pillows and straighten the blankets. Then she picked up the tray and placed it across his lap. "This is just mint tea with a little honey. It will ease your stomach. Try and eat a bit of the bread too." She poured the tea, before taking a seat on the bed next to Charlie. "Come on now. Just a little, to make you feel better and help you keep your strength up."
Charlie found the tea extremely soothing. He had not really noticed until now but his throat was raw and sore as well.
He closed his eyes, savoring the soothing steam from the cup and the soft aroma. That was, however, an error. As soon as he did, his head started spinning. Panicking a bit, he opened his eyes and thrust the cup into her hands. "Uh. Basin. Please"
Rebecca had been expecting this unfortunate turn of events and quickly placed a basin at the side of the bed and helped Charlie roll onto his side, with his head just slightly off the edge of the bed. She sat patiently and rubbed soothing circles on his back as he tried to decide if he were going to be sick.
Taking careful deep breaths, Charlie focused on the top of the small chest of drawers across the room from him until his rebellious stomach decided that the tea was acceptable and would be allowed to remain. He allowed himself to roll back onto the pillows and just collected himself.
"Thank you. I was afraid that it was not going to stay put. You have been so kind to care for me, Miss Rebecca." Just those few words seemed to tire him.
"It is my pleasure, Colonel. It is the least I can do for you. I want you to rest and get better. Your men are going to need you." And I am going to need you. That last thought startled Rebecca for a moment, but she realized it was very true. She and Charlie had started a hen war in town and she was not going into the battle alone.