Giving himself two more days to recover as much as he could, Garrett stayed at the cabin to look after her and do the chores plus it also gave him time for his side to heal more. Riding in that night Red headed to the shack out back where he placed the new fur pelts. Then he went to the barn where he attended to his animal’s needs. With that done he started to go to the cabin but stopped at the wood pile to pick up some wood for the firebox. With slow tired steps he made his way to the warm cabin and a hot meal.
Upon entering the cabin he limped toward the firebox where he placed the wood in it. Turning towards the stove he poured himself some hot coffee which he lased with a shot of whiskey to warm up his innards. Pulling the chair out he sat down to enjoy his coffee and watch his son look after the girl he fancied.
From here Garrett could see that the swelling had gone done some yet they were still far from healing. The bruises had now a greenish/purple tint to them which meant they were healing. Very gently he washed her face and arms before pulling the blanket up to her chin to keep her warm. Straightening up he stretched to get the kinks out of his back then went to the stove to get their supper. While they were eating the stew he had made, father and son did some much needed talking.
“How is she doing?” Asked Red as he gazed at the bed.
“There are a few changes, however there are some improvement, father. But it will take time even thou the swelling is down, bruises are healing and most of her cuts have healed. She still does a lot of tossing and turning as if she is getting away from somebody.” He looked at her with love in his eyes which Red didn't see for he got up to get more coffee for them. Garrett noticed that his father got up very slowly from the table and had a slight limp as he went to the stove. He knew right away that his father's back was giving him trouble. He waited till he sat down again before he said anything.
“I'll take over the trap lines starting tomorrow. Everything has mended enough and I don't feel any pulling when I lift anything. And I am not bleeding no more.”
“Now, look son, I might be old but I can still pull my share of the load.” replied Red who wore a worried look on his face. “You are my boy and I don’t want to lose you! I came to close this last time.”
“Father, I didn't say you couldn't but I think its best if you stay here for a while and rest your back. And it’s your turn to take care of Genisis.”
“Fine, then we will trade off. I'll stay here looking after the girl and the chores while you check the traps. Then we'll switch back.” said Red who took a sip of his coffee. “You just be careful and to not reopen those wounds. If you need to rest, then you stop. Okay?”
“Yes father, and besides Summer Wind will be upset if something happens to you. And I need some fresh air after being cooped up for days” said Garrett as he watched his father choke on some coffee.
“How did you know Summer Wind and I have been talking? Been too long in the cabin you are making things up, have you my son.” said Red. “It's only the end of September but my bones tell me it’s going to be an early winter.”
“Yup, your old bones never lie, do they father.” said Garrett who was trying to keep a straight face. “Just so you know father you deserve to be happy with Summer. You have been alone for long enough, you raised me and now it’s your turn to love again.” Garrett smiled once more.
Getting up from the table, Red poured them some more coffee then took the cups to the coffee table. While he was getting himself comfortable in his rocking chair, Garrett washed the dishes, dried them and put them away.
After the dishes were done, Garrett checked on Genisis then went to settee to finish his coffee and repair some of traps. While Red sat in the rocking chair reading one of his favorite books till he was ready to go to bed. He explained to his father that the last time they visited the village of Chief Rainmaker, Summer Wind asked to speak to him.
“She expressed how much she loved you and wanted to make a home with you. But she also didn’t want to split us up. I told her that she couldn’t have picked a better man to love because you have a lot of love to share.” As he was talking his words were falling on deaf ears for Red was sound asleep.
When he heard the soft snores of his father, Garrett looked up from the trap and saw how tired his father really was. These events had push the old mountain man to his limits, even if he was a few years younger Red still would be the same for this was a stress not one man could handle.
It took him another hour to finish the repair work and placing the traps beside the door, he gently shook his father who woke up then headed to his bed where he flopped down on the blankets to resume his snoring. Shaking his head Garrett went to check on her before going to bed but he stopped beside his father’s bed to cover him up. Looking at his father, he realized that it was time for him to retire but how do you tell a stubborn old mountain man that. No man wants to retire from a life he loves but this man deserved it more than anyone in Jasper.
Putting another log on the fire to keep the place warm, Garrett made himself comfortable on the settee and within a matter of seconds he too was asleep.
The next morning came around and Garrett was up early to get a head start on the trap line so he had made his breakfast and put Red's in the oven to keep it warm for him. Pushing the coffee pot further to the back of the stove to keep it warm too, so by the time his father woke up, his breakfast will still be hot for him.
Walking to the bed he check to see if Genisis was alright and rewetted the cloth on her eyes before putting it back on, then went to the coat rack to get his coat. Shrugging into his coat he bent down to pick up the traps and walked out the door heading towards the barn. During the night there was a light dusting of snow but by the time the sun comes out to its fullest the snow would be all gone.
While he was in the barn he did the morning chores and got his horse and mule ready to go. Within a few minutes he was ready so he took his horse and mule outside then reclose the barn door to keep the heat in for the other animals. Riding out of the yard and making his way up to the first trap line trail he glanced back at the cabin.
There standing on the porch Red watched his son go over the hill and out of sight, watching and praying for his safety. Mumbling under his breath to be careful cause he couldn't take another scare like last time. Closing the door Red went back inside to have his breakfast and coffee. When he was finished he put his and Garrett’s dishes in a tub of hot soapy water. Grabbing a bowl from the cupboard he pumped some cold water into it then went over to the girl to attend to her needs for the moment.
He couldn’t help but think how different they were as he looked down at Genisis, despite her beating all her wounds were nothing compared to his son. And yet Garrett was already back on his feet and working after nearly dying from his stab wounds. However the way they were raised and their stamina for pain was different, where Garrett was hardened and suffered in silence, Genisis was soft and used to luxuries that didn’t permit her from getting harmed or hardened to the world.
Taking the cloth off her eyes, he placed it in the cold water and saw that his son was right some of the swelling had gone down as well as the bruises were starting to heal. After washing her face, neck and arms he replaced the cold cloth over her eyes then went back to the stove to get some more coffee for himself. There was nothing more he could do for her at this moment. But wait for her to come around hopefully.
When Garrett got back to the cabin it was late for the moon had begun to rise and he was tired for he did both of Red's trap lines instead of doing just one. This way he could get caught up on his work and get an early start on his trap lines too.
Taking his horse and mule to the barn, he pushed open the door and led his animals into the warm place. Putting his saddle and the mules rigging on the railing, he started to give his horse a good rub down when finished he did the same to the mule. Placing a pail of water in the corner, he picked up the pitchfork and threw some forkful of hay in for them.
On the way out of the barn he stooped to pick up the pelts that he placed on the hay then strolled out of the barn closing the door behind. Going to the shack that was back a ways he opened the door and turned to light the lamp that was on the ledge. After the lamp was lit he turned around to see what a mess the place was in. For Red had just thrown the pelts down in his hurry to attend to his injuries. It took him a few hours to straighten all the furs out and put them in their proper place. Putting the lamp back on the ledge he blew it out then closed the door behind he went to the cabin.
Walking up the steps, he stepped in and stopped in his tracks for there was Genisis sitting up in bed with a bowl of stew in her hands after seven days of being asleep. Looking through her swollen eyes she saw that it was none other than the town freak and couldn't suppress the shiver of excitement that ran down her spine. For in the candlelight his face features were so hard and there was an angry glint to his eyes. In order to break the silence, Red told him to close the door before all the heat leaves the room. Shutting the door, he removed his coat and hat. While he was washing up, Red had placed their supper on the table. Filling his plate he glanced at Genisis who was watching him but she quickly lowered her eyes so that he couldn't see her face. A soft sigh escaped from her mouth which she covered up with a cough. Then peeked to see if anyone noticed it but they were still eating and talking as if nothing happened.
Garrett got up from the table and he went to the night stand to pick up the water bowl to refill it with cold water. Turning to leave she handed him the food bowl to take back to the kitchen. Walking back to her he place the bowl on the night stand then gently lay her down so he could attend to her injuries. Dipping the cloth in the water he bathed her face and the back of her head where the cut was. Looking at the cut he saw that it was not oozing pus and was starting to heal which was a relief to him.
Before placing the cloth over her eyes she raised her hand to touch his cheek and lightly trace the scar upon his brow.
“I won't hurt you.” said Garrett softly as he looked at her.
“I know that now. I can't see too good at this moment. Everything is fuzzy and I have a hard time making objects out.” said a worried Genisis.
“It’s probably a concussion from before. The swelling has gone down around your eyes but the cut at the back of your head is causing all the problems right now. It will be a least another two weeks or a month before you will be able to go home.”
“A month?” Genisis said in shock, but only for a moment for the calmness in his eyes eased her. “It was you that found me, weren’t you? I didn't think anyone would hear me.”
“This high up in the mountains sound travels a long way.” piped in Red. “Next time you should listen to my son instead of arguing with him, young lady. He won’t always be there to save you and next time he might not live through his injuries.”
“I think I will.” mumbled Genisis under her breath. “Injuries?” she thought to herself for Garrett didn’t look wounded.
Placing the wet cloth across her eyes he got up to leave when she grabbed his hand.
“Can you talk for a few minutes.” she asked kind of shyly.
“Sure for a little while only. I have to get up early tomorrow to do my trap line before the snow comes.” replied Garrett
“Having slept for so long I don't think I can fall back to sleep right away. I thought talking might help.”
“I know how about I get one of Red's novels and read it to you. Let’s say every night till you are able to leave.” suggested Garrett who had a broad smile on his face. The only one who saw the smile was Red who just shook his head and continued to wash the dishes.
“That would be wonderful. I do like reading a lot.”
Going to his stack of books on the shelf, he picked one out then headed back to the bed. Along the way he grabbed a chair which he placed beside the bed. Opening the book he started to read to her just the way Red had read to him when he was a young boy. Glancing up from the book he saw that she had drifted off to sleep.
Laying the book down on the night stand he pulled the covers up to her chin then blew the lamp out. There was enough light from the fireplace that he had no problem getting to the settee. Getting his bed ready for the night he reached over to put another log on the fire before laying down, only to fall asleep immediately. While he was reading the book to her, Red had gone to bed early claiming he was too tired but in reality he was giving them some time alone.
Now in the silence you could hear him softly snoring.
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