Zhang said little as he looked over the girl. He mixed some powders together to create a paste for her leg. He stuck little needles all over her. She started to stir, but her fever was so high, she never fully woke. She cried out, mumbled incoherently, and sometimes called for her pa.
Trevor leaned against the door frame staying out of the way.
"Her Qi is no good. It will take time." Zhang bowed slightly before he sat in the chair beside the bed.
"Trevor, go see if you can take care of that horse. I don't care if he stays there, but he shouldn't be left with all that gear on. He probably needs water." Nana shooed him out of the room.
Trevor trudged out the door and was reluctant to approach the moody horse again. He brought hay and water over to make friends. He tried to pull the bridle off as the horse worked on the hay. The horse flung his head up above Trevor's.
"Come on now. I know you don't wanna eat with that bit in your mouth." He waited until the horse was busy eating again and then pulled the bridle over his ears real quick. The top of the bridle fell on the hay and the bit slipped out of the horse's mouth. But the reins were still tied around the saddle. He studied the horse, moving slowly to the side of the saddle. The horse didn't flinch while he undid the reins. Maybe he could undo the saddle too. It was going to be hard to take it off carefully with the saddlebags and shotgun holders on the back. The horse didn't step away when he undid the cinch. Trevor waited a moment before he slid the saddle and the blanket off the horse's back. The horse kept eating. He pulled the heavy saddle a short distance away.
Trevor glanced up at the window before he opened her saddlebag. He rummaged through it finding an old dirty sealed jar, a dress, and other random items. He thought he found something special when he caught the glint of gold in the sunlight. When he pulled it out, he sat back on his heels. A Texas Ranger badge. He polished it on his knee before putting it back in the bag.
Trevor pulled out a small book. With his heart racing, he looked through her journal searching for her name when he skimmed over the pages near the end. He read about the day her pa died. With a lump in his throat, he didn't read any further. He knew what the jar and the water bladder contained. Opening the front cover, it was addressed to Miranda and signed by her pa. Trevor rubbed his eyes and cleared his throat when he tucked it back in her bag. He lifted the saddle to carry it inside and felt something grow in his chest when he thought of her name. Miranda was without a ma and pa just like him.
The horse stood in his path. Trevor tried to go around. The horse stopped him again.
"I'm taking it to Miranda. I won't steal nothin'." Trevor stared the horse in the eye. "I mean it, you stubborn ol' mule." He stepped to the side. The horse stayed put but watched him the whole way as he carried the saddle up the stairs until he went in the door. Trevor set it down in the bedroom.
"Her name's Miranda," Trevor announced.
"Now how do ya know that? Are you a snoop too?" Nana asked.
Trevor had been going downhill all day. He spotted the leather of the gun holster on the floor.
"Look, Nana." He pointed where 'Miranda' was stamped in small letters on the leather.
"Aren't you smart! Why didn't I see that? Come with me, I need your help."
Zhang did his thing for two days. Miranda moaned and kept calling for her pa in her sleep. Trevor spooned a pungent tea in her mouth when Zhang was done using her as a pin cushion. He couldn't stop imagining what it must have been like for her to watch her pa die.
On the third day, Miranda was aware of the world around her for the first time. Trevor was apprehensive to go into the room while she was awake. He leaned against the wall near the door so he could eavesdrop.
Nana gave Trevor a puzzled look before she entered the room with a tray full of food.
"So our little houseguest is finally awake and can let us know who she is," Nana said loud enough that the hired hand must have heard her in the barn.
"Thank you, ma'am," a timid voice answered
"I'm Miss Daisy. And I'm so glad that I brought Zhang here. He not only saved you, he saved your leg."
"I appreciate his help very much." Her speech was muffled from whatever was in her mouth.
"If it wasn't for my grandson, you might still be bakin' out there and probably dead."
"I don't remember much. I just remember leavin' home."
"Are you a runaway?"
"No, Ma'am. I'm on my way to California to ... to ... " she sniffed. "I told everyone stories when I left. I can't do it again. My pa is dead. I don't have any parents anymore. I just have their ashes and I'm gonna take them to the ocean and scatter them there. That's what Pa wanted, to see the ocean someday. There was just too many after him for him to take me there."
Nana gasped. "Is he an outlaw?"
"No, Ma'am. He was a Texas Ranger and hired lawman. He made lots of enemies for bein' a really good one."
"Oh, I see. Now don't you worry. I will take good care of ya. Besides, I think that grandson of mine is a little fond of ya already."
Trevor covered his flushing face. Thank goodness the girl couldn't see him. He wasn't sure he even wanted to go in and introduce himself after Nana's embarrassing comment.
He pushed off the wall with his back to leave when Nana's questions intrigued him enough to stay.
"Now, why were you dressed up like a boy? And what is the story on that crazy horse of yours?"
"I didn't wanna draw attention to myself travelin' alone lookin' like a girl. Al is a handful and only allows me near him. Did he kick down any stalls?"
"We never got him into the barn at all. He has been stickin' his head in the window here since you arrived. In fact, I'm surprised he ain't here right now. Trevor!" Nana bellowed.
He took a few silent steps away from the wall and then stomped towards the room trying to make it sound like he came far away from the bedroom door.
"Yes, Nana?" Trevor asked innocently. Then his eyes met Miranda's. His heart instantly raced at the size of her large blue-gray eyes fringed with heavy dark lashes. Why did he like her so much? He never liked any girls before. Good thing she didn't remember how they met.
"Go see what that horse is up to. I'm sure he'll want to see her now that she's awake."
"Yes, ma'am." He glanced back at the girl one more time then realized how impolite he was. He stuck out his hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Trevor."
"I guessed as much. I'm Randy." She shook his hand hard like a man.
"And we were callin' ya Miranda," Nana said.
"That's my given name. My ma always called me Mimi. After she died, I preferred to go by Randy."
"I'm sorry about your ma. I see you have the boy thing down. But lookin' at ya, you're a mighty fine lookin' girl. You should take pride in that," Nana said.
"I just don't like followin' all the rules bein' a girl. I've got more freedom actin' the way I want to."
"Well, that can get ya into trouble."
"I'm not worried. My pa did a good job of makin' sure I could take care of myself."
"It didn't work so well if you ask me." Nana shook her head disapprovingly.
"Only 'cause I panicked to leave town in a hurry before people stuck me somewhere I wasn't gonna stay. I appreciate all you've done for me. But I gotta mind of my own. As soon as I'm well, I'm gonna leave and be on the road again. I can pay ya for your trouble." Then Randy's eyebrows rose. "Where's all my gear?"
"It's all here by the end of the bed. Your clothes too." Nana patted her arm. "You are a strong willed little thing. It sounds like you and the horse are a like-minded pair. Let's do our best to get ya well and on your feet again before ya decide to leave. Now eat before ya blow away. Trevor! Go find that horse." Nana swatted his backside.
"I'm goin', Nana! I'm not seven." He knocked her hand away as he headed out the door, fuming at how Nana was always treating him like he was too young to know better. Randy stirred up some thoughts in his mind. Maybe he could cook up a plan where he didn't have to listen to Nana anymore.
#
The bedroom was just like the fancy rooms in Miss Marla's house. It took everything in Randy's power not to run for freedom. But the old woman, Miss Daisy, didn't come off anything like Miss Marla with her kindness. Miss Daisy picked up the tray and followed Trevor out the door.
The old Chinese man that sat silently beside the bed gave Randy the peace of mind she needed to stay put. For the time being anyway. Besides, her leg still throbbed and she really wanted to keep it.
Randy wasn't sure what to think about how she wound up in her new circumstances. Her memories were fuzzy on how she got there and that bothered her the most. The boy, Trevor, looked nice enough. For some reason her skin prickled like she should be cautious. There had to be more to it than him finding her sick in the desert and bringing her home for his nana to fix. His half-smile when he shook her hand and the thick dark mess of hair on the top of his head made him look like he was into mischief. At least that's what her pa called it when she was up to no good.
Trevor was in her good graces when he promptly headed out the door to find Al even after his nana swatted him like a little boy. But he had barely left when he returned.
"What's the horse's name?" Trevor held the door frame and pulled back and forth on the wood. He gave her the endearing half-smile again.
"We ... I mean, I call him Al. His full name is Al-Hayib. It means gift and Pa never believed Al acted the part." Randy shrugged, swallowed hard, and blinked several times. She hid her face from view and listened to the boy's footfalls when he left. Randy glanced at the silent man in the chair. He sat straight and stiff with his hands on his knees staring off in front of him. When he did look at Randy, he smiled ever so slightly.
"You a lucky girl. The leg will scar. But it is still there." Zhang stood and uncovered her propped up leg. He lifted her heel slightly and unwound the bandage to show her.
"Your Qi was bad. Sad and angry festered the leg. Must grieve more. Will expel the poison inside."
"I won't be able to go on if I let it go." She couldn't blink the tears back. They spilled uncontrolled down her cheeks. She pressed the sheet against her face.
Zhang pulled the sheet down. "Tell me the sad."
She shook her head and pressed her mouth together. Zhang closed the door before sitting down beside her. When he pressed his hand against hers, it spilled out of her. Everything. How her pa died, how she couldn't live with Miss Marla, how the only other person she trusted wouldn't let her stay with him, how scared she was. She sobbed, burying her face in the pillow.
"Now, you will mend." He stood up, bowed his head politely, and left the room.
"That's lovely," she mumbled. Randy shuddered from crying so hard. "Upset me and leave."
Al poked his head through the window. He greeted her with a deep rumble and his muzzle rubbed against her hand. He stood still while she rubbed between his eyes.
"I missed you too." Randy tugged on the mane in front of his eyes. "I'll be out to ride you soon. I promise."
The next few days were uneventful except when Zhang would poke needles in her or turn her over on her belly to place cups on her back. Randy complained. Zhang ignored her. She understood how bad her leg had been, but it was all disconcerting and strange.
Trevor hovered but never stayed long or said much. There was guilt or something that hung around him. Since she had so much time to do nothing, she tried to recall what happened and how he might have brought her there.
On the third day she had been awake, however she was told it was the sixth day she had been there, Trevor and Zhang eased her onto her feet to go for a walk for the first time. She saw the yellowing bruises on Trevor's face when he held her arm, helping her walk.
"How'd that happen?" Genuinely curious, she wondered if he earned the bruises by helping her. His eyes widened before he looked away. Randy pressed her mouth together and regretted it. She was still sore on the side of her face. "You ... Oh!" She stopped.
Nana was almost to the room and Trevor shook his head vehemently.
Randy's face reddened and she clamped down her jaw. She wanted to haul off and punch him for his silence, and for silencing her.
"I'll explain," he whispered. "Would you like to go outside and see Al?" he asked eagerly with his eyebrows nearly touching his hairline. Zhang allowed Trevor walk with her on his own.
"You might not have known me long, but ya know how to find my soft side already." She allowed him to lead her through the main room of what appeared to be a large farmhouse to the front door. There was a broad covered front porch and several stairs leading down to the dirt drive. On one side of the drive was a blackened burned shell of what was once a grand barn. On the other was a newer, smaller barn.
Randy whistled. Al trotted up to greet her and pressed his head into her chest. She hugged him running her hand through his coarse mane.
"I see you've taken advantage of me not brushing you." She patted Al's shoulder and a dust cloud formed. Trevor patiently waited for her. Randy figured he was content putting off the inevitable of her questioning him. They were a safe distance away from the house before she prodded him.
"Fess up. I can't remember it all, but I know I did that to you." She pushed her finger into the bruise on his cheek.
Trevor winced pulling away. He chewed on his lip and sighed. "I have always loved nice lookin' horses. Let me show ya somethin'." He brought her to the corral just outside the barn. After he made sure she was steady holding onto the fence rail, he leaned on it next to her.
"You see that there horse?" He pointed to the other side where an old, sad looking, sway back horse nibbled at the weeds.
Randy nodded.
"That's my horse. He's been all sway back like that since I was a kid. Nana said he was the safest horse around. She lost a son when he was little in a horseback ridin' accident. She hasn't bought me a decent one yet. I've been doin' my best to earn money for my own. When I got close and was about to go to auction to buy one, she took my money when she found it thinkin' I was gonna run away. I just wanna nice ride." Trevor looked her in the eye then gazed back out to the corral. "I was so mad that I didn't come home for days and stayed with a friend. I wanted to show Nana how furious I was. I'll admit I was lookin' for trouble when I saw a boy on a fancy horse the other day. So I did what I woulda never done in my right mind. I wanted to steal your horse. But that went badly. You were no little boy. You were a girl with some serious fight in ya and one really mean fist. I paid for it. When I landed on your leg though, ya passed out. I realized you were sick so I gave up on the horse stealin' idea and brought ya here.
"Nana sent me to get Zhang on that pathetic horse and for the first time in days I did as I was told. I hoped you would be all right because, well, it didn't look good. Your infection was poisonin' your body. That's what Zhang said. I thought Nana was crazy to trust the Chinaman like that, but I'm glad she did. I did what was right in the end. Besides, if I hadn't found you, ya might be bakin' out there dead like Nana said."
Any anger she had for Trevor dissolved. Randy studied the tired looking horse on the far side of the corral. He was a palomino that had seen better days. "Is he loyal?" Randy asked.
"Is who loyal?"
"Your horse. What's his name?"
"We call him Old Swayback Manny. I guess he's loyal." Trevor pressed his fingernail into the soft dry wood.
Randy whistled. The horse's ears pricked up. But it also brought Al behind her to her shoulder. She ducked under the fence. Holding the rail, she raised her other hand in the air. Manny leisurely made his way over to her. Al nudged her shoulder. She hopped away from his reach to wait for the palomino. Manny stopped in front of her with his head low.
"You're a tired old horse, aren't ya?" She rubbed his head and behind his ears. He nudged her with his muzzle. "Yes, ya wanna spend your days takin' it easy. But you'll let me ride you, won't ya?"
Randy hobbled over to the side of the horse. Even with one leg, it took little effort for her to jump onto the horse's swayback.
Al complained and carried on, pacing along the fence.
"Pay no attention to the whiny baby over there." She pressed her heel gently into Manny's side. He leisurely meandered inside of the corral. Trevor stepped inside the fence, probably to escape Al's jealous fury. After Manny slowly circled the arena, she slid off where Trevor could help her.
Randy glanced away when he looked at her too intently. "For the favor of savin' my life, I'll try to convince your nana that you need a horse. Manny needs to be left to spend his days takin' it easy."
"Don't make him come off lame or anythin' like that. She might put him down."
"Oh, no. Of course not." Randy was all too aware of how he held her elbow gently. When he reached for her hand, there was the slightest flutter in her chest from his touch.
Trevor was distracted watching Al's distress so she looked at him a little longer than she meant to. His eyes were really bright blue. Hers were more gray than blue. Not the striking way his were. He still looked like trouble with the unrest on the top of his head. It took everything she had not to straighten his dark curls out like she would on Al when his mane was tousled. She grumbled at how silly she was. As soon as she could walk without help, she was leaving them all behind.
Trevor helped her out of the corral and back to the house.
"How old are you?" Trevor stopped so abruptly that Randy put too much weight on her leg and she stifled the need to cry out. "Sorry." Trevor held both of her hands while she recovered. "I'm seventeen. I'll be eighteen soon."
"I'm sixteen." She winced through her reply.
He nodded, obviously lost in thought as he helped her back to the house.
Randy didn't find any good opportunities to bring up aging Manny to his nana for the rest of the day.