The meeting ( part four to the nameless man )

Malory felt like her body was on fire but she was shaking with chills, it felt like she had a bucket of water thrown on her she was sweating so badly. She tried to open her eyes to see where she was, this did not feel like her little cottage but her attempts to waken were eluded as she fell back into a deep sleep that she could not escape.

Chance passed back and forth not knowing what to do for this beauty that lays in his bed, her fever was now breaking but she would not waken for him to ask what hurt on her, if anything. It had been a week now since he brought her to his homestead and at first it was a bit touchy whether she was even going to live and the though of finally finding the girl he had so many thoughts of for so long just to lose her still made him cringe with fright. Chance had done all he could giving her ice baths and sips of broth to get her nourishment up and now it was just a waiting game to see if and when she would open her lovely eyes again.

Chance had already done his chores for the day and fed the girl some broth and now he just wanted some rest, he has a chair beside her bed that he has been sleeping in and his back felt like it was in misery but he wanted to be here when she wakes so she is not frightened. Chance leans back in his chair and falls asleep dreaming of the girl he was caring for and wondering if she was as beautiful inside as she was on the outside.

Malory opens her eyes slowly, she does not recognize her surroundings or the man whom sleeps beside her in a chair like a child who has had no rest and could finally not keep his eyes open. Something does seem familiar about him though but she cannot pin point what it is just yet. She tries to sit up on the bed to take a look around but her strength is gone from her and she falls back onto her pillow in a heap of frustration. Malory does not want to waken the man but she cannot just lay here not knowing what brought her to this place and just who is this man was bothering her more than anything. Malory gives a little cough hoping it wakens him from his slumber, her plan worked as he started to then open his eyes.

Chance was overjoyed that the girl had finally woken from her restless sleep and got up out of his chair like lightning racing over to her to check her over. That was all it took for Malory to push him away and ask what had been bugging her.

Who are you and how did I get to this place? Malory asked her eyes now wide and curious and in her voice Chance could tell she was also frightened but he was livid that he had nursed her for a week and now she pushes him away like he is some animal.

I my dear am the man who saved you from what could of been the death of you! and a thank you would of been more endearing than a shove from what must be a very ungrateful girl," he said to the now wide eyed girl.

Malory felt ashamed of herself now and with a batter of her eyes that melted his anger away she said in her sweetest voice," thank you sir and I am grateful for all that you must of done for me but I am very confused about how I have gotten here and why I am here in the begin with.

There was a fire and it hit across the fields taking homes and barns with it," chance explained. I found you close to your cottage as I was on my way to town, I brought you back here to my homestead to take care of you because I do not know you or if you have any family and to leave you there would of been a death wish for you my lady.

Malory thought about what he had just explained to her then it dawned on her that he had not told her if her little cottage still stood up or had it also been taken with the fire that spread across the prairie.

And my cottage? she asked him in a soft whisper

gone my dear, I am sorry to tell you that just when you are finally getting back on your feet! Chance replied.

Tears started to trickle there way from Malory's eyes as she thought of all the hard work she had put into her home, the splinters and bruises that covered her body seemed now to of been a waste of time and sweat. Chance once again walks over to Malory this time to take her into his arms and give her any support he could in a time that must be the worst of her life. Malory this time does not push him away but instead lays her head on his shoulder as she cries what must of been a million tears, but all the tears would not bring her home back and now she had no idea where she would stay until she gathered enough money and wood to rebuild her cottage. She thought now maybe was the time she moved on to find a new beginning somewhere that she can make it without worries of her next meal and if that Jones would finally take control of her land as he had so many others the past year.

A million things were running in Chances and Malory's heads now, but none were spoken of just yet as they both laid back in the bed. Malory was still in Chances arms as they drifted into a restless sleep.