Harriet never minded cussing. Her brothers had done a fair share of it (whenever out of ear shot of their father) and in the army she had heard even more. She barely waved off the apology from Mr. Cothran before the nurse was back to thinking about what her next course of action should be for the boy once he was clean. 

These thoughts were interrupted as Mr. Cothran came to a decision about his ranch hand. Harriet’s soft brown eyes moved from him to Mr. Ross with a smile of thanks. “That’s very kind of you Mr. Cothran, and you Mr. Ross for missing out on the action to stay here with me and the boy…” Though she knew it wasn’t really Mr. Ross’ choice in the matter, better to be gracious . “Yes.” She agreed. “Better safe than sorry.” A motto every nurse knew and believed in. 

“Be careful yourself Mr. Cothran…” Her wide eyes met his briefly before nodding and turning back to her work.  Hopefully the boy’s family could be found and given a proper burial. 

Harriet was quiet as she continued to bathe the boy’s torso, cleansing his skin and finding no more injuries. It seemed that Mr. Ross was a bit put out about not getting to join the hunting party. The nurse did not comment on this, men liked to hunt and fight and do things. It was normal that he would rather be off riding than tending to a nurse and a scared boy.  

After a quick sulk Mr. Ross was recovered . Harriet smiled in a friendly manner, her tone apologetic. “I really do appreciate your staying Mr. Ross. I know it’s not much fun to be left behind with me and the boy…” She grinned sympathetically and put the dirty cloth aside, turning to her various drawers to pull out a clean one and dipping it in the clean basin. “No good deed goes unpunished or so they say…” 

Turning back she gestured to the lad. “If you could just lift him up, lean him forward over your arm so that I might wash his back?” Harriet moved to brace the child’s upper body, adjusting Mr. Ross’ grip and the positioning of the boy until it was precisely what she wanted before going to work. Again, the boy was just dirty. 

“Well…Physically he seems to be in perfect health…” Of course mentally…That wouldn’t be the case.

The nurse was quiet for some time, bathing the lad and concentrating on her work, occasionally changing Mr. Ross’ grip but otherwise absorbed. Off came the trousers and a clean white night gown was produced, slipped over the boy’s head and he was ready. 

“If you wouldn’t mind picking him up now Mr. Ross, I have a patient’s room with a cot made up. We can put him there and let him rest…” Harriet dried her hands in her starched white apron as she spoke, then gestured to the door off her examination room. Once the boy was in Mr. Ross’ arms Harriet opened the door for him, fluffed the pillow before the boy was set down and then draped a very light shawl over him. 

Maternally she brushed a few stray strands of hair away from the lost boys face before turning to leave the room. Shutting the door softly Harriet smiled her thanks up at Mr. Ross, small hand coming to grip his elbow in gratitude.

“Poor lamb…But then life is hard…I think you and I must know that by now Mr. Ross, to have lived as long as we have…” But then he was quite a bit older than she. This thought hovered in the air, about the unfairness of life and how rough it was before Harriet shook her head, reaching up to smooth her plain brown hair back into its practical pinned and braided style. No point in moping about something that couldn’t be changed. 

“And now it’s your turn.” Harriet’s expression was no nonsense. “How may I help you Mr. Ross? Any ailments I could take a look at while we wait? Or perhaps just some coffee?” Not that Harriet was a particularly good cook, but it was almost impossible to mess up coffee.