....by Leslie
Chapter Nine "Mrs. Hutchins, please come sit down." The doctor grasped Rachel's hand and led her to the chair outside Amanda's room. She had been pacing back and forth, almost as much as Cameron had. The doctor's obvious tone made her more worried than she had been. Then a nurse came running out of Amanda's room. "DOCTOR!!! Come quickly!" The doctor practically leaped up and ran into the room while the door slammed shut behind him. "What's going on?? Why won't they tell us anything? That's my sister in there!" Matthew screamed. He was filled with a sense of dread. The only other time he had this feeling was when there was a cave-in in the mine, and he had to admit there was nothing he could do. He felt helpless then; he felt more helpless now! Rachel walked over to Matthew and put her arms around him. She held on tightly for a long time. She sensed too that the doctor was not going to give her good news, but she had to hope that somehow, Amanda would pull through. She had her father's strength, and his stubbornness. Cameron was lost. He wanted to go over and tell Rachel that Amanda would be all right, but he couldn't move. He still felt like he was the cause of the accident, and even though Madeline tried to be friendly, he knew she blamed him too. Rachel, knowing this, went over and sat next to Cameron. "You know, son…that daughter of mine. She's a handful. When she gets well, and she will GET WELL…..you're going to have plenty of time to get to know each other, and to take more of those long, romantic rides at the lake. Amanda is quite taken with you, Mr.Sinclair. And I can see by that worried look in your eyes that you have feelings for her too. Rest assured, Amanda will walk out of here on her own, if I know my daughter!" "Thank you Mrs. Hutchins. But I don't deserve your understanding here. I know you said not to blame myself, but I do. Had I stood up to her snooty friends, Amanda would be here with us now, instead of in that dreadful room going through hell. How will she ever forgive me?"Cameron kept shaking his head back and forth, not knowing what he could do to help Amanda. "Cameron. I do not blame you. Matthew does not blame you. Amanda will not blame you. Certainly not. She will be glad you're here, and I know…." Rachel's words were cut short when the doctor came out of Amanda's room. "Mrs. Hutchins, I think my words may have been a bit too premature!" "What do you mean doctor?" Rachel questioned, as she stood to talk to the doctor along with Cameron, Matthew and Madeline. "It's Amanda…….she's come out of her coma." "She's ok? My daughter's going to be ok?" "Another colleague and I are going to re-examine her now. But Amanda has awakened from her coma. And she mumbled something about a letter someone had read to her aloud. Do you know anything about that?," the doctor asked. Rachel motioned in Cameron's direction." He's the one, the nice young man that has spent every moment he can with her. He did this." Rachel turned to Cameron, hugged him, saying "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for bringing my daughter back to us." "Mrs. Hutchins, I will be back after we review Amanda's case. Rest assured, she's in very good hands!" The doctor left to take care of Amanda. Rachel fell to her knees, saying a silent prayer to Mac, thanking him for watching over their daughter. Matthew got up and went over to Cameron, resting his hand on Cameron's shoulder. "She's going to be fine, Cameron. She's going to be all right, thanks to you!" "Not thanks to me. Thanks to all of you. You're her family. You've known her all her life. What have I done?" Cameron wondered. "You love her, son. You love her. " Rachel answered. Matthew agreed. Time stood still as they awaited news of Amanda's condition. After an hour, the doctors came out and walked towards Rachel. They looked rather perplexed, something Rachel had trouble understanding. If Amanda was coming out of her coma, what could possibly be wrong? "Doctor, what can you tell me about my daughter's condition? We have been waiting here quite a spell and are looking forward to seeing her. Will she be all right?" "Mrs. Hutchins, Amanda is responsive and that is a good sign. She's feeling somewhat groggy which can be expected after a serious head injury. But, we have discovered that she can only see shadows at this point. Her optic nerve has been bruised and we are hoping after some rest, she will be fully functional again." "Fully functional? You mean my sister is blind? Dear God!" Matthew responded. "Mattthew, calm down son. Amanda will be fine. After some rest, your sister will be up to arguing with you in no time!" Rachel tried to reason with her son but it was becoming difficult not to worry. Madeline had heard enough. She was no longer in the mood to be prim and proper, as if she ever was. But this last bit of news sent her over the edge, and she didn't care who was in her path now. She pointed her finger at Cameron. "YOU….YOU…. It's all your fault. If you hadn't come into Amanda's life, she wouldn't be here. She doesn't belong in THAT room-you do!! You hear me? YOU DO!" If Madeline was angry about what had happened to Amanda, then Rachel was equally upset over Madeline's attitude towards Cameron, or anyone lately. She went over to her, politely grabbed her arm and pulled her into the hallway so not to cause a scene outside Amanda's room. "Madeline, this has to stop and stop NOW! From the moment you stepped off that train, you have done everything you can think of to irritate and disturb Amanda and her relationship with Mr. Sinclair. I will not have that. He is welcome here. You no longer are. I am asking you politely to leave. Or I will ask someone to escort you out of the hospital. " Madeline was astounded that Mrs. Hutchins would choose someone the likes of Cameron over someone her own kind. She had been Amanda's friend for most of her life and could not picture it without her. What Mrs. Hutchins said was true, though. She despised Cameron. He had done this to Amanda, not her. Matthew interrupted their conversation. "Mother, do you need any help here? This kind of negativity coming from Madeline is easily remedied. Miss Kinglsey, you are not welcomed here. Please leave before I throw you out myself!" Madeline was mortified. Another Cory stooping below himself defending someone the likes of Cameron Sinclair. She left without saying another word. But she vowed, "I'll be back." Cameron sat alone…thinking..going over how anything that happened could have been done differently. Could he have made it to Amanda before she got on the horse? Should he have stayed at the party and not let her friends get the best of him? These questions kept circling in his mind, until he was startled by the appearance of the doctor. "Mrs. Hutchins….. Where is she? You can all go in to see Amanda now. She is resting quite nicely, and is anxious to see all of you. Especially you, Mr. Sinclair!" "Thank you doctor, thank you!"Cameron rejoiced in the good news. He ran to the hallway and told Rachel and Matthew the great news. They had to steady themselves before going in, knowing that Amanda could not see. They were not prepared for what they saw. Amanda's head was bandaged, and her eyes were covered. She looked a bit pale, but was smiling when she heard her family enter the room. "Mom….Matt…is that you?" Amanda wondered. "We're here, honey. We're here." Rachel and Matthew said in unison. "And Cameron??" "He's here too,Amanda!" Cameron answered,"I'm right here Amanda." "He hasn't left your side since they brought you in. "Rachel added. "I knew that. I could hear him reading a letter to me. Mom, Matt…would you mind leaving us alone for awhile? I'd like to talk to Cameron, if you don't mind." Amanda asked. "Of course we don't my dear. We'll leave you and Cameron alone. We'll be right outside." Rachel bent down, gave Amanda a kiss on her forehead and left the room with Matthew. There was a moment or two of silence before Amanda spoke first. "Cameron, I heard every word you said before……I…..I….I love you too." He took Amanda's hand in his and gently stroked it. He could tell she was tired but she didn't want to fall asleep again…not just yet. "Amanda…shhhh!! Just rest. We can talk about this later." "But I need to talk about it now. Your letter and those words you wrote to me were beautiful…just like your poem was. Please don't leave me again. I need you here." Cameron let go of Amanda's hand and ran his fingers across her cheek. She reached up and took his hand and placed it on her heart. "This is where you will always be..in my heart. Remember that!" Amanda fell asleep. Cameron bent down and kissed her forehead. "Rest well, my princess." Cameron was relieved to know Amanda was sounding like herself again. But he was concerned that no one had told her the truth about her eyesight. "Mrs. Hutchins, is Amanda going to be able to see again? And why haven't the doctors told her much about her eyes? She's going to be so scared…what are we going to do to help her?" Cameron wondered. They could all tell by his concern that he truly loved her. "Cameron, the doctors will be examining her eyes again in the morning and will more than likely tell her at that time. We want to be here when they examine her. Will you be able to make it, son?" Cameron shook his head yes. Rachel wondered if he'd have to leave before the Wild West show began. "Amanda's well being comes first. I WILL be here!" Cameron left the hospital first, followed an hour or so later by Matt and Rachel. Amanda woke briefly and asked for Cameron, but by this time the Wild West show had begun and he would not be able to get away. But Rachel and Matt promised her that they would stop by and tell him she was ok. It had been an exhausting day for Cameron, but he had been through worse. The show finished sometime after 8 and Rachel and Matt kept their word and stopped by to fill him in on Amanda's condition. He was grateful for the news and again, promised to be at the hospital first thing in the morning. Rachel and Matt thanked Cameron for his concern about Amanda and left. They, too, were exhausted. Cameron cleaned himself up, put on his nightshirt, and sat down on his bed. He knew sleep would come easily tonight, but he wanted to write something down first. He took out his look book and began like this… "I love her. She is the most important woman in my life. I will not let anything happen to her. Ever!"
Chapter Ten (At the Sinclair home)
Amanda was amazed that Cameron could remember every detail about his dream. He seemed to be deeply affected by what had happened to her in it, and had to question him about it. "Honey…..Why do you always dream about me being in danger? Are you worried that something is going to happen to me again? I'll be fine. I have you to watch over me. And Alli is not letting me go anywhere alone much anymore. I also have our darling son to keep me company. What's wrong?" Cameron took her hand in his, gave it a sweet kiss and said, "Amanda, I just have never had so much goodness in my life at one time. You know about my childhood. It was awful. No little kid should have to go through that. Every child should feel loved and wanted. I never had that feeling before. Not like I do now. You, Ryan and Alli are my life and I would do anything to protect that-ANYTHING!" Amanda couldn't help but be moved by Cameron's words. She linked her hands behind his neck and pulled him in closer for a kiss. "Cameron, we're safe. As long as you're here, we'll all be fine." Cameron nodded his head as Amanda continued her assault on his lips and neck. The awakening of their infant son of course quickly disturbed them. "Ok, sweetheart, I'll get Ryan if you finish that dream of yours. Will your heroine regain her eyesight? And what will happen between her and that handsome man??" Cameron laughed and continued his story…. (The dream…) No one got much sleep that night. Rachel sat up in the twins' room, trying to read, but that didn't work. She tried some warm milk, even a smidgen of brandy as Carl used to drink after a particularly rough day. Nothing helped. She was worried about Amanda and the reaction she would have when she found out about her eyesight. Matthew was worried too. The troubles he was having with the miners were small in comparison to what Amanda was going through-what she would be going through later that morning. Cameron hadn't been to bed all night. After writing in his look book, he tried to lie down, but sleep would not come as easily as he thought. He was exhausted, worn out…all those things….but his mind kept trailing back to Amanda. He loved her. Yes this was true. But in some small way, his actions-or lack of them-were responsible for her condition and he would not forgive himself for that. Cameron got dressed, grabbed some grub and was on his way to the hospital when Cinnamon noticed him, and stopped him. "Cinnamon, not now. I have to go. Amanda needs me." "Honey…she's probably still sleeping, just like you should be. Now sit a spell and tell me how you're doing..really!!" "I don't matter. That woman in the hospital-she's all that matters." "I know. You feel helpless don't you? You think, 'If I'm not there, something's going to happen' or 'if I am there, nothing will happen.' I know what you're thinking, Cam. I've been there before too." "I just don't know what to do. Those medical doctors-they know how to help her. How to make her well. All I do is sit there and hold her hand. How can that be helping her?" "Now you listen to me. Your being there, your presence….that means more to her than anything. Don't you ever stop believing that, you hear? Now…you go keep watch over little Miss Cory. I'll tell the big bosses where you are." Cameron gave Cinnamon a quick peck on the cheek and left. Cinnamon, on the other hand, lingered in that moment a little longer. "Soon, sweet thing….real soon!" Cameron thought he would be the first one at the hospital, but he was wrong. He met Rachel and Matthew as they were walking up the stairs. What they didn't notice is that Madeline was there too, out of sight, but there. She, in her own way, was still worried about Amanda and her condition. The three of them were about to enter Amanda's room when the nurse stopped them. She wanted them to know Amanda had a rather restful night. The only thing was that she kept mumbling Cameron's name, over and over again. Cameron blushed at that thought, and Rachel gently touched his arm to acknowledge his presence in her daughter's life. They walked into Amanda's room, which was darkened by the shades. The doctors were ready to remove the bandages from her head and eyes. Rachel was concerned about what her daughter's reaction would be. So were Matthew and Cameron. The doctors took their time in removing the bandages from Amanda. Each twist and turn brought her family closer to the realization that this condition may be permanent. How would Amanda deal with this?How would they? The doctors finally finished. Amanda, as soon as the bandages were away from her eyes, started blinking them incessantly, as if she was trying to remove something from them. Then she raised her hand to rub her eyes, but the doctor stopped her. "MOM!!! MOM!!! I can't see…. What's wrong with my eyes?? I can't see anything but shadows!!!" Amanda was pleading for answers and Rachel wanted to give them to her. But-again-the doctors stopped her. "Miss Cory, you suffer a severe head injury. Your optic nerve is bruised. We don't know to what extent. But the x-rays along with our examinations have confirmed that this condition may not be permanent." "PERMANENT??? You mean I could be blind for the rest of my life? Mom!! Help me!" "Honey, you'll be fine. Matthew and I are here. Cameron's here too. We'll all take real good care of you. We love you, honey. All of us. Now you just listen to the doctor and do everything you can to get better, OK?" "But mom…my eyes??? My eyes?? Cameron..Cameron where are you?" "I'm right here Amanda.Right here. Just like I said. I'll never be far from you. You know that." Rachel interrupted the doctors as they were talking in a corner of Amanda's room. "What's next for my daughter? Therapy? Surgery? What?" "Mrs. Hutchins, there really isn't anything we can do. You know when a bruise happens on your leg or arm. It discolors rather quickly after an injury, and then it takes time before it heals. That is exactly what happened to Amanda's optic nerve. She bruised it. And we are hoping that after some rest and healing, her eyesight will return fully." "I will take you at your word sir. Now, when will we be able to take my daughter home? After all, she can recover much more quickly at home where there is peace and quiet, rather than here, with your nurses poking and prodding her every time she moves or coughs!" Rachel asked. "Possibly tomorrow. I would like to keep her overnight for observation. Just to be sure." Rachel was happy about that. Matthew left after hearing the good news. Cameron was ready to leave, but both Rachel and Amanda begged him to stay. How could he say no? Amanda asked them what had happened, and Rachel related the day's events to her..how she was excited about her party. How Cameron made her smile just by being there. That Cameron had overheard Madeline and Chandler making crude remarks about his character and he left, without giving Amanda her gift. That Amanda wanted to show Cameron she could be part of his world by riding a stunt horse, and that she fell….or was thrown. She hit her head and was knocked out. This brought her to the hospital. Amanda asked her mother where Madeline was, and Rachel told her the truth. Amanda was not surprised over Madeline's reaction-she always seemed to think everyone and everything had its' place in the world and you don't mix these. Cameron apologized again about leaving the party but Rachel and Amanda stopped him from going any further. "Son" Rachel said, "No one deserves the kind of treatment you received from Amanda's so-called friends. You have been very kind to my daughter, and for that, I will always be grateful. Besides, my daughter has taken an obvious shine to you, and for the first time, I would have to agree with her taste in men!" "Mother! You are embarrassing me. Cameron, I'm sorry!" "No need to apologize Amanda. I appreciate your mother's kind words. Now you rest. And I'll be back later." Cameron said his good-byes to Rachel and Amanda and left the hospital to go talk to his bosses. Amanda needed his attention right now and he wanted to be there, to help her recover or to be there to support her if she didn't! As he left the hospital, Madeline lurked behind the shadows. "I will get you cowboy. If it's the last thing I do, I will get you out of Amanda's life for good!" The next few weeks went by rapidly. Rachel brought Amanda into town for her weekly doctor visits and Cameron made himself available at any time the family needed him. He was there when the shadows she had been able to see before got somewhat clearer. He was there to take Amanda by the hand on a long walk on the Cory property. He was there when Amanda got frustrated because things weren't going her way and began to cry. Cameron tried every day to reassure her that her eyes would get better but Amanda wasn't so sure. The only times she felt confident about her condition was when Cameron was close by. Rachel was very grateful for Cameron's obvious love for her daughter and never neglected to mention that when she saw him. "Cameron, can you come and sit with me a spell? Amanda could use some rest and I myself would like to have some pleasant conversation for a change." "Certainly, Mrs. Hutchins." "Please, son, you've been around our family for awhile now. Feel free to call me Rachel." "I would like that. It's just very hard to call you by your first name. While I was growing up, my mother taught me that calling a female by her first name was disrespectful." "Cameron, I think you have been most respectful to my daughter and the rest of us. You showed that respect and restraint when you ceased to address Madeline for the person that she is." "Mrs. Hutchins….I mean Rachel, Madeline is Amanda's friend. For that alone, she deserves my respect. She can say anything about me she cares to. I will NOT let her hurt Amanda's feeling again. I promise you that!" "See..that's why I know my daughter has finally picked a good man-YOU! You treat all women with respect, not just the ones who return that respect in kind, but all women. Bless you son." "I appreciate the little chat Rachel. But may I get back to Amanda now? When she wakes up, I want her to know I'm right here." Rachel nodded her head in agreement and Cameron left."A true gentleman. Very rare these days." Rachel then went about her business for the day, knowing Amanda was in good hands. Back in town, Madeline continued to seethe. Her hatred for Cameron grew as she realized that he was there helping support Amanda while she had been banned from the family property or from ever seeing Amanda again. She had to find a way to get him out of Amanda's life. But how? Just at that moment, a handsome stranger rode into town and past Madeline. His appearance made her forget for a minute what she had been planning…long enough to look up and like what she saw. He got off his horse and she could tell he was someone important. He was dressed rather nicely and seemed to be looking for someone. So Madeline decided to see what she could do to help. "Welcome to Colorado Springs sir. Is there something I can help you with?" The stranger was surprised at her frankness. "Well yes, thank you. I am looking for someone who is traveling with the Wild West show. His name is Sinclair, Cameron Sinclair. I have business with him. Important business. Can you direct me to him, please?" Madeline jumped at the chance. He looked like a lawman. Definitely someone important. And he had business with Cameron? Perfect! He was trouble and now she has found someone to point that out to Amanda and her family. At last. Things seemed to be falling into place. "I would be most happy to take you to where this Mr. Sinclair is. Please follow me." "Surely!" the stranger said. This woman was being kind to him, something he hadn't seen in a long time. Besides that, she was a looker and the luck he had with women hadn't been very good lately. Maybe this trip was a good idea after all. The trip to the Cory's didn't take long. Madeline and the stranger didn't do much talking, just about the weather and what events were taking place in town. She told him about Amanda's party and what had happened to Amanda, leaving out her part in it of course. The maid directed them down to the stables where Amanda and Cameron had stopped nearby to have a picnic lunch. Madeline couldn't wait to see the look on Cameron's face when the stranger confronted him. In no time, there they were and in front of them, on a blanket eating some sandwiches, were Cameron and Amanda, smiling for the first time in a while. Here was her chance. Madeline called out to Cameron. "Oh Cameron? Someone is here to see you." Cameron looked startled. Madeline was pleased. The stranger spoke. My my!! I see my little brother has moved up in the world!"