Flower of My Heart
Caine woke to the smell of bacon and eggs cooking on the stove. It was then that he noticed that his stomach declared its intentions. He started to rise when he fell back upon the bed, weak.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. You're bound to be weak from the loss of blood."
Caine's eyes narrowed at the woman's voice as he tried to focus on the face of his benefactor. "How long have I been here?" he questioned.
"Three days. You had a very high fever. It broke during the night. The herbs that you had me place on the wound must have had some fever reducing properties as well. Would you like some breakfast?"
"I do not eat meat," Caine said.
"That's all right. I'll have that. I have a vegetable broth on the stove. Besides you shouldn't eat too heavy a meal just after a fever. I'll get you a bowl."
Lillian went to the cooking area and was soon coming back with a steaming bowl of soup for her patient. She placed the tray on Caine's lap and then placed a cloth napkin across his chest. "After you finish that, I want you to get some more rest."
"I should not stay."
"Nonsense. You're as weak as a kitten. You need to regain your strength before you can even consider moving on. Besides, your clothes were a mess and they needed mending. I'm not sending a man out with holes in his clothes."
For the first time, Caine got a good look at the woman who helped him. She was exceptionally beautiful with hair the color of golden sunlight and eyes that had a gentle softness. He found himself staring at her in a way that he had not stared at a woman for a long time.
"Uh, eat up that broth, it's getting cold." Lillian said a little flustered.
Caine took a spoonful and was shocked how his hand shook when he raised the spoon to his mouth. He had not realized how weak he had become. Perhaps it would be best if he stayed where he was at for the time being. As he took a second spoonful of soup, he really tasted it for the first time. It tasted good and his stomach truly began to appreciate the meal for not having eaten for several days. How long had it been? Caine counted the days before and after he had been shot. He realized he had not eaten in a week. Water had been his only source of liquid since he had been on the run, again. It would be nice to linger in one place just for a little while, but he knew he would be forced to move on again.
"Why such a solemn face? Is my soup that bad? Lillian asked.
Caine looked up with wide eyes at the question then realized what it was the woman was asking. What did she say her name was? Some kind of flower? Lillian that's what it was. Such a lovely name for a lovely lady. Looking briefly down at his bowl, he realized he had eaten it all before he even had a chance to fully savor its flavor. Only that one spoonful had given him a hint of what his body had been missing. Then his stomach let out another tiger-like growl.
"No. It is quite good. May I have some more?" he asked quietly, holding the bowl out with both hands like a beggar in the street.
"Of course." Lillian rose and took it and came back, steam again rising from the bowl.
She placed the bowl on the tray and Caine dug in hungrily.
"My you are hungry. Perhaps we can risk giving you something a little more solid next time."
As soon as he was finished, he made another effort to climb out of bed, then realized his embarrassment when he saw the only thing he was wearing was the bandage around the fleshy part of his upper hip. He quickly covered his exposed body so as not to embarrass himself further.
"My clothes?"
"Your clothes have been soaking for three days to remove the blood. Besides, you will not need them for at least another day. I just put them out on the line to dry and they need repairing, badly." Lillian stated. She moved closer, took the bowl and tray from Caine and placed them on a nearby table. She then went to the kitchen area and returned with a bottle of something, a rolled up piece of cloth, and a pair of scissors. "You're not ready to get up. You are still weak. Besides, I need to change that bandage."
Caine's eyes became wide at the prospect of having a woman examining his nakedness.
"Oh, don't give me that look. I've already seen you without your clothes. Who did you think took them off? I had to get at the wound. If it will make you feel better, you can sit on the edge of the bed and keep yourself covered, just enough so I can get to the bandage."
Caine let out a deep sigh, pulled back the covers, and did as she recommended. It still felt awkward, but it was better than having himself totally exposed. As Lillian came closer and bent down to remove his soiled bandage; Caine could not help but get a whiff of her hair. The smell of apples and lavender rose up to meet him and it tantalized him. He could not help but begin to respond. She was so close, attractive, and available. It had been a long time since he had thought of this kind of need. How should he handle it? His thoughts returned to the temple.
****Flashback****
Disciple Caine: Master, our bodies are prey to many needs. Hunger, thirst, the need for love. . . . Shall we then seek to satisfy these needs?
Master Po: Only acknowledge them, and satisfaction will follow. To suppress a truth is to give it force beyond endurance.
***End Flashback****
When Lillian was finished, she looked up and their faces were only inches apart. Caine reached up and touched her face, then kissed her deeply. Surprising both of them. For now, he was satisfied. His body would have to endure a little longer until he was stronger. He only hoped she would be just as receptive.
"Thank you," he said quietly, then climbed back under the blankets and settled down to sleep one more time.
Lillian became flustered but also found herself drawn to this gentle man since caring for him. She had not expected to receive the kiss that he had given her. But in that giving, she discovered that she liked it. His lips had been full and warm, moreso than any other man that she had kissed. There was gentleness, even there. She knew if he were to kiss her again, she would respond, willingly. Her thoughts then drifted to the leader of the posse. She knew in some way that they were looking for Caine, no hunting for him. It was even a possibility that it was one of the men who shot Caine. She could not believe what those other men had said, that Caine was a fugitive from justice. What could he have done that would force him to run from the law?
End of Part 2
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2000.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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