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“He was the one who found the boy,” Albie explained, climbing down off Minnie. He was quick to grab Percy. “He’s in a state. Cold, shock, I’m not sure. He has a large bump on his head.”
“I’ll take these two,” Robert said, leading the horses toward the barn.
Des went ahead, limping on his bad leg, to the front door where Elsie met him. “We’ll need some hot water, some tea, maybe some soup.” He held the door for them, and Albie helped Percy inside. He considered putting him by the fire but thought bed might be a better option.
He helped him sit down on the bed, Elsie helping untie his boots, and Des stood in the doorway.
Did he see their clothes by the hamper? Did he see the bed rumpled for two?
Albie would have to worry about that later.
“I’ll get a wash basin,” Elsie said, ducking out of the room.
Albie shucked out of his coat and threw it toward the dresser, then put his hand to Percy’s face. “I need to take your shirt off. It’s wet.”
Percy gave a nod. “Sorry. Just a bit... tired,” he said, slow-blinking.
Albie pulled Percy’s suspenders off with a familiar ease, followed by his shirt. Then he urged him gently to lay down. “Take it easy,” Albie said quietly. “Gonna get you cleaned up.”
He undid Percy’s pants and pulled them off him. Realising Des was still at the door, Albie pulled the blankets up to cover him. Elsie came back with the wash basin, and Albie took it from her. “I need more blankets,” he said. “He’s cold to the bone.”
She gave a nod and disappeared again, and Albie took the washcloth and wrung the warm water from it. He sat on the edge of the bed and taking in Percy’s beautiful sleeping face, he ever so gently wiped at the bump on the side of Percy’s head.
“What happened?” Des asked. “Percy found the boy?”
Albie nodded. “Yes. He was over the edge of the first cliff. Percy went down to get him. Must have hit his head on the way down. Lucky he didn’t fall off.”
Albie couldn’t bear the thought...
“We heard the gunshot,” Des said, still at the doorway. “We came back, and when you didn’t follow, we were worried. Robert was about to go back looking for ya’s.”
“Sorry,” Albie said. “I had Minnie pull Percy and Christopher up. Then I put them on her because she’d know her way back. Percy had the sense to ride straight to McAllister’s. Mrs McAllister was about beside herself with worry.”
Elsie came in with a blanket from her bed and draped it over Percy. “I’ll go see how his tea’s going.”
“Might just keep it warm for him,” Albie said. “He wasn’t up for eating or drinking at McAllister’s. I think he needs some rest. I’ll just get him cleaned up first, then I’ll join you.”
Elsie gave Albie’s shoulder a squeeze. “Call out if you need.”
She collected Percy’s wet and dirty clothes from the floor, ushered Des away from the doorway, and she closed the door behind them. And then in the dimly lit bedroom, Albie wiped Percy’s forehead, his cheek, his jaw, taking in the lines of his face. He swiped his thumb across Percy’s cheekbone, cradling him gently. “Oh, my love.”
Percy’s eyes opened slowly, took a second to focus, and then he smiled. “You.”
“I’m here.” Albie nodded, cupping his face and planting a soft kiss on his lips. “You gave me quite a scare. Rest easy, now. We’ll get you some tea and soup later if you’re up for it.”
“Head hurts,” he mumbled, his eyes drifting closed again.
“Go to sleep,” Albie whispered. “I’ll be right here.”
When Percy’s breaths evened out and deepened, Albie pulled the blankets down and, with the warm washcloth, began giving him a bath.
First, his face and neck, his chest, then his hands, to properly wash away the mud and dirt. Then he gently patted the rope marks on his wrist.
He loved this man. This body, this face. And seeing him lie so still now made him miss his smile so much. The way his eyes would shine when he laughed, the way his blond hair would shine in the sunlight.
Percy just needed to sleep, Albie reminded himself. He’d be right as rain tomorrow.
With that in mind, he pulled the blankets back up and tucked him in safe and sound. He kissed his forehead, took the washbasin of dirty water, and went back into the living room.
