Doc Morrison nodded slowly, then pulled a small vial from his bag. This is willow bark extract. Dissolve two drops in water and get her to drink it. It'll help bring the fever down. Keep doing what you've been doing.
Cool claws, fluids, rest, and don't let anyone else in this room unless they've already had scarlet fever. Scarlet fever? Eliza's blood ran cold. Are you sure? Pretty sure.
The rash will confirm it in the next day or so, but all the signs are there. He fixed her with a stern look. This is serious, miss. This fever could kill her if it gets any higher. You need to stay with her, keep her cool, get fluids in her any way you can.
Can you do that? Yes, Eliza said, her voice steadier than she felt. I can do that. Good. I'll be back tomorrow to check on her.
In the meantime, keep everyone else away. Scarlet fever spreads like wildfire, and the last thing this family needs is all five children sick at once. He left the vial on the bedside table and headed downstairs to give B the same grim news. Eliza could hear the murmur of voices, the sharp intake of breath when Bo learned what his daughter was facing. The doctors measured reassurances that meant nothing in the face of actual fear.
When Bo appeared in the doorway, his face was gray. Doc says you're to stay with her, that you're doing everything right. I'll take care of her, Eliza promised. I won't leave her side. The boys will be fine.
They can manage for a few days. James knows how to cook basic meals, and Levi and Nathaniel can handle the chickens and the smaller chores. You focus on the ranch, and I'll focus on Meera. Bo looked at his daughter, so small and fragile in the bed, and something broke in his expression. I can't lose her, too, he said horarssely.
I can't. It'll kill me. You won't lose her, Eliza said with more confidence than she possessed. I won't let you lose her. He left then because there was nothing else he could do.
And Eliza settled in for the longest night of her life. She pulled a chair close to the bed and kept vigil, changing the cool cloths every few minutes, dripping water and willow bark extract onto Meera's cracked lips, monitoring every breath and whimper. Levi brought her food she didn't eat. Nathaniel brought fresh water without being asked. James appeared in the doorway every hour, his face hagggered with worry, needing to see that his sister was still breathing.