Across the Border Read Online Free Page B

of the stove.”
    Henry and Luke splashed water over their heads when they came in for supper.
    â€œThere weren’t no cool place to work out there today,” Luke said. “Thought for a while I might not make it.”
    â€œIf you hadn’t sent Alice and Simon out with lemonade, neither one of us would’ve made it,” Henry said. “I can’t remember the last three summers bein’ this hot.”
    â€œThey never been any different out here,” Polly told him. “You can see the heat poppin’ up off the ground. I’m afraid everything is gonna shrivel up and die, including us.”
    The men sat down to eat the cold supper Polly had prepared. Ham slices, potato salad, baked beans, pickles, fresh bread, and tomatoes would ordinarily be a welcome summer meal. Tonight, however, Luke just pushed the food around his plate.
    â€œToo hot to eat,” he said when Polly mentioned it to him. “Guess I’ll go out to the bunkhouse and shuck these clothes.”
    Henry and Polly both watched him leave.
    Polly’s brow was furrowed with concern. “Ain’t nothin’ ever separated Luke from his meal before he was done with it, even if he had to take it with him.”
    â€œI’ll try to get him to go down to the creek and cool off,” Henry said. “It was pretty hot out there today.”

    The next morning, Henry entered the kitchen alone. “Luke says he’s gonna rest a few minutes more. Then he’ll be in. But I dunno. He don’t look good to me.”
    Polly dropped her spoon in alarm. “Rest a minute? Luke? He’s too stubborn to lie down, even if he was near dead. He must be sick.” She placed Henry’s breakfast before him, then headed for the bunkhouse.
    Ethan was walking toward her from the barn.
    â€œLuke didn’t help with the milkin’ this morning?” she asked.
    â€œNo,” Ethan replied. “We told him we’d do it. He tried to get up, but I don’t think he feels too good. I was going to see if he was coming to breakfast.”
    Polly was becoming more worried by the minute. “You go on in and eat. I’ll see to Luke.”
    At the door she called to him.
    The answer was weak but determined. “I’m comin’, Polly. Don’t get yourself in a knot.” There was silence for a moment, then, “Well, mebbe I ain’t. Think I’ll stay here a bit. You go on back to your kitchen. I’ll be fine.”
    â€œI ain’t goin’ back till I see what’s ailing you, Luke.” Polly stomped into the room and stood at the foot of Luke’s bunk. “Why, you’re in the same clothes you had on last night!” She proceeded to strip the shirt off his back, and Luke hadn’t enough strength to resist. “Now, where’s your nightshirt?”
    At this, Luke showed more life. “I ain’t puttin’ on no nightshirt in the morning! And if I do, no woman’s gonna help me with it!”
    The energy needed to make that declaration was more than Luke had to spare. His head dropped back on the pillow, and his eyes closed. Polly found the garment in question, and Luke was soon lying in a straightened bed with a cold, wet cloth on his forehead.
    â€œIf you ’spect to live out your natural days, you’re gonna have to let a woman take care of a few things,” Polly commanded. “Now don’t you move from there. I’m sendin’ Henry for the doctor. You’re a sick man.”

    When young Dr. Timothy Flynn arrived, he agreed with Polly. “Breakbone fever,” he said. “It’ll take a while to get over it. He’ll need good nursing.”
    â€œI can’t spend my days runnin’ ’tween here and the house,” Polly decided. “Is this stuff likely to go through the family?”
    The doctor shook his head. “No. It’s the result of an insect bite. If you keep mosquito