Jason refused to leave Josh's side the rest of the evening and night. He had insisted that Jeremy, tired and worried, try to get some sleep and around midnight, Jeremy, though protesting, had finally fallen asleep. Jason had to pry Jeremy's fingers from his grip on Josh's right hand and carried him next door, tucking him in.

He found Lottie by Josh's side as she had been most of the day and night.

Lottie was very worried, despite following Dr. Wright's instructions, she had been unable to detect a change for the better in Josh. She had coaxed Josh into drinking as much water and broth as possible, along with the willow bark tea Dr. Wright had provided.

Jason came back and put his arms around Lottie. "It seems Josh has lost about ten pounds in sweat," he commented sadly.

"He has always been so thin, he doesn't have any spare pounds left to lose," Lottie said, lips trembling. "Oh, Jason, I'm so afraid we will lose him this time."

Jason tightened his hold. "Don't lose faith, Lottie, Josh has beaten the odds before."

"At least Jeremy is getting some rest. I don't want him to get sick as well."

"Nor do I. Why don't you get some rest, Lottie? I promise I'll stay here and let you know if anything changes."

Lottie sighed. "I don't know if I can – but I'll certainly pray."

"Our little church back in Scotland still bears the kneeling marks of Mother after all the times she prayed," Jason tried to smile.

Lottie turned to hug Jason and planted a soft kiss on Josh's forehead before sadly leaving the room.

Jason took his seat beside his hot and sweaty brother and took Josh's hand in his two.

During the night, Jason would doze and then jerk awake. Uneasy dreams filled his sleep.

Scotland, a little boy trying to understand his parents' tears and why another little sister did not live. A tiny grave where Jason would gather flowers and put them beside the cross that marked the end of another tiny Bolt baby. Sisters. Brothers. His mother's clinging to her one living child more and more. Weeping throughout the nights, which affected the little boy deeply. His father's sad eyes. His mother's deteriorating health and depression. His father had insisted Jason attend school, the boy always wondering if it would be the last time he would see his mother alive and praying for a little brother and sister to ease her pain.

When Jason was fifteen and visiting home, he found a tiny baby brother in his mother's arms, his father attempting to be encouraging and telling Jason they were moving to America to start a new life.

Jason had been afraid to see his new brother, fearful of another loss, another grave, but at his father's insistence, took a peek at the tiny baby with snow white hair and big blue eyes.

"Jason, this is your new brother, Joshua James Bolt."

Instantly charmed by the tiny infant the minute Jason picked him up gently while his mother slept; Jason felt his fear melt into instant love and a fierce determination that this brother would live. His mother was still weak from the birth and his father was busy with the details of the move. Little Josh cooed and smiled at his big brother who had been tasked with his care.

"Don't worry, Josh, your big brother will slay any dragon that comes near you," Jason would smile, and the baby would coo. Jason finally let happiness and hope into his heart. His mother would smile and praise him for taking good care of his brother; and his father would give him a hearty slap on the back. Those days were the happiest of Jason's life so far.

The trip on the ship was more challenging as his mother and father were sick and again Jason was Josh's caregiver. Jason refused to see the baby grow more listless, his cries more frequent, and Jason's attempts to comfort him less effectively. Baby Josh was slipping away . . .

TBC