Page 39 of Fire and Rain
“You look terrible.”
“I bet you say that to all the girls.”
He didn’t laugh. “What’s going on? Where’s Mavie?”
“He’s sick. We’re both really sick. You probably shouldn’t be here.”
“To hell with that. We need to get you to the clinic. Is he in his crib?”
“My bed.” She sank onto the sofa, head throbbing, her throat so painful. “I have an appointment for Mavie, but I’m really dizzy.”
Sean knelt before her, touched a hand to her forehead. “You’re burning up. I think you’ve both got scarlet fever. It’s going around the base. Wade Sheppard told me this morning. Apparently, it spread via the rec center.”
“Scarlet fever? We went to swimming lessons two days ago.”
“You stay here. I’ll get Mavie. Then I’ll help you get your jacket and shoes, and I’ll drive you to urgent care.”
Eden felt like crying. “Thank you.”
“That’s what friends are for.” Sean disappeared toward the back.
Not wanting to be a burden, Eden stood, slipped her bare feet into hiking boots, and grabbed her warmest winter parka even though it was a sunny day. By the time Sean returned carrying Maverick, she was back on the sofa, head spinning.
“Where are your car keys?”
She had to think. “They should be in the kitchen in a basket next to the fridge.”
He walked into the kitchen. “Got them. I’ll take Maverick out, get him into his car seat, and then come back for you.”
Eden shook her head. “I’m good. Just take care of Mavie.”
She stood and followed them, her palm splayed against the wall for balance. By the time she reached the steps down to the garage, Sean was there.
“I’ve got you, sweetheart.”
Had he called her sweetheart?
He helped her into her seat and then climbed into the driver’s side. Then the garage door came up, and Sean backed her SUV out of the driveway.
Eden leaned back in the seat. “Can you turn on the seat warmers?”
Sean glanced at her, his brow furrowed with concern. “Sure thing.”
In the back, Maverick began to cry.
Sean looked back at Maverick in the rearview mirror. “I’m so sorry you’re sick, buddy. We’re going to the doctor right now. They’re going to make you feel a lot better.”
Eden reached back and held Mavie’s hand until they reached the urgent care.
Sean parked. “Wait here.”
Eden wasn’t sure why she was waiting—until Sean returned with a wheelchair. He opened her door. “No arguments. You can sit and hold Maverick, and I’ll wheel you both in. I told them what’s going on. They want you to go straight to a room.”
“Okay.” With Sean beside her, she climbed out and sat in the chair.
A moment later, he placed Maverick in her lap, and inside they went.
Eden kissed her boy’s forehead, held him close. “We’ll take good care of you.”
