Page 40 of Fire and Rain
Once inside the facility, a woman in scrubs led directly to an exam room. The doctor who saw them knew about the outbreak on base. He did rapid strep tests. In ten minutes, he diagnosed them both with scarlet fever.
“You see the rash on Maverick’s tummy and cheeks?” He pointed. “That’s the hallmark of scarlet fever. I can give you both penicillin injections, or you can take pills and Maverick can take liquid Amoxicillin. I’d recommend some prophylactic antibiotics for you, Sean. Unless you plan on heading to the base clinic today, I’ve got some samples I can give you. I wouldn’t normally do that, but the Coast Guard is an essential part of the Kodiak community.”
Eden chose the injection, but she didn’t want to put Maverick through that.
In less than an hour, they were back in the vehicle, anti-nausea meds and antibiotics for Maverick and pills for Sean in a paper bag in Eden’s lap.
“Thank you, Sean. Thanks for showing up when you did—and for driving us. I could have managed, but it would have been a lot harder.”
He glanced over at her, smiled. “Are you kidding? You could barely stand. With that kind of fever, you shouldn’t be behind the wheel. I’m happy to help.”
He parked the vehicle in the garage, carried Maverick inside, then helped Eden the rest of the way into the house. He took her coat, hung it on the coat tree. “Get into your pajamas and back in bed. I’ll give Maverick his first dose of meds.”
There must have been surprise on her face because Sean chuckled. “Did you think I was just going to drop you off and head back to the barracks?”
“I guess I did. I mean … we’re not your problem.”
Serious now, he looked into her eyes. “You’re never a problem, Eden.”
* * *
Sean didn’t realizehow much effort went into getting a toddler to take his medicine. He found himself cajoling, clowning around, and saying ridiculous things to get Maverick, who clearly felt awful, to open his mouth and drink. “I know it’s no fun with a sore throat, little guy, but this will make you feel better.”
When that didn’t work, he changed tack, making siren noises. “Hey, look, it’s a firetruck. It’s trying to come inside.”
Maverick finally opened his mouth and took the medicine.
“Good job, Maverick!” Sean held out his closed fist. “Fist bump.”
Mavie gave a little smile and rapped his knuckles against Sean’s. “Fiss bump.”
“Right on.” Sean put the bottle of amoxicillin in the refrigerator and rinsed the measuring spoon for use again later. “Well done, little dude.”
“You got him to take his medicine?” Eden stood there in a lavender sleeveless sleep shirt and bathrobe, her slender legs bare, her lush breasts unencumbered by a bra.
Do not stare at her breasts. Don’t even look in the breastular region.
Sean kept his gaze on her face and lied. “Yeah. No problem.”
“Uh-huh.” Eden clearly didn’t believe him. “I’m going to give him more acetaminophen, and we’ll go take a nap.”
Maverick was okay with the acetaminophen, but he didn’t want to take a nap. He flopped on the floor in front of aThomas & Friendsvideo. Sean made tea while Eden covered her son with a blanket then curled up on the sofa beneath a throw.
He handed her a cup. “I added honey and lemon for your throat.”
“Thanks.” She took a sip, and he could tell it hurt her to swallow. “How did you know to come here?”
He sat on the other end of the sofa. “I just had a bad feeling. I sent a text, and you didn’t answer. Then I called, and you still didn’t answer. That made me worry.”
“I’m sorry to worry you, but I’m really glad you came. I lost my phone. I heard it buzz but couldn’t find it. It’s somewhere in my bedroom.”
“I’ll find it.” Sean walked to the bedroom with his phone, dialed the number, and followed a faint buzzing sound to the head of the bed. The phone was there between the headboard and the mattress. He walked back to the living room and handed it to Eden.
“Thanks.” She sipped. “How was the weekend? It sounded busy.”
Sean told her about the eight cases he’d flown on—a trawler hard aground, two boats taking on water, one with engine trouble, two with malfunctioning bilge pumps, one boat taking on water from a hull leak, and an injury on a crabber.
Eden yawned. “Sorry. It’s not your stories. I just didn’t sleep much last night.”
