Magnolia Storms

by Janet W. Ferguson

  A loud laugh erupted from Dahlia. “Aunt Maggie. Talk about rude.”

  Realization lifted Maggie’s brows, and she turned Josh’s way. “Sorry. I didn’t mean that like... You know... Not how it sounded.”

  The nurse’s expression spoke total bewilderment, but she held up another swab. “Now the nose for the flu test.”

  Maggie squeezed her eyes shut tight. “Boy that tickles.”

  “All done with Mama.” The nurse opened another packet. “Your turn.”

  Josh’s heart squeezed. If only...

  His son stared at Maggie and she stared back. What were they thinking? She opened her mouth wide again and nodded. “Like this, J.D.” Her voice garbled as she tried to talk with her jaws that way.

  The awkwardness brought a small smile to J.D., and he complied. Before he could change his mind, the nurse tickled his throat with the swab, bringing up a gag and a cough.

  “Good boy.” Maggie kissed his head.

  “Now the nose.”

  His son’s body flinched, but he allowed the test. That had gone well enough. Josh released a pent-up breath. Somehow Maggie gave J.D. confidence.

  Josh blinked hard. Too bad she didn’t send any his way.

  And oh, how he hoped they didn’t have to draw blood.

  “I’ll take these to the lab, and Dr. Collins will be in soon.” The woman left carrying a tray with the specimens.

  “Lord, let it be something simple.” Josh spoke the prayer out loud, turning all eyes toward him. “I’m really sorry about this. I had no idea he was sick.”

  “Children get sick, Joshua.” Waving him off, Ruth clucked her tongue. “We can’t live in a bubble. We work with the public, go to restaurants, not to mention the hospital...” She shook her head. “Hospitals are full of sickness.”

  “I hope Mama doesn’t get worse.” Dahlia’s voice wobbled. “I haven’t even gotten to visit her yet.”

  Ruth wrapped an arm around the girl. “God’s in control, darling, don’t you worry. Like the minister said today, there’s no panic in heaven. The Lord’s not caught off guard by this.”

  Wise words from the elderly. Josh nodded. “That’s right.” If only he knew what the plan was or understood it a little better. Was Maggie sick, too? Or was it fatigue? How would they manage if she was? She’d likely blame him if anything bad happened to Cammie.

  Silence fell in the room like a dense fog of apprehension. Only the sound of Dahlia playing with Ruth’s phone penetrated the quiet.

  After what seemed like an hour, a knock sounded on the door. “Good afternoon, guys, I’m Dr. Collins.”

  Josh shook the man’s hand. “I’m J.D.’s father.”

  “We ruled out flu and strep, but let me take a look and listen to our boy, and we’ll go from there.”

  Maggie stepped to the exam table. “Can I hold him while you check him?”

  “Sure, have a seat up there, and then, J.D., you lean forward so I can listen to you breathe in and out. Okay?”

  The paper on the table crinkled when Maggie scooted on. “I’ll be right here, pumpkin. Lean toward Dr. Collins so he can listen.”

  His son obeyed, and after a few breaths, the doctor put the stethoscope to the front of J.D.’s chest. When he finished, the doctor kept going with his examination, and J.D. submitted willingly. It seemed as long as Maggie held him in her arms, the boy could handle it all. Must be nice.

  “I’m hearing a little rattle in his chest. There’s a bug going around the state called mycoplasma, commonly known as walking pneumonia. I’ll need to do a blood test to confirm.”

  Josh’s abs tightened. Not only about the test, but also about the word pneumonia.

  Chapter 19

  NO ONE COULD MAKE THIS stuff up...all the unfathomable storms that seemed to rain down on their family.

  Walking pneumonia? It couldn’t be. A tremble shook Maggie’s shoulders. Was fever causing the shiver, or just plain fear? They’d all taken the miserable blood test, not without a few tears from J.D. Dahlia put on a brave front, but that finger prick had hurt. At least the doctor had accommodated their unique situation. Now they waited for the results and filled out paperwork. For thirty more minutes.

  A moan slipped from J.D.’s lips, and Maggie brushed a lock of golden hair from his forehead. “We need to get something to bring his fever down.” She stood and walked to the exam room door. “I’m going to get that doctor to give him Tylenol or Motrin, whatever they give little kids. This is crazy.”

  Josh stepped in front of her. “I’ll do it. You’re right. I was lost in thought about the situation and how to handle our schedules.” The back of his hand caressed her cheek. “You may need some too. You said you felt bad.” His blue gaze searched her face, his features soft and caring.

  She filled her lungs with a large gulp of air. “I’ll wait until we get home, but get him something right away.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’m on it.”

  Before he could exit, the door opened, and the doctor appeared. He stopped abruptly, and his brows raised. “Sorry for the long wait. Were y’all coming to find me or giving up and going home?”

  “He needs something to bring his fever down.” Maggie tried to keep her tone in the polite range, but her patience had faded twenty minutes ago.

  “Of course. I’ll have the nurse bring a dose of Tylenol right away.” He typed something on a tablet. “But first what pharmacy do you use? I’ll send the prescriptions out.”

  “Prescriptions? Everyone’s sick?” A wave of nausea flooded her.

  “Not yet. Only you and the little man have walking pneumonia. I’m not surprised because there’s been an outbreak. The two of you will need to steer clear of the rest of the crew for a couple of days. Close yourselves in a separate room, watch some movies. After that, if you’re fever free, you can join the family again.” He looked at her then Josh. “Though Dad didn’t test positive, there’s a slight possibility he has it, too. Especially if you’ve been in close contact.” He raised his brows to drive home his point. “He might need treatment before he visits your sister. Or he could wait it out a week or so.”

  “I’ll take the medicine just in case.” Josh ran his fingers through his hair. “We don’t want to take any chances.”

  Yep. They’d been in close contact. Maggie swallowed hard at the memory of the kiss. What a mistake. Now neither she nor Josh could visit Cammie for several days. That left her aunt, who really didn’t need to be driving and navigating the hospital three times a day by herself. What in the world would they do? They couldn’t leave her sister there alone.

  Once J.D. received a dose of medicine and they paid, Josh drove to the pharmacy. From the front seat, Aunt Ruth pointed across the parking lot to a smoothie shop. “Oh, that’s exactly what we need, a nice cold slushy.”

  “Smoothie, Aunt Ruth.” Dahlia corrected her. “And I want chocolate peanut butter cup.”

  “Me, too.” J.D. suddenly raised his head in the car seat. The fever must’ve been lower. “I like chocolate.”

  “They have strawberry banana, mate.” Josh chimed in. “That would be better for you. I’ll get it as soon as I finish in the pharmacy.”

  “I’ll go,” Aunt Ruth offered.

  “No.” Maggie wouldn’t chance letting her aunt cross the pothole-filled parking lot. “I got it.”

  “Maggie, are you well enough?” Josh studied her.

  “Yes, and I’ll hold my breath carrying them back.”

  He opened his wallet and offered a few ten dollar bills.

  “I don’t need money, but you’ll need my insurance card for the prescription.” Maggie dug through her purse to find her wallet. After shuffling through at least fifty shoppers’ reward cards, she found what she was looking for.

  Josh took off toward the drug store, and Maggie held up her phone. “I’ll make a note of your orders. My brain is tired. I know what Dahlia wants, and J.D. gets what his dad said, right?” She looked at Dahlia to confirm that was how things worke
d.

  Dahlia’s head bobbed.

  “But I want chocolate.” J.D.’s lips poked out in a pout.

  “I’m going to get strawberry banana, like you. That flavor is good for sick people.” She didn’t need an argument right now. “Aunt Ruth?”

  “I’ll have what you and J.D. are having.” Her tone was flat. No doubt she’d rather have chocolate, too, but was taking one for the team.

  “I’ll be right back.” Maggie trudged across the parking lot, fighting the headache hammering her skull. Outside, she sucked in the humid air, which stirred up a cough. A hard throaty cough.

  Nice. My head just might explode if anything else goes wrong.

  Inside the cool store, she placed the order and then held out the phone to type a text to Angie. Maybe their nurse-friend could go talk to Cammie and explain the situation. The sound of the mixer whirling sent another wrack of pain, this time down the tightening muscles of her neck. Mid-text, the phone chimed. She didn’t recognize the number. It might be the hospital. Her heart rate accelerated as she accepted the call. “Hello.”

  “Miss Marovich?”

  “Yes, who’s calling?” This better not be a sales call, or someone was getting a dressing down.

  “This is Dr. Castro.”

  “Oh, crud. She’s got it, too, doesn’t she?”

  “I’m sorry. What’s going on?” Confusion laced his words.

  “The little boy Cammie babysits and I have some mycoplasma pneumonia. We left the doctor’s office and are getting a special antibiotic.”

  “Oh.” After a deep breath, the line fell silent for a long moment, ramping Maggie’s anxiety higher. “That could explain your sister’s fever. I’ll treat her accordingly. At least we know what we may be dealing with.” He expelled a breath.

  Fear waged war with Maggie’s faith. She let her eyes close. “Lord, help us,” she whispered.

  “Miss Marovich, I’m praying for your sister, too. I’ll stay with her and watch her. When I have to leave for surgery, I’ll make sure the staff is attentive. Don’t worry. You give yourself at least forty-eight hours or so on the antibiotic and get some rest before coming back. This is my personal cell. Call or text me anytime.”

  Unshed tears stung the backs of Maggie’s eyelids, burned her nose. She wouldn’t lose hope. Not yet, at least. “Thank you for taking care of her.”

  “We both want her to recover fully.” Something in his tone piqued her curiosity for a second, but she was too overwhelmed to follow up on it.

  “Number twenty-five, your order is ready,” a voice called from behind the counter.

  “I’ll let you get back to work then.”

  They ended the call, and Maggie collected the sack of icy drinks. A shiver ran through her. Maybe she had a fever after all. She hadn’t had time to think about anything but Cammie and the kids. And the store and Aunt Ruth. And the storm. And Josh.

  JOSH MADE IT BACK TO the truck as Maggie handed out the smoothies. A cold drink would be great right about now.

  “What kind did you get me?” He glanced at the empty cup holder then looked to the backseat.

  “Oh, shoot.” Maggie pressed her palm against her forehead. “I don’t know what I was thinking. Sorry. I’ll go back.”

  “No. I didn’t want one really.” Not much anyway. He cranked the truck. “We need to get y’all back to rest. Oh, and the pharmacist said this antibiotic is hard on the stomach and not to be surprised if you taste metal for a while.”

  “Great.” Maggie’s tone said anything but.

  Should he pitch his idea yet? Or should he wait until they got home? He backed out of the parking place and shifted into drive. Better to throw it out there. He cleared his throat. Some help here, Lord, would be good. “So. Maggie. You and J.D. could room at my place, and I can sleep on the couch at Ruth’s. She and I, with Dahlia, of course, can run the store. That leaves checking on Cammie. I texted Angie and updated her on the situation. She said her son has this stuff, too, but she was well, so she’ll check on Cammie.” Now to wait for a reaction. He held his breath.

  Other than the hum of the motor and some loud slurping from J.D. and Dahlia, the truck fell silent. For a long minute.

  “Okay.” Maggie’s one word answer almost made him pull over. Nothing was that easy with her. Something else had to be going on.

  Worry rained down on him, needling him the rest of the way home. But he wouldn’t question her in front of the kids.

  After parking in his driveway, he grabbed the bag from the pharmacy and then opened the door for Maggie. She stepped out and turned to unlatch J.D.’s car seat.

  “Maggie, let me—”

  “You need to stay well. I’m depending on you.”

  Her words and tone spoke volumes, piercing him. She’d needed him before, and he’d let her down. Now he may have indirectly caused her sister to get ill. “I’m sorry. About everything.”

  No answer.

  Ruth and Dahlia continued into their house while Josh followed Maggie into his. “Let me change the sheets on my bed and grab some clothes, then I’ll be out of your way so y’all can rest.”

  “I’ll read J.D. a story in his room.” She cradled his boy like a baby. And J.D. let her. His son was wiped out, and Josh’s heart squeezed. He hated not being the one to care for J.D.

  Fifteen minutes later, he had the bed made and had packed a folded stack of clothes in his travel bag. He’d savored the echo of Maggie’s voice reading to his son, but the house had become quiet now. Maybe they’d both fallen asleep. Should he leave? He lingered in the living room, toeing the hardwood floor.

  “Hey,” a voice whispered from the hall. Weariness weighted Maggie’s lashes halfway over those dark pools that drove him mad.

  “Hey.” A stupid thing to answer, but it was all that came to mind.

  She took a hesitant step closer and stopped. “Cammie is sick, too.”

  “No.” His stomach lurched. “This is all my fault.”

  “You weren’t driving the truck that hit her.”

  “I shouldn’t have moved here.”

  “Too late about that, and I need you to run the store until I get well, so you’re stuck. For now.”

  What did that mean? Did she want him to leave once she was well? He wrestled to think of what to say next.

  “I actually have a pretty bad headache, so I’m going to lie down.” Her phone chimed, and she quickly answered. “What’s going on?”

  Swaying, Maggie mashed her eyes shut as she listened. “Yeah, sorry. I can’t leave now, and I have pneumonia. I hate letting y’all down, but we’ll all have to deal with what we got.” She ended the call and opened her eyes. “That was Steve from my office. I think my friend Jane gave me the crud, because she’s out sick, too. You’re off the hook. And...” Her chest lifted as her chin jutted out. Never a good sign. “The hurricane turned back our direction.”

  Chapter 20

  “I’LL GET US READY FOR the storm. Don’t worry. I have everything we’ll need to prepare. Even a generator.” Josh’s tone sounded so confident, almost compelling Maggie to believe him.

  Almost.

  “Thanks.” What more could she say? She still hoped they would evacuate. Maggie wrapped her arms around herself to fight the chill creeping over her and then turned back down the hall toward his bedroom.

  His bedroom. His bed. Her neck muscles wound into tighter knots, if that were possible. When she reached the spotless room, the covers had been folded down on one side. Swallowing hard at the lump in her throat, she slid between the navy-blue sheets. Cool and soft, they wrapped around her like a wave, warming the ache that seemed to come from every part of her body and soul. She let her eyes close and hugged the pillow, fighting the urge to pretend she was holding Josh Bergeron.

  A BALL OF HEAT PRESSED against the small of Maggie’s back. Her eyes opened to dim light, and she slid her hand around to touch the source. Had someone’s cat gotten into the house?

  Soft skin and cloth met her
fingertips, along with what felt to be a little arm. J.D. Warmth for the sweet child engulfed Maggie’s chest. Cautiously, she slipped over an inch or two and then rolled to look at him.

  Long blond eyelashes lay against the tops of his lightly freckled cheeks. A lock of golden hair curled at his forehead. His skin shone a milky pink and so perfect. What an angel he looked like when he was asleep.

  A rattle came from outside the window. Josh must finally be covering them, probably more to assuage her fears than his own worry about the storm. Something about pilots seemed to make them immune to fear of storms on land. Maybe because they’d survived so many squalls at sea. At least, most of them survived.

  She scooted to the edge of the bed and touched her feet to the cool floor, then she grabbed her phone from the nightstand. At some point, she’d need her computer and clothes from next door. Seemed like now was as good as any while the little man was still asleep. She made stealthy movements toward the door, quiet like she’d seen Josh doing.

  “Miss Maggie? Where ya going?” Almost to the hall, the small voice caught her. A cough and a sniffle followed.

  Josh’s technique surpassed hers apparently. A cough tickled her own chest, taking hold of her body as it wracked her shoulders. She covered her mouth in the crook of her arm until the spasms subsided. Goodness, she sounded like a ninety-year-old man who’d smoked for eighty years.

  “You can keep resting, pumpkin. I need to get clothes and my computer from next door so we can have a spend-the-night party.”

  “My nana has parties with me, and I get to have Mickey Mouse waffles for breakfast.” The sheets swished as he glided across them and dropped to the floor.

  “That’s really sweet. She must be a great nana.” Josh’s mother had been a good parent, despite having had to work so many hours to make ends meet.

  “I don’t want to stay and rest in the bed. It’s too alone.”

  If that hadn’t melted her heart enough, J.D. caught hold of her fingers. They took small steps down the hall.