by Pat Warren
“There’s no need for further thanks.” She wished he’d go, wished she didn’t feel so…so anxious around him lately.
“You’re very good with her. She adores you, you know.” It was only the truth. Jamie’s whole face lit up whenever she spotted Kate no matter what she was doing. No one else could get her to eat everything on her plate the way Kate could, either.
“The feeling’s mutual. She’s a wonderful little girl.”
The song coming from the stereo was low and kind of bluesy, something familiar by Kenny G., yet he couldn’t think of the title. He glanced over at the terrazzo floor, wondering if he dare ask her for a dance. What could be wrong with one simple dance?
But before he opened his mouth, the frantic cry of a baby came to them from upstairs.
Chapter Six
The crib was a mess. Jamie had gotten sick and was crying with a raspy sound. Although Aaron had told her he’d go upstairs to check on her, Kate had hurried alongside him, recognizing Jamie’s cry as more than just a fussy wail.
“There, there, sweetheart, it’s all right,” she murmured to the frightened child as she lifted her onto the change table.
“What can I do to help?” Aaron asked, unsure where to begin.
“Stay with her here,” she directed him. “I’ll get you a wet washcloth to clean her with and some fresh jammies.” Kate rushed to the bathroom, then grabbed a change of clothes from the dresser drawer. “Here. I’ll change her bed.”
“Must have been something she ate,” Aaron commented. He struggled to tug off her soiled pajamas, then found another mess. “Looks like she may have diarrhea, too.”
Kate abandoned the bed for now and took over Jamie. With soothing words, she quieted the child and hurriedly changed her. “I don’t think she has just an upset stomach,” she told Aaron. “She’s quite warm. I thought she was just teething, but it might be something else.”
“You think she’s got a fever?” Aaron ran a hand through his hair, always nervous when facing any illness. “I’ll get the thermometer.”
Jamie did have a fever, a hundred and two, alarming Aaron further. “I think I’ll call Ron. This doesn’t look good.”
“Let me get her something to lower the fever first. Perhaps it’s just a mild flu. We’ll give her some liquids and—”
“No!” Aaron’s voice was rough with worry. “I know you think I’m overreacting, but Stephanie’s illness began this same way. Mild flu symptoms.”
She should have remembered, Kate realized as she saw his jaw clench, his face turn pale and anxious. “Whatever you say. I’ll hold her while you call.”
Jamie was no longer crying, was in fact quite lethargic, her head resting on Kate’s shoulder as she sat down in the rocker with her after getting one dose of medicine in her. Kate crooned to her gently, stroking the damp hair back from the baby’s hot little face. Aaron was right. She did feel awfully warm.
He returned, carrying his jacket. “Ron’s going to meet me at the hospital. He agrees that we shouldn’t take a chance.” He glanced around the room, finally spotted Jamie’s snowsuit.
“I’ll go with you and hold her while you drive. I’ll put the seatbelt over both of us.” Kate saw the relief on his face and knew that he appreciated her help. Aaron loved his daughter more than anyone on earth and he was deathly afraid of losing her. Plus, he hated hospitals and distrusted most of their personnel. He definitely needed someone by his side just now.
In minutes, they were bundled into Aaron’s Mercedes with the heater blasting away. It was a cold November night, but the sky was clear and there was little wind. Kate held the baby slanted across her lap, the belt restricting both their movements. Jamie didn’t mind, for she’d fallen asleep. Kate saw how badly Aaron’s hands trembled as he turned onto the deserted street.
“I should have known better than to take her outside this afternoon,” Aaron admitted, gripping the wheel. It was Saturday, and he’d spent the morning working in his study, but after Jamie’s nap, he’d taken her out into the backyard to run around a little, chasing a ball, rolling in the leaves. She’d laughed and had a great time. How could he have known she’d catch something?
“If she has the flu, then you probably know that it’s caused by a virus, which is airborne, passed on from other people. Besides, it was a beautiful fall day, no wind, lots of sun. You shouldn’t blame yourself. Children get sick.”
Not this child, Aaron thought. Please, not this child. With a squeal of the wheels, he pulled into the hospital’s Emergency parking lot.
Dr. Ronald Benson’s relaxed manner and pleasant smile were nowhere to be seen, replaced by a grim expression as he entered the waiting room where Kate and Aaron had been alternately pacing and staring out the window at the faint hint of dawn. He took in his old friend’s deeply worried expression and wished he could deliver better news. “It’s a virus, Aaron, a damn stubborn one.”
Aaron swallowed down a huge lump of fear. “What exactly does that mean?”
“It means she’s dehydrated at the moment, but we’re replacing her fluids. The fever hasn’t broken yet. It’s good that you brought her in when you did.”
“But she’s not in any real danger, is she, Ron?” Aaron heard his voice break with emotion despite his best effort.
“I’m not going to lie to you,” Benson said. “She’s a very sick child. We have every hope of getting her illness under control. The next twelve or so hours are critical.”
Critical. That was the same word Ron had used when Aaron had brought Stephanie in that horrible night. Brought her in and never taken her home again. His teeth nearly cracked as he clamped his jaw tightly, struggling not to break down.
Kate felt the tears well up, for the little girl fighting in there to live, for the father who surely couldn’t handle losing her. “Is there anything we can do, Dr. Benson?” she asked, wanting desperately to help.
“It can’t hurt to pray,” the doctor suggested. He placed a comforting hand on Aaron’s arm for a few seconds, then was gone in a rustle of his white lab coat, the door to the intensive-care unit swinging shut behind him.
Kate wasn’t sure just how much Aaron would tolerate in the way of support, for she didn’t know him all that well. She’d never had to be there for someone like this while her own heart was hurting for the child she’d come to love.
His back ramrod straight, Aaron walked to the window and stood looking out, seeing nothing but the feverish face of his daughter. He closed his eyes. This couldn’t be happening, not twice in one year. Just hours ago, he and Jamie had been running around, laughing and playing. What kind of cruel joke was this that everyone he loved was to be taken from him? How could he go on without his baby?
Her eyes damp, Kate went by instinct, moving to his side, touching his arm to let him know he wasn’t alone, that she understood.
“I can’t lose her, Kate,” he said in a hoarse whisper. “I can’t!”
She squeezed his arm. “You won’t.”
“I know you love her, too.” There was nothing they could do but wait.
She looked so tiny lying in the hospital crib, hooked up to an IV and several monitoring machines. Kate pressed her fist to her mouth as she took in the flushed little face, the damp hair, the listless body that shifted restlessly as the fever worked through her.
Dr. Benson had said that the diarrhea had stopped, which was a good sign. Her body fluids were slowly being replenished. Everything known to modern medicine was being done. Now, as Dr. Benson said, all they could do was pray.
Kate looked up at Aaron, who was standing on the other side of the crib. He’d picked up Jamie’s little hand and was holding it between his own two much larger ones. His face was set, determination readily visible.
“You’re going to be fine, sweetheart,” he said to his daughter, his voice low but firm and strong. “You’re going to get well, and we’ll go home. We’ll sit by the fire and have another picnic.” He leaned closer to tuck Elmo into the crook of h
er arm. Kate had thought to bring it along, even as worried as she’d been.
He raised his tired eyes to Kate and saw fatigue and worry on her face. They’d been at the hospital for about ten hours, and she hadn’t once stepped away from her vigil outside the ICU doors. Gratitude washed over him as he let go of Jamie’s hand and reached to touch Kate.
Wordlessly, they locked eyes and hands. He never could have made it this far without her. She looked small and fragile, but she was a rock of strength when the going got tough. And things couldn’t get much tougher than having your child in critical condition.
This wasn’t the time to tell her, but he thought she understood how much her being here meant to him. He squeezed her fingers and felt that quick response as she returned the pressure. It was something unique, something special, to be able to communicate without words. Later, when this was all over, he’d thank her for the support he’d never expected from her.
The child in the crib made a sound, and they both turned to her. But it was only an involuntary moan as she thrashed about from the fever. The ICU nurse beckoned them from the doorway, indicating that their time with Jamie was up for this hour. Because Ron had left word, they’d made an exception and allowed both of them to go in to Jamie for five minutes every hour.
Aaron bent to press a kiss to his baby’s flushed cheek, as did Kate on the other side. Feeling the need for contact, he took Kate’s hand again as they walked out to the waiting room and sat down together. Lost in his thoughts, he sat that way, cradling her hand, his mind focused on willing Jamie to get better.
Kate felt that he hardly knew whose hand he was holding, that she was merely a warm body offering the comfort he so badly needed. True, during the long hours, he’d occasionally look at her in a way that made her feel he was really seeing her. But mostly, he was too wrapped up in his own thoughts to acknowledge his surroundings.
She shouldn’t have expected more. After all, the main concern for both of them was Jamie and her recovery. It was just that, with both of them loving her so much, it would have been nice to be able to cling to one another for the added strength of getting through this together.
Aaron did seem to reach out to her at times. But every time he felt her getting too close, he pulled back. Kate didn’t know if he did that with everyone, or just her, because he feared involvement, especially after the sudden, brutal loss of his wife. She wondered, too, if she was doing herself a disservice by staying on at the Carver house, by learning to love Jamie more every day and by being attracted more and more to the man who seemed disinclined to begin a new relationship.
She heard Aaron sigh, watched him lean his head back and close his eyes, yet he kept her hand trapped in his. As she herself was trapped in a situation she couldn’t control yet couldn’t seem to leave. Kate, too, leaned back, shifting her thoughts to Jamie, wishing that Dr. Benson would come out any moment wearing a broad smile and bringing good news. Prayers couldn’t hurt, he’d said. Kate agreed. Closing her eyes, she prayed for Jamie.
“Wake up, you two,” Ron Benson said, shaking Aaron’s arm.
Startled, Aaron straightened, then rose, feeling disoriented. Then he remembered where he was—napping in the ICU waiting room with Kate sleeping alongside him. Fear skittered up his spine. “How is she?”
Ron’s smile wiped the fatigue lines from his face. “Jamie’s over the worst of it. The fever’s broken, and she’s out of danger.”
Aaron’s relief was a physical thing, causing him to sag back into his chair. “Thank God.”
Kate blinked back grateful tears. “And thank you, Doctor. That’s the best possible news.”
But Aaron needed more. “Are you sure? She won’t relapse or take a turn for the worse, will she?” False hope was devastating.
Benson shook his head. “Very doubtful. She’s drinking on her own and keeping it down. We’ll try some bland solids soon. I wouldn’t take her out on the town just yet, but she’s on her way.”
“Can we see her?” Kate asked.
“In a few minutes. The nurse is changing her before we take her out of ICU and over to the children’s wing. I’ll tell her to let you know when Jamie’s ready for visitors.”
Aaron reached to shake his friend’s hand. “Ron, thank you, for everything.” He’d made rounds and seen other patients, but Aaron knew that Ron Benson hadn’t left the hospital since they’d brought Jamie in. “I owe you, big time.”
Ron had been the doctor in attendance when Stephanie Carver had been admitted and died so unexpectedly. And he’d seen what her death had done to his schoolboy friend. Ron had done his share of praying over Aaron’s daughter, as well. “Seeing Jamie recover, that’s all the thanks I need.” With a wave, he left them.
Aaron turned to Kate, his eyes lighting up. “Did you hear? Jamie’s going to be fine.” Unable to stop himself, his arms went around her, and he drew her close. “We’ve got her back, Katie.”
“I know. How wonderful.” She hugged him back, tears of happiness blurring her vision.
He felt like shouting, like singing. He’d been so afraid, but it had all turned out well. Grinning, he swung Kate around and buried his face in her neck, inhaling her special scent. “Everything’s going to be all right now.”
“Yes.” Kate felt Aaron squeeze her until she thought her ribs might crack, then he shifted his head, and his mouth was on hers. Shocked, she didn’t resist, couldn’t. Her response was swift and instantaneous, her blood heating, her pulse beginning to throb.
All was right with his world once more, Aaron thought as his lips sought Kate’s in celebration. She tasted like sweet victory, like a sunny day, like a field of flowers. Then something shifted, clouding his senses. Suddenly, he came alive, his heart hammering in his chest as he deepened the kiss.
Forgetting where they were and that this was probably the wrong man to want, Kate’s arms slipped around his neck, and her body moved closer to his. She didn’t want to think, just to feel, the hard muscles of his shoulders, the soft hair on the nape of his neck, the wonderful sensations he was awakening within her.
What had begun as celebration became a sensual exploration as he changed the angle of the kiss, his tongue moving inside her mouth to explore, to investigate. A jolt of heat spread through Aaron as he molded her slender body more intimately with his. It had been so long, so very long since…
Heavy footsteps on the polished tile floor startled them apart like two guilty teenagers caught in a parked car. Still breathing hard, Aaron glanced toward the doorway to the ICU lounge and saw his father looking somewhat embarrassed at having interrupted what obviously was a private moment.
Clearing his throat, Aaron felt his face flush as he stepped away from Kate and faced his father. “Have you heard? Jamie’s out of danger.”
William Carver wore a slightly amused look as he nodded. “Yes, I ran into Ron Benson on the way up. I’m so glad, son. You two must have spent a terrible night.”
“Yeah, it was awful.” Aaron shoved back his hair in a nervous gesture. How could he have lost control like that? Whatever had he been thinking of? He hadn’t been thinking at all; that was the problem. It was the emotional relief that had caught him off guard. Needing to share his joy, he’d reached out to the only other human being in the room.
From under lowered lashes, he glanced at Kate, hoping she hadn’t read more into the kiss than was there. She had high color in her cheeks but otherwise looked the same as always except for slightly swollen lips.
What must his father think of him? Aaron wondered. His wife not dead a year, and here he was locked in a passionate kiss with his sick daughter’s nanny. Regret had him frowning. “I didn’t think you’d come,” he told his father lamely. Twice he’d phoned to update him, as well as several calls to Fitz, telling them both to stay put, that they wouldn’t be allowed in to see Jamie anyway. Naturally, his headstrong father had done things his own way.
“She’s my only granddaughter, Aaron,” William told his son. “Of cou
rse I wanted to be here. Is it possible to see Jamie now that she’s out of danger?”
“Ron said they’re moving her to the children’s section and they’d let us know when we could go up.” He stole another glance at Kate and saw that she looked as disconcerted as he felt. Maybe he could ease things for both of them. “Listen, Kate, I’d like you to take my car and go on home. Get some rest. You’ve been here for hours.”
Kate tried to keep her expression even, despite the sudden stab of pain. He wanted her out of here because he was embarrassed that his father had stumbled in on them kissing. She loved Jamie and she’d spent a very long vigil, yet he would rob her of the chance to see for herself that the baby was really going to be all right. She swallowed down her disappointment and made a stab at changing his mind. “I’m not that tired, really.”
But Aaron was not to be deterred. “You’re dead on your feet.” He dug the keys from his jacket pocket and held them out to her. “Dad will drop me off later. Please give Fitz the good news for me.”
Kate took his keys, unable to meet his eyes, quickly said goodbye to William and hurried off.
Yet not before William Carver had seen the hurt on the young woman’s face. Annoyed with his son, he turned to face Aaron.
The day nurse stuck her head in the door at that moment. “Mr. Carver, you can follow me to your daughter’s room.”
Relieved that he wouldn’t be interrogated by his father, Aaron led the way, knowing that William would have his say before long. But not today.
It was the Monday of Thanksgiving week, but Kate felt thankful for very little. Of course, there was Jamie, who, like most children, recovered with astonishing speed from her frightful ordeal. She was once more the laughing, happy little baby, toddling all over the house, none the worse for what she’d gone through.
