Wild Tonic (The Blood Stone Riot Series Book 3)

by Julie Archer

  He fixed her with a quizzical look. “I guess. Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

  “Jesus, Nate, now you sound like Poppy!”

  “Okay, okay!” He held his hands up in surrender. “I’m going to get that tan.”

  Nate settled back down on the lounger and put some music on. With the gentle sounds of Clem and India playing, plus the warmth of the sun’s rays, it wasn’t long before his eyelids started to droop and he slipped off into a relaxing nap.

  What felt like only moments later, a high-pitched scream woke him. Nate’s eyes flew open to see Clem knelt down beside India.

  “What’s the matter?” Immediately he was by their side.

  India was struggling to breathe, her eyes wide. Her skin, that had been pink and rosy earlier, was now a waxy grey, her lips outlined with blue. She tried to speak, but no words came out.

  “It looks like croup. Dean’s son had it a few months back and I recognise the symptoms. We need to get her to a hospital.” Clem stroked India’s temple. “It’s okay, baby, we’re going to get you some help.”

  Nate’s heart jumped into his mouth. He didn’t know what to do or who to call. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the housekeeper and waved at her frantically. “Magda! Can you help us?” he called.

  The woman hurried over to them. “Yes, Señor Nate, what can I do?”

  “My daughter… she’s sick…”

  Madga’s gaze went to Clem bent over the stricken India. “Yes, yes! You want me to call 112?”

  Nate didn’t have a clue what that meant. “Is that for an ambulance?”

  She nodded at him, already halfway back to the house. He followed her and heard her speaking in rapid fire Spanish. He heard emergencia and ninita, which he thought he recognised.

  “What is the matter with her?” asked Magda, holding the phone away from her ear for a moment.

  “Clem thinks it’s croup. She can’t breathe properly and her skin’s a funny colour.”

  He listened again, not knowing what Magda was saying at all and hoping she understood. A thought struck him that he ought to contact Poppy and tell her what was going on. He dashed back outside and located his phone under his towel. He dialled Poppy’s number, but it rang and rang before going to voicemail. He left a garbled message and desperately hoped that she was somewhere that had signal. After a moment, he tapped out a text and sent her that as well. Clem had sat India upright on the lounger and was trying to get her to drink some water. The moment she saw her dad, India started crying and coughing at the same time. He watched as Clem soothed the child, gently stroking her back and whispering in her ear.

  Magda reappeared. “They will be here soon,” she said. “Here, let me help.” She took over from Clem, who stood up, tears in her eyes.

  “It’s exactly like Barney was,” she said. “I’m so glad I spotted it quickly.”

  Nate gathered Clem into his arms, her skin feeling cool despite the heat. “Thank you,” he whispered.

  There was a commotion outside the gates of the villa as an ambulance pulled up, dust flying around as it sped up the driveway. Magda took charge and barked some instructions at the paramedics who bent over India, pushing Nate and Clem out of the way.

  After a few moments, Magda turned to Nate and Clem.

  “Get dressed and go with them. They want to take India to the hospital to be sure,” she said. “I will wait here in case Miss Poppy and Señor Parker come back.”

  Nate grabbed his t-shirt and stuffed his feet into his trainers, while Clem threw on a sundress and a pair of sandals. They got into the back of the ambulance and Nate held India’s hand, while the paramedic made sure she was sitting upright. Her breathing was beginning to ease and there was a little more colour about her. His own heart was about to explode from his chest it was pounding so hard. He didn’t think he’d ever been so scared in his life.

  It didn’t take them long to get to the hospital and once there, India was whisked away. Nate went with her, providing the basic details he knew to the doctor. As the doctor checked India over, he held her hand tightly. He knew that in the scheme of things, he’d been pretty useless, letting Clem and Magda do everything. He was thankful for both of them being there. If he’d been on his own… He didn’t even finish that thought before Poppy crashed into the cubicle, her hair all over the place, mascara streaking her cheeks.

  “India! My baby! What’s wrong?” She turned to Nate, an accusatory look on her face. “What the hell happened? I knew I shouldn’t have trusted her with you and Clem.”

  The doctor shushed her. “If you want to argue, you need to do it outside of here,” she said in a heavily accented voice. “I will stabilise India with some nose drops and an anti-inflammatory. I will come and get you in a few minutes.”

  “I don’t want to leave her!” protested Poppy. “That’s how she ended up in here!”

  Hearing her mother so upset, caused India to cry again and Nate didn’t want to leave her either.

  “If you can just step outside for a couple of moments.” The doctor held open the curtain.

  Knowing it was fruitless to argue, Nate did as he was told and a couple of seconds later, Poppy joined him.

  “Tell me what happened,” demanded Poppy, trying to keep her voice down.

  “India was playing with Clem while I took a nap.”

  Poppy rolled her eyes. “I knew it was something to do with her.”

  “Seriously, Poppy, do you think Clem would want to harm our daughter?” Nate shook his head. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “Then why did she end up in hospital?”

  “If Clem hadn’t have noticed what was wrong, then it could have been a whole lot worse. Her nephew had croup a while ago and she recognised the symptoms. If it weren’t for her, and Magda, I don’t know what would have happened.”

  Hearing the explanation, Poppy softened, as if realising she was the one in the wrong. “Oh,” she said, her voice barely audible.

  “I think you might owe her an apology.”

  His ex-wife nodded. “As soon as we know everything’s fine with India, I’ll do just that.”

  They stood in silence for a while, hearing the doctor talking to India in broken English.

  “She knows way more Spanish than I do,” admitted Nate. He gave Poppy a wry smile. “I panicked. I didn’t know what to do.”

  Poppy reached out and touched his arm. “I would have been the same in a foreign country.” She smiled back.

  The doctor pulled back the curtain. “I think India will be ready to go home soon. I’ll sort out some fever medication, and I suggest you get a cool-mist humidifier for wherever you are staying. Then make sure she gets plenty of fluids and keep her upright where possible.”

  Nate recognised some of the things Clem had been doing while they waited for the ambulance. His heart contracted as he realised exactly what she’d done for India. While the doctor went and sorted out the prescription, Poppy picked India up. The little girl snuggled into her mother’s arms and the three of them walked out into the waiting room, where Clem and Parker were.

  “Everything okay?” asked Parker. He went to Poppy and embraced the two of them.

  Clem hung back, her eyes wide and her brow furrowed. She didn’t say anything. Nate went over to her and slid an arm around her waist.

  “It’s all fine,” said Poppy. She turned to Clem. “And I believe we have you to thank for that. I’m sorry. It seems I may have been rather harsh on you.”

  He felt Clem stiffen. “It’s okay,” he whispered in her ear. “She knows that it was you who recognised India’s symptoms.”

  “Nate told me your nephew went through the same thing. I’m pleased you were able to spot the signs with India before it got any worse.”

  India held her hands out to Clem and Poppy passed her over.

  “I think she wants to say thank you too,” said Nate. He watched as his little girl pulled Clem in for a kiss.

  He wanted to do exactly t
he same thing.

  And at precisely that moment, Poppy slid to the floor.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “I’m not happy about leaving India with that girl.” Poppy chewed her lip as she stared out of the taxi window.

  “Come on, Poppy, I thought we’d talked about this. We’re going to give Clem a chance because Nate is clearly besotted with her and we should support him.” Parker waited a beat. “Like he supported us.”

  Poppy sighed. “I suppose you’re right. It’s just hard to get my head around. I mean, what can he possibly see in a glamorous, rich woman in her early twenties with her whole life ahead of her?”

  “By all accounts, I’m not sure the rich label is going to stick for much longer.” Nate had confided to Parker what Clem’s family had done. He was shocked, unable to comprehend how those closest to Clem had set out to destroy her happiness. “And I know you have at least one Stelle D’Oro t-shirt in your wardrobe.”

  “Ha, yes, you’re right, I do.” Poppy reached for his hand. “I’m fretting over nothing, aren’t I? I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately. My mood is all over the place.”

  “Then let’s enjoy this evening and get that mood of yours back in a good place.” Parker lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm, pleased to see that he created a smile.

  The taxi dropped them into the centre of Puerto Pollensa, close to the restaurant La Llonja. It was a beautiful location, looking out over the harbour and bay. Parker had chosen it to try to provide them with some alone time in a romantic setting.

  They walked up the steps and were shown to their table. Straight away, a waiter presented them with menus and asked about wine. Parker ordered a bottle of Poppy’s favourite rose.

  While they perused the delicious looking seafood choices, Parker looked up. “What are you having?”

  Poppy wrinkled her nose. “I’d usually have something fishy, but the smell’s making my stomach churn, so I think I’ll give it a miss tonight. The fillet steak looks good.”

  “No scallops for starters then?” Parker knew they were one of Poppy’s go-to dishes.

  She made a face. “Mmm, don’t think I’ll risk it. Maybe I’ll have pudding instead.”

  The waiter appeared, brandishing his order pad. “Good choices, Sir, Madam,” he said, once he’d written everything down. Then, as quickly as he appeared, he was gone, leaving the two of them alone again.

  Things between them were in a good place, despite the drama with Lexi and Nate. It was good to be away from the day-to-day life back in North Ridge, even if it was only for a few days.

  “I’ll just check that everything’s okay back at the villa.” Poppy fumbled in her bag for her phone.

  Parker fixed her with a look. One that said ‘do-you-need-to-do-that-now’. She hesitated, and for a second, Parker was convinced that she was going to do what he asked. Then he saw the colour drain from her face as she snatched the phone out, and stabbed the screen, evidently listening to a voicemail.

  “Oh my God!” Poppy’s exclamation caused every head in the restaurant to swivel around and stare at them. She jumped up. “We have to go! There’s something wrong with India.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “They’re taking her to hospital. I knew I shouldn’t have left her with that girl.” She half ran down the stairs, leaving Parker sitting there alone.

  He got up went to the reception desk. “I’m really sorry, but we have to leave. There’s an emergency with my girlfriend’s daughter. We haven’t eaten, but I’m happy to pay?”

  The Maître d’ immediately waved his hand. “No, no, you must go to the child. Is everything okay?”

  “We don’t know. She’s been taken to hospital. Do you know where that might be?”

  “Are you staying locally?”

  Parker briefly described the location of the villa. “Which would be the nearest one?”

  “Ah, it’s close. Maybe five minutes away.” The Maître d’ drew a map on a napkin and thrust it into Parker’s hand.

  He thanked the man and tipped him an extra twenty euros before heading out to find Poppy. She was standing by the empty taxi rank, clutching her cardigan around her body, red hair wild, matching her expression. “Why isn’t there anyone here? How long does it take to get a cab?”

  “We don’t need one, we can walk.”

  “How do you know where it is?”

  “I asked the waiter.” Parker took Poppy’s hand, pulling her towards him. Her body was shaking and her hands were freezing. “Come on.”

  As they walked, Poppy ranted about Clem and how could Nate even think of getting together with someone like her; how irresponsible Clem was to let something happen to Poppy’s daughter.

  Parker stopped them in the centre of the pavement and grabbed Poppy’s shoulders. “Poppy, stop this. You don’t know what’s gone on. It could be something simple, something no-one, not even you could have prevented. Give Nate some credit too, he wouldn’t let India come to any harm intentionally.”

  He let his words sink in and Poppy appeared to calm down a little, tears starting to fall down her cheeks instead.

  “What if my little girl isn’t okay though?”

  He gathered her into his arms again, pulling her close. “Then let’s get to the hospital and find out for ourselves.”

  When they arrived, Parker took charge, using his basic Spanish to get them to the right place. Poppy dashed into the cubicle India was in, leaving Parker outside. Clem was waiting too.

  “Hey,” he said. “What happened?”

  Clem’s face was pale, and she shivered in a thin sundress. “It’s okay. I think we got her here in time. Barney had the same thing, so I knew what to do.”

  “Thank God you were there.” Parker hoped that Nate told Poppy that. She deserved to know that Clem definitely wasn’t the bad guy in this.

  “Poor little thing, she was so scared.”

  “I’m sure she was.” Parker didn’t have the first clue what he would have done if he’d been in the same situation.

  There seemed little else to say as they lingered in the waiting area. A few people came and went, then finally Poppy, India and Nate came out of the cubicle.

  “Everything okay?” asked Parker. He went to Poppy and embraced the two of them, surprised and pleased to hear Poppy thanking Clem publicly for recognising India’s symptoms. She passed India over to Clem for a thank you kiss.

  And then, without warning, Poppy slid to the floor.

  “Can we get some help here?” Parker yelled in the direction of the doctor and knelt down beside Poppy, grasping her hand.

  Poppy’s eyes fluttered open. “I think I fainted. I’ve been feeling a bit weird the last few days. I thought it must have been a virus.”

  The doctor who had seen to India knelt down beside Poppy too. “You’ve been through quite a stressful evening, but we should probably do a couple of tests to be on the safe side. It’s not normal for a usually fit and healthy woman to drop like that.” She glanced around. “I’ll do them myself, see if we can’t get you and your daughter home soon.”

  Parker helped Poppy to her feet and took her into the same cubicle India had just vacated.

  “It shouldn’t take long,” the doctor advised. “If you would be able to wait outside.” She pulled the curtain aside and Parker slipped through.

  Nate eyed him with concern. “Is she okay? It’s not like her to keel over.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be fine. I guess the worry over India hit her hard.” Parker looked over at India, who was snuggled in Clem’s arms, her eyelids drooping. “Why don’t you and Clem take India back to the villa? We’ll pick up the medication and come home as soon as we can. Seems no point in all of us waiting around here.”

  Nate nodded. “Sure, sounds like a plan. We’ll see you later.” He headed over to the girls and the three of them left.

  It seemed to be hours before the doctor finally came out to see him. There was an amused smile on her face. />
  “Does that mean Poppy’s fine?” he asked, jumping out of his seat.

  “She’s more than fine. Why don’t you go in to see her? Then you can be off.” She held out her hand. “Congratulations.”

  As he shook the doctor’s hand, Parker wondered what she meant. He went to find Poppy, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, mascara still streaking her face, a weak grin playing across her lips.

  “Well?” Parker stood in front of her and stroked her cheek, brushing away the kohl. “Everything’s good?”

  “It’s more than good. It’s, well, it’s fantastic.” Poppy’s grin grew wider. “It seems that the reason I’ve been feeling so off is because I’m pregnant again. We’re having a baby!”

  The world stopped still and Parker almost slid to the floor himself. A baby?

  “How? I mean…”

  “If I have to tell you how it happened, then something’s not right.” Poppy laughed. A frown flickered across her face. “You are pleased?”

  “Oh, Poppy, of course I am! It was probably the last thing I expected to hear today, so I guess surprised is probably a better word. It’s brilliant, amazing, unbelievable.” Parker threw his arms around Poppy and pulled her towards him, holding her tightly. “I love you, Poppy. This is the best news, and I can’t wait for everyone else to know about it.”

  Chapter Thirty

  The sun was setting, creating the most beautiful sky.

  Nate and Clem sat out by the pool, him nursing a beer, her a large glass of wine. He was checking on social media and she flicked through a magazine. Alik and Richey were racing lengths, Caro and Eva cheering them on; while Dev and Yulia sat at a table under one of the umbrellas, playing a word game. The others had been told what happened, and they were waiting for Poppy and Parker to get back. Since returning from the hospital, India had settled and was sleeping, with the help of the humidifier and some fever medication. Magda was preparing a light supper, and the mood across the villa was calm, in total contrast to how it had been that afternoon.

  A noise from behind them made Nate jump.