by Beth Bennett
Laurel put her head down on her arms and cried. “I don’t feel good, James,” she said between sobs. “I probably shouldn’t have done that.”
“All right, all right,” James assured her. “Just relax.”
He took her in his arms and stood up. Carrying her to the bedroom, he sat her on the edge of the bed. Tears squeezed out of her eyes and down her face. She complained in a raspy whisper. “I want to lay down.” Collapsing upon the bed, she lay completely immobile. The big white towel covered her halfway to her ankles. James patted her on the arm. He picked up the small bag he had packed and sat it next to her on the bed.
“Well, at least you’re clean now. Can you dress yourself?” Laurel shook her head and moaned.
“Just cover me up. I feel too bad.” Laurel lay upon her back with her eyes closed while her lungs rattled like a pair of old skeleton keys.
Gingerly, he placed her legs on the bed and began to ease the towel away, causing Laurel to startle and cry out. “No, no, please, I’ll dress myself.” Laurel tried with all her might to hold onto the towel while coughing and wheezing at the same time. When James saw the fear in her face, he stopped tugging and covered her small hands with his big ones. He felt a little at a loss.
“Listen to me, Laurel. There is no funny business going on here. You can trust me. I’m just going to help put your pajamas on. I promise I won’t look.” Laurel howled in protest, but James steadily eased the towel away from her clenched fingers. He efficiently put her arms through her soft flannel top and quickly pulled the bottoms over her legs.
Despite his promise not to look, James couldn’t help but notice how lovely Laurel was. He frowned a little as he realized she had lost weight from an already slight frame. Laurel couldn’t keep the embarrassed tears from squeezing out of the corners of her eyes as James quickly buttoned her shirt. His hands deftly pulled her to the center of the bed and took the warm covers and pulled them over her. He crossed to the bathroom and got a fresh towel and dried her hair starting with the ends and worked his way up. He didn’t want her pillow to be wet.
“Was that so bad, Sassafras?” James asked as he rubbed her hair through the towel.
“Yes,” she grunted.
James snorted. “You’ll get over it. Doc Hayford should be here any time. How about trying to eat a little bite?”
Laurel looked up at him. “I don’t want anything right now, James, but thank you.” Laurel reached out her hand to grasp his. “Thank you for taking care of me. What would I have done without you?” James smiled down at her. She was soon fast asleep and James let out a frustrated sigh. He would feel a lot better once Doc had a chance to check her out.
An hour later the sound of a snow plow came chugging down the road. Rich Hayford was as happy as a little boy riding up front in the big truck. When he arrived at James’s house, he jumped down and gave the plough a wave. Rich looked like a big grizzly bear all wrapped up in his heavy coat, fur hat, and wooly scarf. Carrying his doctor bag, he came up onto the porch and stomped his feet trying to shake off as much snow as he could. James opened the door and smiled widely at his friend who in many ways was like a father to him.
“Welcome to the infirmary,” James said. Unwrapping his scarf, and removing his hat, Rich sat his bag down in the entryway and removed his boots.
“So I hear. How’s the patient this morning?”
“I gotta tell you, Doc, she kind of scared me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone this sick. I’m worried she really needs to be in the hospital. You’ll have to have a look at her and see what you think. She hasn’t eaten a thing and continues to feel pretty rough. I’ll get you some coffee.”
“Thanks,” Rich replied. “I’ll go tend to the patient. Remember, I like my coffee, sweet and blond.”
“Right,” laughed James.
***
Laurel was sound asleep as the door to her room creaked open. Rich crossed to the side of the bed. Her eyes opened when she heard him digging around in his doctor bag.
“Ah,” his deep voice was kind. “I see my patient is awake.” Laurel looked at the middle-aged man with the trimmed gray beard and round stomach. “I’m Doctor Hayford, it’s very nice to meet you, Miss Danner, but I’m sorry it’s under these circumstances. How are you feeling this morning?”
Laurel was seized with a coughing fit at just that moment. Rich raised his bushy eyebrows as he pulled up a chair. “Well, I don’t need a medical degree to tell me you’re pretty sick. Tell me when this started.” Laurel related to him the cold she’d had and how it had gotten worse and the symptoms of the last few days. She was having a hard time breathing and her chest burned and ached.
“May I examine you?” Rich asked. Laurel nodded as Dr. Hayford took her temp with a digital ear reader and then discreetly moved her shirt so he could listen to her chest. He kept her breasts covered thank God. He had her roll over, and he listened to her back. He pressed the cool stethoscope to her skin, and she tried to breathe as instructed. Her coughing kept taking over. Dr. Hayford sat back in his chair after putting away his instruments. “Well, young lady, you’re pretty sick.”
“I know I am, Doctor,” Laurel creaked. “But I’d really like to go home. If you’ll tell James to take me, he could ride me on the snowmobile. I know he won’t unless you tell him to. I’ve taken up enough of his time and I’ll be okay don’t you think? I’ve been so much trouble. Gosh, I feel sorry for James. He’s not responsible for me, but he’s been so great. I promise to take the medications you give me. I think I can move around enough to eat and everything.” Laurel sounded so hoarse her diatribe sounded ridiculous, even to her.
Rich looked at her and crooked an eyebrow. “Are you finished?” Laurel was surprised at his bluntness but made no reply other than to pout. “First of all, Miss Danner, the pneumonia you have can kill you. It’s a dangerous infection. You need to stay here with James in case this gets worse. You are in no shape to be alone. I came prepared with antibiotics. You take these for the next ten days and we’ll take a chest x-ray later at the clinic and see how you’re doing. If you don’t cooperate, Miss Danner, I’m going to tell James to give you a spanking, and I am not joking. You’re not going anywhere for the next few days. You are not to leave the bed except to go to the bathroom do you understand?”
Laurel’s mouth fell open. She could not believe what she had just heard.
“James,” Dr. Hayford called. James entered the room. “James, this young lady does not seem to understand how serious her condition is. I can already tell she is having trouble cooperating. She says she wants to go back to her cabin, which is impossible at this point. I’m going to start her on some meds. She has permission to use the restroom. Other than that, if she gets out of this bed, I want you to give her a spanking. Is that understood?”
James eyed Laurel with determination. “It sure is,” he stated flatly.
James looked at Dr. Hayford. “Let’s make a pot of fresh coffee,” and they left the room.
Laurel was outraged! Spank her! She was twenty-three years old! She pounded her fist into the pillow. Dr. Hayford was not her father and James Caulderfield was certainly not going to spank her again. She got out of bed and peeked out the door to see the two of them laughing over some steaming hot coffee. Laurel had never been so mad in her life. She must have been crazy to trust either one of them. Laurel flopped back on the bed in a huff.
Pretty soon the snow plow made its way past James’s front door and Dr. Hayford was on his way home. Laurel lay in bed feeling sorry for herself.
James sauntered in and gloated. “Looks like you’re stuck here for a while, Sassafras…” Before he could finish his sentence, Laurel reached over to the side table and picked up a glass full of water. Turning to sit up in bed, she hurled it at James as hard as she could.
The glass threw water all over his face and down the front of his shirt and pants. It shattered against the wall. James wiped the dripping water off his clothes. He quickly crossed to Laure
l on the bed. Grabbing her wrist, he flipped her over on her stomach and spanked her little bottom with a heavy paw. One, two, three, four. He continued to hold her wrist behind her back while he leaned over and barked in her ear. “You get out of this bed and I will take my belt to you, sick or not.” He let her go and stalked out the room.
If her head was hurting before, it really began to pound now. To add insult to injury, her thin pajama bottoms had been no protection against James’s stinging smacks. The pillow was wet from her sobs. She’d be damned if she would let James hear her cry. Pulling the covers up over her head, she rubbed at her backside. She wanted to feel mad at James but she didn’t. Her behavior had been simply horrible. Shit, she thought. She felt guilty.
Scrape, clink, clink. James knelt to sweep up the broken glass with a dust pan. Laurel peered out from underneath the covers. She scooted to the edge of the bed and spoke in a muffled voice. “You should let me clean that up.”
He looked up from his task and frowned at her. “You stay in that bed.”
Flopping over on her back, she was too sick to do anything but sleep, so she finally decided to give in and lie still. James gave her a last backward glance as he left the room. The rest of the afternoon was spent sleeping. She woke only to take her antibiotics and sip a little soup for dinner. James wanted her to eat more, but she complained about her headache so much he gave in and let her lay back down. Darkness replaced the sunshine and the stars shined brightly through the windows of her room. Laurel snuggled deeply into the covers and listened to the fire pop and crackle as she dozed the rest of the night.
Chapter Five
When James entered Laurel’s room in the morning, she was sitting up in bed and looked so much better. He gave a huge sigh of relief. “You had me worried, Sassafras.” James unconsciously ran his hand through his hair in a motion that always indicated concern. Laurel’s eyes had a soft look about them as she gazed up at him. James gave a hard swallow and Laurel tried to distract him from his worries by turning a little smile on him.
Laurel crossed her arms over her chest and after a moment said, “I’m sorry I’ve been so hard to get along with.” She looked down at her lap. “I’m really sorry about throwing that glass at you, James. I just felt so sick and grumpy. I don’t like being helpless, but I do appreciate all you’ve done.” A light blush crept over her face. She was trying her best to wheedle her way into his forgiveness. Vulnerability was upsetting. He stepped close and sat beside her on the bed. He took her soft hand and folded it in his.
“It’s okay, Laurel. You haven’t been so bad. I guess it’s just the way a Sassafraaassss is made.” He gave the word Sassafras a southern drawl and emphasized the word ass at the end. Laurel gave him a playful clout on the shoulder and the two of them had a laugh together.
Letting go of her hand, James asked, “Do you feel like eating something? Maybe some scrambled eggs?” Laurel looked with longing at his hand when he let her go.
“Okay, but only if you’ll stay in here with me.” He broke out in a wide smile, his bright even teeth shining white.
“Sure, I’ll be right back.”
Laurel knew she should eat but she really wasn’t very hungry. James placed a tray in front of her and went to sit in the rocking chair beside the bed. “Aren’t you having any?” Laurel asked between small bites.
“I had some already. I just like watching you eat. You’ve hardly eaten anything since you got here.”
James and Laurel talked about the weather, Colorado, and their shared enthusiasm for the American West. The time flew by as they enjoyed their easy conversation. Laurel began to feel tired and gave a big yawn.
“Thanks for the breakfast, it was great. I think I’ll take a little nap if that’s okay.” James looked at her nearly full plate in frustration. Laurel waited for the reprimand she knew was surely coming. He seemed to change his mind and took the tray.
“Call if you need anything,” he offered as he left the room.
Laurel snuggled under the covers and put her nose against the sheets. They smelled like him. She idly daydreamed about his handsome face and broad shoulders. He was bossy but deep down, he was the sweetest guy she’d ever met. In addition to all that, he was extremely easy on the eyes. That scruffy beard drove her crazy. What it would feel like to kiss him? She thought about his lips and the way he pursed them when he was angry. His hands were calloused and strong, but were always gentle with her. Hmm, except when he spanked her. As she drifted off to sleep, he was the last thought on her mind.
“Laurel, Laurel, honey. Wake up. You need to take your antibiotic.” Someone was gently shaking her. She felt a tender but rough hand caress her face. A groan left her mouth as she rolled over.
James was leaning over so close she could smell his sweet breath. “I’m sorry to wake you, sweetheart. You need to take these antibiotics. I’m going to take your vitals again. Let me have a listen to your lungs. Roll over toward the wall for me.” Laurel looked confused and James tried to clarify. “Doc Hayford gave me instructions on taking care of you. He wants me to take vitals and continue with the Tylenol and antibiotics. I need to see how your lungs are doing. Roll over.”
“What?” Laurel let out a hoarse complaint. “Just give me the pills.” As Laurel began to sit up, James reached over and placed his huge palm on her chest and pushed her back down.
“I’m going to listen to your lungs first and there is not a damn thing you can do about it, Miss Sassafras. Now, be a good girl and roll over.”
She was indignant. “I will not roll over. You must be nuts. You’re not a doctor.”
James’s voice rose to a growl. “Just do as you’re told for once!” Before she knew what had happened James jerked the covers back, flipped her over, and put his knee in her back. He pulled her shirt up and put the stethoscope in place. He was so heavy she had no hope of wiggling away from him. After taking his time, he pulled her shirt down and flipped her back over. “Now, open your mouth and put this thermometer under your tongue.” Laurel gave him the dirtiest look she could muster. “I don’t mind putting it in another spot,” he threatened. His eyes grew stormy as he barked. “You know I can do it.” Laurel resentfully opened her mouth. James put the thermometer in place. He left to get some fresh water, but wagged a finger at her in warning. “Don’t move.”
She could hear him knocking around in the kitchen. Coming back in, he took the thermometer out and continued his orders.
“Sit up and take these pills. Drink as much as you can. You should eat more.” Boss, boss, boss. Good grief! Laurel did her best to cooperate but James wasn’t making it easy.
In the days that followed, Laurel gradually grew better. She still sounded terrible and mainly wanted to sleep, but it looked like she had definitely turned a corner. She stayed awake longer during the day and ate a little better. James seemed pleased with her progress and came in one evening to say goodnight. He ran his hands down the sides of the blanket as he tucked her in so tight she couldn’t move. Laurel giggled.
James smiled deeply into her eyes. “My mom used to do that to us when we were sick.” James sat down on the bed and looked at her with a serious expression. “Laurel, please don’t be upset about having to stay here. I wouldn’t hurt you for the world. The doc told me to take care of you and it’s my pleasure to do so. I like being around you. And don’t be embarrassed, you have such a hot little body, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” He suddenly blushed to the roots of his hair. “Uh, uh, oh God. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.” Laurel pulled her arm out of the sausage roll he had made of her and patted his hand.
“It’s okay, James,” she whispered. “It’s been hard. I hate that I’ve imposed, but you’ve been really wonderful. Just…wonderful.” A cavernous yawn took over and her eyes grew heavy and began to close in sleep. Still, a little smile remained.
The next morning, Laurel stirred around pretty early. James walked into her room to find her climbing out of bed. “Hey,” he
groused. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Giving him a saucy look, she replied, “Getting out of bed. What does it look like?”
“You can get right back in bed, you’re not going anywhere.”
Laurel narrowed her eyes at him and continued getting up. “Unless you want me to pee all over the bed, I’m getting up to use the bathroom and I’d like a little privacy if you don’t mind.”
“Oh,” was all he said. She got up and went into the bathroom. “Don’t lock the door,” he called out. “Just in case.” She swore under her breath.
When she came out of the bathroom, there was a tall glass of fresh squeezed O.J. waiting for her. Laurel also noticed the pitcher of ice water on the bedside table. She had washed her face and felt better, but she was nowhere near full steam. She tried to hide that from James. She slid under the covers and curled up on her side.
“I’m going into the kitchen to get breakfast, I’ll be right back.” He winked at her as he left the room. Laurel’s stomach gave a little jump. That wink was so sexy. She listened as he clinked bowls together in the kitchen and prepared breakfast. She could hear him rifle through the silverware drawer looking for something. Laurel sat up and sniffed the air as James entered her room. He carried a breakfast tray loaded down with food. There was a big bowl of oatmeal sprinkled with cinnamon, raisins and thinly sliced almonds. A big fat homemade apple muffin sat next to the bowl, and the whole thing was finished off with some hot tea and honey.
“I thought some tea might make your throat feel better, Sassafras. Let me take just a minute while the oatmeal cools to listen to your lungs.”
Laurel reached for the muffin as James sat the tray beside the bed. He put his stethoscope in his ears. He raised his eyebrows at her and deciding not to complain, Laurel put the muffin back and rolled over.
“Just give me a second, Sassafras, then you can eat.” James reached across to place the stethoscope on her back under her shirt. She relaxed and secretly enjoyed the feel of his hands as he moved it around. Leaning up, he informed her. “You still sound raspy but so much better. It’s hard not to worry about you.”
