“Yes.”
She had no idea if Gracie’s fever would return, but she knew she needed rest if she were to look after a sick child. Returning upstairs, Molly crawled into bed beside Gracie. Her body remained cool, and without rousing, she snuggled against her. Molly’s eyes were heavy and drifting shut, but before sleep came, she set a mental alarm clock to wake in two hours to recheck the child’s temperature.
The room was still bathed in darkness when she startled awake for the second time that night. Had Gracie’s fever come back? But the child remained sleeping and the body snuggling against her was warm, yet not feverish.
The nightlight cast a soft glow on a pale face surrounded by damp blond ringlets. Molly counted each slight rise of the sheet. The child’s breathing was even, no longer labored. She put a hand on her forehead. Molly sighed with relief that the fever remained at bay.
She crossed to the bathroom and ran a facecloth under the sink. Gracie slept through Molly wiping her forehead and changing her sweat soaked pajamas. Pulling a sheet over her small frame, Molly tucked it around her shoulders, then went back to her own room to rest for an hour.
Before the sun rose, Molly was back in the room. The child lay on her back, her open palms resting by her head. The glow of a nightlight showed two bright red, clown-like circles in the middle of chalk-white cheeks. Molly didn’t need a thermometer to know the fever was back full force. She gave her another dose of Tylenol then carried the child downstairs. Pearce must have heard. He was already at the door of his room.
“Pearce, her fever’s back.”
“Do we need to call Doctor Graham?”
“I’ll call him, if you sit with her.”
Pearce followed them to the family room. Molly left Gracie on the sofa cuddled in Pearce’s arms.
“I’ll be right back,” she said.
She returned in five minutes with a tray of ginger ale, crackers, bananas, and the bottle of Tylenol. “Doctor Graham suggests continuing with the Tylenol and fluids for today. If she still has a fever tomorrow, he’ll come and see her.”
That was how her day went. A constant battle with a raging fever, warded off for short periods with Tylenol, only to return a few hours later. At least Gracie was taking fluids between her periods of watching cartoons and sleeping on the couch. Pearce stayed with her. His concern and gentleness made tears well in Molly’s eyes more than once during the day.
It was at one of those times when Gracie, fever free and crayoning, looked up at Molly, concern darkening her luminescent blue eyes. “Molly, are you sad?”
Molly started and her hand flew to her eyes. She wiped at the tears. Sensitive to the mood swings of those around her, Gracie wanted everyone to be happy. She forced a bright smile before turning to the child. “No, I’m fine,” Molly lied. “I just had something in my eyes.” She turned her head before more tears gave her away.
“You were crying. Did Daddy make you cry?”
“No.” Molly lied for the second time. She shut her eyes when she heard Gracie’s raised voice.
“Daddy, you’re bad. You made Molly cry. You shouldn’t do that. You have to say you’re sorry.”
Molly felt her body sink like a deflated balloon.
Oh, Gracie. I love you, sweetie, but how could you? I don’t want your dad to know how seeing the way he loves you makes me a whimpering fool.
Molly left the sandwiches on the table and turned away, but Pearce grabbed her hand.
“Molly.”
“I need to...”
“Please, Molly, do I need to apologize?”
“It’s okay.” Molly tried to pull away.
“No, it isn’t. Please, Molly.” He held his hand out to her. “Let me apologize. Gracie thinks I hurt your feelings.”
“Please, Molly,” Gracie held out her hand, too. “Daddy didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“He didn’t.”
Pearce’s face took on the look of a sad puppy and Lord knew she couldn’t resist a sad puppy. Molly shook her head and grinned at the two pleading faces. “I’m fine. Do you guys want lunch or not?”
“Yes,” Gracie announced. “But first you have to kiss and make up.”
Molly almost sputtered. She knew her mouth was catching mosquitoes.
Pearce threw his head back and let out a deep chuckle. “I guess we better do as she says.”
“That’s really not necessary,” Molly said.
“Yes,” Gracie said. “You have to.”
Pearce tipped his head and waited. “Come, Molly, give Daddy a kiss.”
Adrenalin surged through Molly as her mind reacted to a fight or flight response. She felt split in two, the one half urging her to flee to the refuge of her bedroom and the other half wanting to stay and fight, to show Pearce nothing was bothering her. Besides, she had a strong urge to feel the warmth of his lips on hers again.
Molly challenged Gracie. “Can’t we have lunch first? I’m starving.”
“No. You have to kiss and make up. Daddy’s waiting.”
Pearce grinned wickedly. “Daddy’s waiting, Molly.”
Molly’s heart raced erratically as she bent to meet his upturned face.
It should have been a quick peck, but once their lips met, neither seemed able to pull away. The child’s giggling in the background brought the adults to their senses.
That night, Molly slept in Gracie’s room again. She decided she might actually get more rest if she lay beside the child and the rising heat in her body woke her than if she had to keep coming in and checking on her.
She’d been in a light sleep with visions of blond-haired children and a dark-haired men dancing around her when something woke her. Her first concern was Gracie. Had her fever come back? But the child’s skin felt cool. What had roused her? She lay in the shadowed room and listened.
A loud crash sounded close by. Molly leapt out of the bed, her, fear depositing a foul taste in her mouth. She swallowed it and glanced at Gracie. Thankfully the noise hadn’t woken her. Was that a groan? She hurried to the door. Had a burglar broken into the house? She looked at Trooper. Why wasn’t he barking? He raised his head, looked at Gracie, then as if assured his charge was safe, he wagged his tail and put his head back down.
“Great watchdog you are,” Molly growled.
She glanced around the room for a weapon. Gracie’s red baseball bat stuck out of her toy box. It was plastic but large enough to pack a significant wallop. Her hand shook as she eased it out of the out of the toy box. Raising it over her shoulder, Molly eased the door open. Trooper rose and reluctantly followed her into the dimly lit hallway.
Molly peeked toward the stairway. A form crouched by the top of the stairs—something large and dark, veiled in the shadows.
Where was the closest phone? She thought of the one in Pearce’s bedroom. It was the first doorway before the stairs, just feet from the crouching form. She wouldn’t be able to make it. If she tried for it, all the person had to do was reach out and grab her ankle, and he would have her.
Maybe she could knock him out, rush past him, get the phone. No. If she weren’t successful, he could get to Gracie. An intense need to protect the child overwhelmed her. Whatever it took, she wouldn’t let him get Gracie.
Raising the bat above her head, Molly took a cautious step into the hall. She heard a groan, then a muffled curse. She froze. There was something familiar about that groan. She’d heard it before. A groan of pain.
The figure moved and Molly saw the glow of two eyes in the dimness. The line from an old Western movie came to her, “Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes.” Her grip tightened on the bat. She heard another muffled curse.
Pearce?
“If you’re planning to put me out of my misery, now would be a good time,” Pearce said.
Molly’s grip on the baseball bat loosened. “What are you doing up here? How...?”
“I was crawling. But then I tripped. I would appreciate a hand if you could dispose of that menacing weapon. You look like you’re auditioning for the Dodgers.”
Molly was relieved the dimness of the hallway hid her flaming cheeks. Relinquishing her hold on the bat, she rushed forward. “I’m sorry. I heard the crash. I didn’t know what caused it.” She laughed. “I thought you were a burglar.”
“Great burglar I’d make. A one-legged cripple.”
Kneeling beside him, Molly slid her arm under his. Together they got him to his feet. Then, doing a three-legged hobble, they made it to the door of Gracie’s room. Molly settled him in the rocking chair. Trooper was relieved to return to his position on the rug beside Gracie’s bed.
It was in the early morning hours that Molly was wakened by the heat of Gracie’s body. Pearce, refusing to leave, had fallen asleep in the rocking chair. He must have heard her moving about.
“How is she?”
“Her fever’s back,” Molly said.
“Can you give her more Tylenol?”
“It’s too soon. I just gave her some less than two hours ago. I’ll give her some Advil, then I’ll give her a bath and see if that helps.”
“I thought that was one of those myth remedies,” Pearce said.
Molly smiled. “The ice water bath is too cold. It makes the person shiver and actually increases the temperature. A tepid sponge bath can help.”
“Are you going to do that now?”
“I’ll check her temperature to see how high it is.”
His voice laced with emotion, he asked, “Can you help me? I want to sit beside her.”
“Let me give the Advil first.”
He stood while Molly positioned the rocker beside the bed. She assisted him to the chair, feeling his weight sag against her. She saw the worry in his drawn cheeks.
After settling him, she took the thermometer and slid it under Gracie’s armpit. She held her breath while she waited for a beep that seemed to take forever. She removed the thermometer and looked at the digital readout.
“What is it?” Pearce asked.
“103.3.”
He leaned forward. “What does that mean?”
“It’s high. I’m going give her the sponge bath. Maybe by the time I’m done, the Advil will start working.”
Pearce hovered until she was finished giving Gracie the sponge bath. Adjusting the thin blanket over the feverish child, Molly cradled her in her lap. When she shivered, Molly wanted to put a warmer blanket over her, but it would increase the fever. She would just have to wait for the medication to start working.
She thought of some of the old wives’ tales used to get rid of a fever—putting a child in ice water, putting scorching coins on their back, giving them Aspirin, giving them an alcohol rub. How many times as a nurse had she shaken her head at the methods parents had tried? Now she could understand their desperation for anything that might work, and Gracie wasn’t even her child.
Molly’s arms ached from holding the sleeping child in one position for the past hour, but she couldn’t put her down. She’d tried twice, and as soon as her arms loosened, Gracie had woken and began crying. Molly shifted slightly and was relieved when the child merely sighed loudly before snuggling back into the cradle of her arms.
Eventually the combination worked. The fever came down to 99.5. Molly prayed it would stay down. Gracie’s breathing became easier, less labored. The fever-bright circles on her cheeks faded to a dull salmon. Molly caressed the damp blond head. Looking up, she caught Pearce’s gaze and their eyes locked. He tipped his head and smiled.
“A penny for your thoughts,” Molly said.
“I was just thinking what a great mother you make,” Pearce said. “I’m so glad you were there when we needed you.” His smile looked wistful. “And still need you.”
Molly felt as if she too were feverish. She looked away in case Pearce saw the fire in her cheeks. Did he know how she longed to be a mother, longed for a family to call her own? Though she longed for a child of her own, Gracie had captured her heart. How was she ever going to be able to leave her? Or this man who, like his child, had ensnared her heart. How could she leave him?
In the stillness of the room, Molly kept vigil over her now sleeping charges. It was just before sunrise when Molly shook his shoulder. “Pearce, Pearce. Her fever’s broken. I think she’ll be okay now. You need to go to bed. You can’t sleep in that chair all night.”
His head jerked up, and Molly found herself caught in the dark blue pools of his eyes. His lips curved into a gentle smile, and his hand reached up and caressed her cheek. “Oh, Molly, how can I ever thank you?” His hand branded into her flesh. “You have done so much for us.”
She looked away from the intensity in his eyes. She couldn’t reveal to him how much it meant to her to be here, to feel part of his family. That it wasn’t work when you looked after people you cared about. How could she tell him how fond she’d become of both of them? Her mouth felt like she’d been walking in the desert for days. How could she tell him that she no longer did it for the money? That she stayed because she’d fallen in love with him, fallen in love with both of them.
“Let me help you back to bed.”
Pearce used the arms of the chair to get himself upright. Molly slid her arm around his back and helped him hobble to his room. He was worn out by the time he reached the bed and flopped down on the mattress.
Before Molly could move away, his face turned toward her. His lips were so close, the heat of his breath tickled her cheek. Then his lips were brushing her skin. Her breath caught in her throat. An uneven sigh escaped his lips, tickling hers just before they met. She felt the soft touch of his mouth and returned the pressure.
He groaned as her lips parted and his tongue teased hers, intensifying the kiss, intensifying her response. She leaned into him. His fingertips caressed the tender hollow of her neck. Her heart raced and tiny electric shocks sprinted along her shoulders.
Then his hand traced downward, a whisper touch to her soft curves. A shudder ran through her. His hand cupped her breast, and she felt her nipples react through the thin cotton of her nightie. She leaned into him.
What was she doing?
“No. We can’t.” Molly pulled away so quickly she almost lost her balance. Turning so he couldn’t see the tears trickling down her face, she ran out of the room.
Molly woke the next morning to the sound of Gracie laughing. She glanced at the clock on the dresser. 9:15. She’d overslept. Where was Gracie? The laugh sounded like it was coming from outside. She scrambled out of bed. How did she get outside? Was anyone with her? Molly raced to the window.
Below, on the patio, she saw Gracie, fully dressed and throwing a ball for Trooper. Pearce sat in his wheelchair at the patio table drinking a cup of coffee. He also was fully dressed.
She threw on a pair of slacks and a T-shirt and raced down the stairs. Her heart sank into her chest as she realized her time here would soon be ending. Soon neither of them would need her. Pearce looked up as she slid open the patio door.
“Hello, sleepy head.”
“Pearce, I’m sorry. I overslept.”
He was grinning, and the twinkle in his eyes made him look ten years younger. Molly felt the blush coloring her cheeks. Overdue for a haircut, his black hair curled down the nape of his neck, and she resisted the urge to reach out and run her fingers through the waves. He’d been going outside every day, and now a bronze gleam replaced his hospital pallor. Molly stopped in her tracks. He was so attractive she had to swallow the lump in her throat before she could breathe, or speak.
“How did Gracie get dressed? Has she eaten yet?”
“I told her to bring her clothes down here and let you sleep. You’ve been overdoing it lately, what with looking after me, and Gracie, especially when she got sick. Now she’s better, we need to take care of our nurse so she doesn’t get sick. I know I get cranky and don’t show it sometimes, but Molly, I really appreciate what you’re doing for us.”
Molly turned away so he couldn’t see the hurt in her eyes.
I don’t want your appreciation. I want your love. I want to be part of your family, your life
. But instead, she held those thoughts and merely said, “Gracie is such an adorable child, it’s been a pleasure looking after her.”
“Molly Mommy.” Gracie ran toward her, Trooper trotting at her side. “I thought you were going to sleep all day. Daddy wouldn’t let me wake you.”
Molly lifted Gracie and swung her around. “Well, I’m up now, Missy.” Molly laughed. “What would you like to do today?”
“Go to the beach. That’s what I want.”
“You don’t feel sick any more.”
“Nope. Feel my head.” Gracie lifted her forehead for Molly to check her temperature.
“No fever,” Molly announced. She raised an eyebrow at Peace. “You don’t mind if I take her to the beach? We won’t overdo it.”
“Of course I do. I want to come, too.”
“Are you sure you feel up to it?”
“If we go to Grand Bend, we can park the car right on the beach. I think I can crutch it a few feet. You’ll have to handle the beach gear.”
Molly made a show of flexing her biceps. His resounding chuckle cut any tension between them, and Molly couldn’t help but join in.
“Gracie, the beach is a great idea. Maybe you can help me make a picnic lunch.”
“Can I?” Gracie asked.
“Let’s see what we can find.” Gracie grabbed Molly’s hand and followed her into the kitchen. Together they pulled out bread, peanut butter, tuna, salmon, cookies, and boxed drinks. Molly set the loaf of bread and jar of peanut butter on the table as Pearce made it into the room. “One picnic lunch coming up,” she said, then asked, “Do you want tuna, salmon, or egg?”
“What choices.” A twinkle danced in his eyes, and Molly felt butterflies take flight in her stomach.
I’ll have one of each,” he said. Leaning his crutches against the table, he sat across from her. “Would you like some help?”
“Well, if you’re going to be greedy...”
“Hand me the bread, lady. And the butter.”
There was that grin again, the one that sent her senses reeling. Molly took a quick breath. It didn’t help, so she took another. She felt as if someone had her chest in a vice. Pearce wasn’t even close enough to touch her. Lately, just being in the room with him seemed to be all it took for her to have trouble breathing. And this wasn’t the type of trouble that a couple of puffs of an inhaler would help. She felt him watching her and the vice tightened.
“Are you okay?” Pearce asked.
The concern in the rich velvet of his voice sent her heart fluttering. She nodded to find her voice. She didn’t want him coming closer. That would just make it worse. She swallowed, then blurted out. “It must be the dog.”
“Maybe we have to find him a new home?”
“Oh no!” Molly wanted to kick herself. She’d said the first thing she could think of for an excuse. She wasn’t allergic to dogs. “I probably just need to give him another bath. He hasn’t been looked after for a while.”
“Are you sure?”
She raised her head to prove she was fine. “Yes, I’m okay now.” That is unless I need to speak a long sentence, or you get any closer.
“That’s good, ‘cause we’ve all got pretty used to having him around, especially Gracie.”
He leaned closer. Not only did she feel her lungs tighten, but her heart was pounding so hard she thought Pearce might hear it. Molly rose quickly and crossed to counter. Rummaging through the cutlery drawer, she gave herself a few seconds to gain control before going back to making their lunch.
It wasn’t long before they had a towering stack of sandwiches and were on their way. The beach was quiet and they were able to park near the shore. With his crutches, and Molly supporting him, Pearce made it across the uneven sand. They found a spot near the water, and Molly spread out a blanket for Gracie, and folding lawn chairs for herself and Pearce.
Molly slid an arm around Pearce’s back and held the chair while he lowered himself into it. As if her internal furnace had switched on by his closeness, searing waves swept through her body. She remembered the sensation of his lips on hers, and the heat increased ten-fold, as if her own lips had been left to sear on an open flame. The internal heat made her dizzy and Molly was relieved to flop into her own chair.
Gracie pointed toward some children building a sandcastle ten feet away. “Can I play with them?”
“Yes, as long as you don’t go anywhere else,” Pearce said.
Bobbing her head in agreement, Gracie raced off.