Kickstart My Heart (Burgers and Brew Crue #1) - Lacey Black Page 0,76

and scurries off to the bathroom across the hall. I jump up, my foot landing in a small pile of something gross and wet. Sighing, I reach for a towel tossed in the hamper and wipe the bottom of my foot. Then I set out to cleaning up any trail of vomit left behind on the old, worn carpet.

Quietly, I head to the bathroom and peek inside. Mallory is there, kneeling over the tub and helping Lizzie take a bath. She runs cool water over her head, murmuring soothing and soft sentiments as her daughter whimpers.

“What can I do?” I ask softly from the doorway.

“Will you grab the thermometer and Tylenol? They’re in the kitchen cabinet by the sink. When I get her out of here, I’ll take her temperature.”

I nod, glancing at Lizzie once more, before taking off for the kitchen. I open every cabinet in a rush, looking for the device in question. It’s behind the last door I open, the one closest to the sink, my hand slightly shaking as I grab the bottle of medicine and thermometer and set them on the counter.

I pace the small room, hating the feeling of helplessness that overcomes me. I want to stomp into that room, pick Lizzie up, and hold her until she feels well again. Actually, better yet. I’d take the sickness away in a heartbeat, if I could.

Ten long, agonizing minutes later, Mallory comes into the kitchen, a tired Lizzie wrapped in a pink hooded towel on her hip. “Walk,” Lizzie mumbles, reaching for me. “My tummy hurts.”

She’s in my arms moments later. I inhale the scent of her fruity shampoo as she tucks her head into the crook of my neck. Rocking her slowly back and forth, I watch as Mallory gets the thermometer ready and sets the device on her daughter’s forehead. “One oh one point two.” I’m about to ask if that’s bad, when she opens the Tylenol and pours some into a little plastic cup.

“Lou, let’s take some medicine and then we’ll go snuggle, okay?” I ask, moving her back so I can see her face.

“Otay, Walk,” she mumbles, as she turns toward her mom for the medicine.

She swallows the purple stuff before nestling back against my chest, her body sagging against me.

“Let’s hope she keeps that down,” Mallory whispers, running a hand down Lizzie’s back.

“What do you need from me?” I ask, rocking back and forth gently.

Mallory yawns. “Nothing, Walker, really. If you’d rather go home, I’d understand. She must have a little stomach bug or something, and I’d hate for you to get it.”

“I’m already exposed, so I might as well stay and help,” I tell her, kissing Lizzie’s forehead as she drifts off to sleep in my arms.

“Well, there’s nothing we can do but go to sleep and hope she’s done throwing up,” she says. “I need to pick up her bedding and rinse it in the shower.”

“I can do that,” I insist, even though the thought of cleaning puke doesn’t exactly rate high on my fun-o-meter.

“No, it’s okay. I’ll do it,” she replies, heading down the hall toward Lizzie’s bedroom. I head across the hall to the master bedroom and carefully lie the sleeping girl in the middle of the bed. I find my shirt from last night and put it back on to cover my chest. Then, I slip under the covers, careful to only pull the sheet up on Lizzie.

“Okay, I think it’s fine until the morning when I can run to the laundromat,” Mallory says, slipping quietly into the room and crawling into bed.

“I’ll take it home with me and wash them,” I insist, glancing at Mal over Lizzie’s head. We’re both on our sides facing each other, Lizzie snuggled in between us.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to, Mal. If Lou is sick, you shouldn’t be going out to do laundry. I’ll run and wash it and grab some chicken noodle soup on my way back. I can get all that done before you have to leave for work. You can either go in and I’ll stay here with Lou, or you can call in sick. I’m sure Isaac and Jasper can find someone to take your shift.”

She smiles softly at me and closes her eyes. “You’re too good to be true, Walker Meyer.”

I reach over and run my hand over her cheek. “I could say the same about you.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Mallory

“Walker is going to pick you up after school,” I tell Lizzie, as I