The Hollow Page 0,36

get some water."

"She'll need more." Cybil hurried after him. "Which way's the kitchen?"

He pointed, turned in the opposite direction.

Because Quinn was shivering, Layla whipped a throw from the back of a small couch as Cal laid Quinn down.

"My head," Quinn managed. "God, my head. It's off the Richter scale. I may be sick. I need to..." She swung her legs over, dropped her head between her knees. "Okay." She breathed in, breathed out as Cal massaged her shoulders. "Okay."

"Here, try some water. Fox got you some water." Layla took the glass he'd brought back, knelt to urge it on Quinn.

"Take it easy," Cal advised. "Don't sit up until you're ready. Slow breaths."

"Believe me." She eyed the brass bucket Gage set next to her, then shifted her gaze to the kindling now scattered over the hearth. "Good thinking, but I'm pretty sure I'm not going to need that."

She eased up until she could rest her throbbing head on Cal's shoulder. "Intense."

"I know." He pressed his lips lightly to the side of her head.

"Did I say anything? It was Ann. She was writing in her journal."

"You said plenty," Cal told her.

"Why didn't I think to turn on my recorder?"

"Got that." Gage held up her minirecorder. "I pulled it out of your purse when the show started."

She took a slow sip of water, glanced at Fox out of eyes still blurry in a pale, pale face. "Your parents wouldn't happen to have any morphine around here?"

"Sorry."

"It'll pass." Cal kissed her again, rubbed gently at the back of her neck. "Promise."

"How long was I gone?"

"Nearly twenty minutes." Cal glanced over when Cybil came back in carrying a tall pottery mug.

"Here." Cybil stroked Quinn's cheek. "This'll help."

"What is it?"

"Tea. That's all you have to know. Come on, be a good girl." She held the mug to Quinn's lips. "Your mother has an amazing collection of homemade teas, Fox."

"Maybe, but this tastes like-" Quinn broke off when Joanne walked in. "Ms. Barry."

"That blend tastes pretty crappy, but it'll help. Let me have her, Cal." Brushing Cal aside, Joanne took his place, then pressed and rubbed at two points at the base of Quinn's neck. "Try not to tense. That's better. Breathe through it. Breathe the oxygen in, exhale the tension and discomfort. That's good. Are you pregnant?"

"What? No. Um, no."

"There's a point here." She took Quinn's left hand, pressed on the webbing between her thumb and forefinger. "It's effective, but traditionally forbidden for pregnant women."

"The Adjoining Valley," Cybil said.

"You know acupressure?"

"She knows everything," Quinn claimed, and took her first easy breath. "It's better. It's a lot better. Down from blinding to annoying. Thank you."

"You should rest awhile. Cal can take you upstairs if you want."

"Thanks, but-"

"Cal, you ought to take her home." Layla stepped forward to pat a hand on Cal's arm. "I can ride into the office with Fox. Cybil, you can get Gage back to Cal's, right?"

"I could do that."

"We haven't finished," Quinn objected. "We need to move on to part two and find out where she put the journal."

"Not today."

"She's right, Blondie. You haven't got another round in you." To settle the matter, Cal picked her up off the couch.

"Well, hard to argue. I guess I'm going. Thanks, Ms. Barry."

"Jo."

"Thanks, Jo, for letting us screw up your morning."

"Anytime. Fox, give Cal a hand with the door. Gage, why don't you take Cybil back, let Brian know everything's all right? Layla." Jo put a hand on Layla's arm, holding her in place while the others left the room. "That was smoothly done."

"I'm sorry?"

"You maneuvered that so Quinn and Cal would have time alone, which is exactly what they both need. I'm going to ask you a favor."

"Of course."

"If there's anything we can or should do, will you tell me? Fox may not. He's protective of those he loves. Sometimes too protective."

"I'll do what I can."

"Can't ask for more than that."

Fox waited for Layla to join him outside. "You don't have to go into the office."

"Cal and Quinn need some space, and I'd just as soon be busy."

"Borrow Quinn's car, or Cybil's. Go shopping. Do something normal."

"Work is normal. Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"I'm trying to give you a break."

"I don't need a break. Quinn does." She turned as Cybil and Gage came out. "I'm going to go into the office for the day, unless you need me back at home."

"I've got it covered," Cybil told her. "Other than logging in this morning's fun and games, there isn't much else to do