Psy (Alien Castaways #3) - Cara Bristol Page 0,32

an antique armoire or wooden rolling pins. Besides, if you’re contagious, you shouldn’t spread it to the customers.

She was right, and Cassie just wanted to sleep. OK. Thanks.

Where’s Rosalie?

Went to work. She tried to get me to stay home.

For once we’re in agreement. Can I bring you anything? Something to eat?

No, thank you. I’m going to bed.

Ok. Take care. Let me know how you feel tomorrow.

I will.

Cassie collapsed on the sofa again. She hoped she’d feel better by the evening when she was supposed to see Psy. Maybe after a day’s rest, she’d feel more like herself. She’d go to bed in a minute…

The buzzing doorbell awakened her. Her neck felt stiff; she must have slept at an odd angle.

Buzz.

Go away, she thought. I don’t want to buy anything. I’m not interested in going to your church. I’m going to die a heathen. Maybe even today.

Knocking. Pounding—which did nothing for her head. “Cassie! It’s me, Verna! Are you okay?” her boss yelled.

She staggered to the door.

“I got worried and wanted to see you for myself,” Verna said upon entering the house.

Store? she jotted.

“I taped a be-right-back sign to the front door.” She surveyed her with a hawkeyed gaze. “It’s just what I feared. Honey, you have the mumps.”

Cassie shook her head.

“Your jaw is swollen. You’re fatigued. You have muscle aches. All the right symptoms—and you were exposed by your alien hottie.”

Cassie widened her eyes and fingered her tender jaw. It couldn’t be possible, could it? She’d had the vaccination! Verna followed as she made a beeline for the bathroom off the hall. She didn’t look as bad as Psy had, but she resembled a lopsided chipmunk. It hadn’t been so bad when she’d first gotten up, but the right side of her face was definitely swollen now.

What do I do?

“Wait it out. Get some rest and take painkillers.”

How long?

“How long will it take to get well?” Verna wrinkled her nose. “I think it takes a couple of weeks to run its course.”

A couple of weeks? Feeling like this? What about the store? And Psy. She wouldn’t be able to see Psy! Verna had been so nice to check on her, and now she’d been exposed. And her mother, too!

Cassie popped a couple of aspirin, and bent and drank straight from the faucet. She and Verna returned to the living room. You’ve been exposed now. I’m so sorry.

“I was inoculated.”

So was I.

“Vaccines are a great defense, but they’re not 100 percent effective. I was exposed the same time you were, so if I was going to get it, I’d have it, too.”

That relieved some of her guilt.

After urging her to rest, forbidding her to set foot in the store until she was well, and promising to check on her, Verna left. Feeling dejected in addition to ill, Cassie texted Psy.

I have to cancel our date. I caught the mumps.

I’ll be over as soon as I can.

You don’t have to. There’s nothing you can do.

Are you saying, don’t come?

No. She felt like crap and looked even worse, but she very much wanted to see him.

I’ll be there soon.

While she waited, she googled the mumps. Medical sites confirmed “Dr. Verna’s” diagnosis and treatment options. She had to wait for the virus to run its course.

Ten minutes later, Psy arrived. She melted into his embrace. Their minds merged so effortlessly and completely, it seemed almost automatic, as if they couldn’t remain apart if they’d wanted to. I’m so sorry you caught this from me, he said.

It’s not your fault. You didn’t know you were sick.

They moved to the sofa, and Cassie curled up next to him. His presence didn’t relieve the physical symptoms, but it was comforting to have him near. The way he’d rushed over made her feel warm inside. Of course, that could be the fever, she thought with humor. Verna had checked on her, too. She was lucky to have both of them in her life.

The hover scooter is outside. I can take you to a doctor.

Won’t do any good. There’s no cure. I have to wait for my body to fight it off.

Your medical science can’t do anything? His telepathic reply sounded almost horrified.

I’ll be fine in a couple of weeks. She closed her eyes and slumped against him, exhaustion like a lead blanket. Now that she knew her salivary glands were swollen, the tenderness in her jaw had seemed to worsen. She was in the early stage of the disease. The next two weeks were not going to be