When Hearts Collide - By James, Kendra Page 0,53

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