CHAPTER SIX

 

Macey teetered on the edge of a steep butte. Below her, stretched a vast patchwork of desiccated plains. The sun burning in the sky had reached its apex, and the air rippled from the searing heat. She tried to see past the haze, further into the distance. Not one bush or a tangle of roots, or cactus, attempted to take root and grow. It was dead, no man's land under the scorching sun. She shivered, sweat dripping down her forehead. Everything was a blur and she was completely alone. She cried out Cal's name.

Strong hands were suddenly lifting her. She shivered, despite the heat, but at least she was not alone any longer. She couldn't see past the blur, but she recognized his voice, and the concern and the caring. He always kept his promises.

 

"Macey, sweets!" Cal cried her name as he lifted her shoulders from the pillow and cradled her against his chest. She was shivering and burning up with fever.

Earlier that morning, he'd made breakfast, hoping to wake Macey with the tantalizing smells of sizzling bacon and eggs, and toasted English Muffins. His mother had made a point of teaching her children how to at least make a good meal to start off their day.

Not a stir from the guest bedroom had him surprised. As lunchtime approached, he knocked on the door. No answer. Gingerly, he tried the knob. It wasn't locked. He opened it a crack and called her name. That's when he heard her moan, and flung the door open to find her raging with fever and on the point of convulsing. He didn't waste time wondering what was happening. Just gathered her in his arms, blankets and all, and rushed from the apartment. He took the elevator to the main lobby, hoping the guard was there to call for help, or direct him to a hospital. He was frantic, and not thinking as clearly as he should.

The moment he reached the lobby, the guard assessed the situation and immediately called 911.

Within the hour, Cal was arguing with the nurses and the doctor in the emergency room to let him remain at her side while they brought her fever down to stop the uncontrollable trembling. They finally convinced him to wait outside by leaving the door open so he could see within, while they administered medications and connected her to monitors to follow her progress.

After what felt like hours, but was merely thirty minutes, the doctor and the nurse stepped away from Macey and the gurney. Her trembling had stopped. The doctor came out. "She's okay. She was on the verge of a febrile convulsion. Has she been ill recently prior to this? A virus, or trauma, or undue stress?"

"She did get caught in a terrible storm a week ago, drenched to the bone, and suffered light hypothermia. But she recovered within a few hours." As for undue stress, Cal thought, definitely, but it would take too long to explain, and the doctor might recommend a psychologist for both of them. He added simply, "We just landed in New York, yesterday, from southwest Montana. I can vouch for the jet lag."

The doctor nodded. She may not have recovered as quickly from the hypothermia as you thought. I'd like her to stay a couple of days for observation. But she's responding favorably to the fever suppressants. She needs to rest and I'll start her on antibiotics just in case. I know you were asked this on the admitting questionnaire, but I need to make doubly sure that she's not allergic to any medications or antibiotics."

Cal reassured him. "I've known Macey since we were children. Our families are close, and we shared the same pediatrician and family MD. She's never been allergic to anything." except, he thought, shaking his head, good ole' common sense. "I included in the questionnaire the family doctor's number back home, as well as that of Macey's parents and next of kin."

"Yes, I saw the information, but the nurse can't get a hold of them, except for their answering machines. She left a message."

Cal explained, "The doctor who took over his father's practice when he retired, carries on his dad's custom of making house calls. He's probably out visiting a patient. And Macey's parents are usually out during the day working their horse ranch. They placed Macey in my care while she settles in New York." Cal frowned. "Some job I'm doing!" he added wryly.

"From what I'm seeing and hearing, you're doing a fine job. If you hadn't acted as quickly as you did, your lady friend might have lapsed into convulsions and coma. Well, let's see how she does these next forty-eight hours. I suggest you take care of your own health so you can be there for her."

Cal nodded his appreciation. "Thanks, Doc. Will she be staying in the Emergency Room?"

"If she continues stabilizing, we'll move her to a private room."

"When she wakes up," Cal said, "make sure you tell her I'm here."

"She might not wake up for hours."

"That's okay, doc. I can wait."