Hannah sat at the kitchen table, trying to drink a cup of warm milk to help her sleep. It curdled her stomach. She pushed it away and buried her face in her hands. Fever singed her palms. Her throat burned. She didn’t need a doctor to tell her that after a day and a half taking care of the sick children, she’d caught what they had. Thankfully most of them were on the mend, except Terry who had come down with it earlier today. Jacob didn’t think the boy would have it too badly since he’d already taken two doses of the maintenance antibiotic. Up until an hour ago when she began to feel sick, she’d forgotten to take hers. Obviously she was too late to prevent it totally.
The sound of the door opening alerted Hannah she wasn’t alone. Dropping her hands onto the table, she straightened as Meg came into the room.
“Everyone’s in bed. Anything else you need before I go home?” Meg stopped near her, her eyes narrowing on Hannah. “You’ve got a rash, Hannah!”
“A rash?”
“All over your face and neck.”
Hannah glanced down as though she could see it in the surface of the table.
The older woman touched Hannah’s forehead. “You’ve got a fever. Come on. You’re going to bed now.” She took her arm to help Hannah rise.
She tried to stand and swayed. The room spun. “But the kids need—”
“I’ll take care of the children. Don’t you worry.” Meg supported most of Hannah’s weight as she headed toward the bedroom area.
“But you might get sick, too.”
“If I do, then I’ll deal with it. Right now you worry about taking care of yourself. I wonder why the maintenance dose didn’t work for you. You’ve been on it for a while.”
“I forgot until an hour ago. I was too busy taking care of the others.”
Meg flipped back the coverlet and helped Hannah ease down onto her bed. “I’ll get you some aspirin.”
Hannah slid her eyes closed, listening to Meg move about the room, the sound loud to her sensitive ears. Her face felt on fire. Pain gripped her throat and drummed against her skull.
“Here.” Meg slipped her arm underneath Hannah and lifted her up to take the pills and drink some water.
The second Hannah managed to swallow the aspirin she sagged back onto the mattress, shutting her eyes to the swirling room.
As the pain continued to do a tap dance in her head, she embraced the darkness.
“Why didn’t she say anything to me before I left this evening?” Jacob stared at Hannah sleeping fitfully on her bed.
“I don’t think she was thinking about herself. She’s got a bad rash,” Meg said.
The tiny red spots stood out like a neon sign against the otherwise pale skin. He brushed back a strand of hair from her face, feeling the warmth beneath his fingertips. “That can happen sometimes with strep. I’m going to give her a shot.” He opened his medicine bag and took out a syringe and a vial of antibiotics. “I hate to wake her up, but she needs this now.”
“I’m staying tonight to make sure the children are taken care of. You take care of her.” Meg crossed to the door and left.
Gently, he shook Hannah awake. Her eyes blinked, then drifted closed.
“Hannah, I need to know if you’re allergic to any medicine.”
“Medicine?” she mumbled.
“I want to give you a shot of an antibiotic.”
Her eyes popped open and focused on him. “A shot? I hate them.”
Jacob pulled a chair close to the bed and sat. “I’m worried about you. Are you allergic to anything?”
“No—you don’t need to worry...” Her voice floated into the silence as she surrendered to sleep again.
She flinched when the needle pricked her skin, but her eyes stayed closed. Again he combed the wayward lock back from her forehead, then went to the living room to settle into a chair for the long night ahead. He wouldn’t leave until he was sure she would be all right.
Hannah moaned. Every muscle ached. She tried to turn over onto her side, but someone held her hand. Easing one eye open, she stared at Jacob stretched out in a chair next to her bed, asleep. She tugged herself free at the same time he snapped upright, disoriented. His hair lay at odd angles, making him appear younger.
He chuckled. “I guess you caught me napping on the job.”
Her mind still shrouded in a fog, she mumbled, “What job?”
He bent forward, taking her wrist and placing his fingers over her pulse. “Caring for you.”
She struggled to sit up. “I don’t need you...” She collapsed back onto the pillow.
“What were you saying?”
She inhaled a shallow, raspy breath. “I’ll be fine with some rest.” She shifted her head until she glimpsed her clock on the bedside table. “I’ve only been sleeping a few hours...” The light slanting through the slits in the blinds attracted her attention. “What time of day is it?”
“It’s eleven in the morning.”
“I slept all night?” Again she tried to sit up and managed to prop herself on her elbows. “What about the children?”
“Meg has been here taking care of them. I’ve looked in on each one, and all of them are recovering nicely. And there were no cases at the other cottage.”
“What about your patients?”
His chuckles evolved into laughter. “I know I work a lot, but today is Saturday. I’d planned to spend it here making sure the kids were all right.”
“You were? I mean, I don’t remember....” She rubbed her temple, the pounding in her head less but still there. She swallowed several times to coat her dry throat. “Can I have some water?”
“Sure.” He rose and settled next to her to hold her up while she sipped some cold liquid. Despite its coolness, it burned going down. “I need you to take these.” Jacob produced some pills. “And there’s no forgetting this time.”
She winced each time one went down. “I guess I forgot to tell you I used to get strep throat every year while growing up.”
“No, you left that out.”
“It wouldn’t have made any difference. I’d still have taken care of the children. They needed me.” The sound of her voice grew weak in her ears.
Jacob laid her gently back on the bed and stood. “Somehow I figured that. But now I’m your doctor, and I’m telling you to sleep and not worry about anything.”
“You’re a pediatrician.” Her eyes fluttered closed.
“But I’m free and here. You aren’t going to get rid of me.”
That last sentence comforted her as sleep descended.
“She’s awake, Dr. Jacob! She’s awake!”
Nancy’s shrieking voice thundered through Hannah’s head, threatening to renew the earlier hammering pain.
“Shh.” Jacob filled the doorway with several children standing behind him, peeping into the room.
He looked good to her tired eyes. Very good. Slightly worn but handsome as ever with his tousled brown hair and gleaming eyes that held hers. “How long have I been asleep?”
“It’s Sunday afternoon and Laura and Peter are here.”
“I lost another day.”
Nancy appeared in her face. “I was worried about you.”
Other than the ashen cast to the little girl’s features, she looked all right. The dullness in her eyes was gone and a smile brightened her face. “I’ll be as good as new in a day or so.”
“Okay, everyone, Laura and Peter have dished up some ice cream for you in the kitchen. You’d better eat it before it melts.”
The sound of running footsteps faded down the hall, leaving Jacob alone with her. He moved into the room.
“I have news for you, Hannah. You won’t be up and about in a day or so. You had a bad case of strep on top of exhaustion. You need to get a lot of rest if you want to be as good as new by Thanksgiving.”
She frowned. “You aren’t going to be one of these demanding doctors who insists I follow your instructions.”
He stood with his feet slightly apart and his hands on his hips, glaring at her. “Yes, I am.” But the merriment in his eyes mocked his fierce stance. “I came close to taking you to the hospital.”
“You did?”
The implication threw her. If her aching body was any indication, she realized she had been very sick. But the hospital?
“Oh, you are awake? The kids said you were.” Laura walked to the bed and positioned herself on the other side of Jacob. “I brought you some ice cream.” She held up the bowl.
“Vanilla?”
Nodding, Laura sat in the chair nearby and scooped a spoonful of it for Hannah. “Peter could use your help, Jacob. By now all eight children are clamoring for more ice cream.”
“Make sure she stays in bed,” was his parting remark.
Laura laughed. “He can be so demanding when a patient doesn’t follow his instructions.”
Hannah scooted up against the headboard and took the bowl from Laura. “This does make me realize I have to find a doctor. I haven’t yet.”
Laura’s laughter increased. “Jacob has a way with children, but I can see his bedside manner might be lacking with an adult. He does mean well, though.”
Hannah slid the spoonful of ice cream into her mouth and relished the coldness as she swallowed the treat. “I wouldn’t know about his bedside manner. I was pretty out of it. I remember him making me take some pills, though.”
Laura’s expression sobered. “Yes, I know. Peter and I have been here helping Meg with the children. You should have let us know how bad it was. We could have come sooner.”
Hannah stared at her ice cream. “You have four children. I didn’t want you to be exposed to strep, so I played it down when we talked.”
“And got Meg and Jacob to go along.”
“I thought we were handling it. We did. I just got sick.”
“Running yourself into the ground. In fact, I tried to get Jacob to go home and take care of himself, but he wouldn’t leave your side.”
“He didn’t?” Warmth, that had nothing to do with a fever, spread through her.
“He told me he wouldn’t be able to sleep until he knew you were out of the woods. For the past day and a half he has stood guard over you.” Laura glanced toward the doorway. “Now, I’m gonna insist he go home and get some rest.”
Hannah took another scoop of the ice cream. “Do we have any Popsicle treats left?”
“You must be getting better. You have an appetite. I’ll see if I can find any. The children have been eating them right and left. I had Peter go get some more.” She rose and headed for the hallway.
Hannah finished her treat and placed the bowl on the table, tired from the brief exertion. How was she going to look after eight children? She couldn’t even feed herself without getting exhausted.
She tried to concentrate on that dilemma, but she kept thinking about what Laura had told her about Jacob. He hadn’t left her side. He’d watched over her. She should be upset by that news, but after the past few days working with him to take care of the sick children, she wasn’t. A bond of friendship had formed between them.
Lord, if any good has come out of the illness that took hold of this house, it was that. I don’t hate Jacob anymore. I can forgive him for what happened to Kevin. The man I’ve gotten to know would never have done something like that on purpose. The car wreck was an unfortunate accident that I suspect has left a mark on Jacob, too.
She sank farther into her pillow, propped up against the headboard, and closed her eyes. Total peace blanketed her for the first time in years. This is why you forgive someone. This is why you let go of your anger. I understand now, Jesus, why You forgave them on the cross. Thank You, Lord.
Footsteps announced she wasn’t alone. She opened her eyes, expecting to see Laura, but instead Jacob entered with a cherry Popsicle in his grasp.
“I hear you’re hungry.” He sat in the chair by the bed and gave her the treat.
“I thought Laura was making you go home to sleep.”
“She tried.”
“And obviously failed.”
“I can be a very determined man.”
“I appreciate all you’ve done, but she’s right. I don’t want you to get sick, too.” She nibbled on her Popsicle.
“I’m not going to. I’ve built up quite a resistance. Remember I deal with sick kids all the time.”
“Now I see why the children love having you come. The gifts you brought them to keep them occupied and in bed were great.”
“I love those handheld video games.”
“You sound like you’ve played your share of them.”
“I’m a kid at heart.”
His smile encompassed his whole face and sent her heart beating a shade faster. “I’ll have to try one sometime.”
“I’ll loan you one of mine. A great stress reliever.”
“I thought exercise was.”
“I’m exercising my mind.”
Seeing his well-proportioned body, she knew he also had to exercise physically, too. “I like to ride my bike but haven’t had a chance yet.”
“There are some great places around here to visit. If the weather stays nice, I could show you one weekend.”
“You have a bike?”
He nodded. “A great stress reliever.”
“Maybe I could get some bikes for the kids, and we could all go on an excursion one Saturday.”
“Let’s get you well first, then we can plan something.”
“I’ll be up in no time.” She fluttered her hand in the air, but immediately dropped it into her lap, her arm feeling as though it weighed more than a twenty-pound barbell.
He rose. “I’d better let you get some rest. Besides, I promised Laura I would deliver the Popsicle and leave. I don’t want to make a liar out of me.”
The second he left, Hannah felt the energy level in the room diminish. He charged the air wherever he was. He had a presence about him that drew a person to him. Why hadn’t she noticed that before?
Because I had been too busy trying to avoid him.
It was nice having a friend in Cimarron City.
A friend? a little voice questioned.
Yes, a friend. Anything else would be taking this forgiveness thing too far.
“Dr. Jacob has pulled up,” Gabe shouted from the window in the living room.
“Mom’s here!” Andy jumped up and down, then raced for the front door.
Hannah laughed. “I think he’s excited.”
“He’s been marking off his calendar until Thanksgiving.” Susie followed Andy outside.
Hannah heard the car doors slamming shut. She hurried after the children who flooded out of the house and down the steps. Excitement bubbled up in her. She wished she could attribute it totally to the fact that Lisa had just finished her drug-rehab program and was going to join them for Thanksgiving dinner today. She couldn’t, though. After she was up and about at the end of last week, she hadn’t seen much of Jacob other than at church on Sunday. But today he was spending Thanksgiving with them.
Whenever he was at the cottage, it seemed to come alive. His relationship with the children was great.
How about his with you?
She ignored the question and greeted Lisa with a hug. “It’s good to see you.”
The young woman slung her arm around Andy who was plastered against his mom. “Thanks for the invitation. I’ve been looking forward to today.”
Andy yanked on his mother’s arm. “Come inside. I want to show you what Dr. Jacob got me.”
“I’ll show you my gift, too,” Gabe said.
“Talk to you later,” Lisa said laughingly as her son dragged her up the steps and into the house.
Hannah turned to Jacob. “I appreciate you picking her up.”
“No problem. I was coming this way.” He produced a bouquet of fall flowers from behind his back. “These are for you.”
“Me?” She took them, her eyes probably as round as the yellow mums she held. The scent of the lilies teased her senses.
“Dr. Jacob, have you heard about the bike trip we’re going on this weekend?” Nancy asked, tugging on his arm to get his attention.
He knelt down so that they were eye to eye. “I’m going, too.”
“Oh, yeah. I forgot.” The little girl hugged her worn pink blanket to her and stuck her thumb into her mouth.
“C’mon, Nancy. You need to help me set the table.” Susie clasped the child’s hand and mounted the steps.
“Where are the other kids?”
Still stunned by the gesture, Hannah was momentarily speechless. She could not recall anyone ever bringing her flowers—not even her husband.
“Hannah?”
“Oh. At the barn feeding the animals. They’ll be here shortly. Roman took several of them over with some of the older kids.”
“I bet Terry led the way.”
“You know that boy well.”
“He has been here the longest. I wish someone would adopt him, but he’s nearly twelve, which makes it harder.” Jacob held the front door open for Hannah.
“Yeah, everyone wants a baby or a young child when they’re looking to adopt.”
The aroma of the roasting turkey seeped into every corner of the house. “Ah, the best smell. Did Meg make her cornbread dressing?”
“Yes, and my contribution is dessert. Pecan pie.”
“A woman after my heart. That’s one of my favorite desserts.”
“Meg made her pumpkin pie and a chocolate one, too.”
“Stop right there. You’re driving a starving man crazy.”
“Tell you what. Dinner isn’t for another hour. Let me put these flowers into water and check with the kids to see if anyone wants to go to the barn. That oughta take your mind off food.”
“Great. If I stayed here, I’d probably be raiding the kitchen, and Meg doesn’t take too kindly to snacking before a meal.”
She waved her hand toward the living room. “Two are in there. See if they want to go,” she said while she walked to the dining room and peered in.
Susie gave Nancy a plate to set on the table.
“Want to come to the barn with Dr. Jacob and me?”
Nancy thrust the dishes she still held at Susie. “Yes!”
The older girl scanned the near-empty table. “I promised Meg I would help her. You all go on without me.”
Next Hannah found Gabe and Andy in the boys’ bedroom, showing Lisa how to play one of the handheld video games. “We’re going to the barn. Want to come?”
Gabe leaped to his feet at the same time Andy did. The boy pulled his mother up.
“I guess that’s a yes,” Hannah said, and went to the kitchen to let Meg know where they would be and put the flowers in water.
Five minutes later the group passed the unfinished third house and started hiking across the meadow. With just a hint of crispness, the air felt nice. The scent of burning wood lingered on the light breeze that blew a few strands of Hannah’s hair across her face. Andy practically hauled Lisa behind him at a fast clip while the other children ran and skipped toward the red barn.
“After the busy week I’ve had, I don’t have that kind of energy.” Jacob chuckled when Andy’s mother threw them a helpless look.
“Do you think Lisa will be successful this time?”
“Honestly? No, I don’t but then my experience hasn’t been a good one when it comes to successful stories with drug rehab.”
“I’m praying you’re wrong.”
Jacob paused in the middle of the field and looked long and hard at Hannah. “Truthfully I hope I am, too.”
The more she was around Jacob, the more she realized she’d never met a man like him. He was honest, caring, and when he was wrong, admitted it. If she weren’t careful, she would forget who he was. Yes, she had forgiven him, but she hadn’t forgotten what happened all those years ago. To do so would have been to betray her family.
Peter came out of the barn as the children with Lisa raced by him. “The kids are almost through feeding the animals.” He swung his attention from Hannah to Jacob. “Now I know why you turned Laura and me down for Thanksgiving dinner. The kids told me you were joining them today.”
“I got an offer I couldn’t refuse.” Jacob’s grin accentuated his two dimples.
“Laura and I will eventually get over it.” Peter shifted toward Hannah. “I hope you have enough food. You should have seen him last Thanksgiving.”
“Hannah, look.” Nancy walked toward her with a puppy cradled against her chest. “I got to pick her up this time.”
“Yeah, she’s just about ready for a home.” Peter started for the interior of the barn.
“I can give her a home,” Nancy said, trailing after Peter with the mutt still in her arms. “I’m good with puppies.”
“So far I’ve managed to discourage any pets at the cottage, but I’ve got my work cut out for me this time.” Hannah hurried to follow Nancy.
“Why? I think a pet around the house would be good for the kids.”
She stopped in the middle of the cavernous building. “And how do you suppose I should pick the pet? Each child wants a different one.”
Jacob scratched the top of his head. “I don’t know. I’ll have to think on that one.”
“Fine. You come up with a fair way and they can have one.”
Terry entered through the back door, carrying a lamb. “I found him.” He passed the animal to Peter, then waved at Hannah. “I’m finished. Is it time for dinner?”
“About half an hour.” Hannah swung her attention back to Nancy and saw the little girl put the white puppy back in its pen with the other ones. The child stooped down and continued to stroke the mutt.
Jacob was right. There needed to be some pets at the cottage, not just down at the barn. She’d never gotten to have one because they had always been moving to a new place. She remembered her yearning and her promise to herself that when she had her own home she would have several to make up for the lack while growing up.
“I’ve got it.” Jacob leaned close, his voice low. “Paul used to have a family meeting every week and everyone had an equal say in what was discussed. That’s where we often hashed out problems that came up. When something like having a pet needed to be decided upon, we would talk about it at the meeting, then vote. Majority ruled.”
His warm breath tingled along her neck. She stepped a few feet away and tried to slow her suddenly pounding heart. “That might work.”
“He set up ground rules. One person at a time spoke. No one was allowed to cut in until that person was through speaking. Everyone had to be respectful of the others. Our voting was done by secret balloting and no one was to be questioned how they voted.”
“He sounds like an amazing man.”
“He was. I miss him. Thankfully Alice, his wife, lives with Laura and Peter.”
“Alice was your foster mother? I didn’t know that.” She’d met the older woman while visiting Laura once.
“Yes. Both of them were lifesavers to a lot of kids.”
“Including you?”
“Especially me. I was pretty messed up when I went to live with the Hendersons at fifteen.”
“Why?”
A frown marred his face and his eyes darkened with storm clouds.
Hannah wished she could snatch the question back. Would he say anything about the wreck? Was that even what he was referring to?