11

 

Lily’s alarm went off, dragging her out of sleep. With a groan, she hit the OFF button and swung her legs over the side of the bed, only to find her head swimming. The lack of sleep last night must be catching up with her.

Even a hot shower didn’t help. Nausea rolled in her stomach, but she forced herself to get ready for work. She had to go in. It was her turn to open the shop—the first time she’d been entrusted with the task. Two days ago, Peg had called her into the backroom for a chat. Filled with trepidation over some imagined transgression, Lily had nervously awaited Peg’s lecture.

But instead of the expected reprimand, Peg had praised her work and rewarded her by offering her full-time hours along with a pay raise. Giddy with relief, Lily had accepted, thankful she no longer had to find a second job before next month’s rent came due.

After her employer’s show of good faith, Lily could not afford to be ill. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—let Peg down.

She ate no breakfast, stopping only to buy a cup of herbal tea at the diner on the way. By eight thirty, Lily sat at the reception desk, head in her hands, hoping Maxi would be on time for her shift and wishing the room would stop spinning around her. If this kept up, she’d have to cancel Chloe’s tutoring session that afternoon.

Lily looked at her watch and groaned. Maxi wasn’t due for half an hour yet. Maybe keeping busy would help. She tried to muster the energy to make her way to the storage room in back and top up the towels and other supplies for when the shop opened. But as she stood, the room spiraled around her and a wave of nausea rose in her throat. Clutching a hand to her mouth, she raced to the bathroom, barely reaching the toilet before her stomach heaved.

When the retching stopped, she wiped her face and flushed the toilet. Her body trembled, perspiration beading on her brow. She tried to pull herself up to the sink, but her weakened limbs collapsed beneath her. Sweating and shaking, she sank to the floor and curled into a fetal position. The room became darker and darker until nothing remained except the cold tiles against her cheek.

 

****

 

The incessant ringing of the phone disturbed Nick in the middle of studying. He slapped his pen down onto the desk and blasted out a loud sigh at the interruption.

“This had better be important,” he grumbled.

“Nick, it’s Maxi. Can you come down to Peg’s right away?”

The panic in her voice had Nick’s senses on instant alert. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Lily. She’s out cold on the floor. I don’t know what to do. I can’t move her.”

Nick jumped to his feet, knocking papers to the ground. “Call Doc Anderson. I’m on my way.”

The short drive over to Peg’s was a blur. He burst through the front door, saw Maxi waving from the back, and sprinted over. Lily lay sprawled on the bathroom floor, a rolled towel under her head. The small area reeked of vomit.

“Has she come-around at all?”

“No, but she’s breathing OK.” Maxi’s huge eyes were wracked with worry. “I didn’t know who to call.”

Nick checked Lily’s pulse. “I’m glad you thought of me. Did you get a hold of the doc?”

“He’s on his way.”

“Good. Can you get a cold cloth for her head? She’s burning up.”

Maxi bounded off, returning seconds later with a wet towel, which Nick used to gently wipe Lily’s pale face. An irrational fear gripped his insides and twisted hard as he administered the cloth—a fear he knew stemmed from the impotence he’d felt as he cared for his mother day after day on her sickbed, unable to do anything but watch her die.

Please, Lord, let this be a minor illness.

A powerful instinct to protect her surged through his chest. He scooped her limp form off the cold bathroom floor and carried her out to a cushioned bench in the waiting area. Maxi followed, hovering near Lily’s head while Nick knelt beside her and continued to bathe her face.

A few minutes later, the bell jangled as Percy Anderson bustled through the door. The large man dabbed a handkerchief on his moist, balding head and then stuffed the cloth back into his jacket pocket.

Nick stood to greet him. “Hey, Doc. Thanks for coming so fast.”

“Sounded urgent.” He pulled out a stethoscope to listen to Lily’s heart, took her temperature, and then clucked his tongue. “She’s got a high fever and her heart rate’s erratic.”

“Is it the flu?” Maxi clutched her arms around her middle, a worried frown creasing her forehead.

“Could be. There’s a pretty bad one going around right now, and she’s got all the symptoms. I’m giving her a shot to keep her from vomiting. Then she’ll need lots of rest and fluids.”

He pulled a syringe out of his leather bag and asked Maxi to roll up Lily’s sleeve.

Nick paced the reception area as Doc administered the needle. “What now?” He hated feeling so helpless.

“It’s not serious enough for the hospital, but she’ll need careful monitoring for the next couple of days.” Doc looked up at them as he repacked his bag. “Dehydration is a big risk with this type of illness.”

Nick scrubbed a hand over his jaw and made a quick decision. “I can do it. I’m studying for exams, which I can do anywhere.”

Doc Anderson raised an eyebrow. “She has no family nearby?”

Nick shook his head. “Only an estranged father somewhere up north.” Doc had to be thinking about the propriety of the situation. The image of a scowling Reverend Ted came to mind, and Nick’s shoulders slumped. No matter how innocent the situation, some people would misconstrue it. For the sake of Lily’s reputation, as well as his own, he had to set his feelings aside and make sure his actions were above reproach.

“Maxi will help me when she’s not working, won’t you, Max?” He sent her a pleading look, grateful she lived so close to Lily.

“Of course. And I’m sure Chloe will help, too.”

Still, that didn’t solve the immediate issue of getting Lily home. “Could you call Peg and explain the situation? See if she can cover the shop while you help me with Lily.”

“Sure. Give me five minutes.”

While they waited, Doc monitored Lily’s pulse one more time and jotted some notes on a small pad of paper. “Remember to take her temperature every hour. If it goes up much higher, call me immediately. We may have to take her to Kingsville Memorial Hospital if we can’t keep it down.”

Nick nodded. “I will.”

Maxi returned. “We’re good to go. Peg’s heading over right away, and I’ve rescheduled my morning clients.”

A measure of relief loosened Nick’s tense muscles. As crazy as it sounded, he was glad he wouldn’t bear the responsibility for Lily alone.

Doc buttoned his jacket. “Keep me posted on her condition. I’ll drop by later today to see how she’s doing.”

“Thanks, Doc, for all your help.”

“Not at all, my boy. That’s what I’m here for.” He picked up his bag and walked out the front door.

Nick turned to Maxi. “Thanks, Max. I feel better knowing Lily will have both of us looking out for her.”

Maxi nodded, her expression serious. “She’s my friend, too. I want to help.”

“Let’s start by getting her home.” He lifted Lily’s inert figure, gently cradling her head against his shoulder.

Maxi rushed to open the door for him. “I’ll get her things and lock up. Be right behind you.” She patted his arm as he stepped outside. “Don’t worry, Logan. We’ll get her through this.”

Nick walked to his truck, put Lily inside, and reclined the seat, using his jacket to pillow her head. As he buckled her in, he tried to force the image of his sick mother out of his head. He told himself Lily only had the flu, and it wasn’t that serious, but his anxiety level refused to listen. On the way over to the apartment, he prayed her temperature would not go up even one more degree.

 

****

 

Nick jolted awake from some kind of nightmare, his heart pounding, his mouth dry. In the dim light, it took him a second to figure out where he was, until his gaze fell on the still figure under the bedcovers. He was supposed to be watching Lily while Maxi caught a few winks on the couch, but he’d dozed off. Nick blinked, rubbed his eyes, and stretched. His stiff back felt like it would crack in two if he straightened up fully. That’s what you get for sleeping on a chair, Einstein.

He reached over to feel Lily’s forehead. What if her temperature had risen while he was asleep? He’d never forgive himself. To his relief, she was no worse.

Nick hobbled to the bathroom where he moistened a washcloth, then made his way back to the bedroom. For a moment, he simply stared at Lily as she lay beneath the patterned blue comforter, her dark hair spread over the pillow. His heart expanded in his chest as he gazed at her. Against the pallor of her skin, her long lashes created shadows on her cheek. Her full lips, usually rosy, were cracked from dryness. He remembered the washcloth and bent to wipe her face in gentle strokes.

It had been more than twenty-four hours now, and she hadn’t awakened for more than a few minutes at a time. When she did, she hadn’t seemed coherent, and Nick had called Doc Anderson. Patient man that he was, Doc had come over twice to check on her. “She’s holding her own” was all he’d say. Not exactly the reassurance Nick needed.

Lord, grant Your healing graces to Lily. Please let her get better—soon.

He squeezed the cloth out into a bowl on the nightstand and laid it gently on her forehead. The muted glow from the lamp cast soft shadows over her face. Despite the violet smudges under her eyes, she was indescribably beautiful to him. The unbearable temptation to touch her proved too great, and he brushed a finger down her cheek. Her skin was softer than the satin of her pillowcase. He closed his eyes, unable to deny the truth of his feelings any longer.

For better or worse, he was falling in love with Lily.

He bent his head and murmured a few more prayers. As usual, prayer gave him strength, filled him with purpose. Lily would get better and when she did, he’d make up for lost time. He was determined to win her heart—for him and for God—no matter how long it took.

An incessant knock on Lily’s front door forced his attention back to the present. Who could that be? Doc wouldn’t be back until later. When the banging continued, Nick went to answer it. His stomach sank to his shoes at the sight of a somber Reverend Ted Baker on the landing. This would not look good to his mentor. Not good at all. Thank goodness he’d had the foresight to ensure he had a chaperone.

He swallowed his apprehension and managed a smile. “Hello, Ted. Glad you could come by. Lily could use some extra prayers right now.”

Ted’s mouth flapped open and shut. Before Ted could say a word, Nick ushered him inside.

“She’s still asleep. Barely opened her eyes in the last twenty-four hours. We’re waiting for the fever to break.” He glanced into the living room where Maxi stirred on the couch, pushing the blanket back. “It’s Reverend Baker, Maxi. He’s here to see Lily.”

She yawned. “Hello, Reverend Baker.”

Ted’s eyes widened. “Hello, Maxine.”

She rose from the couch and stretched. “I’ll put on a pot of coffee.”

“Thanks. We won’t be long.” At least Nick hoped they wouldn’t be.

He guided Ted down the hall to Lily’s room and prayed she wouldn’t choose this moment to regain consciousness. Seeing a minister in black shirt and white collar standing over her could frighten her.

Ted removed his hat and stood twisting it in his hands.

“If you don’t have your prayer book, I can lend you mine,” Nick offered, grateful he’d left his on Lily’s dresser.

He held it out to Ted, who waited a beat before accepting the book. He hung his hat over the bedpost, opened the missal and began to read. Nick bowed his head, hoping he’d dodged a bullet. But when Ted finished, he handed Nick the book and motioned him outside. “I’d like a word with you, please.”

“Of course.”

Nick led the minister to the living room. They’d just sat down when Maxi came in with a tray of coffee mugs, a carton of creamer, and the coffeepot. She set it on the table and straightened. “I’m going to run downstairs and change into some clean clothes. Give you two a chance to talk.” She shot Nick a look that seemed to warn him to behave himself. “Back in a few minutes.”

“Thank you, Maxine.”

Nick rubbed his damp hands on the legs of his jeans as Maxi left and waited for Ted to start the conversation, praying for the grace to handle the situation well.

“I hope you realize talk is flying all over town.” Ted’s mouth formed a grim line.

Pouring coffee in two cups, Nick pretended not to understand his implication. “I imagine it made quite a story—what with Lily passing out cold in Peg’s shop.”

“That’s not the part people are gossiping about.” Ted’s accusing stare could peel paint off the walls.

“Isn’t gossiping a sin?” Nick struggled to control the annoyance that percolated as strong as the coffee he was pouring.

“I’m only repeating what the community is saying so you can rectify the situation.”

Nick reached for the cream and sighed. Maybe coffee wasn’t the best idea. His nerves were already frayed around the edges. “OK, Ted. Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”

The man fingered the brim of the hat on his lap. “Folks are saying you’ve been here with the Draper woman…day and night.”

Nick’s gaze remained steady. “They’re partly right. I have been here since yesterday, along with Maxi, Chloe, and Peg Hanley.” He paused to enunciate the next part. “I’ve never been alone with Lily. Not that it matters since she’s been unconscious the whole time.”

Ted had the good sense to look uncomfortable as he refused the coffee Nick offered. “Nonetheless, this whole situation doesn’t sit well with the folks around here.”

“You mean it doesn’t sit well with Sarah Jane.” Nick realized his tone was as cold as the carton of creamer he held in his hand. He thought he’d made his position clear to her in their last conversation, but apparently, she’d chosen to ignore him.

Ted’s agitation showed in the tick of his jaw. “She’s not the only one who’s upset. The whole women’s auxiliary is up in arms.”

Nick fought to keep calm. “You tell the ladies I’m helping a person in need. Isn’t that one of our Christian mandates? To minister to the sick?”

Ted shot to his feet and shook his finger at Nick. “Don’t twist the words of the Bible, young man.” Shoving the Fedora on his head, he proceeded into the hall, turning to pin Nick with an ominous glare. “Mark my words, Nicholas. If you’re not careful, this girl will be your undoing.”