“I suppose I can call Fleur. She said she’d take them anytime.”
“Okay, good. I’ll give you another dose of valerian, and then I want you to make the call. Peace and quiet is the order of the day.”
“But the kids—”
“The kids are fine, Elaine.”
It’s you I’m worried about. He didn’t have to say the words. She understood them anyway.
“I’ll call Bart,” said Connor. “I’ll ask him to cover my shift today.”
“You don’t need to stay with me. I’ll just be sleeping.”
“Actually,” said Josh, “I’d like Connor to stick around if possible. I need to head back to the mainland to freshen up before the clinic opens, or I’d stay myself. I’ll check on you tonight though.”
“Okay. Thanks for everything, Josh.”
“You’re welcome.” He turned to the living room table, where he’d prepared a dose of valerian. He held out a cup of water and a yellow pill. “Take this.”
She swallowed the pill and chased it down with some water. “There.”
“Good.” Josh stared at her for a moment. And then, although it was out of character for the doctor, he gave Elaine a hug. “If you feel restless, give me a call. You should sleep soundly, but sometimes, if people are already overtired, valerian can cause feelings of agitation.”
She already felt agitated but not because of some stupid herbal medication.
Josh went to the door and slipped on his boots and jacket. He turned to Connor, his mouth open, as if he wanted to ask something, but then shook his head. He put his hand on the doorknob and turned back. “Connor, did you know Marcelle was going to Europe for a year?”
“She is?”
“Yep.” Josh’s throat sounded constricted. “Trip of a lifetime. She leaves this week.”
“Oh. Cool. Good for her.”
“Yeah. Good for her.” With a strange look in his eyes, Josh left.
“What was that all about?” asked Elaine.
“I think Josh likes Marcelle.”
Elaine hoped her half-smile was response enough. She couldn’t seem to come up with a comment, not with her unreliable heart pounding in her ears.
Andy’s door opened, and she heard the shuffling of small feet. “Mommy. Let’s have breakfast in bed.”
“I’ll be right there, kiddo.” Galvanized by her son’s need to eat, Elaine stepped into the hallway.
Connor stopped her. “You heard Josh. You need to go to bed. I’ll get breakfast for the munchkins.”
“I’m sure I’m strong enough to make breakfast for my own children, Connor.”
He arched an imperious eyebrow. “I know you are, but you need to rest. Now get to bed before I pick you up and put you there. As soon as the kids are both up, I’ll send them in to see you. We can all have breakfast in your room.”
He was in alpha man mode, and she was too tired to argue. If she’d learned anything in her time with Lloyd, it was to pick her battles with shifter males. They needed to feel superior every so often. It appeased their raging testosterone. “Fine.”
“Fine.”
She marched down the hallway.
“Elaine?”
