“You’re right, of course. And I hate that I couldn’t carry her.”
“You were in a serious accident. Of course you couldn’t.” He got himself a glass of water and took a sip. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.”
One eyebrow arched skeptically, looking pointedly at her hand, which was pressed against her chest.
“It hurts a little.”
He stepped into the living room, grabbed the throw pillow she’d hugged the day before, and handed it to her. “You don’t have to pretend.”
She held it to her chest. She had no idea why the pillow helped, but it did, almost as much as his kindness. “You’re being too easy on me.”
“From where I sit, you’re hard enough on yourself for both of us.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Besides, do you have any idea how many times Charlotte took off on me when she first came to live here? I lost her in that same park once for a good five minutes. Scared me to death. I had every mama there helping me look. And don’t think they didn’t lecture me about my failures that day, as if I didn’t already know I wasn’t cut out to be her guardian.”
“You are, though. You’re doing great.”
“Well.” He took a breath and blew it out. “So are you, and from where I sat, you did everything you could to keep her safe. Sometimes, all we can do is our best and then trust the Lord with the rest.”
His words sent a wave of emotion through her. It was exactly what she believed, even if she didn’t always apply the lesson to herself. It was the reason she was so careful to pray about her job and the kids she watched. “Thank you for your grace.”
“Where would we be without it?” He drank the rest of his water and glanced toward the entry. “If you’re okay to stay here alone for a few hours, I have to go to the office. The tech team wants to show me the latest updates, and then we’re getting on a conference call with Tidewater.”
“Of course. We don’t have anywhere else to go today.”
“I’ll pick up dinner tonight, so don’t cook anything.”
“I can?—”
“I know youcan. But instead, why don’t you get some rest, hmm.”
Her eyelids were heavy, her body begging to lie down. The fact that her employer knew it, the fact that he’d been so kind in the face of her mistakes…
Mr. Aylett was making it very difficult to remember their deal. All the feelings she wasnotsupposed to have for her boss were bubbling to the surface, and she didn’t know how much longer she would be able to keep them hidden.
Delaney settled on the edge of Charlotte’s bed. The child had slept less than an hour after Mr. Aylett had gone to the office, waking up with a whimper Delaney was lucky to hear as she rested in her own room.
Now, she pressed the back of her hand to Charlotte’s forehead, alarm shooting through her as heat radiated against her skin. Charlotte had been fine at the park.
Now red welts dotted her cheeks and neck, spreading down her arms. Her eyes were glassy with fever as she curled into a ball on her rumpled sheets.
“My face hurts.” She reached toward the inflamed patches.
“Don’t scratch, sweetheart.” Delaney gently caught her hands. “Let me see.”
The rash was raised. Delaney lifted Charlotte’s shirt and saw more on her torso.
Food allergies? But Charlotte had eaten the same lunch she always did. A reaction to laundry detergent? They’d been using the same brand for weeks. The fever made it more concerning—this wasn’t just a topical irritation.
Maybe something in the woods. Whatever it was, it was serious.
Should she call Mr. Aylett? No. He’d specifically mentioned a meeting with Tidewater this afternoon about the merger. She didn’t want to disturb him. And also, after all the help she’d needed that day, she wanted to prove she was competent all by herself.
She pulled out her phone and scrolled to Charlotte’s pediatrician’s number.
A receptionist answered with, “Driftwood Family Medicine.”
“This is Delaney Wright. I’m calling about Charlotte Aylett. I’d like to speak to her doctor’s nurse.”
