Poppy steps onto the porch and I shut the door on her.
This isn’t the end of Sloane’s problems with Poppy. She’ll be back again. And I’ll be here ready to pick up the pieces of Sloane’s heart every time. Because I’m someone she can rely on. Forever.
Chapter 34
“Reminder: hospitals are not good places for impromptu games of hide-and-seek.”
Sloane
Irock Adele but she doesn’t stop crying. “Come on, sweetie pie. You need to calm down.”
Adele does not agree with me. I rub her back, but it has no effect.
I stand and pace around the room. “Do you want me to sing to you? Daddy’s the singer. Not me. But I’ll give it a try.”
I hum, but every lyric I’ve ever known escapes my mind.
I dig my phone out of my pocket and open my music app. I nearly fumble the phone when AC/DC blares. Adele wails even louder. I close the app and throw my phone on the changing table.
“I don’t blame you, sweetie pie.”
I bounce her as I meander around the house. Usually, she’ll calm down when she’s moving. Maybe I should put her in her stroller and go for a walk. Good idea. We’ll go for a walk.
But when I set her in her stroller, I notice her face is flushed and her neck is stiff. Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no.
I place my hand on her forehead. She’s burning up.
I don’t hesitate. I dig my… Crap. Where is my phone?
“Stay here, sweetie pie.” I rush to the nursery and snatch my phone from the changing table.
I dial Jessica as I hurry back to Adele.
“He—”
“Adele’s sick. What do I do?”
“Sick how? Is she throwing up?”
“I think she has a fever. Her face is flushed.”
“Did you take her temperature?”
“Her neck is stiff, and I haven’t changed her diaper in hours.”
“I’ll meet you at the hospital.”
I hang up without saying goodbye and bundle Adele into her coat before racing outside to the dad-mobile. Lucky for me, Zane keeps the car here when Adele is home.
“Call Zane,” I shout once the Bluetooth is connected.
“Hey, sweetness. What’s up?”
“Adele. Sick. Hospital.”
“Slow down. What’s happening?”
“Adele has a fever. I’m on my way to the hospital.”
