“I know. She kept apologizing for calling Dilynne, but…”
“Look, I know you probably have to get to the salon, but I don’t think I have any cold medicine here. Do you mind hanging out for a little while longer while I run to the store?”
“Of course. Yvonne is opening for me and I don’t have a client until four, so I’m good here.”
Crossing the room, I pull Laney into my arms for a hug, kissing Remy’s head as I do.
“Thank you.”
“Of course, Henley. We’re family. We look out for each other.”
When we part, I give her a curt nod then grab my truck keys, heading for the store to get everything possible to help Elodie feel better. The only other time I can recall feeling this helpless was when Remy was sick, but now it’s the other girl in my life that needs me.
I just hope I don’t screw it up.
***
After buying every cold medicine known to man and a few other necessities, I return home to find Laney has managed to get Remy down for her nap. After thanking her again for her help, I unpack the bags from the store and tidy up the house a bit before checking on Elodie again.
When I enter her room, I find her blowing her nose.
“Hey.”
She coughs, holding her hand over her mouth. “Henley, you don’t want to catch this. You shouldn’t be near me.”
“The only place I will be until you’re better is by your side.” Entering the room, I hand Elodie a glass of water and a few pills. “Now, the internet said that since the flu is viral, there’s not much we can do until it passes, but I bought everything they suggested to make you comfortable.”
“You—you looked up stuff on the internet?”
“I wanted to make sure I was buying the right things.” Her eyes start to well with tears, but I cup her face. “Take your medicine.” She does as I say and sets her glass on her nightstand. “Good girl. Now, I’m gonnamake you some soup, and then you can try all the flavors of popcorn that I got you if you’re still hungry.”
“You bought me popcorn?”
“Every flavor they had.” I push a hand through my hair and shrug. “I know it’s probably not the best thing for you to eat right now, but it was one of the things that I knew would make you happy.”
“I can’t believe you did that, Henley.”
“It’s my turn to take care of you, El, like you’ve been taking care of me since you got here.” The emotion in her eyes makes me want to reach out and pull her into me, but I also know that I’m not immune to every sickness, so I control myself and slip right back into caretaker mode.
For the next twenty-four hours, I juggle taking care of my daughter and my nanny, checking on her regularly while alternating medicine to keep her fever down, using the same protocol that she taught me when my own daughter was sick. Warren assured me that he is holding down the fort at the lodge, giving me updates here and there, but I’m grateful that I can rely on him to keep the place running while I’m needed at home.
By the morning of the third day, Elodie emerges from her room with color back in her cheeks. “Hey.”
“Hi there.” Her cough is still present, but it’s not nearly as bad as it was. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to sing on Saturday.”
“We still have a few days to get you in tip-top shape.” I wave Remy’s hand toward her as she sits on my hip. “Who is that, baby bear? Can you say, Elodie?”
Remy lets out a squeal that makes us both laugh.
“Close enough.” Elodie moves toward Remy, but then second guesses herself. “God, I wanna squeeze her, but I don’t want to get her sick.”
“Yeah, probably best to wait another day.” I move around the kitchen. “I’m gonna make you some hot tea for your throat.”
“You know, if you ever consider a second career, I think you’d make a fantastic nurse,” Elodie says as she takes a seat on one of the stools at the kitchen counter.
I chuckle. “You think so?”
“Oh, absolutely. Besides, the idea of you wearing scrubs?” She hums appreciatively. “Yeah, I can definitely see it.”
