Page 99 of Never Fall Again

“She won’t want to go to the clinic.”

“She made that abundantly clear. Which is why I’m making it clear that she has to drink. Make her some sweet tea. You always liked sweet tea when you had a sore throat.”

“I’m on it.”

“I’m headed back to my office. I saw four patients on Saturday with strep, and my schedule is already full for the day. It’s going around.” She pointed over her shoulder toward the bathroom. “Give her about fifteen minutes. Then help her to bed.”

“Okay.”

He returned to the bathroom. He’d have to congratulate Meredith on her foresight. The bathroom at his house was barely big enough for him to turn around in. Meredith had insisted it wasworth the square footage to have a decent-sized room, and as he slid to the floor—again—he was thankful for it.

Landry’s eyes were heavy, and she sagged against him. “This is so embarrassing.”

“It is not. It’s strep throat. Which, in my expert opinion, comes straight from the devil. It’s evil.”

“I agree with you on that.” A shiver ran through her. “I need to make Eliza’s lunch.”

Cal didn’t try to stop the frustrated growl that built in his throat. “What’s it going to take for you to believe me when I tell you? I. Have. This.”

She lifted her head from his arm and looked at him, a furrow between her brows.

“She’s mine, Cal. She doesn’t have anyone else.”

“Shedidn’thave anyone else. Now, she does. I’m perfectly capable of packing her lunch and getting her to school. You’re going to drink some water for me, and then you’re going to let me help you up the stairs and into bed.”

“I think I’ll stay here. It’s safer.”

“I’m not leaving you on the bathroom floor. You’re going to sleep in a bed with warm blankets and a soft pillow. I’ll bring you a trash can.”

“When I’m not loopy on drugs, we’re going to have to discuss this bossy side of you.”

“Tell you what. Next time I have strep and I’m trying to sleep on a bathroom floor, you can boss me around all you want.”

“I won’t forget this.”

Neither would he. Heaven help him. Neither would he.

Ten minutes later, he helped her to her feet. She swayed like a sapling in a thunderstorm. He caught her and put one arm around her waist. The other he locked onto the bicep that rested against his chest. “Just take it slow. Lean on me as much as you need to.”

They shuffled out of the bathroom and up the stairs. She was wobbly and leaned into him with each step. But at least it was a short trip. When they reached the bed, she all but fell into it. He helped her settle and pulled the covers over her.

Landry’s eyes closed and didn’t reopen.

Her mouth, however, did.

“Cal—”

“Yes?”

“What’re we doing?” Her words were slurred.

“We’ll figure it out. For now, rest and know that I’m not going anywhere.”

“I’m not what you’re looking for.”

No. She wasn’t. She was so much more. But he had no plans to confess his feelings—feelings he wasn’t even sure he could articulate yet—while she was like this. “Maybe not. But I like surprises.”

“Surprise.” The world trailed off as she sank into peaceful oblivion. Her body relaxed under the covers, and Cal closed his eyes in relief. She’d be okay. Not today. But tomorrow would be better. By the weekend she’d be back at work.