Heart of the Family by Margaret Daley

Author:Margaret Daley [Daley, Margaret]
Format: epub
Tags: American Light Romantic Fiction, General, Romance, Fiction, Fiction - Romance, Romance - General, Christian, Religious - General, Christian - Romance, Religious, Christian Life, Foster children, Pediatricians, Social workers
ISBN: 9780373813391
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2007-12-01T23:11:11.453000+00:00

Hannah moaned. Every muscle ached. She tried to turn over onto her side, but someone held her hand. Easing one eye open, she stared at Jacob stretched out in a chair next to her bed, asleep. She tugged herself free at the same time he snapped upright, disoriented. His hair lay at odd angles, making him appear younger.

He chuckled. “I guess you caught me napping on the job.”

Her mind still shrouded in a fog, she mumbled, “What job?”

He bent forward, taking her wrist and placing his fingers over her pulse. “Caring for you.”

She struggled to sit up. “I don’t need you…” She collapsed back onto the pillow.

“What were you saying?”

She inhaled a shallow, raspy breath. “I’ll be fine with some rest.” She shifted her head until she glimpsed her clock on the bedside table. “I’ve only been sleeping a few hours…” The light slanting through the slits in the blinds attracted her attention. “What time of day is it?”

“It’s eleven in the morning.”

“I slept all night?” Again she tried to sit up and managed to prop herself on her elbows. “What about the children?”

“Meg has been here taking care of them. I’ve looked in on each one, and all of them are recovering nicely. And there were no cases at the other cottage.”

“What about your patients?”

His chuckles evolved into laughter. “I know I work a lot, but today is Saturday. I’d planned to spend it here making sure the kids were all right.”

“You were? I mean, I don’t remember….” She rubbed her temple, the pounding in her head less but still there. She swallowed several times to coat her dry throat. “Can I have some water?”

“Sure.” He rose and settled next to her to hold her up while she sipped some cold liquid. Despite its coolness, it burned going down. “I need you to take these.” Jacob produced some pills. “And there’s no forgetting this time.”

She winced each time one went down. “I guess I forgot to tell you I used to get strep throat every year while growing up.”

“No, you left that out.”

“It wouldn’t have made any difference. I’d still have taken care of the children. They needed me.” The sound of her voice grew weak in her ears.

Jacob laid her gently back on the bed and stood. “Somehow I figured that. But now I’m your doctor, and I’m telling you to sleep and not worry about anything.”

“You’re a pediatrician.” Her eyes fluttered closed.

“But I’m free and here. You aren’t going to get rid of me.”

That last sentence comforted her as sleep descended.

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