The Christmas Wife by Elizabeth Kelly

Author:Elizabeth Kelly [Kelly, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-11-28T00:00:00+00:00

“Mama? Are you awake yet?”

Claire groaned as the smell of pepperoni and sauce drifted to her. Her stomach rolled with nausea and she cracked open one eye and peered at Hattie.

“Do you feel better, mama? We checked on you earlier but you were sleeping and Mr. Stone said we shouldn’t wake you up.”

The little girl’s face was covered in pizza sauce and there was a slice of pepperoni stuck to the front of her t-shirt.

“I feel a little better, honey.”

“That’s good. Mr. Stone said the doctor came today and gave you medicine.”

“He did.” She wanted to close her eyes and drift back to sleep but she made herself smile at Hattie. “How was your day?”

“It was good. Mr. Stone took me to McDonalds for pancakes before school. I spilled syrup all over him and his car seat and he didn’t even yell at me.”

“Oh, Hattie, you have to be more careful.”

“It was an accident, mama,” she said. “Then Mr. Stone picked me up and we came home and he ordered us pizza because he doesn’t know how to cook. He’s old but he can’t cook. And he broke my pants.”

“He broke your pants?” Claire wondered if the fever was making her delirious.

“Yes, the zipper. He’s not very good at helping me get ready for school,” Hattie said. “He doesn’t even know how to braid hair, mama. I didn’t – “

“Hattie?” Deacon’s voice, edged in panic, floated into the bedroom. “Hattie, where are you?”

“I’m in here, Mr. Stone,” Hattie called. She rubbed Claire’s arm as Deacon hurried into the room.

“Hattie, I told you your mom needed rest.”

“I was just checking on her. She’s awake now.”

Deacon sat down on the bed and gave her a worried look. “How are you feeling, Claire?”

“Better, maybe?” She said.

“You don’t look better.” He rested his hand on her forehead. “You still have a fever. Maybe I should have Dr. Morris come back tonight.”

“No, don’t. I’m fine. I’m just really tired and still pretty nauseous,” Claire said.

Deacon gave her another anxious look and she smiled tiredly at him. “Honestly, Deacon. I haven’t thrown up since this morning. I just want to sleep, okay?”

He nodded. “Yes, but first do you think you could drink some broth? Dr. Morris said you needed clear liquids.”

“I can try,” she said.

“Good. C’mon, Hattie. You can help me warm up the broth,” Deacon said.

“Sure.”

Deacon flinched when the little girl took his hand and smiled at him. He smiled stiffly back and led her out of the bedroom.

* * *

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