Page 52 of Falling for the Enemy

I didn’t want to bombard her with questions, even though I had a million. Holly had great intuition when it came to her parents’ strained and broken relationship, and I didn’t want to wave a red flag her way.

“Does he come over a lot?”

Holly picked at her sandwich. “Not a lot. Maybe every few days.”

“Oh, well, that’s—that’s fine. Do you like him? Is he nice to you?”

She shrugged her little shoulders again. “He’s all right. He tries to be funny, but he’s not. Not like you, Daddy.” She picked up half of the sandwich and took a bite. The smile disappeared and she seemed less than enthusiastic about the sandwich. Grilled cheese was usually her favorite.

“Do you want something else? I could make you peanut butter and jelly. I’ve also got those pizza bites in the freezer. The ones that are shaped like dinosaurs.”

Holly put the sandwich down and fumbled her hands nervously in her lap. “I’m not hungry, Daddy.”

“No?” I pulled up the chair next to her and pressed my hand against her forehead. She was warm.

“Peanut, are you not feeling well?”

“My tummy hurts.” She looked up at me. Her eyes were glassy, a sure sign that she had a fever. “And my head.”

“Ah, Peanut, I’m sorry. Your mom is picking you up in a few hours. How about in the meantime I make a nice, comfy bed for you on the couch, and you can watch your favorite movie.”

“Sleeping Beauty?”

“Oh, I thought it wasMoana.”

“No, that was before.”

“Right.Sleeping Beauty. I’ll get you some juice. I’ve got to give your mom a call.” I poured her a glass of cold apple juice, though she didn’t look too enthusiastic about it either. I called Gwen as I collected Holly’s favorite penguin blanket and pillows from her room and carried them out to the couch.

“I’m at lunch with Rhonda and Ginny. I’ve still got a few hours.”

“I know, but I think Holly has a fever.”

“Did you take her temperature?”

“I don’t have a thermometer.”

A huff of disgust came through the phone. “Fine. Do you have some chewable acetaminophen?”

“Yeah, I’ve got some from when she had a cold.”

“It’s probably just a little virus she picked up at school.” At least she wasn’t blaming me for Holly getting sick. “Give her the medicine, and I’ll leave straight from lunch to pick her up.”

“You don’t have to come early. I can handle this, Gwen.”

“I don’t know about that. You don’t even have a thermometer.”

“Right. Well, I’m getting her set up on the couch. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

The medicine seemed to do the trick. Holly fell fast asleep, and she felt cooler to the touch. Gwen knocked at the door. I’d taken a small apartment near campus, and Gwen and Holly stayed in our house. I couldn’t help but grind my teeth a bit at the thought ofNatebeing in our house, too. I’d debated whether or not to ask Gwen about him. I’d landed on leaving it alone …for now. Holly wasn’t feeling well, and that was all that mattered at the moment.

I opened the door, and Gwen pushed right past me.

“Hello to you, too.” I swung shut the door.

Gwen was already on the edge of the couch, pressing her hand to Holly’s forehead. “She’s still warm.”

“She’s cooler than she was before the medication.”

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