Page 114 of Almost Always

“Why didn’t you call me earlier?”

“I thought it was a sore throat,” he forced out with a grimace.

She shook her head and whispered, “You scared me, Raff.”

“Breathe, darlin’. We’re going to be okay.”

Blinking back tears, she nodded and stood up. “I’m going to call a doctor. Get Cal to drink some water at least. Not sure we should give him meds until we know what’s wrong.”

“Daze,” he said her name in a soft pleading tone.

“I’m allowed to worry, Raff. Just…rest.”

An hour later, the doctor stepped out of the bedroom. “Strep throat. Not as bad as I expected based on the symptoms you gave me, but they’ll be out for the count for another day or so.”

“What about Callahan?”

“Since he picked it up from someone else, his symptoms are a little worse, but with the right medication and lots of rest, he’ll be okay.”

She nodded and patted the top of Boots’s head. “Did the meds I got help?”

“No. But I’ll prescribe antibiotics that should do the trick.” He scribbled something on his pad and ripped off the page, handing it to her. “If they’re stubborn about taking it, put it into the food.”

She walked the doctor out and ordered the medicines before looking up what kind of food they could eat. The list included a lot of things that she knew Callahan didn’t like, but she’d have to force it down his throat. Sighing heavily, she checked through the kitchen to see what she might need and ordered those too. Then went to check on her boys.

They looked exhausted and were groaning in unison. At the sight of her, Rafferty swung his legs over the side of the bed, but she shook her head.

“Back into bed, hotshot.”

“I love when you’re bossy, sweetheart, but I can’t just sit around.”

She rolled her eyes and adjusted the mask loops around her ears. “You will do exactly that until you’re better.”

“Does that also include not seeing your face properly until then?”

“Yes. All three of us can’t be sick. Someone has to take care of you.”

“Can I have ice cream?” Cal asked, his voice small. When she shook her head, he pouted. “But my throat hurts.”

“I know, baby,” she whispered and came around the other side of the bed as he started to whine. She tugged him into her lap and he settled his head on her shoulder as she rocked himback and forth. He was still so warm and it sounded like gravel was stuck in his throat. She wished she could do something,anything, to ease the pain.

“I need both of you better, okay? So we can get ice cream and go to the park and work with flowers. Maybe you can even help with the garden we’re designing.”

“A garden?”

She smoothed down his hair. “Your dad designed the most beautiful space and I’ve been filling it with flowers.”

“Wedid it together, Hero.”

She tucked the little boy back into bed. “I’m serious, Raff. I need you to stay there.”

“I will,” he said softly, reaching for her hand. “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”

“Work, as usual.”

“Don’t you have to be at the shop?”

“Eden has everything under control. I can do everything else from here.”

---