Page 37 of Christmas In Love

“What, April?”

April looked from him to Nat. “Her doctor said it’s normal with her condition. But he did something to help. Her heart rate gets too high during these episodes so they were trying to make sure they wouldn’t happen anymore.”

“Her condition?”

“I can’t say. I’m sorry, I promised.”

Cade swore; he could tell she wouldn’t be changing her mind with the way her jaw was set. “Fine. I’m taking her to the hospital.”

“The closest one is in Woodcastle,” April said, sounding concerned.

Cade was about to protest that he didn’t particularly care where it was, so long as there was onesomewherenearby, but he was interrupted by a groan.

“I’m assuming you caught me, then? Since I don’t have a splitting headache this time?” Nat’s voice was weak and her eyes closed, but she was talking.

Cade dropped to his knees by the couch. April inched around the armrest.

“Natalie,” he said, “your heart rate got too high, and you passed out. I’m going to take you to the hospital. April will stay with you while I get my car.”

She waved her hand dismissively, her eyes still closed. “You don’t need to. I’m fine.”

“Last time I checked, I was the one with the medical degree here.”

Nat laughed, sort of. It was more of a weak wheeze. “Yes, but I’m the one with the medical history.”

Cade stopped himself from picking her up and forcibly taking her to the hospital. “What is wrong with you?”

Another half-laugh. “Ouch. I think I’m pretty great but, please, tell me how you really feel.”

“You know what I mean. What’s wrong? Why did you pass out?”

She finally opened her eyes, blinking against the fluorescent lights. “I’m fine, Cade.”

“I’m not leaving until you tell me the truth, Nat.”

He saw a parade of emotions cross her face. Finally, resignation settled in and she sighed. “I have POF.”

“What?”

“POF. Premature Ovarian Failure. It essentially means—”

Cade blinked at her, various puzzle pieces falling into place. “I know what it means, Nat. So you had a hot flash? Are they usually this bad?”

“I’m on hormone replacement therapy to help. For some reason, my body doesn’t react well to the hot flashes. It’s rare, but it happens.”

Cade watched her avoid his gaze. “POF is rare.”

He saw her jaw tighten as she closed her eyes again. “Yup. I’m lucky.”

April was still standing to the side of the couch, looking like she wanted to help with something, but didn’t know what. She watched her friend with concern.

“How long ago were you diagnosed?”

Her jaw tightened again. “Four years. When I was twenty-three.” She started to try and sit up but had to pause partway through. “April, can you get me some water?”

April jumped into action, quickly walking to the fridge. “There aren’t any left, I’m going to run and check some of the booths.”

Nat nodded, then finished sitting up. She looked at him. “Go ahead,” she said.

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