Page 68 of Harbor Lights

She dropped to the floor in front of Shiv and took her pulse again.

“It’s getting more regular. You’ll be fine in a couple of days.”

“Days?” Shiv’s eyes opened wide. Con was pleased to see their usual sharpness back, instead of the dull expression that had confronted her when she first saw Shiv.

“I just got a little cold. I’ll be okay after a night’s sleep.”

“We’ll see. But in my experience, people who’ve been mildly hypothermic can find it takes up to a week or two to get back to normal.”

Shiv looked down and Con followed her gaze. She hadn’t let go of Shiv’s wrist, rubbing her thumb over the soft skin. She stilled the movement, but she didn’t want to release the contact just yet. “Don’t worry, we’ll look after you.”

Shiv pulled away her hand. “I don’t need looking after.”

Why does she make it so hard?“Well, humor me, then. I’m worried about you, and I need to stick around to reassure myself.”

Shiv nodded. “I’d like you to stay.”

A quiet knock at the door startled Con.

“Sorry.” Kasia stuck her head around the door, holding out a pile of clothing. Con stood and joined her.

“As you weren’t planning to stay over, I’ve brought Tierney’s warmest winter pajamas for Shiv, and something lighter for you. Everything else you might need you’ll find in the bathroom.”

“Thanks. That’s very thoughtful.” She said goodbye and locked the door behind Kasia. “Right.” She carried the bundle across the room and laid out the blue checkered pajamas over the back of a chair near the fire.

She rested the back of her fingers on Shiv’s forehead. It was no longer clammy and cold, but she wasn’t as warm as she should be.

In the kitchen space, she found the mugs Kasia had left out. She filled one with soup and took it to Shiv.

“Try to get this down.”

Shiv took the mug with a frown. “I’m not hungry. I feel too nauseous.”

Con lowered to her haunches. “Will you try? It’ll help you feel better.”

Shiv nodded like an obedient child, then sipped at the soup.

The heat from the fire on the back of Con’s thick cotton shirt was raising her temperature once more.

“I’m going to go and clean up. Then I’ll come back and check you over.”

She escaped into the bedroom with her borrowed pajamas and stripped out of her shirt and cords as quick as she could. True to her word, Kasia had provided a pair of light cotton cropped pants and a ribbed tank top. Con held it up and wondered if it would fit. It was probably a loose fit for Kasia, but they were nowhere near the same size.Ah, beggars can’t be choosers.

And surely a snug-fitting top was better than dripping sweat all over Shiv. She pulled the clothes on. The tank was a little tight over her bra top and bulged in more places than she was comfortable, but it was better than nothing.

She located the bathroom. As Kasia had promised, there were towels, toiletries and even a pair of bamboo toothbrushes. She used the cold tap to refresh herself as much as possible, although she feared she’d be in the same situation the moment she walked back into the room. She fixed her hair and patted her face dry, laughing at herself for the effort she was putting in. Shiv had just had a near death experience. She wasn’t going to notice a stray lock of hair.

“Hey, did you manage the soup okay?” She put a bounce in her step as she reentered the furnace-like room.

Shiv’s pale face smiled up at her. “Yep, but I still feel sick, and now my head is banging.”

She checked the mug, finding no more than dregs. “You did good.”

She grabbed her bag and sat down on the couch alongside the pile of blankets that covered Shiv. “Apart from that, how do you feel?”

“Cold, still. My skin is tingling, but deep inside I’m still real cold. I put on the pajamas.” She nodded toward the pile of clothing on the floor. “I didn’t have the energy to fold them, sorry.”

Con did her checks as quick as she could. “Your blood pressure has evened out. Pulse is still a little slow. I think we should keep you here overnight. The bedroom’s nowhere near as warm.” She stood and added fuel to the fire, pulling away from the heat as soon as she could.

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