Page 18 of The Library on Plum Island
“I’m a bit hungry,” Alex realized as a hunger pang shot through his stomach.
“You can have some broth and crackers,” Daniella told him. “Take in plenty of fluids. Like water, electrolytes, and herbal tea.”
“Harriet is making broth now,” Dawn added. “I’ll go see if it’s ready.”
“Thank you.” Alex gave Dawn a weak smile before she turned and disappeared. He looked at Daniella. “Have I really been out the whole day?”
Daniella nodded. “You have.” Her eyes darkened. “I’m so sorry, Alex. I should’ve seen that cut.”
“It’s not your fault,” Alex told her. “I didn’t even feel the cut. Besides, you weren’t the one who cast the cast. How could you have seen it?”
“I examined your hand,” Daniella pointed out. “I should’ve seen it.”
“I didn’t even feel it or see it,” Alex tried to placate her as he could see her oversight mortified her. “And there was no pain in or around my index finger. The pain was all centered around the top of my hand.”
“I’ve put you on a course of antibiotics,” Daniella told him. “You don’t have to take them today. The antibiotics were administered to you intravenously.”
Alex glanced at his hand.That’s what that bandaid was doing on his uninjured hand.
“Thank you.” Alex smiled at Daniella.
“You’re welcome,” Daniella said, taking his pulse. “You gave us quite a scare today.”
“I don’t even remember most of it,” Alex admitted. “One minute, I was eating breakfast. I took two ibuprofen because my hand and my head ached. I felt like I’d just fallen asleep when Dawn woke me up.”
“Having a fever and being delirious will do that to you,” Daniella told him. “After you’ve eaten, I’ll get Wally to run you a bath. Harley will help you.”
“I’ll be okay on my own,” Alex assured her.
“I think you’re going to find otherwise,” Daniella warned him.
Before Alex could respond, Harriet and Dawn walked back into the room.
“Look who’s finally awake,” Harriet said, carrying a tray. “I have this feeling of Deja Vu.” She lifted the tray.
Alex started to pull himself up, determined not to let a slight lightheadedness stop him. The broth smelled good, and his hunger pangs grew.
“Are you sure you didn’t put something in that breakfast?” Alex teased Harriet. “I’m never sick.”
“You have three women fawning all over you,” Dawn pointed out, fluffing his pillows. “I would’ve thought this would be an Alex Blackwell fantasy.”
“Maybe, but trust me in my head, I’m not sick!” He grinned as three pairs of eyes were rolled at him. Harriet placed the tray on his lap. “Did you really cook this? Or is it store-bought that you warmed up?”
“No, I can verify that Harriet cooked it from scratch,” Dawn told him.
“So can I,” Daniella backed Dawn up.
“I’ve put a big bowl aside for you to take home, Daniella,” Harriet told her.
“Thank you,” Daniella said gratefully to her. “Emily is going to love it.”
“How is Emily?” Alex asked, taking a sip of the broth. It was delicious.
“She’s doing a lot better than you,” Daniella said, raising her eyebrows. “I can’t put another cast on your hand, Alex.” She glanced at his injured hand. “I have to immobilize it with a splint so I can tend to the wound. Which means you’re going to have to come to the clinic every day until the wound has healed.”
“Okay!” Alex nodded, digging into the broth.
“For the next day or two, I’ll come here,” Daniella continued. “I don’t want you up and about for at least two days.” Her eyes narrowed. “I mean that, Alex.”
