Page 27 of Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge
Doctor Reece nodded, his features softening as he looked down at Charlotte. “Hello, cutie,” he cooed when her little eyes opened as soon as Daven gently moved her head to one side so he could check her ears and then her throat. “That looks nasty, little princess. Very raw and swollen.”
Charlotte stared up at him as if mesmerized by the man being so gentle as he felt the glands in her little throat.
Barbnearly jumped out of her skin when Liam asked from behind him, “So, Doctor, what’s wrong withourlittle girl?”
The doctor straightened and turned to look at Liam, who was clearly trying to intimidate the man who raised an eyebrow as he looked at Liam, asking cooly, “Are you the baby's father?”
“No!” Barb answered before Liam could. “He’s just an…uncle.”
Doctor Reece nodded, and the two men stood sizing each other up. “I’m sorry, Mr…”
“Shields,” Liam offered and held out his hand.
But Doctor Reece held up his latex-gloved hands and looked pointedly at Liam's hand. “Hope you understand I have to keep my hand sterile,” he told Liam. “Also, only immediate family, like the parents, should be in the room at the moment.” He looked at Barb. “Unless Miss Gardener authorizes you to be here.”
Liam’s eyes met Barbs, and a jolt of spite washed over her. For a split second, she was going to say no, but she’d seen the genuine concern in his eyes for Charlotte and knew he’d stayed because he was just as anxious, although he was trying hard to hide it.
“It’s okay,” Barb said. “He can stay.” She glanced at the chair. “Just give the doctor somespaceto work.”
Liam nodded and went back to his chair. Barb turned around to see the doctor listen to Charlotte's chest. A few minutes later, he pulled off his gloves and disposed of them before typing something on a small tablet he pulled from his pocket.
“Charlotte has viral tonsillitis,” Doctor Reece told her. “I’m going to prescribe some medication to give her to manage the fever and pain.”
“How did she get that?” Barb’s eyes widened.
“They can get it a few ways,” Doctor Reece told her, his voice soft and patient. “Their immune systems are still developing, so they’re susceptible to viruseslike this. She could’ve caught it from anywhere. They can get it from being kissed, someone sneezing or coughing around her.”
Barb nodded. “Does she need to stay in the hospital?”
“No.” Doctor Reece shook his head. “I’d like to keep her here for another two to three hours, though, just to ensure her temperature comes down. I’m going to get one of the nurses to come and give her some medication.”
“Thank you.” Barb breathed a sigh of relief, biting back tears as she suddenly felt emotional.
Doctor Reece put his hand supportively on Barb’s arm. “She’s going to be fine. Other than this infection, Charlotte is strong and healthy.” He smiled, pulling a card from his pocket and handing it to Barb. “This is my number if you need anything. I’ll be back in a couple of hours to check on Charlotte, and before we release her, the nurse will make a follow-up appointment for her tomorrow.”
Barb nodded. “Again, thank you so much for comingout to see Charlotte.”
“Of course,” Doctor Reece said. “That’s what I’m here for.” He looked at his watch. “I’ll see you in a few hours. The nurse will be right in with the medication. It will make her sleepy, and you should get some rest while you wait.”
Doctor Reece gave Liam a nod as he left the room, and Barb slipped the doctor's card into Charlotte’s baby bag, which was on the nightstand next to the crib.
“Well, he seemed…nice!” Liam drawled, his eyes meeting Barb’s. “Thank you for letting me stay.”
Barb nodded and turned back to her little girl as more emotion started to clog her throat, and she was right on the point of bursting into tears from the stress of the long flight, seeing Zac and Liam, Charlotte being ill, and Liam’s warning about the divorce.
It was long before the nurse came into the room carrying an IV bag and some vials. “Let’s get your angel on her way to healing.”
Barb nodded, and the nurse’s eyes filled with compassion, noting how on edge Barb was. “Doctor Reece is the best,” she assured Barb. “Your daughter couldn’t be in better hands.”
“He seems very good,” Barb agreed.
“Why don’t you and your handsome broody man in the corner go grab a coffee in the canteen down the hall,” the nurse suggested. “I’ll wait here for you to get back if you’re not by the time I’m done.”
“It’s okay,” Barb started declining the offer, but Liam came up behind her.
“I think that’s a great idea,” Liam stated. “Come on, Barb. Charlotte’s in good hands.”
Barb leaned over and kissed her daughter on her warm little forehead. “Mommy will be right back, sweetheart.” She eyed the IV needle with distaste, and her skin crawled, thinking it was going to hurt her baby.
