Page 51 of Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge
Jackie walked into the kitchen. “Do you mind if I take your temperature?”
“I’m fine,” Barb lied. “Nothing a hot bath, some aspirin, and my ginger tea won’t cure.”
“Then you won’t mind if I just check your vitals?” Jackie asked. “You’re really flushed.”
“Anger,” Barb told her with a small laugh. “I had a run-in with Zac.” She pulled a mug from the cupboard. “Tea?”
“Sure.” Jackie nodded, turned, and walked out of the kitchen.
Barb pulled another cup out and set about making the tea. Jackie came back into the kitchen with a bottle of aspirin and the infrared thermometer that she aimed at Barb's head.
“That was sneaky,” Barb said with anervous laugh.
“You have a slight temperature,” Jackie noted, holding out the aspirin. “Take two of these and go have a hot bath. I’ll finish making the tea. Have you eaten?”
“No.” Barb shook her head. “I was going to order dinner at the lodge, but then Zac appeared.”
“What do you feel like?’ Jackie asked.
“I’ll do it.” Barb smiled. “You’ve been here all day. I’m sure you just want to go home.”
“No, I’ve decided to stick around,” Jackie told her. “Barb, you’re exhausted and stressed, and I’m willing to bet you’ve picked up Charlotte’s virus.”
“I don’t have tonsils,” Barb told her, taking the medication with some cold water from the refrigerator. Having a relaxing hot bath was appealing to her.
“You can still get the virus which infects the pharynx, which is the area behind the tonsils,” Jackie explained. “It still causes sore throat, fever, and general virus discomfort.”
“It’s just a headache,” Barb insisted. “I do suffer from migraines.”
“As Oscar and Max are staying with Emily and Rose tonight,” Jackie told her, “you won’t mind if I sleep in Oscar’s room.” She held up her hand before Barb could say anything. “I can look after Charlotte while you get some rest, as that can also knock your immune system.”
Barb’s head was starting to pound, and she did feel like she’d been sucked up in a tornado and spat out. “I think taking a bath sounds like a great idea,” she agreed with Jackie. “If you don’t mind staying, maybe I should try to get a decent night's sleep so I can enjoy all the festivities that are starting at the lodge and help with setting up the Mistletoe Winter Festival.”
“There you go,” Jackie said. “You need your strength, and if you do have the virus, you don’t want to be spreading it around. Now go take a bath and tell me what youwant to eat.”
“Can you ask if they have a nice vegetable or chicken soup with some of Chef’s soft buttermilk or sourdough bread?” Barb asked.
“Of course,” Jackie said before pushing her out of the kitchen. “Now go. Oh, and I put Charlotte back in her room. The monitors are all set throughout the bungalow. Maybe turn the sound down on yours.”
Barb nodded and walked down the hallway. She couldn’t resist taking a peek at her daughter, who was soundly sleeping. She didn’t want to re-expose Charlotte to the virus if that was even a thing, but Barb didn’t want to take any chances.
“Night, my little love,” Barb whispered before quietly exiting the room and heading to her bathroom to take a hot bath and enjoy the luxury of a peaceful night's sleep.
The following day, Barb was awakened by excited voices echoing down the hallway. She smiled, hearing Oscar’s voice, and sat up as the knock resounded on her bedroom door.
“Mom!” Oscar yelled as the door swung open and bounded in, bouncing onto the bed. “Are you okay? Jackie told me you had a headache?” His eyes narrowed as he examined her. “You’re not getting Charlie’s sickness, are you?”
“No,” Barb lied as her head was still sore, and her throat felt a little raw. “Are your friends with you?”
“Just Max. He’s with Jackie in the living room,” Oscar told them, his eyes filling with excitement. “On our way here, I saw Dad. He’s going to ask if I can go with him to Frisco to buy Christmas gifts.”
A flash of anger spurted through Barb that Zac had approached Oscar without speaking to her first. Barb bit down the anger and smiled at her son. “Honey, I thought we could start decorating the bungalow for the competition today.”
His face fell, and he nodded. “Oh! Okay.”
Barb’s heart pinched at seeing how deflated he’d become, and it only added fuel to the angry fire she wastrying hard to hold back in front of her child. “Let me speak to Zac, okay?”
“Really?” Oscar perked up again and hugged her. “Thank you, Mom.” He looked up at her. “Sorry, I can’t kiss you in case you have the virus.”
