Page 23 of Tumbleweed Temptation
She merely looked at him, holding onto the card. Right. Message received. “What do you think she might need? Do you have Pedialyte?”
“I don’t. Sports drinks.”
“Ah. Good idea.” He grabbed two different flavors from the shelf, then a pack of toilet paper, set them all on the conveyor belt and watched Mrs. Lopez slowly ring each item up. For someone complaining she was ready to close, she didn't seem to be in a hurry.
A few minutes later, he was heading out the door, and she was locking the door behind him. He walked across the park and into the residential area.
He checked the address he’d written down, turned down the street and walked up to the yard with the tricycle, a plastic playhouse and the faded yard flag. He took a deep breath and walked up the steps to knock the door.
The man who swung the door open scowled, and Austin took an automatic step back.
Of course he should be expecting Matt, this was his house. But hadn’t Melissa said he was working in San Angelo? Why did Austin just expect that the man wouldn't be home?
“Hey, man.” Austin hated the hesitance in his own voice. “Melissa said the kids were sick, so I thought I’d come check in, see if there was anything I could do to help out.”
Recognition dawned on Matt’s broad face—the guy hadn’t aged well. He was about fifty pounds overweight and his skin was florid. Sun exposure, or something more serious? And his face deepened into a scowl. But at least Austin felt better that Matt hadn’t recognized him, either.
“Did you come here to check up on her?”
“No, I just came to see if there was something I could do to make everyone feel better sooner, to keep it from spreading to your other kids.” He tried to look past the big man into the small house. Four kids in there. And Matt’s mother. Wow.
“We don't need your help.”
“Matt, I’m a doctor. I want to see if there’s anything I can do. I can even drive to San Angelo to pick up some medicine, if you need me to. I brought this, because I didn't have anything for kids in my office, and didn't know if you had any on hand.” He held up the plastic bag from the grocery store. “Can I come in?”
Matt considered for a moment longer before he stepped back, swinging the door open.
The house was surprisingly neat despite four little kids living here. Four little kids he didn't see.
“Mel! Your boss is here!”
Austin heard some stumbling, then Melissa poked her head out of the doorway leading to what he thought was the hall. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she looked pale herself.
“Austin? Why are you here?”
“I came to see if there’s anything I can do.” He held up the plastic bag again. “You don't look so great yourself.”
“No, I think I caught it,” she mumbled. “I’ve got two kids down, and I’ve had—stomach issues this evening.”
“Fever?” he asked.
“The kids, yes. I didn't check myself.”
“Probably a virus,” he said. “I brought sports drinks to keep the kids hydrated, and you, too, but look, I’m going to go into San Angelo because we just don't have what you need in stock here in town.”
“Austin, that’s a two hour round trip. It’s too far. We’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, you don't look fine. Look, it won’t stop the virus, but it can help with the symptoms, and it can help get everyone back on their feet. I’m worried about the kids. They’re little.” And to be honest, he was worried about the virus spreading around the school, too. “If your oldest had it at school, or caught it at school, I’m going to have more patients. I may as well be prepared. What do you need besides something to keep the kids hydrated and calm? Anything you can’t get here in town? Just say the word.”
She looked past him to Matt. “I—maybe anti-nausea meds. And something for your mom. I’m afraid she might be coming down with it, too.”
“No,” Matt said. “I don't want to spend money on that.”
“This is on me,” Austin said quickly. “I wouldn't have offered otherwise. Look, yes, I want my receptionist back, but I also want everyone to be as comfortable as possible. Okay? All right. I’ll be back later. It’ll be late, probably after nine.”
Melissa nodded. “One of us will be awake, anyway. Thank you, Austin.”
“Like I said, my motives are not a hundred percent pure. But I’ll see you in a couple of hours. You have my cell if you think of anything else you need.”
