Page 90 of The Lighthouse at the Cove
“Yeah, the first time was when I was stung by a bee in first grade.”
“What happened?”
She rubbed her neck as the memory swelled in her mind. “I was running my hand along a fence.” She rested her arm on the bed rail. “I saw the bee there before my brain could stop my hand. Next thing I knew, it had stung me and left the stinger in. My arm swelled up, and they put it in a sling. Then I was stung again in high school, and the same thing happened—my arm swelled up.”
“And you don’t carry an EpiPen.” It was more a statement than a question.
“I was never stung again, and no one ever told me to carry one.”
“I’m sure the doctor will tell you to now. Allergies can get worse when we become adults.”
“I know that now.” She opened her backpack purse and felt her phone. But there was a big gap in the pocket that shouldn’t have been there.
My camera.
She pulled in a gulp of air. All of those photos she’d taken during the festival were gone. Now what would she do? She groaned.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“My camera,” she began. “I’d been taking photos of the gardens and—”
“Don’t worry. Becca has it. She’s coming up to get you, and Cash is going to pick me up.”
Kaiah pulled out her phone and set it on the table. Then she met Reid’s concerned expression while she tried to put together the pieces of what had happened. Why were her thoughts so fuzzy?
“It was so strange, Reid,” she said. “I remember feeling pain, and then everything went black. The next thing I saw was a couple of EMTs standing over me, and I felt a strange sensation in my body. My heart was racing, and I couldn’t catch my breath. And then you were there, and then we were in the ambulance, but I’m not sure how it all happened.”
“You were stung three times. Becca said someone called 911, and she called me. When I got her message and she said you were going into shock...” His dark eyes sparkled in the fluorescent light, and he sniffed. “If you hadn’t gotten an EpiPen in time...” He scrubbed his hand over his mouth as his eyes misted over.
The worry in his face was too much for her. For a moment she couldn’t speak.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to scare you.” She reached for him.
“Hey.” Leaning over, he took her hand in his. “Stop apologizing. I’m grateful it happened when other people were around, because if you’d been alone... I can’t even allow myself to imagine what would’ve happened.” He gave her hand a squeeze, and a crooked smile overtook his handsome features. “I kinda like you. I don’t want to imagine something bad happening to you.”
She laughed. “I’m glad. The feeling’s mutual.”
Leaning down, he kissed her forehead and then her lips, and she closed her eyes, enjoying how his mouth lingered against hers. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Kaiah,” he whispered, and his husky tone sent a shiver through her.
The curtain opened, and a woman in scrubs with a stethoscope looped around her shoulders appeared holding a clipboard. “Ms. Ross, I’m Dr. House. How are you feeling?”
“Okay,” she said.
“You had a very bad reaction to a few beestings. I see you received an EpiPen at the scene. We’re treating you with an IV of antihistamines, and we’re going to keep an eye on you for a bit before we let you go. And I’m going to send you on your way with a prescription for a steroid.” She set the clipboard down and then picked up her stethoscope. “I’m going to have a listen if that’s okay.”
Kaiah was aware of Reid watching her while the doctor listened to her heart and lungs.
“Everything sounds good,” the doctor said. “Have you had this reaction in the past?”
Kaiah gave her a quick summary of when she was stung as a child. “It hasn’t happened again, but I’ve had a phobia of bees and wasps since then. I try to stay away from them.”
The doctor nodded. “I recommend you carry an EpiPen with you in the future.”
“Told you,” Reid muttered.
Dr. House smiled. “He’s right. Are you her husband or boyfriend or...?”
“Oh. Um. Boyfriend,” Kaiah stammered, and when she met his stare, his approving expression sent warmth wafting over her body again. Why did this man always cause that reaction in her?
