Page 23 of Once Bitten, Twice Mine

“She insisted on the chair because she said she didn’t want to fall asleep in case I needed her. I’m just happy she’s getting rest,” he said with a smile that was so familiar it made her heart ache.

“You’re looking rather well.” Caroline’s eyes burned as she fought off the emotion that gathered in her throat. She had feared finding him dead, and instead he looked to be improving.

“You and your mother have been fussing over me, but I’m doing much better.”

Color had returned to his cheeks, and he didn’t look to be in pain. His delirium made it so she wasn’t able to interview him about his symptoms before, but now she took out the notebook with the notes she took for Dr. Murnau.

“Prepare for a little more fussing before I let it go. When did you begin feeling ill?”

Closing his book and placing it beside him, her father tilted his head as he considered her question. “Part of me wants to say last night because I don’t remember much time passing, but based on the reactions of you and your mother, it was likely several days ago. What I most remember is the pain. It hurt so much for whatever reason, but it wasn’t a headache or a broken bone. It felt like I was being burned from the inside.”

Caroline scribbled down his symptoms. She wasn’t sure what to make of it, but she also wasn’t a doctor. She hoped it would be useful to Dr. Murnau.

“What do you remember of the past few days?”

“Not much, really just brief images of you and your mother. Mopping my brow, your mother trying so hard not to cry.”

“Are you hungry or thirsty? I tried to feed you broth, but you wouldn’t take any.”

“I’m not hungry, but my throat is dry.”

Caroline’s pencil paused so she could pour him a glass of water. She handed it to him, but her father grimaced as he sniffed the water.

“Is it stale? Mrs. Thomas has been replacing the water regularly, but I can call for more”

“I don’t know if it’s stale, but there’s something about it that makes my stomach churn.”

Caroline took the glass and smelled it. It seemed fine to her, nothing more than regular water. The cup was clean, so there was no dust or anything to contaminate it. Taking a sip, the water was just beneath room temperature and had the usual crisp taste of water from their well.

“Perhaps your illness is what’s turning your stomach. We’ll see what the doctor says.”

He frowned. “Have you called for Murnau then?”

“Yes, hopefully he will be out here today. A sickness is going through the village, but he said he would do his best to get up here today.”

Her mother stirred in her chair, her eyes fluttering open as she looked up at Caroline and then did a double take at her husband.

“You’re up,” she said, reaching out for her husband, who took her hand and smiled.

“I am, my love. Caroline is interrogating me now for the doctor.”

“Is he here?” She wiped her face and smoothed her hair as she blinked the sleep from her eyes.

“No, I was updating my notes on his condition for the doctor.”

“How are Lady Valeria and Nelly?”

Her father raised an eyebrow. “There are that many of us sick? Do we all have the same illness? I thought Lady Valeria wasn’t contagious.”

Caroline sighed. “She says she isn’t, and I am inclined to believe her since you all have different symptoms.”

“You’ve done so well taking care of everyone, Caroline. Sit down and rest while we wait for the doctor,” her mother said while patting a spot on the bed.

“I need to check on Nelly and Lady Valeria first.” There was too much for her to do. So much that she barely slept. The most time she had to relax was when she dozed in her bath, not waking until the water was cold. Which meant when she did go to bed, she blinked at her ceiling for ages before falling asleep.

“You can’t take care of everyone if you work yourself to an early grave.”

Caroline was saved by a knock at the door before Mrs. Thomas entered.