Page 27 of Love in the Time of Wildfires

“It’s just a cold. I’m sure I’ll be fine in a few days.”

“Can you at least open the door?”

“No. I don’t want to get you sick.”

It was quiet for a minute. She peeked through the peephole again. He was leaning against her door, same as her.

“Is there anything I can get for you?” he asked.

“It’s okay. I’ll be fine. I really don’t want to get you sick with this thing.”

“Okay.” He finally turned around and went into his place.

Him offering to get something for her unlocked a bunch of emotions that usually came when she was unwell. There was something about being sick that made her weep at the drop of a hat. This time it was because her neighbor had been sweet, which led to her feeling alone since she didn’t have her family nearby. It was ridiculous, she knew this, as the decision had been entirely hers.

River lay on her couch, blowing her nose and trying not to cry because she didn’t feel well. Also, who’d let their kid go to the museum when they were sick? Britnae probably got everyone sick. That little parasite with the cute pigtails and squishy cheeks—wasting her day off when she could have gone hiking. It was so unfair—

Another knock came at the door.

She froze, embarrassed that he knew she was over here feeling sorry for herself.

“River?”

“I’m fine,” she yelled from the couch.

He knocked again.

Oh, good grief! She never would have expected Logan, of all people, to be the one who wouldn’t leave her alone. She got up, feeling annoyed he was disturbing her pity party of one.

“I’m okay, Logan,” she said against the door.

“I brought you some stuff. Open the door.”

Who in the world did he think he was to demand anything? Well, she could be just as forceful.

“No. I’m in self-quarantine. Go away.”

“I’ve already taken precautions. Open the door.”

She had no idea what he meant, so she looked through the door’s peephole. Logan held a single bag of groceries and wore a full face mask.

“Open the door,” he repeated. “I’m not going away.”

At this point, River didn’t feel she had much of a choice and opened it.

Chapter Nine

After River had turned him down the first time, Logan had gone back to his apartment. He wasn’t aggravated as much as he felt helpless at not being able to do much—especially knowing she didn’t have anyone else to take care of her. It took him a few minutes to remember he had options.

Trekking to his truck, he grabbed the full-face respirator that was nearly new, as he didn’t use it as much as he should. His job meant a lot of rough hiking, and a full mask wasn’t comfortable to wear even while knowing it was better for his lungs. Logan preferred a particulate mask with a neck gaiter. The industry pushing for more safety standards wasn’t a bad thing. He had seen the effects of the occupation on others. Only it had been difficult for him to switch over when it also felt like a hindrance.

Either way, he had a full mask for PPE and then made a quick trip to a nearby store. He worried that River would continue refusing to open the door, but he was going to do his best to convince her as he slipped on the mask.

It was a relief when the deadbolt clicked over. River cracked the door and—holy shit—she wasn’t kidding about being sick. Her skin was flushed, her eyes red-rimmed like she’d been crying. Any sticking point remaining in his heart vanished.

“Let me in, River,” he said gently. It was less of a demand and more of a plea.

She thankfully stepped aside as he walked past her, blinking in surprise at his protection getup.