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"That's my girl." Guy laughed, and I could tell he was shifting in his seat. "There is something you can help with, though."
"What?" I tilted my head, wondering what I could do to help them hack into ABC Security's system.
"Now, think a minute before you answer. Close your eyes and try to remember what that delivery person looked like."
I took a deep breath to settle myself. “Okay, now that I think of it, I'm not sure it was a male.... it could have been, but I was so shocked to be getting a delivery... knowing I hadn't ordered anything. I was in a hurry to see what it was. And my neighbor was standing there, watching every move."
"So, why do you think it might not be a man? Was it the voice?"
"No, the person didn't speak. I did all the talking. I think it was the arms and maybe the hair. The person had a cap on, and some hair was sticking out. But now that I think of it, most of the hair was shoved up under the cap. And the arms, well. No. The person was wearing a long-sleeved shirt. It was the wrists... small wrists. Not a man's wrists. Really, Guy, maybe I just imagined this… I do have a good imagination, you know."
He chuckled softly, and I could feel the heat begin to rise in my core. "Listen, I have to go. I can hear the guys… they're coming in. But I'll talk to you soon, okay?"
"Okay." I agreed, a little disappointed that we had to end our conversation.
"Oh, and Ariel?" My heart quickened at the way his voice sounded, low and husky.
"Yes?"
"I really do miss you."
I sat back on the bed and sighed dreamily. I was so glad Guy had contacted me. I just hoped that whatever was going on over there, he and Meagan would stay safe. And find out who was behind it all.
“Thanks for your help, Ariel. I'll talk to you soon."
"Be careful, Guy," I said softly before disconnecting the call.
I gazed out the window and noticed a snowflake fluttering lightly against the windowpane. It made me think of how I felt when Guy and I were together. By the time we had arrived at my apartment that fateful evening, and how I had melted into him. And now he was in trouble, and there was nothing I could do to help him.
Sighing deeply, I picked up my coffee mug and padded in my sock feet down to the kitchen for a refill. As I turned, my stomach cramped a bit, and I frowned. Maybe I was coming down with something. I shrugged it off and headed back upstairs to my laptop. Time to get some work done.
Halfway through another chapter, the pain hit me again. This time it was accompanied by a queasy feeling in my stomach and a cold sweat. I tried to ignore it but eventually faced the fact that I was sick.
Making my way downstairs, slower this time, I felt unsteady on my feet. I decided to rest for a bit on the couch near the gas fireplace. Earlier, Marcie showed me how to light the fire with the super-long match. So, I carefully followed her directions, adjusting the flame. Then I curled up on the couch, hugging one of the overstuffed pillows to my aching belly.
I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew, I felt Clara touching my arm." Ariel! Ariel, are you alright?"
Groaning, I tried to open my eyes, but they felt glued shut. "What's wrong?" I managed to croak out.
"You're burning up! Let me help you upstairs to your bed."
I shook my head but couldn't muster the strength to argue as Marcie's housekeeper half-carried and half-dragged me upstairs to my room. She helped me to bed and placed a cool cloth on my forehead.
"I'll call Marcie. She'll know what to do."
I nodded weakly and closed my eyes, feeling too miserable to argue. The next thing I knew, Marcie was sitting on the edge of my bed, touching my forehead, and clucking her tongue.
"You're burning up, Ariel. What happened?"
I tried to sit up, but she pushed me gently back down. "Rest, Ariel. We'll take care of you."
I wanted to argue, but I was so tired, and my belly was cramping so badly that I couldn't speak. So, I just nodded and closed my eyes again.
I don’t know how long I laid there in bed before Marcie loaded me into her car and whisked me off to the hospital. I vaguely remember being wheeled into a room and hooked up to an IV. Then I must have slept because when I opened my eyes again, it was morning. Marcie was there speaking in hushed tones with a man in a white jacket... a doctor's jacket.
"What's wrong with me?" I croaked out, my throat dry as a bone. "Is it my appendix?'
They both turned to look at me, and the doctor came over as Marcie gently grabbed my hand.
