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“What tests?” Riley asked, her breath coming out in gasps.
Vivian got up and hugged her. “I’m sure it’s nothing, but I want to take a urine sample to rule out a UTI…”
“What’s that?”
“Urinary tract infection. Maybe also do a CXR… an X-ray of the chest to make sure it’s not pneumonia. And… well, we’ll see. Kids sometimes develop a high fever for seemingly no reason—we talk about pyrexia of unknown origin. I promise we’ll do everything we can.”
“I’ll take him,” Mitch said, and before Riley could protest, he had Dylan in his arms. “Craig? You driving?”
“We’ll follow you,” Aiden said as he took a very pale Aunt Janice by the hand.
Chapter Eleven
Early Monday morning,Dylan’s fever finally broke. Light-headed from relief, Riley sagged down on the chair next to his bed in the ER.
Vivian put a hand on Riley’s shoulder. “We’ll get the results from the blood tests today, but I’m fairly certain it’s nothing major, so you can take Dylan home. I’ve texted Aunt Janice already—she’s expecting you. I’m sure there’s a huge breakfast waiting on the two”—she glanced at Mitch—“or three of you.”
Dylan sat upright. “I’m hungry, Mommy.”
Swallowing back her tears, Riley grabbed his hand. “I’m so happy to hear that.”
Mitch stepped forward. “I’ll drive you and Dylan back.”
Dylan reached out to Mitch, obviously comfortable to let Mitch pick him up.
“Come on, big guy, I’m so happy to see that smile.”
With a sigh, Dylan put his head against Mitch’s broad chest, obviously feeling safe in the big man’s arms.
Overwhelmed, alarmed, and also scared by the scene of her small son in Mitch’s gentle hug, Riley jumped up. “I can take Dylan; we’ll be okay. It’s Monday morning. You have to go to work soon. I’ll get Aiden to come and pick me up.”
Ignoring her, he walked to the door.
“Let him do this,” Vivian said softly. “He hasn’t left your side throughout the night, never mind how many times I’ve told him there wasn’t anything he could do. He’s a caretaker, so let him take care of you and Dylan?”
Dazed, Riley stared at Vivian. She’d been so focused on Dylan she’d barely registered anything else around her. Aunt Janice had left with Aiden and Annie at some point, and she’d thought Mitch had left with them.
Nodding, Riley hugged Vivian. “Thank you so much for all you’ve done. I hope you can get some sleep before you see patients.”
Vivian grinned. “I don’t work on Mondays, except if there’s a crisis. You must be exhausted; I hope both you and Dylan can get some sleep. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear from the pathologists. Go, go, Mitch is probably already in the car.”
*
Riley was quietall the way back to Janice’s house. She’d insisted on sitting in the back with Dylan and was cradling the little boy close to her. In the rearview mirror, she looked pale and worried.
Trying to concentrate on his driving, Mitch focused on the street in front of him. It wasn’t quite seven o’clock and still quiet. In a small town like Marietta, there were no traffic jams to take into account when you drove anywhere, exactly what he’d had in mind when he’d discussed the idea to move away from Sacramento with his sisters.
He was living exactly the kind of life he’d dreamed about. There were no deadlines, no chasing after the next big client, no office parties he needed to attend. Teaching math hadn’t been something he’d even considered when he’d left school, but his mom had insisted he get a teacher’s qualification, as well. He often wished he could thank her for her insight. She’d known him better than he’d known his twenty-year-old self.
He’d been strangely restless over the last few months. He couldn’t put his finger on why he felt that way. He’d finally sat down and written his novel. Hopefully, he’d be able to send it to a publisher soon. Teaching came naturally to him, and he enjoyed the kids, enjoyed listening to their ideas, discussing it with them. His sisters were both happy and thriving; he should’ve been content, but he hadn’t been.
Not until… Turning his head, he looked at Riley. Not until he’d seen her again. Since her arrival, he was strangely excited as if he was waiting for something extraordinary to happen.
As he parked on the driveway of Janice’s house, the front door flew open. Janice was already dressed for work. She rushed closer as Mitch got out of the car. “Oh, I’m so happy Dylan is better. Come on in, I’ve made breakfast. Mitch? I hope you can stay?”
Riley opened her door and, ignoring his hand to help, also got out of the car. “I’m sure Mitch wants to get home, Aunt Janice. He has to get ready for work.”
Dylan scrambled out after her. “I’m better, Aunt Janice!” he called out as he ran toward her.
