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Calla had a fever. I really should have expected that, given our close proximity and the contagiousness of strep throat, but of course, I’d been too distracted by my selfish desires to think about my own daughter. Guilt raged through me like a wildfire. If I didn’t get to her and make sure she was okay, the flames would burn me up from the inside and leave me with nothing.
I set my bowl and plate aside, and I felt Lachlan’s eyes on me as I stood on unsteady feet. “Calla is sick. She probably has strep.”
“Fever?” he asked, automatically going into doctor mode. Dr. Cade was too nice for his own good. He’d been about to make an enormous mistake just then, offering to “be there” for me. Thank God for the distraction. This was only ever meant to be a temporary thing—a haven in the storm of my life. But all good things had to come to an end, and this oasis in the woods couldn’t shelter me forever.
I looked around for my shoes. “Yeah, she has a fever. It isn’t bad yet, but my mom wanted me to know.”
“Okay,” he said easily, and stood, going to his dresser where he picked up a key fob and his watch from the natural wood dish.
I wasn’t sure what his overly calm demeanor was about, but I, for one, was frantic. And then my phone buzzed again with a text. I looked down and immediately wished I hadn’t.
Jason: It’s been two days since I talked to Calla. Is there a time that would be convenient?
Jason: I’m not sure where you are or what’s going on, but I’ve left several messages.
Jason: The car payment hasn’t been made this month. I don’t want to do this, but I feel like you’ve suddenly decided that our obligations don’t matter. If that’s the case, I don’t feel comfortable leaving the car in your hands. I’ll need you to turn the keys over to the nearest dealership so I can sell the lease.
My pulse hammered behind my eyes with insistent, painful pressure. He knows, I thought despairingly.He can feel his hold on me slipping, and now he’s retaliating. If he ends up taking me to court…
I had let go for just two days, and I was already on the brink of another court case. What had I been thinking? I didn’t have the luxury of just leaving things behind.
Neutral zone, I thought ironically with a stab of annoyance at my naiveté.When will I learn?
I went to the bathroom and shut the door firmly, locking it with shaking hands. I needed to find my clothes and get back to town. If Calla had a fever, then she probably got my strep throat, which meant I needed to get her antibiotics as soon as I could. The car?
I slammed on the tap water harder than necessary.Screw the car. I’ll get a bike.
I washed my hands and face, trying to slap cold reality back into my system. My clothes were gone, though, which meant Lachlan had probably put them in a different hamper somewhere. Maybe he wouldn’t mind if I borrowed this outfit for a bit.
I turned off the water and faced my reflection. Crazed, dark blue eyes stared back. I felt the creeping edges of a panic attack drawing in. Deliberately, I closed my eyes and took a calming breath.Okay. This isn’t that bad. Make a list.
) Ask Lachlan for one more favor—maybe he can call in some antibiotics for Calla.
) Pick up Calla and get her home.
) Call Jason and explain the situation. Get him to chill the fuck out.
I nodded silently to myself, and then took one more bracing breath for the hardest part. I had to end my fantasy escape with Lachlan.
With my hair twisted into a knot at the top of my head and my jittery nerves somewhat under control, I breezed out of the bathroom armored in my business-like, busy mom persona. I gave Lachlan’s confused, worried features a brisk smile. “Okay, sorry. I know it’s sudden, but I can’t leave Calla at my mom’s with a fever.” I ducked around him, reaching for my tennis shoes which had been placed by the doorway. “Could I ask you for a big favor?”
“Uh huh,” he said, following my movements and standing with his hands on his hips. He’d put on a white t-shirt and dark wash jeans while I’d been in the bathroom. He already had black tennis shoes on, and the way his shirt stretched across his arms and chest made my mouth dry. A bit of yellow peeked out of the inside lining of the shirt around the collar and sleeves, making me think that if I nuzzled in close, maybe he would smell like lemons.Laurel, focus, you weirdo. We’re leaving. No sniffing.
“Is there any way you can call in some antibiotics for Calla? I might be able to get her in to see a doctor here in town, but we’re new, and I haven’t picked her primary care physician yet.”
“Laurel,” he said, his tone turning annoyed. “Of course I’m going to help you.”
“I just need antibiotics,” I said, shoving my foot into my frayed, gray sneaker. “And then I promise I won’t bother you anymore.”
He didn’t say anything, watching me with a guarded expression while I laced up my sneakers. I barged onward with my plan. “Um, also, I’m stealing your clothes. For a bit,” I gave him a sheepish grin. “But I’ll return them. I promise.”
“You can keep them,” he said, still watching me with a funny look on his face.
“I’ll make sure you get them back.” I stood, looking around the room, my feverish panic cranking up again. “What did I bring with me?”
“Laurel,” he warned.
“I think I had my coat and scarf, right?” I had my phone in the big pocket of the joggers, and did a little half-turn, looking for my coat.
