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“Izzy, my name is Bailey; and of course, I’ll help you. Who is your father? You look like my sister, except your hair is blonde.”
“My mom has blonde hair,” Izzy replied. We walked inside, and I took in the cozy farmhouse surroundings. She led me to a beautiful farmhouse bedroom where a man, as large as Cole, lay in bed. I immediately realized he needed medical attention.
“Bo, this is Bailey; she’s one of those Petersons who are my family. Please listen to her when she tells you something.”
“Sweetheart, I’m not going to yell at her, so don’t worry,” He assured Izzy. Then I took out my phone, turned to Izzy, and asked for her address before calling an ambulance.
“I’m not going to any hospital. If I’m going to die, then I’ll die right here in my own bed,” Bo protested.
I put my hand on his forehead, “How long has he been this hot? I need a washcloth and some cold water. And can I please get a glass of water for Bo and me? I’m so thirsty. Now, do you have a shower?”
“Of course, we have a shower. Hell, even people who live in the sticks have a shower,” Bo replied.
“Okay, let’s get you out of bed. I’m going to cool you down,” I argued with him all the way to the bathroom and into the shower; I turned the cold water on and let it run on his hot body. He had on his boxers, so I wasn’t embarrassed.
“This actually feels really good,” I heard heavy footsteps. I glanced around when I heard the bathroom door open. Steel stood in the doorway with Izzy, who looked like she was in shock because Steel stood there, in her house.
“What are you doing here?” Steel asked.
“He’s burning up, and I’m trying to cool him down. How did you know I was here?” I inquired.
“The EMT is our cousin and called Uncle Joe to let him know you were here,” Steel explained as he took over Bo’s care. “Tell me where it hurts?” he asked Bo.
“It hurts everywhere. Initially, I just felt sick, but I could manage my work. Then the pain in my side started, and then I thought I would die any day.”
“Then why the fuck didn’t you go to the hospital?”
“Damn, you haven’t changed a bit, still as grumpy as ever. If I die, you Peterson’s have to take care of Izzy and the kids.”
“Nothing is going to happen to you! Izzy exclaimed. “And if the worst were to happen, I can take care of myself and my children, and you know it. So don’t you dare ask anyone to look after me. The ambulance is here.”
“Darling, please don’t cry. I’ll be fine. He was loaded into the ambulance, and I turned to Izzy. “Steel will take you to the hospital, and I’ll stay with the kids. We’ll have some fun. Go.” She nodded, and Steel took her to the hospital. I turned to the children.
They all began to cry, and then rushed toward me. I embraced all six of them. As the sun set, I prepared pancakes for everyone. Early the next morning, Izzy returned, I was up at five that morning, since Cole wasn’t living with me, my early mornings came back.
“His appendix burst, and they’re trying to control the fever. He would have died if you hadn’t come here and helped us. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Sit down, and let me get you something to eat. I’m a chef, so no need to worry; I know my way around the kitchen.”
“I wasn’t worried. I’m sorry about your sister. Levi told me about you; I hope that’s alright.”
“It is; I now have all these people in my family. Are you part of the Petersons?”
“I’ve always considered myself one. Bo doesn’t get along with the Petersons, so I never asked my mother. I’m sure she’d tell me if I asked.”
“I thought your mom disowned you and left when you got pregnant at seventeen and Bo was thirty,” I said, smiling.
Izzy giggled, sending shivers down my spine. She sounded just like Jackie. “I was twenty, and Bo was thirty, but we fell in love. So yes, I did get pregnant, and we got married.”
“Well, I was twenty-six the first time I had sex.”
“So, are you telling me Cole was your first?”
“How do you know about Cole?”
“I was born and raised in these mountains. I hear everything that goes on. Are you planning to stay here?”
“Yes, I’m home. It’s the first time I ever felt at home, and it feels amazing.”
