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“You’re welcome. I wasn’t aware Dax was seeing anyone, much less getting married. Congratulations.”
I gave the lady a slight smile, although her tone suggested she wasn’t too happy for us. Her attitude since I walked in had been a little bit frosty, but she had been sweet as sugar to Bow. It all made sense when she asked about Dax.
“Thanks, we’re happy.”
“That’s great.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, in fact she looked like she wanted to claw my eyes out. “You can pick up a school note from the front desk on your way out. She shouldn’t go back until she’s been fever free for twenty-four hours with no help from medicine.”
“Thank you.” I picked up my purse and helped Bow off the table. Her hand felt warm against mine and she looked like she wanted to fall over asleep. “Come on, Baby Girl. Let’s get you home and back to bed, but we’ve got to run to the drug store first.”
She coughed and leaned into my thigh for support as we headed back to my car. I buckled her in the back and slid behind the wheel. Her eyes were already closing and my heart squeezed with love for the kid. She was such a loving, smart, sweet kid. I couldn’t help but love her.
“Hold on, Bow. I know you want to sleep, but I have to make sure we have everything we need to take care of you, ok?”
The drug store was a few blocks from the doctor’s office and Bow was asleep before we got there. I hated to wake her, but there was no way I was leaving her in the car. I picked her up and carried her into the store, her arms wrapped around me and her head was resting on my shoulder as she struggled to breathe through her congested nose.
I grabbed a basket and tried to push it with one hand as I carried her through the store. Finally, I gave up and put her in the basket, jostling her awake for just a minute. It took me a few minutes to find what I needed, but we left the store with everything I felt we could possibly need. Some of what I bought, Dax probably had, but I wanted to make sure we had it when we got back home so we didn’t have to get out again.
Bow didn’t wake up when I unloaded her from the car, the bags from the store were looped around my wrists as I carried her into the house. As light as she was, my arms felt like they were about to fall off from carrying her so much.
“Bow, Baby. I have to put you down so I can unlock the door. Wake up sweetie.”
She groaned, which set off a cough that wracked her chest and shoulders. “I don’t feel good, Samantha.”
“I know.” I kissed her hair. “I’m going to get you inside and take good care of you, ok.”
“Can I watch cartoons?”
I doubted she would stay awake to watch anything, so I agreed and set her down, letting us into the house. “Do you want to watch down here or in my room?”
“Your room.”
We made our way upstairs, my phone rang in my hand and I knew it was Dax without even having to look at the phone. He must have seen us come in from the cameras and the alarm on the door.
“Hey,”
“She ok?”
“Flu. I’ve got medicines, and stuff to keep her hydrated as well as some chicken soup in the can. I don’t have a clue how to make chicken noodle soup, but I can look up a recipe to see if I can figure it out.”
“The can is fine, Samantha. Thanks for taking care of her.”
There was that word again, thanks. Thank you. I gritted my teeth and bit my tongue. “No problem. Do you want to talk to her?”
“No, I gotta get going, and she looked ready to fall over.”
“She is. I’m going to let her watch cartoons in my room while she rests, is that ok?”
“Sure.” There was a heavy silence of words unspoken between us, and so much I wanted to say and ask, but I didn’t.
“See you when you get home.” I forced a smile into my voice and disconnected the awkward call before he could say anything else and before I could say what I really wanted to.
