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“She’s burning up,” Baker half-whispered.
“What can I do?” Andrew asked.
“I have to go.” I stormed inside the shelter without a word straight toward the nursery. Baker followed close on my heels.
“She was fine an hour ago. We were making lip gloss, and her face got so red.” Baker grabbed my arm and steered me toward her room.
Ella was disturbingly quiet in her carrier when I reached her. I picked her up and touched her face.
“She’s so hot,” I said, looking at Baker in fear.
“I texted Leigh Anne, but she’s working at the hospital tonight.”
“We should take her to emergency care. I don’t know what’s wrong. I can’t take a risk.” I choked back a sob. Now wasn’t the time to let my fear get the best of me. My baby girl needed me to help her.
“I’ll get her stroller.” Baker took off, and I cradled Ella to my chest.
“You’ll be okay sweet girl. Mommy’s going to get you help.”
Ella felt like she was heating up in my arms. I placed her back in the carrier and wet a washcloth. She sighed when I placed the cool cloth on her forehead.
“Daniel Elliott is bringing his car around.”
“What?”
“He and Vivian were meeting with Mrs. Quinn.” Baker took the carrier from my arm as we left her room. “I called her on the way to get the stroller. Once I talked to her, I figured we didn’t need it.”
A dark Escaladewas at the curb in front of Paths when we burst out of the front door. Vivian, Daniel, and Andrew were waiting beside it with worried looks on their faces.
“What can I do to help?” Andrew asked.
I looked at him, at a loss. “I don’t know.”
Daniel opened the rear door and settled Ella into the car seat already secured in the vehicle.
“I have to go,” I said.
“I’ll go with you,” he offered.
I shook my head. “No. No.” I glanced toward the car.
“Let me know if you need anything, okay?Anything.” The kindness in his eyes was almost too much, but I was grateful for the support.
“I appreciate that.”
I slid in beside Ella, and Baker rounded the back to the other side. Andrew remained on the sidewalk as I shut the door.
“Thank you,” I said quietly once Daniel pulled onto the street.
His eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. “I know exactly where to take her. She’ll be fine.”
“Okay,” I choked out. I squeezed my eyes shut until I was sure I wouldn’t cry.
Then I focused on my daughter. She wasn’t screaming and that terrified me.
Baker gave me a sympathetic look, though her eyes were as scared as mine.
Vivian turned around, poking her head through the front seats. “Ella, doll, you’ve got to get better. You’re worrying us.” Something about Vivian voicing my fears eased my tension a fraction. “I miss your voice.”
