Free Almost Summer by Susan Mallery Page A

stay right here. I have to put my mat
in my trunk. I don’t want it to get cooties.”
    She hurried back to her small compact and dumped the mat in the
trunk. On the way, she grabbed what she assumed was Alistair’s suitcase and slid
it into the rear seat. Then she was back at his side. She put an arm around his
waist.
    “Okay, big guy. Let’s get your British self back to my place.
You’re going to walk now.”
    “As you wish.”
    He put his arm around her shoulders and leaned on her a little
as they started to walk. Simon hovered, but was careful to stay out of germs’
way.
    “I’ll call,” Simon promised.
    “No. I’ll call,” Paige told him. “Let me get your friend
settled. It’ll be about half an hour.”
    “I’ll be here.”
    She was sure of that. Simon was a doctor, but, more than that,
he was a first-time father-to-be. He adored his wife and nearly drove her crazy
with his constant worrying. Paige had a feeling the entire front of their house,
not to mention the walkway, was going to be sanitized before the day was
over.
    Alistair did a good job of cooperating. He slid easily into the
seat, leaving her with the thought that it was going to be a lot more difficult
to get him out.
    As she leaned over to fasten the seat belt around him, she was
aware of the heat radiating from his body. Not sexy heat, either. This was a
whole lot of fever. Oh, joy. She really hoped that measles recovery didn’t
include a throwing-up session because this guy had been hit hard.
    She drove through the quiet streets of Fool’s Gold and arrived
back at her small house in less than ten minutes.
    “Stay here,” she told Alistair, although, based on his closed
eyes and slightly bobbing head, she guessed that she was speaking to a man
flirting with unconsciousness.
    She raced into the house and up the stairs.
    Twenty-one years ago, five-year-old Paige had suffered the
horrible loss of both her parents. Her only family had been her great-aunt,
Sophia, a nun for the past forty years. When Sophia had heard about the tragedy,
she’d immediately left her order and had traveled to Fool’s Gold to be Paige’s
guardian. She’d moved into this house and raised Paige as her own.
    Six months ago, Paige had lost her beloved aunt. Now she
hurried down the short hallway into Sophia’s room. Once across the threshold,
she paused for a second, remembering the wonderful woman who had given up
everything she’d ever known to raise her great-niece.
    “Hey, Sophia,” Paige whispered. “There’s this British guy who’s
going to be staying here for a while. What do you think of that?”
    She had a feeling Sophia would have approved. Taking care of
people had been one of her callings.
    Now Paige worked quickly, putting fresh linens on the bed and
opening the window to let in fresh air. The May weather was warm and the light
breeze carried the scent of flowers and cut grass.
    Paige returned to the main floor and dashed out the front door.
Alistair sat where she’d left him. She opened the passenger door and called his
name. He didn’t move.
    “Alistair,” she said more loudly. “Don’t go unconscious on me
now. We have a set of stairs to climb.”
    His eyes opened, revealing dark blue irises. “I don’t see how
that is possible.”
    “Anything is possible with faith, my friend. I was raised by a
nun. I should know.”
    “A nun? Really?”
    “Yes, really. Now gather yourself. We’re getting out of the
car.”
    His eyes sank closed. “Just leave me here.”
    “No way. My neighbors will call the police for sure.”
    “I thought Americans were friendly.”
    “We are, which is why we don’t leave strange men in cars.” She
leaned over him and unfastened the seat belt, then pulled his legs toward her
until his feet were dangling over the driveway.
    “Come on,” she told him. “You can do it.”
    “I can’t.”
    “Someone needs an attitude adjustment.” She straightened and
wondered if she was strong enough to lift him.