Free Bourne to Love Emma (RED-Stone Operatives Book 1) by MacKenzie K. Paxton Page A

and I explained what I was dealing
with before he tells me what to do.  Alternate acetaminophen and ibuprofen
every two to three hours.  If her temp stays above 102, try a lukewarm bath and
see if she’ll take a popsicle or a cool drink.  If none of that works or if she
starts getting lethargic or seems like she’s having trouble breathing, we go
straight to the ER.
    I didn’t have popsicles.  I had ice
cream, but dairy in her belly sounded like a bad idea.  I considered calling
Carla, but I’m sure she won’t have any, either, which means she will have to go
out to buy them for me….  I’m obviously not going out to get anything with her
crying and feeling so miserable. 
    Jason.  Jason should be heading home
soon.  Maybe he can stop and pick up some popsicles on his way back.
    Hey.  Is
there any way you can stop and pick up
    popsicles for Mia?
    He responds almost instantly.
                J:  Sure.  What kind? 
How’s she feeling?
    E:  If
they have Pedialyte brand, that would be great.  Otherwise, something that
isn’t guaranteed to stain my couch or carpet?
    E:  She’s
about the same.  Fever won’t stay down.
    J:  Dang. 
Okay.  I’ll be there in about 45 mins.
    E:  Thanks
a bunch, Jason.
    J:  Not a
problem.
    Almost an hour later, he knocked on
the door.  Mia was sleeping on my shoulder, so we both met him at the door.  He
made an expression of sympathy when he saw her poor flushed little face, then
he stepped inside carrying four bags from the nearest supermarket.  I followed
him to the kitchen and he started whispering while he unloaded the bags.
    “They didn’t have Pedialyte popsicles
already frozen, so I got some that you have to freeze and I also got some
regular popsicles that are already cold for her.  They didn’t have any that
were the push up kind like the Pedialyte ones, so I bought some of the
all-natural fruit ones that are coconut, so they’re white.”
    “Those will work fine.  Thank you.”
    “I also got you two bottles of the
Pedialyte liquid and more of the fever medicine you’ve been using, in case you
run out.”
    I was pretty much speechless at that
point.  He had thought of everything Mia might need and bought it all without
me asking him to do it.  He held up the last bag so I would pay attention.
    “This bag is for you.  The vitamin C
stuff to help you not catch this crap, an extra box of tissues and some cold
medicine in case you do, chicken soup because it’s supposed to make anyone feel
better and dark chocolate because… well.  Women like chocolate, right?”  He
smiled sheepishly at this last comment.
    I stepped forward and hugged him with
the arm not holding Mia.  He rubbed one hand up and down my back for a second
and lightly rubbed the other over Mia’s sleeping head.
    “Thank you.  For all of this.  For
this morning.  I really appreciate it.”
    “I offered, Emma.  I’m glad I could
help.”
    He kissed the top of my head and then
walked to the front door and stepped into the hall.  “Let me know if you need
anything.  I mean that.”
    “I will.  Thanks again.  Good
night.”  I locked up after he left and Mia and I settled in for the night.
                Mia and I were lying in bed feeling sorry for
ourselves the next morning, Wednesday, when I heard the knock at the door.  I
grabbed my robe and looked out the peephole.  I couldn’t see anyone, but there
was a box in front of my door and what looked like…a coffee cup?  I snatched
the door open as fast as I could get the locks undone and discovered Jason
leaning against the wall in front of his own door.  I yelped a little when I
saw him.  Partially in surprise, but mostly because I knew I looked like death
warmed over.
                “Donuts and hot tea….  You look like I didn’t
bring the vitamin C soon enough.  I’m sorry.”
                He walked to me and hugged me, kissing my
forehead before he bent over and