Page 64 of Theirs to Treasure

“Have you been sick to your stomach?”

“Yes. I’ve been throwing up.” She thought it was the upset from Becca’s reaction.

“How does your body feel, does it ache?” She nodded, which just shot another stream of pain from her neck into her brain stem. She groaned, the room got fuzzy, and she had to just nap for a little while.

Chapter 25

“Yeah, Mom, everything you just said.” Chance listened intently. “Okay, got it. Thanks, you’re the best.” He turned to Sam. “She said it’s a bad case of the flu. If her temp stays this high for more than twelve hours, we should get her to the hospital, but she should be just fine after a few days.”

“I want to take her home,” Sam said.

“You and me both. Let’s get some blankets and some kind of bucket in case she throws up. I dibs driving,” Chance quickly claimed.

“You’re an asshole. I don’t care if she pukes on me, I want to hold her,” Sam’s tone was proprietary. Chance went down the hallway, smiling to himself. He loved seeing Sam play such a nurturing role. They got her bundled up good because it was raining. Sam carried her down to the truck, and the two of them got her situated into the back.

Josie was still out cold, despite all of the jostling, which was plenty of cause for concern to both of them. It took twice the time it normally would get to the house, because the rain was pouring heavily, and Chance didn’t want to take the turns too quickly for fear of upsetting Josie’s stomach.

Josie woke up when they opened the SUV door and the wind and rain whipped into the interior. “What?”

“Shhh,” Sam soothed. “We’ve got you. We’re getting you inside, and we’re going to get you warm and tucked in, in just a second.” The cold rain felt good against her hot skin, and she threw off the blankets they bundled her in, much to Sam’s consternation. By the time they made it into the house, she was wet and shivering.

“Are you out of your mind, woman?” Sam nearly shouted at her.

“It’s the fever,” Chance calmed him. He plucked Josie out of Sam’s arms and strode down the hall to the master suite, with Sam close behind him. Chance headed straight to the bathroom and started stripping Josie while Sam started the shower. Both just got out of their boots and shoes, and entered the huge shower stall, to get Josie warm.

“So co–co–cold,” she chattered.

“I know, Baby. I should have kept the blankets around you.” Sam cursed himself. He held her and rubbed her arms, ensuring that the water didn’t get in her face.

Chance touched her scalp. “The top of her head feels like ice, but her forehead still feels hot. I’m going to wash her hair.”

“Oh, please do,” Josie pleaded. “That would feel so good.” Despite their worry, both men grinned at one another at the sensual sound in Josie’s voice.

“If you get to wash, I get to condition,” Sam said.

“Deal.”

Chance got the herbal shampoo he’d bought for Josie and lathered her hair, and for the first time was truly conscious of the weight of it. “God, woman, how do you not have headaches all the time?”

“Hmmm?”

Chance realized she was out of it again. He lifted the heavy mass and thought that no matter how much he loved it, he was going to have to talk her into cutting it. While Chance washed her hair, Sam stripped out of his clothes, and while Sam conditioned her hair, Chance stripped. They both got her dry before putting her to bed.

“Mama Betty said we needed to get her to drink plenty of clear fluids,” Chance said. “You stay with her. I’m going to bring in some water and juice.”

When he got back, Sam had her bundled up in a semi-seated position, resting against his chest. Chance had found some straws, so he started with the apple juice. “Josie, can you hear me? You need to drink this and take some Tylenol.” He put the straw to her lips, and Sam kept her upright.

“I hear you, I’m just feeling woozy. Damn it, why do you guys always have to take care of me?” Josie grumbled.

Sam and Chance grinned at one another. Their Josie was back with them.

“Drink up, Zee.”

She drank half of the glass, then pushed it away.

“You gave us a scare,” Sam said as he stroked her damp hair, nuzzling her temple, subtly feeling her for fever. Sam gave Chance a look, telling him that she was still warm.

“Baby, what happened with your sisters about us?” Sam asked gently.