AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Your throat?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll get a flashlight so I can check things out.”
“Is Merry still here?” Jace rasped.
Clark smiled. “She’s just getting cleaned up. Want me to send her in when she’s done?”
Jace set his cup on the nightstand and gave a small nod, but stopped with a groan.
“Try not to move if it hurts. I’ll be right back.”
He got up and left the room, nearly colliding with Merry coming down the hall. He caught her by the shoulders, giving her a once-over. She looked adorable in his baggy shirt and sweatpants, her wet hair in a knot on top of her head.
“Hey, he was asking for you. Do you mind sitting with him while I get the flashlight?”
“Of course not.” She took a step toward the room, but he clasped her hand, squeezing it in his.
“You look cute in my clothes.”
“Thank you. They’re comfy. I may have to steal them.”
“They’re yours if you want them.” And so am I, he thought.
Merry returned his squeeze and released his hand. Clark watched her take his place on the side of Jace’s bed, brushing his son’s hair back. Merry spoke too softly for Clark to hear, but whatever she said to Jace made him smile.
Clark pulled a flashlight from the hall closet, wondering if she was regretting the way their first kiss came about. It wasn’t exactly romantic, with his sick son in the next room and vomit dripping down her back, but he’d been caught up in the rush of emotions her actions and babbling created and he couldn’t help himself. He could still feel the heat of her mouth under his and he wanted to do it again. Only they’d agreed to take things slow as they built trust and open communication, plus being sure about what they both wanted before they brought Jace into the mix. Every encounter he’d had with a woman started out hot and fast, fizzling the minute he walked out the door. He wanted more from Merry.
Merry started to get up when he came back in, but Clark waved her down. “You’re fine there.” Clark clicked the flashlight on, and put his hand on the bed next to Merry, leaning over his son. “All right, buddy, open up.”
Jace opened his mouth wide and stuck out his tongue. “Ahhhh.”
Clark studied the red, angry spots at the back of his throat and grimaced.
“Welp, looks like we’re going to the doctor.”
“Noooo,” Jace whined, hiding under his blankets. “I don’t want a shot.”
“No shots, I promise, but I think you have strep which means you need different medication.”
Jace didn’t budge from under the covers and before Clark could tell him to come out, Merry touched Jace’s knee. “I hate the doctor too. I had to get a shot a couple weeks ago and the doctor sewed up my foot afterwards.”
Jace poked his head out so only his eyes showed. “Did it hurt?”
“A little pinch, but if you’re going to Doctor Hofstetter, he was my pediatrician when I was growing up and he is very nice. He even lets you pick a prize from the treasure chest.”
Clark had completely forgotten about that when he’d set Dr. Hofstetter up as Jace’s primary physician after their move. His face split into a grin.
“He was my pediatrician, too.”
“Small town problems, right?” Merry smiled.
“What kind of prizes?” Jace asked, dropping his blanket completely.
“One time, I got a giant yo-yo from the box.”
Jace turned his gaze to Clark. “Can we go there?”
