Sweet Dreams (The Bakery Romance Series Book 3) (6 page)

Chapter 9

Misty awakened, opened her eyes. She blinked against the weak sunlight streaming through the blinds. She swallowed and cringed. Her throat raged with hot, fire-like pain. The pain shot through her left ear. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she swung her legs out of the bed. This was the worst sore throat she’d ever had. Hopefully, she’d feel better tonight. She was supposed to volunteer at the soup kitchen that evening.

She stumbled into the kitchen, rubbing her ear. Adrian came into the room, her fingers searching for Misty at the table. “Misty, you okay? I heard you stumble in here.”

Misty swallowed again, the raging pain consuming her. How in the world was she going to make it through this day? “No, I’m sick.” She described the pain in her throat and her ear. “I promised to volunteer at the soup kitchen tonight.” This was just the first step in applying for Jennifer’s scholarship.

“Don’t worry about that now. You still have plenty of time to work some soup kitchen hours before you apply to for that scholarship” Adrian patted her shoulder. “You should stay home from work today.”

She’d worked hard to get this job and she couldn’t mess up by taking a sick day so soon. “I’m going to work today.”

Adrian sighed. “Misty, you can’t go to work sounding like that. Why don’t you just call your boss and explain?”

She shook her head. “I can’t do that.” She didn’t want her co-workers to think she’d messed up already. “I’m going to work and tonight I’m going to volunteer in the soup kitchen. You wouldn’t believe how much effort it took to get the soup kitchen to agree to let me come.”

“Misty—”

“Adrian, I have to go to work.” She’d worry about the soup kitchen later. For now, she’d just focus on getting to her job.

Adrian sighed. “Oh, Misty. You haven’t changed a bit since we were kids. Still stubborn as usual.” Adrian paused and seconds later, she rested a warm mug in Misty’s hand. “Drink some tea and come over to the window.” Misty obeyed and looked outside. “Is Sterling’s car still in the driveway?”

Surprised, Misty nodded. “Yes.”

“Well, I’m calling him to see if he can drive you to work. You’re in no condition to take the bus this morning.”

Misty swallowed, wincing at the pain in her throat. Sterling had been so busy that he had not had time to go car shopping yet. Adrian had agreed to rent a car once Jennifer arrived if Sterling was still too busy to go car shopping. He’d promised to clear time in his schedule the following week.

Adrian continued. “I know it’s futile to argue with you. You’re so stubborn that you’ll end up trying to take the bus anyway, no matter what I tell you.”

Misty sipped the tea. It soothed her sore throat a little, but, not much. She rested her head on the kitchen table and closed her eyes. A loud knock pounded from the front door. Adrian answered it and Sterling strolled into the kitchen. In spite of Misty’s discomfort, she found it hard not to stare at him in his white shirt and blue jeans. For some strange reason, warmth filled her soul when she realized he’d come to help her. She pushed the thought aside. He didn’t come to help her. He only came as a favor to Adrian.

He frowned, and Misty wondered if he was upset by Adrian’s request to drive her to work. “You didn’t have to come,” she croaked. “I could’ve taken the bus.”

His caramel brown eyes widened. “You sound horrible. Do you have a cold?”

She shrugged, holding her sore ear. “My ear is killing me.”

“Do you have any medicine?”

She shook her head. “Could we stop at the drug store before you drop me off at work? I wanted to get some Tylenol and some cold medicine.”

He shook his head, concern etching his handsome features. “What you need is a doctor.”

She raised her eyebrows, surprised about his concern. “I’ll be okay once I buy some medicine.”

He didn’t say anything, but, Misty figured he didn’t agree with her. After she managed to get ready for work, they got into his car. While he drove, Misty rested her head against the headrest, her eyes closed. When the car stopped minutes later, she was almost asleep. He gently shook her shoulder. “Misty, we’re at the drugstore. I’ll run in and get the medicine for you.”

She shook her head, holding her sore ear. “No, I can do it.” She sniffed. “I feel bad about making you late for work.”

“It’s okay. My new assistant opened up for me this morning. So, just sit back and rest and I’ll go in and get the medicine.”

She shook her head. “No, I’ll get it.” She opened the door. He placed his large brown hand on her arm, halting her exit.

“Why don’t you want me to help you? I’ll go in and get the medicine. Then I’ll drop you off at work.”

Stunned, she removed her hand from the car door, staring into Sterling’s cocoa-brown face. His full lips hardened into a frown and she blinked, feeling bad about upsetting him. It was so hard to depend on others for help, she liked doing everything herself. But, Sterling wanted to help her, and the thought of having somebody take the lead and help her out warmed her heart.

Taking a deep breath, she closed the door. It was probably best to accept his help. She placed her hand on his arm. “Thanks for helping me.”

He nodded, exited the car and went into the drugstore. He soon returned with the cold medicine, Tylenol, a bottle of water, and some liquid drops. “The pharmacist said you can place these drops into your ear for pain. He said you might have an ear infection and should see a doctor.”

She blew air through her lips. “I’ll be okay.”

She popped the Tylenol into her mouth and washed it down with a drink of water. When he dropped her off at work, he halted her exit again. “Look, if you find out that you can’t stay at work then you can call me.” He pulled a business card from his wallet. “My assistants can run the bakery if you need me to come and get you. I’ll write my cell phone number on the back.” He scribbled on the back of the card before handing it to her.

She accepted the cream-colored card, noting the huge cupcake embossed on it. “Thanks, Sterling.” She finally exited the vehicle, walked into her office building on slow, measured steps. As soon as she entered the reception area, she closed her eyes.
Lord, help me with this pain.

After entering the ladies room, she placed the drops into her ear. She screwed the top back onto the drops and placed the bottle into her purse. With a slow gait, Misty approached her desk and opened the seal over the cold tablets. She popped two into her mouth and guzzled the cool water. Wincing, she endured the pain of her aching throat after swallowing the tablets. The Tylenol did nothing to ease her pain, so, she figured she should take the cold medicine.

“What’s the matter?” Her boss, Carmen, entered. Her dark fashionable business suit hugged her slim body. She glanced at Misty, her dark eyes full of curiosity.

Misty shook her head, placing the bag of medicine into her drawer. Her ear still ached, in spite of using the drops. “I’m feeling a little under the weather.”

“You sound horrible. Why’d you come to work?”

She sighed, wondering who was going to comment on the way her voice sounded next. She held her sore ear, wondering if she should’ve gotten Sterling to purchase some stronger medication. “I’ll be okay.” Her voice came out sounding thick and croaky like a frog’s.

Carmen didn’t comment further, but Misty could see the disapproval in her eyes. She managed to work for an hour, in spite of her pain. A cough erupted from her chest. She ran into the ladies room and guzzled from her bottle of water. Hopefully the liquid would soothe her sore throat. Her coughing continued. The hacking cough irritated her fiery sore throat.
Lord, please help me to stop coughing.
Maybe she should’ve told Sterling to purchase some cough medicine from the drug store. Carmen stormed though the bathroom door. “Misty, you really need to go home. You sound horrible and I don’t want you to make the rest of the staff sick.” Her firm tone resonated against the tiled bathroom walls. She glanced at her gold watch. “I’d offer to drive you but I’m meeting with a client in five minutes.”

Misty exited the ladies room, blinking. She felt even worse over the last five minutes. The room seemed to be spinning. Her stomach churned. Hopefully, she wouldn’t puke. She slumped into her chair. “A friend of mine will drive me home.”

Carmen’s dark eyes filled with concern as she touched Misty’s forehead. “You’re burning up. You need to go to the doctor. There’s an urgent care center downtown and they’re usually pretty quick. I don’t want you coming back to work until you’re better.”

Carmen left for her meeting. Misty fumbled in her purse until she found her cell phone. She studied Sterling’s business card and took a deep breath. She managed to dial his cell phone number. He answered on the first ring. “Misty?”

“Can you come and get me? I feel worse.” She then told him what Carmen said about the urgent care center. “You can drop me off at urgent care if you need to get back to the bakery.”

“That’s okay. I can stay with you. My assistants can handle things until I get back.” She dropped her cell phone into her purse. It was such a relief that Sterling had agreed to come and pick her up. Breathing deeply, she thought about the caring concern he’d displayed all morning. He really seemed to care about her as a person, and he didn’t even know her very well. His willingness to help her created a cocoon of warmth around her, making her want to get to know him better.

She relished these thoughts for a few seconds before pushing them away. Sterling really didn’t know her very well. Did he want her to do something to return the favor? Why was he being nice to her? Should she be suspicious of his actions? Mental and physical fatigue washed through her and she didn’t have the energy to question Sterling’s motives anymore. She needed to accept his assistance and be thankful that somebody was around to help her out.

Two hours later, Sterling dropped her off at Adrian’s house. She’d been diagnosed with the flu and an ear infection. Fatigue washed through her body like a tidal wave and all she wanted to do was to lie down and sleep. After Sterling had left, she ate a bowl of soup and went to bed.

For the rest of Friday and all day Saturday, Misty slept and took her medicine and soon her fever left and the pain subsided. During the weekend, thoughts of Sterling’s kindness twirled through her mind like raindrops splattering against dry, parched soil. Still unsure about Sterling’s motive, she’d found that it was nice to have somebody to help her while she was ill. She thought about him all weekend. He’d proven to be a kind person, and Adrian had mentioned he was a firm believer in Christ.

Misty also found herself drawn to his handsome good looks. His caramel brown skin and pleasant features were like a ray of sunshine. She wondered about his life. Was it still hard for him to function since his dad had passed? Was he ever able to smooth things over with his brother? As Sterling continued to dominate her thoughts the entire weekend, she found herself wondering when she would see him again. She wondered what his thoughts were about her. Did he feel sorry for her because she was raising Jennifer alone and had to deal with troublesome Nate?

When Sunday rolled around, she was still tired. She came into the kitchen and the scent of Adrian’s perfume filled the air, signaling that she was ready for church. “You think you feel well enough to come to church?” asked Adrian, setting a mug of hot tea on the table in front of her.

“I just feel so tired, but I do feel better since last Friday.”

“Why don’t you go back to bed?”

“Adrian, I can’t. I promised Jennifer that I’d come and get her today.” She paused, sipping her tea. “Can we rent the car like you promised? I’ll need to take Jennifer to the daycare tomorrow and it’ll be easier for me to transport her in a car instead of taking the bus.”

Adrian nodded. “Sterling and I rented the car this morning, but you’re not driving today.”

“What?”

“Oh, Misty, you can’t drive. You’re still sick.”

Misty swallowed, enjoying the hot lemony taste of the tea. “The doctor at urgent care said I could go back to work on Monday if I felt like it. I just need to rest this morning and then I’m going to drive to my mother’s house to get Jennifer.”

Adrian huffed, grabbing her cane and sticking it into her large tote bag. “Just stay home and wait until next week to get Jennifer. You’re in no condition to be driving for two and a half hours.”

“But I promised her. I miss my daughter. I’ve been moping around your house since I came to town.”

Adrian sighed. “You have been upset.”

“Well, I can drop her off at the daycare tomorrow since that’s when the space opens up and they’re expecting her and I’ve already paid my deposit and one week’s fee in advance. I miss Jennifer so much and seeing her is the best medicine that I could hope for.”

A knock sounded at the door. “Oh, that’s Sterling. He usually gives me a ride to church. Go back to bed after you finish your tea and we’ll talk about this when I get home.”

Misty obeyed, too tired to argue. When she returned to bed, she fell into a deep slumber. Adrian gently awakened her a couple of hours later, shaking her shoulder. “Misty, I asked Sterling and he’s going to drive you over to your mom’s to get Jennifer.”

Misty struggled to wake up, shocked at Adrian’s actions. “What? You shouldn’t have asked him to do that. I could’ve driven down to get Jennifer.” Sterling had done so much for her already, and she didn’t want him to think she was taking advantage of his kindness.