Threads of Hope: Quilts of Love Series (29 page)

“Sheesh, Mom, what did you do? How’d you end up on the floor?” Cadence still knelt beside Mara and waited.

“I don’t know.” Mara gasped for air. “One minute I was picking out pictures for your quilt and the next I fell. Maybe I have the flu. I’m a little light-headed.” She pressed her stomach and fought for control of the nausea. “I might have twisted
my ankle, though. Man it hurts!” She wanted to reach for her left leg, but the pain in her shoulders held her back.

“Louie.” Cadence pointed at the dog bed. “Go!” Louie crept backward an inch at a time fighting his instinct to protect. His long ears stayed flattened back on his gleaming black head and his eyes trained on Joel without a flinch.

Joel eyed Louie and stepped into the room. “May I suggest we get you checked out?”

Mara dragged in another breath. “Who are you?” Her lips trembled and her heart fluttered out of control.

“I’m Joel, your new consultant from Business Mentors, Inc. I’m replacing Rich.” He put a file down on her worktable. “I really think we ought to get you to the ER.” He moved closer toward Mara and knelt down at her level.

“I don’t need—”

“Mom, you don’t look good at all. I think he’s right. You’re like, white as your shirt.”

But she could ask the doctor to check her heart. No, that’s silly. At thirty-nine, she probably just had a bad case of the flu. Mara’s arm throbbed with sharp jabs, her neck and jaw muscles clenched tight. She’d probably sprained her shoulder now, too.

Exhausted she bit out, “Fine, fine. I probably need an antibiotic or something.” Another shiver shot through her. “I’m sure it’s the flu. I have the chills and ache all over.” Mara rubbed her left arm.

Joel moved in to Mara’s side to help her stand. Together both Cadence and Joel lifted Mara from the floor.

“Ow, ow! I can’t—” Mara felt herself swing up. Her head lolled back from the motion.

“I’ve got you. You can trust me.” He glanced over at her daughter. “Cadence, would you grab a blanket for her and let’s
go.” Joel tipped his head toward the door. “We’ll take my car so you can help your mom if she needs it.”

“I don’t need—”

“Really?” Joel’s blue eyes captured hers again. “Can you walk?”

A shooting pain screeched through her left side.