Unforsaken (13 page)

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Authors: Lisa Higdon

BOOK: Unforsaken
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"She was just fine this morning,” Olivia assured him and reached for the cup of willow bark tea. “I've already sent for the doctor, and Maddy said for her to drink as much of this as possible."

He nodded and took the cup, his face a mask of concern, without saying a word. She could only look on as he coaxed Sarah to drink a few swallows of the mixture, knowing she was to blame for whatever was wrong with his child.

* * * *

Matthew watched Olivia move about the room, reminding him of a condemned prisoner awaiting the hangman. She was more than worried, she was frightened, terrified, and no assurances he might offer would ease her mind. Somewhere along the line, Olivia's fondness for Sarah had grown into a deep love, no less than she might feel for a child of her own.

The doctor appeared in the doorway, and Matthew took one look at the haggard old man and knew something was terribly wrong. The doctor's clothes were wrinkled and he looked as if he hadn't slept in days.

Olivia didn't seem to notice and rushed to usher him inside the room. “Oh, thank heaven you're here. She was fine this morning, just fine, and then she complained of not feeling well early this evening. She's still running fever, but she drank half a cup of willow bark tea. Aunt Eula said—"

"Olivia, let me be the doctor.” With a weary smile, he bent over Sarah and felt her forehead. “Let's have a look here, little girl."

He opened his bag and withdrew several gadgets. Matt sat down on the bed and held Sarah's hand while Dr. McComb listened to her heart and bid her to take several deep breaths.

"This little girl's got herself a case of the measles.” He looked up at Matt. “So do half the youngsters in town. I'll be lucky to get a wink of sleep."

Olivia's hand flew to her mouth, but not before a gasp escaped her lips. The doctor glanced over his shoulder and then back at Matthew. “Measles aren't uncommon, but it can be serious. Keeping the fever down is the main concern."

Dr. McComb drew a tiny vial of medicine from his bag, explaining that quinine was the best thing for the fever. “Mix a tiny bit in a few spoonfuls of sugar water and have her drink it. Keep giving it to her every few hours until the fever breaks."

"That's it?” Olivia couldn't believe he was leaving. “That's all you're going to do for her?"

He smiled sympathetically but shook his head. “I've got four more families waiting on me now. Just keep her fever down and she'll be fine."

"What if it doesn't stay down?” she demanded. “What then? How do we—"

Matthew crossed the room and held out his hand. “Thank you, Dr. McComb. We'll take care of her."

The old physician smiled gratefully and patted Olivia on the shoulder. “Don't worry yourself sick, Olivia. I'll stop by tomorrow to check on her."

Dr. McComb left the room, and Olivia's gaze fixed on the slight figure on the bed. Her lips began to tremble and she turned away, burying her face in her hands.

"Olivia,” he whispered, gently placing his hands on her shoulders. “Everything will be all right."

She pulled away from him. “You don't understand. This is all my fault."

"Your fault?” He caught her arm and turned her back to face him. “How could it be your fault?"

"I took her to Bible school. I thought it would be good for her to be around other children, to play with someone her own age. Now she might—"

He pressed his fingertips against her lips, silencing the terrifying possibility he refused to consider. “You don't know that's what caused it."

"You heard the doctor,” she countered, digging her fingers into the fabric of his shirt. “Half the children in town have the measles."

Tears slipped down her face, and he remembered the last time she had cried in his arms. With as much resolve as he could muster, he held her at arm's length and said, “Children get sick, Olivia. Measles aren't uncommon. The doctor said she'll be fine, and he wouldn't have left if he thought she was in danger."

She drew a deep breath and nodded. “Yes, you're right. We mustn't let her fever get too high."

She returned to the bed and knelt beside the child, gently pressing the back of her hand against Sarah's flushed cheek.

"I don't feel good, Livvy,” she cried.

"I know, honey, I know,” Olivia crooned, smoothing a lock of Sarah's hair away from her face. “The doctor says you'll feel better tomorrow."

The night wore on and Matt remained, refusing any suggestion that he go home to rest and return in the morning. Olivia knew it was because he, too, feared the worst.

Despite their attentive care, Sarah's fever climbed higher and she slept fitfully, her tiny limbs squirming beneath the bedclothes. Olivia struggled to keep the child from catching a chill, promising her everything under the sun if she would just stay covered up.

At last, Sarah slipped into a sound sleep, but Olivia wasn't comforted by the sight of her lying so still and quiet. She knelt beside the bed and brushed her fingers over Sarah's forehead, dismayed to find it just as warm as before.

"Sleep is the best thing for her."

His voice hovered just over her head and she nodded. “Still, I'll be glad when her fever is down."

His hand settled on her shoulder and she couldn't help turning her head against his arm. The hair on his forearm grazed against her cheek and she shuddered at the feel of his skin against hers.

"She'll be fine,” he insisted. “You've taken wonderful care of her."

She knew he wasn't just referring to the measles, and his approval meant a great deal to her. She might have made mistakes, spoiling Sarah with gifts and toys, but she had truly wanted what was best for the child.

"I'm happy to do it. She's a very special child."

She looked up to find him staring down at her, his eyes dark with concern. His hand left her shoulder and gently stroked her hair, combing several straggling locks behind her ear, and settling against her face. Exhausted, she leaned into his touch, and her lips brushed against the palm of his hand.

The rattling of dishes broke the spell weaving itself around them, and Eula Chandler made her way into the room without hesitation. She placed a tray of food on the bureau and turned her attention to Sarah.

Olivia remained at Sarah's bedside while Matt quickly made his way to the other side. Eula took no notice of their earlier posture. “I brought some supper for both of you."

Olivia glanced toward the window, startled to realize how late it was. Suppertime had come and gone and it was getting closer to breakfast. “I haven't even thought about food."

"That's why I brought a tray up to you.” Her aunt's voice held a note of reproach, tempered by her own concern for Sarah. “You need to get some rest. I'll sit up with her long enough for you to eat and sleep for a few hours."

Olivia shook her head. “I will not leave this room until I know she's going to be all right."

"You'll just make yourself ill, and then who'll see after you?” Once again, Olivia shook her head, but Eula didn't scold her further. “Maddy is keeping some broth warm on the stove, but that can wait until she's awake."

Olivia nodded. “Shouldn't her fever be gone by now?"

Eula made her way to the bedside and studied the sleeping child, unable to resist brushing a wisp of curls away from the tiny face. Olivia wasn't fooled by the nonchalant action, and she didn't miss the fear that flickered in Eula's eyes. “Most of the time, a fever will break while the person sleeps."

"And if it doesn't?” Olivia was tired of hearing how Sarah would be fine and just needed to sleep. “What if it doesn't, Eula? What then?"

Chapter Eleven

Stifling a yawn, Olivia fought to keep her eyes open. Just when she thought the night would last forever, a faint light crept through the windows. Sarah had slept soundly but had begun squirming beneath the covers. Rising from the chair, Olivia winced at the kinks in her back and leaned over the restless child.

"Don't kick the covers off, sweetie,” she crooned. She felt her forehead and found it much cooler to the touch, and the wispy curls framing Sarah's face were damp with perspiration. She glanced up to find Matt hovering over her shoulder. “My God, I think the fever's broken."

He felt Sarah's face and throat, and nodded in confirmation. “She's wringing wet. We'd better get her changed before she takes a chill."

"Of course.” Relief that the fever had broken renewed her energy, and Olivia searched the dresser drawer for one of Sarah's clean nightgowns and fresh linens for the bed.

They had just finished changing the bed when Eula peeked inside. “Oh, praise be, she's better."

Olivia smiled and nodded. “The fever's down for now, but we'll have to keep an eye on her."

"She'll be fine,” Eula insisted, her cheerful optimism returned in full vigor. “I'm sure the worst has passed."

"I'll feel even better when the doctor tells me that.” Olivia watched Matt pulling the covers up to Sarah's chin and smoothing the damp hair away from her face. She crossed the room and sank into the rocker beside the bed. “Thank you so much for staying with me. I wouldn't have survived the night alone."

"She needed both of us,” he said with a solemn smile. He studied her a moment longer before saying, “You're exhausted, Olivia. You've got to get some rest."

"Absolutely,” Eula chimed in and placed a gentle hand on her niece's shoulder. “You go lay down in the spare room and leave Sarah to me."

When she would have protested, Matt took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “Miss Eula's right, and don't start making excuses."

"What about you?” she countered, shivering at the feel of his hand closing around hers. “You're just as tired as I am."

He nodded. “I'm going home to check on things there and I'll sleep for a few hours before coming back."

Eula and Matt weren't going to let her win the argument, and Olivia nodded in agreement. Before leaving the room, she did make Eula swear to wake her if Sarah's condition should take a turn for the worse and reluctantly allowed Matt to lead her into the hall.

Olivia closed the door and let her forehead rest against the solid oak. Somehow, now that the worst was over, she felt no relief. The fear and panic she'd quelled for so long reared in earnest and tears filled her eyes and burned her cheeks.

"Livvy,” he whispered, gently placing his hands on her shoulders. “Livvy, don't cry; she's going to be fine."

She turned into his embrace, accepting his comfort without hesitation. Shuddering with sobs, her body was assailed by the weakness Eula had warned her about and her knees buckled under her own weight. He lifted her as if she were a child and turned toward the spare room at the end of the hall.

The room was musty from being shut up for so long, but the bed felt like heaven when he placed her on the mattress. She could barely keep her eyes open but managed to clasp his hand when he would have left her.

"I'm just going to open the window,” he assured her. “Nowhere else."

She nodded and tried to stay awake. The rush of fresh air was a boon and she drew a deep breath. She felt the mattress dip beneath his weight and looked up to find him sitting on the side of the bed, studying her with concern.

"I want you to rest today,” he whispered, taking her outstretched hand. “You'll be sick if you don't take care of yourself."

"I wish you wouldn't leave."

"I have to tend to the livestock, but I'll be back soon."

She nodded, reaching up to cup his face with her palm. Her fingers trembled slightly. “Hurry."

"I will.” He hesitated, studying her face before lowering his mouth to hers. Her lips met his as her hands caught hold of his shoulders. She wanted to beg him not to leave, to hold her and never let go.

She felt him shudder as he held her close, and his mouth left hers to find the sensitive flesh at the base of her throat. “Tell me,” he demanded, his breath hot against her skin. “Tell me, Livvy."

"I love you,” she whispered. “I've always loved you."

* * * *

"Come on now, sweetie. Just one more spoonful."

Matthew smiled at the sound of Olivia's coaxing voice. He hurried up the stairs, anxious to see how Sarah was improving.

"Don’ want it,” the little girl protested. “No, Livvy."

"It'll make you get better,” Olivia persisted. “Don't you want to get better and go see your kittens?"

The bedroom door was ajar, and from his vantage point he could see them without being spotted. Sarah was propped up in bed and Olivia was trying to persuade her to eat the broth Maddy had made earlier. The fact that Sarah was feeling well enough to be irritable was all the reassurance he needed that she was well on her way to recovery.

Olivia had changed clothes and not a strand of her hair was out of place now. The glaring afternoon sunlight streamed through the windowpanes, accentuating the shadows under her eyes, and she looked unusually pale. He doubted she'd slept even a couple of hours.

He tapped twice on the door before stepping inside. Sarah's face brightened at the sight of him, and Olivia turned toward the doorway, obviously surprised that he had returned so soon. Despite her prim appearance, telltale color brightened her face, and she made no attempt to conceal the fact that she was happy to see him.

"Daddy!” Sarah held her arms out to him and he made his way to the opposite side of the bed. “Daddy, where've you been?"

He crossed the room and bent to hug his daughter, relieved not to find her little body hot with fever, but he noticed the angry red splotches on her face were more prominent than before. He kissed her forehead and pulled back to study her face, noting that each bump had been carefully dabbed with something white and chalky.

"Maddy made a paste of baking soda and water for the rash, and Dr. McComb was here earlier.” Olivia's voice drew his attention. “He said the worst has passed. She'll be fine, but she has to have plenty of rest. No playing outdoors and no trips."

"I want to go see my kittens,” Sarah sulked and turned to her father for support. “Please, Daddy."

"You have to get better first,” he reminded her in a tone that was both firm yet indulgent. Her frown deepened, and he added, “It would be too bad if you got sick all over again."

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