His body had grown hard. He sucked in a labored breath as he set his gaze on her groomed center, inhaling the scent of desire. He planned on making her feel very good…
*
Sexy. Magnificent. Incredible. Those were the words that came to mind as Brennan undressed.
She waited for his kiss, but instead he started at her ankle and slowly worked his way upward until he paused at her most sensitive part that was now a bundle of heat and nerves. Her body trembled against the soft blanket, anticipating what would come next. He touched her thigh and eased her legs apart. The candlelight glowed in his irises and he smiled. His touch came at her core and she jerked, so needy she couldn’t control her reactions.
“My God. You’re like a treasure,” he whispered.
She whimpered and arched her back, clutching the blanket in her fists as he bent between her thighs and rolled his tongue along her moist slit. Needing to cling to something, she sunk her fingers in his thick, damp hair, tugging as she moved her hips. Her release came like a crashing of waves against the rocks.
He lifted himself, swiping the back of his hand across his moist mouth. His eyes were glazed over with passion as he settled his hips against her. His solid shaft pressed against her stomach and she reached between their slick bodies to touch his warm, satin sheath. His tip was dewy, and she rolled her finger over the thick head of his erection. He hissed and she continued pumping his shaft.
“I-I can’t hold back any longer,” he breathed.
His hands found the hem of the shirt, pulling the material up, but she stopped him by placing her hand on his. “I want to keep this on.”
He didn’t argue.
She squeezed his girth, gaining all of his attention as he lowered his mouth to hers. She breathed in her scent left on his lips, and it totally turned her on. Her nipples tightened and she trembled.
He reached for a packet in his nightstand, ripped off the paper then glided the condom into place.
He guided himself between her thighs and she brought her legs around his hips, lifting her bottom in silent invitation. His tip touched her entrance, easing inside, stretching her until she took him completely. For several heartbeats he waited, until he finally managed to thrust deeper.
Together they moved…and like a primal dance they found an unimaginable satisfaction.
Brennan pulled down the visor against the bright sunlight and glanced over to the passenger seat where the small white bag seemed to draw his attention. Inside was his future, or at least he hoped it did. He’d taken a risk by purchasing the item, but what was life unless he jumped at a chance for happiness?
Last night he and Charlotte had shared something amazing and what he realized was that he wanted her in his life. Not just temporarily, but every day. To hell with the stipulation of Buzz’s will. He wanted her.
Wanted a life with her.
Now if she could believe him that this had nothing to do with the six-month provision.
Up ahead on the road a car was stopped. He squinted in the sunlight and that’s when he saw the woman waving for him to pull over.
He pressed the brake and pulled over behind the car. The woman hurried over to his truck. “Ma’am, are you having car trouble?”
Then he saw her frantic expression and tears stained cheeks. “My daughter. She’s in the back. I was on my way to the hospital with her and she started vomiting. She can’t breathe. I don’t know what to do.”
Brennan climbed out and raced to her car, peeking through the window into the backseat where the little girl was laying cuddled up in a pink blanket. Her hair was matted to her face and her skin was so pale that it was almost blue. “I’ll take you to the clinic. You grab her and hand her off to me.” The hospital would be too far away.
The mother nodded. “Thank you.”
“What’s her name?”
“Lacey.”
Opening the door, he leaned over the girl. “Lacey?” The child looked in serious shape. She finally opened her eyes, but barely. The mother scooped her up and handed her to Brennan who immediately absorbed how tiny the girl was. His heart skipped a beat.
“I’m Brennan and I’m going to help your mom get you some help.” He carefully held her against his chest and made sure she stayed wrapped in the blanket. By the time he made it to the truck, the mother was waiting in the backseat for her daughter. He laid her on mother’s lap. “What’s your name?”
“Candace.”
“Okay, Candace. I’m going to drive you and Lacey as fast as I can. You hang tight.”
More tears slid down her cheeks.
He slammed the door and hurried into the driver’s side. He kicked up rocks as he pressed the gas pedal onto the country road.
“It’s okay, Lacey. You’ll be okay,” Candace whispered, sobbing.
“How old is she?” He needed to try and keep Mom calm.
“She’s seven. We just celebrated her birthday yesterday. She got so sick so fast.”
“When did she start having symptoms?”
“She started feeling tired and achy yesterday, but she was nothing like this.”
Brennan picked up speed as they crossed the bridge that took them into Tarnation. “Here’s a bottle of water. If you want to try and get her to take a sip that might help her. Or hold it against her forehead.” He handed the bottle into the backseat.
He watched through the mirror as the mother uncapped the bottle, lifted the child’s head and brought the water to her lips. Lacey took a small sip, which ended in a coughing fit.
Slowing for a traffic light, he glanced both directions but didn’t bother stopping. He didn’t know what was wrong with the child, but he feared something terrible.
Thankfully, they didn’t hit any more red lights and traffic was light, and he drove like a maniac into the clinic parking lot. He slammed the truck into park, ran around and took the child from her mother. He wasted no time in running inside the building, practically bursting through the glass front doors, sliding to a stop on the polished floor.
“Doc! Doc!” Brennan yelled.
When the woman at the front desk saw him, she jumped up from her chair and called out, “Charlotte! Come quick.”
She came running down the corridor, took one look at the child and her face paled. “Bring her in here,” she commanded. “What do we have here?”
“She’s very sick,” Brennan said.
Candace stepped forward, squeezing her hands together in a prayer-like stance. She looked like a gust of wind could knock her onto her back. She probably wasn’t too old herself.
“Her name is Lacey. She’s seven. She’s been sick. Vomiting. Please help her, Doctor.”
“I’m not the doctor. Dr. Healey isn’t in right now.” Charlotte was quickly grabbing medical items off the shelves.
Brennan stepped aside to stand in the doorway to give them space in the small exam room. Lacey had her eyes open, but they were glossed over and bloodshot. Brennan couldn’t remember ever seeing someone look so sick.
“How long has she been like this?” Charlotte asked as she snapped her gloves into place.
“I-I don’t…I’m thinking about an hour. Maybe an hour and a half. I was working today, and the babysitter called and told me Lacey was sick. I came immediately and she was like this, but it seems she’s getting worse as time goes by.”
“Did you give her any medicine? Pain reliever? Fever reducer?”
“No. Instinct told me to take her to the hospital.”
Charlotte hooked up an oxygen sensor on the girl’s finger and then took her temperature. “Her fever is high. Meka, call Dr. Healey and find out where he is. We need him stat,” she said to the other nurse who looked as worried as Brennan felt.
“I’m on it.” Nurse Meka hurried from the exam room.
“What’s your name? Are you her mother?” Charlotte asked.
“Yes. I’m Candace. Please help her.” More tears poured down her pale cheeks.
“We’re going to do
our best. In the meantime, stay close to her and let her know you’re here.”
Candace nodded her head shakily.
Brennan continued to watch.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“Does she have any health conditions or known allergies?” Charlotte feared that Candace would pass out. She’d seen many parents do just that in the ER. “Brennan, pull over the chair for Candace.”
She dropped into the chair, looking defeated. “No. She’s healthy.”
“Never hospitalized?”
“No, never. What’s going on with her?” Candace cried. “I have never seen her so sick.”
“Lacey?” Once the little girl looked up at her, Charlotte offered her a smile. “I’m Charlotte. I’m a nurse. Can you tell me what’s going on? Are you feeling any pain?”
“My head hurts. And my tummy. I don’t feel good,” she said quietly.
“Charlotte,” Meka popped in, “Dr. Healey is about forty-five minutes away.”
Charlotte met Brennan’s gaze before she grabbed the blood pressure cuff and wrapped it around Lacey’s tiny arm. “Honey, this is going to be a little tight. Remain still, okay?” After getting the reading, Charlotte then used her stethoscope to listen to Lacey’s lungs. She didn’t like what she heard. “Candace, could I speak to you out in the hall for a moment?”
Closing the door behind them, Charlotte gave the young woman a weak smile.
“What’s wrong with my baby? Will she be okay?” Candace rocked uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “I shouldn’t have left her. I shouldn’t have gone to work. This is all my fault.” She burst out into tears.
Wrapping her arm around the mother’s shaking shoulders, Charlotte tried to soothe the upset woman. “Candace, listen, this isn’t your fault. You need to stay strong for your little girls.”
“O-okay,” she muttered.
“I’m not a doctor, but here’s what I think so far. She doesn’t have asthma. These aren’t the symptoms of an allergic reaction because if they were it’d be easy to treat. I’m leaning towards influenza, but without running a test I can’t be positive, and the doctor would have to order that. Her oxygen levels are down about ten percent, which is serious for a child her age, and her breathing is labored.”
“This sounds serious. Please. What do we do? Do something to help her, please.”
“I’m trying.” Coughing sounds came from inside the room, closely followed by a repeated hacking sound. “She’s vomiting.” Charlotte hurried back in and found Brennan holding the trash can so Lacey could vomit inside. Her tiny body looked so frail. The flu could be dangerous and if Charlotte was right, Lacey was in dire condition.
The problem was, how much worse would she get before Dr. Healey arrived.
“I’m going to start her on an IV. We don’t want her to lose anymore fluids,” she said to Candace. “I know this is going to be hard, but I need you to step out into the hall for a moment. I want to get your daughter prepared for travel.”
“Travel? Why?”
“I think it’s important that we get her to the hospital where they can help her. Dr. Healey is too far out, and we can meet him at the hospital.” Charlotte directed to Brennan, “Can you drive?”
“Sure.”
“I don’t understand. Why can’t we call an ambulance?”
Charlotte took a second, monitoring her words carefully. “We can get her there faster. Trust me.”
Candace nodded and stepped out.
“Lacey, sweetheart, I’m going to help you.”
The little girl moaned, looked very pale and shaky.
“Do you like puppies?”
She nodded weakly.
“Great,” Charlotte said with a smile. “I have one who is looking for a home.” She pulled out a small plush puppy with big brown eyes. “Can you take care of him for me?”
Although she was tired, she managed to take the toy and lay it beside her. This helped Charlotte gauge how sick Lacey was. Most kids, even when feeling very bad would get excited at receiving a toy. The child’s lackluster response warned Charlotte that they had to move fast.
“I need to see your hand, sweetie.” Numbing Lacey, which helped so she didn’t thrash around from pain, Charlotte tried to stick her with the needle and just as suspected, it was difficult to get the line started. The child was severely dehydrated. Finally, Charlotte managed to get the IV in and running. She then placed an oxygen mask on Lacey. “Make sure you keep that on.”
Bringing Candace back in, Charlotte told her, “We’re ready. We need to get going.” She picked up the child who weighed so little and hurried toward the exit. “Brennan, grab that folded blanket at the end of the table.” While they were moving toward his truck, Charlotte informed Candace, “I need you to sit in the back with me and Lacey so you can comfort her and hold the IV bag. Meka?” She searched for the nurse.
“I’m here.”
“Let Dr. Healey know we’re leaving. He’ll want to meet us at the hospital. Also, grab the emergency bag from the shelf for me. I’ll need it.”
Once they were in the truck, Meka came back with the bag and Brennan was behind the wheel. “Ready?”
Charlotte touched his shoulder. “Drive safely but timely.”
“Got it.”
She’d seen children sick like this before and the prognosis depended on how long it took for treatment. In a similar situation, an hour to the hospital seemed like forever.
They’d been on the road for a while when Candace grabbed Charlotte’s wrist. “Something is wrong.”
Checking her with the stethoscope, Charlotte said, “She’s having trouble breathing.”
“Oh my God. Please. Do something!” Candace begged.
“How much longer, Brennan?”
“About twenty minutes. I can’t drive any faster. The traffic is too bad.”
Charlotte looked through the window, seeing the line of traffic. “Damn!” She didn’t think the little girl had five minutes, let alone ten. She had a high fever, rapid breathing, fast heart rate, and dangerously low blood pressure.
Grabbing the medical bag, she opened the clasp and searched through the emergency items. She found the bottle she was looking for. Holding it, she hesitated. Although Charlotte felt positive the medicine would help, but if it didn’t, she could make things worse for Lacey. But what choice did she have? She couldn’t allow the child to die…not on her watch. “I’m going to give her Norepinephrine,” she said.
“What’s that?”
“It’ll narrow her blood vessels and raise the blood pressure.”
“Do it. Please! Do it!”
Charlotte prepared the needle and gave the medicine through the IV.
“Please be okay, baby girl. Please be okay.” Candace sobbed.
“Momma?” Lacey said weakly.
“Oh my. Hi, sweetie. You’re going to be okay.”
The little girl wasn’t out of the woods, not by a long shot.
“The hospital is ahead,” Brennan said.
The next few minutes were a hustle of activity. Once they were parked, he jumped out first and helped Charlotte out with Lacey. They ran into the doors of the emergency room department. “I have a child who needs help now!” she yelled out.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Brennan stood close to Charlotte as she passed information onto the emergency staff. Lacey was laying on a gurney and the doctor was calling out instructions.
When they wheeled the gurney through the double doors, Charlotte stayed back, and Lacey’s mom continued with her daughter.
“That was close,” Brennan rubbed the tension from his forehead.
“She has a bit of a journey before she’s better. They must get her temperature and blood pressure stabilized. She’s one sick child.” Her hair that had been in a bun was now partially down. Her cheeks were flushed, and she had worried lines around her eyes.
“You did good, Charlotte. Thank goodness you were there to help her. I don’t think we could have mad
e it here without you.”
“I hope I did everything I could.”
Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around her and drew her against his chest. “You were amazing. What do you think is wrong with her?”
“Guessing, I’d say sepsis. I’ve seen other patients this severe.”
“Hey, Charlotte!”
She stepped away from Brennan.
“Dr. Healey,” Charlotte greeted him as he strolled into the waiting area. “They just took Lacey back.”
“Meka called and told me what happened. I’m glad you were there and did some quick thinking. I’m going back and seeing how she is.” He pushed through the doors.
Charlotte brought her chin up. “I’m glad you came along to help Lacey and her mother when you did.”
He didn’t think he’d done anything spectacular. The true hero was Charlotte. “Can I get you a coffee? Anything?”
“No. I’m fine. Let’s have a seat. My adrenaline is starting to come down.”
Once they were seated, he stretched his legs. There was a couple sitting across the room, the man was holding the woman while she wept. Brennan’s chest tightened. He wondered if they had a sick child too.
“Nurse! Nurse!”
He brought his attention to the distraught man who ran into the ER.
“How can I help you, sir?” One of the nurse’s stepped out from the nurse’s station. “Are you hurt?”
“No! My daughter. She was brought here. Her name is Lacey Mills.”
“Let me check the name for you.” The nurse stepped behind a computer.
Charlotte stood and went to him. “Mr. Mills? I was with your daughter, Lacey, when she was brought in. She’s back in a room.”
“What was wrong with her?” His eyes pleaded for answers.
“Sir, your daughter is in room twelve. Through the double doors and to the right. I’ll buzz you in,” the nurse said.
Bighearted Cowboy (Tarnation, Texas Book 5) Page 13