“So? Everybody gets sick sometimes. Like you said, it’s no big deal. It’s not even a bad one. A hot bath, extra rest, maybe some NyQuil, and I’ll be right as rain by the time you get back.”
“What if you need something?”
“I have everything I need,” she assured him. “A brand new box of tissues, chicken soup in the freezer, half a box of Calgon and my fleecy pj’s waiting for me. And if I do need anything, I’ll call Mrs. Campbell. But I won’t.”
Matt shifted again, and Faith knew he was close. He needed this, needed the chance to bond with guys his own age. And she needed to rest. If she knew Matt was away having a good time with his friends, she wouldn’t have to feel too guilty about not accomplishing anything around the house for a day or two.
“Go. Really. I’m fine.”
The sound of a truck crunching along the gravel drive, followed closely by the pound of heavy teenage feet on the porch and the subsequent knock signaled the moment of truth. Matt’s ride was here.
For good measure, Faith got up and walked to the door, though it took nearly every last bit of strength she had not to sway. She discreetly used the sturdy doorframe to keep her upright.
“Hi Jace,” she said in friendly greeting to the boy, offering a wave to Jace’s dad easing out of the massive King cab. She turned to Matt, who was appraising her carefully, looking for a reason to stay.
“Go,” she coaxed. Jace already had Matt’s bag and was loping back to the car. “Have a great time. And don’t worry so much. I’m a big girl.” She smiled. Matt exhaled, still not looking sure, but nodded. He was so close...
“You’ve got enough clothes? Underwear? Socks?”
“Mom.”
“Phone? Cash? Toothbrush?”
“Mom.”
“Right,” she grinned as Matt’s focus was taken off of her and he shot his friends a somewhat embarrassed smile. Mild humiliation in the form of an overprotective mom – a true classic - worked every time. Faith exhaled in triumph when Matt finally nodded, leaned in to give her a quick peck on the cheek, then jogged to the truck.
Karl, Jace’s dad, chuckled. “Don’t worry, Faith. He’s in good hands.”
She nodded. “I know. Mother’s privilege.”
“Hey, you okay?” he asked, his expression growing concerned when he noticed how pale she was.
“Yeah, I just picked up a little cold.”
“There’s some really nasty stuff going around.”
“Yeah, but this is nothing.”
Like Matt, Karl looked unconvinced. “If you need anything, give Carole a call, ok? She’ll be going stir crazy with an empty house all weekend.”
Somehow Faith doubted that. The woman was probably already pouring herself a glass of wine, sinking into a hot bubble bath, and picking up the latest romance novel. “I will, thanks.”
She leaned against the doorframe and waved as the car backed up and made its way back up the drive. The moment it was out of sight, Faith closed the door and slid down. With her back to the wall, Faith closed her eyes and fell promptly asleep.
* * *
Kieran turned away from the massive flat screen he wasn’t really watching anyway when his cell chimed, indicating a new text message. Picking it up, he checked the number and looked at the text.
K, u busy?
Thought u were away. Whats up?
Moms not answering.
Without hesitation, Kieran pressed the pad of his large finger to the call icon. Matt answered on the first ring. “Talk to me.”
“Mom was sick when I left. I didn’t want to go but she said she’d be fine.”
“Sick how?” Kieran asked, looking for his sneakers.
“Like a cold or a flu or something. I texted her goodnight, just to, you know, check, but she’s not answering.”
“She probably just went to bed early.”
“Yeah, she said she was going to do that, but...” Matt let the sentence hang.
“You want me to check on her?” Kieran asked. Without waiting for an answer, he pointed the remote at the bank of electronics and shut them all down with a quick tap of his thumb, then flicked off the lights, keys in hand.
A pause. “Yeah.”
“You got it. I’ll text you, let you know everything’s cool, ok?”
“Ok. Thanks, K.”
Kieran was already out the door.
There weren’t any lights on when Kieran cruised up to the house, which was unusual. Faith always kept the porch light on and at least one on inside. He knocked softly, not receiving an answer. Trying the door, he frowned when it turned easily in his hand.
“Faith?” he called out. A slight noise near his feet had him looking down. Light from the dusk-to-dawn feature he’d installed on the garage flowed in, illuminating a figure on the floor.
Cursing softly, he bent down. “Faith? Faith, honey? It’s Kieran.” He touched her face, found it burning up with fever.
Her eyes fluttered open, and it took her awhile to focus. “Kieran? What are you doing here?” Her eyes widened and filled with fear. “Matt!? Is everything okay?”
“Matt’s fine,” Kieran soothed. “He was worried because you didn’t answer his texts. He said you were sick.”
Relief washed over her and she slumped again. “Just a cold,” she murmured. “I guess I was too tired to make it to the bedroom,” she said sleepily.
Kieran lifted her into his arms, ignoring her weak protests. “Don’t. I’ll get you sick.”
“Hush, now,” he told her. It was a testament to exactly how sick she was that she did exactly that. Kieran tucked her against his chest, cursing again when he felt the heat of her skin burning into his neck.
He flicked on a small light before carrying her up the stairs, but it was unnecessary. Kieran knew the layout of this house as well as he knew his own. Still, he didn’t want to take any chances, not with Faith in his arms.
He flipped down the covers of Faith’s bed and set her down gently. She insisted on visiting the bathroom; he put an arm around her waist and assisted her as far as the door. Once she was inside and he heard the water running, he pulled out his phone.
First he texted Matt. Moms ok. Sleeping. Got it covered. Matt must have been waiting, because within seconds Kieran received a response: thx k. i o u 1.
Then he dialed his brother. “Mick.... Yeah, sorry to bother you... Hey, Faith’s sick.... Fever, chills... What should I do?... Uh huh... Thanks, man.”
Michael told Kieran that Faith had probably contracted the flu that was making its way around, and that rest and fluids were the best form of treatment. It was common sense, but Kieran didn’t always trust his when it came to Faith. Michael had understood that all too well. With a promise to call if things didn’t improve by the next day, Kieran disconnected the call, feeling a little better.
“Faith? You okay?” Kieran knocked on the bathroom door when she seemed to be in there an extraordinarily long amount of time.
She opened the door, and he was hit with the scent of Listerine and minty toothpaste. She had also washed her face and combed her hair. “You should be in bed,” he scolded gently.
Pale as she was, the blush was easily visible, and in a flash of comprehension, he realized that Faith had gone to the trouble for his benefit, not hers.
“Come on,” he said, his arm slipping around her waist again.
“You don’t need to - ” she began to protest.
“Yes, I do. I told Matt I’d look after you. Don’t make me go back on my word, Faith.” As expected, Faith clamped her mouth shut. Kieran had brought out the Matt card early, wanting as little resistance as possible.
“Have you taken anything?” he asked, tucking her under the covers. He may have been overstepping the bounds they’d defined so far, but he’d had more than enough of those. Patience was all well and good to a point, but she was sick, and unless she somehow managed to find the strength to physically throw him out of her house (an impossibility on the best of days), he was
staying. Fortunately, she wasn’t complaining too loudly.
“Acetaminophen,” she admitted. “Just now.”
“Good. Get some rest. I’ll just hang out for a while.”
“Kieran, you don’t need to - ”
“Rest. Don’t argue with me. I’m bigger and stronger and not in the grips of the flu.”
Faith’s mouth twitched. “You’re very bossy tonight.”
“Sweetheart, you have no idea,” he said, his voice softer.
With a much-martyred sigh, and a smile he was sure she had not meant for him to see, Faith sank back into the pillows and closed her eyes.
After assuring himself that Faith was resting comfortably, Kieran went back downstairs and did a little recon. It didn’t take him long to find everything he was looking for; Faith was very organized. He found clearly labeled containers of homemade soups and stews in the freezer. Several boxes of tea in the cupboard, along with sugar and local honey. Extra bedding was in the hall closet.
Satisfied, he made up a makeshift bed for himself on the sofa and settled in.
* * *
Faith couldn’t believe it when she woke up a full twelve hours later, still weak but feeling noticeably better than she had. She smiled, remembering how Kieran had come to take care of her the night before. He really was the sweetest, kindest man she had ever met. And gorgeous. And smart. And funny. In fact, if Faith sat down and envisioned her idea of the perfect man, Kieran would fit the bill quite nicely.
A small ache bloomed in her chest, but she stuffed it down. It didn’t do any good to think things like that. She might as well wish for a mansion or a Mercedes or a vacation home in Aspen (which would be stupid, since she’d never been skiing once in her life and had no desire to start). The only thing that could come of wishing for such things was heartbreak and disappointment.
If life taught her anything, it was to be thankful for what she had.
She was happy now. Happier than she had been in a long, long time. She had Matt. He was happy and healthy, and she couldn’t ask for a better son. They had their own house, nestled in a beautiful valley. A good, if not lucrative job at the Celtic Goddess, offering great benefits and enough to ensure their basic needs were met. She had a friend now, too. She and Lacie chatted almost every day.
And there was Kieran. Despite her not-so-subtle attempts to discourage him, he was always around, cheerfully helping out. Matt adored him. She didn’t know what they would have done without him. It was painful to think of the time when he would move on to other things, so she shoved that thought aside, too. She was tired of fighting him; he was a force of nature. Trying to resist him completely was as futile as trying to defy gravity.
She would enjoy all of it, including Kieran, for whatever time she had.
Like that kiss they had shared. It had only been that once, but it had rocked her world.
She took her time getting out of bed. Her entire body felt stiff and achy. Discarding her sweat-soaked PJs – her fever must have broken overnight - she tossed back a couple more tablets and turned on the shower. The hot water felt heavenly against her aching muscles, and the fresh, clean fragrance of the soap made her feel almost human again.
Donning a fresh pair of pajamas – with Matt gone there was no need to bother getting dressed – she picked up her cell phone and frowned. There were a couple of messages from Matt, all from last night. Nothing since. She felt a tiny stab of disappointment, then reminded herself that Matt had been concerned enough to ask Kieran to check on her. He was probably having a good time and didn’t want to disturb her.
Still, knowing Matt, he was worried. Faith typed in a quick message: Feeling much better. Hope u r having a gr8 time. LM.
LM was their code for Love, Mom. It saved him embarrassment in case one of his buddies was around.
Faith took her time heading downstairs, gripping the banister since she was still a bit lightheaded. She blinked when she got to the bottom. Neatly folded blankets and extra pillows were set beside the couch. She had no recollection of putting them there.
“You shouldn’t have come down,” Kieran said, startling her. She turned around to find him standing there freshly showered, looking more than a little yummy, holding a tray with scrambled eggs, toast, jam, tea, and juice. Her eyes grew to the size of saucers.
“Kieran!” Color rose in her cheeks as she realized what she must look like. Hair still damp from her shower in loose curtains around her face. Faded old flannel pajamas, so worn they should have gone out with the trash years ago but so comfortable.
“I heard you moving around. I was going to bring this up to you, but since you’re here, I guess the couch is as good a place as any.”
* * *
She blinked, looking at him as if he’d grown a second head.
“I mean, ‘breakfast on the couch’ doesn’t have quite the same ring as ‘breakfast in bed’, but it’s the thought that counts.” He beamed at her. She looked beyond adorable in those pajamas, the faded images of Eeyore peeking out from all over. Though she was still too pale, there was a bit of color in her cheeks and her eyes didn’t look quite so feverish anymore.
When she made no move to take a step in any direction, he said, “Go on, then. Or are you going to make me put this down and carry you over there?”
Faith opened her mouth to say something, but promptly shut it again when Kieran lifted an eyebrow in warning, leaving no doubt he would do exactly that. She turned around and shuffled into the living room dutifully.
“That’s better,” he said in approval. He loved her fire, her independence, but he certainly wouldn’t complain about a little good-old fashioned cooperation once in a while.
“How are you feeling?”
“What are you doing here?” she said as she sat down on the edge of the couch. Kieran set the tray down on the coffee table and grabbed both of her legs around the ankles, swinging them up to the couch.
“Taking care of you,” he said simply. He tucked a blanket around her legs and fluffed a pillow behind her back before pressing his hand to her forehead and nodding, pleased to feel her skin much cooler than the last time he’d checked. He stuck a thermometer in her mouth anyway.
“Why?” she asked, pulling it out.
He grinned boyishly, wrapping his hand around hers and guiding the digital probe back between her lips. “Because.”
“Because why?”
“Because I can. Geez, you ask a lot of questions. Now keep this under your tongue until it beeps or I’ll put you over my knee and put it somewhere where you won’t be able to get it out quite so easily.”
Faith’s eyes grew as wide as saucers, uncertain as to whether Kieran was bluffing or not.
She kept the thermometer in her mouth.
“Don’t you have anything better to do?” she asked several hours later. He removed the empty soup bowl and re-tucked the blankets around her. College football was on the small, old-fashioned box television, and Kieran settled back into the far end of the sofa to watch. There was nothing snarky about her tone, but Kieran flicked her a sideways glance anyway, on the verge of being annoyed. It wasn’t the first time she’d asked.
“I’m starting to get the feeling you don’t want me here,” he said accusingly.
She turned bemused eyes on him. “How could you not have anything better to do than sit here and babysit?”
He turned his blue eyes to her, and unleashed all of their significant power amidst an expression of infinite patience. “Faith, do you want me to leave?”
She bit her lip and thought about it for several interminable seconds. Finally her eyes softened. “No.”
Inwardly, Kieran did a fist pump. “Then no, I don’t have anything better to do.”
She looked at him doubtfully.
“I like being with you, Faith,” he said, repeating the words he had spoken a lifetime ago. She had doubted him then, too. Before she could question him further, he added with a wink, “You let me have control of the remote.�
�
The corner of her mouth quirked upward and Kieran breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he had bought himself a little more time. Eventually he was going to have to tell her exactly how he felt, but not yet. He had a feeling she wasn’t ready to hear about croies and soul mates just yet.
Chapter Thirteen
His comment reminded her that as big as he was, he was the youngest of his family. “What is it like, having six older brothers?” she asked, genuinely curious. “I can’t even imagine it.”
Kieran laughed. “That’s probably for the best.”
“Tell me about them.”
Kieran flipped off the TV and gave Faith his full attention. “Well, you’ve already met most, if not all of them. Where do I start?”
“How about with the oldest?”
“That would be Kane. He’s the oldest, and the scariest.”
An image of the large man tackling Kieran at the Fair came to mind. He was big and scary. “The alpha among alphas?”
“Yeah,” he grinned. “Something like that. He handles all the financial stuff for the family. We don’t see him much. He’s not exactly what you would call a people-person. He lives up in the mountains with his wife Rebecca, their little girl Aislinn and their two monster-sized canines, and only comes down into town occasionally. Then there’s Jake, he’s the next oldest.”
“He runs the Pub in town?”
Kieran nodded. “He’s married to Taryn.”
Faith thought about it for a moment. “Taryn...purple eyes and dragon tattoo?” The one who openly wondered about Faith’s age, she recalled, feeling the twinge of that moment again.
“Yep. Taryn’s a bit outspoken, but she’s a real sweetheart. Jake was the first of us to find his croie.”
“Croie?”
“It’s Irish for heart,” Kieran explained. Faith’s eyes softened, the way a woman’s tended to do when she heard something incredibly romantic. “You mean like a soul mate? That’s beautiful.”
“Do you believe in soul mates, Faith?” he asked, watching her carefully. What was she supposed to say to that? In theory, such things were wonderful, but in reality...
Having Faith: Callaghan Brothers, Book 7 Page 13