CHAPTER 11
Monday morning came too quickly after another pleasant weekend spent with Cole. Savannah yawned and smoothed her hair back, securing it in a low ponytail at the nape of her neck. The least she could do to say thank you was to help out around the house, not to mention if they wanted to eat, the responsibility seemed to rest on her. “The coffee’s ready,” she called to Cole.
He entered the kitchen with a frown. “Not in the mood.”
He always drank coffee. Always. “What’s wrong?” she asked, turning to watch him fasten the last few buttons on his dress shirt. She helped him with the cufflinks that his fingers always stumbled over. “Here. Let me.”
“Thanks.” He smiled weakly.
“Are you sick?” she asked, noticing the dark circles beneath his eyes.
“It’s just an upset stomach. I’ll be fine.”
She stared at him, having never seen him under the weather, and felt altogether useless. “Can I get you some ginger ale and soda crackers?”
He nodded. “Ah, sure. Maybe that’ll do the trick.” He slipped into his loafers while Savannah poured a small glass of the bubbly amber-colored drink. “My mom used to give me the same thing.”
“Here.” She watched while he munched down the crackers and then downed the soda.
“See, I’m fine Savannah.” He chuckled, passing back the empty glass.
“Okay,” she said reluctantly, accepting it. He’d done so much for her, it was the least she could do to be there for him. Savannah headed into the kitchen and switched off the coffee maker, having never developed a taste for the stuff herself, and watched from the corner of her eye as Cole stuffed his cell phone, wallet and keys into the pockets of his slacks. He was a man of routine, that much was certain. He kept all his essentials, plus some loose change, and a seldom worn watch in a small mahogany box on his entryway table, and repeated this same ritual each morning. Savannah continued to inspect him, appreciating the way he looked dressed up in his work clothes, when Cole suddenly darted from the entryway, passing her as he shot down the hall.
“Cole…” She followed him toward the bathroom, but the sounds of him becoming sick stopped her at the threshold. She stood with her back pressed against the wall just outside the bathroom door, wondering if she should go to him.
She heard the water running and him gargling. “Cole?” she knocked softly on the door. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll be out in a minute,” he called. His voice was tense and rougher than usual, making Savannah’s stomach knot with worry.
He emerged a second later, looking no worse for the wear and continued past her to the front door. “See you tonight.”
“Cole!” She met him at the door. “You’re still going to work?”
He nodded, pausing at the half-open front door. “Yeah.”
“But you were just sick!”
“So? I’m a big boy. I’ll be fine.”
“You have the flu; go get in bed.”
An expression of surprise crossed Cole’s face and he darted for the bathroom, cursing under his breath. She heard the telltale signs of him getting sick again.
A few minutes later, Savannah steered Cole into his bedroom, refusing to take no for an answer, and helped him step out of his dress slacks, pockets still full and belt dangling loosely.
“I need my cell.” He looked adorably cute standing there pouting in just his black boxers briefs and white undershirt.
Slightly exasperated that he was going to be a difficult patient, Savannah anchored her hands on her hips, ready to do what it took to force him into being an obedient patient. “No phones. No work. No.”
“I’m just going to send Norm a text and tell him I’m staying home today.”
She bit her lip, deciding if she could believe him. “Fine.” She handed over his cell phone and went to hang his slacks in the closet. From inside the closet, she heard him mumbling to himself that criminals don’t take a day off and neither should he.
She returned to his bedside and was ready to forcibly remove the phone from his hands, but as he promised, he sent one quick text, then set the phone on the bedside table. He rolled to his side, hugged a pillow to his chest and closed his eyes.
She pushed his hair back from his forehead, feeling for a temperature. She secretly loved how his hair looked when he first woke up, like a rakish young boy who’d been out all night raising trouble, or enjoying a tumble between the sheets. She pressed the back of her hand against his cheek and his eyes fluttered open. “You feel warm,” she whispered.
“Mmm,” he groaned.
“Think you can keep down some water?”
He nodded.
Savannah returned with a glass of chilled water and two pain relievers, which she set on the bedside table for later once she was confident he was done getting sick. Cole’s foggy gaze met hers, watching as she arranged the blankets around him and fussed over him. She tipped the glass of water to his lips and he swallowed a tiny sip, before dropping his head back to the pillow again.
“Thanks,” he croaked, his voice raw. “Lay with me?” he asked softly. He’d never requested her presence before, never acted like it mattered. They’d cuddled and lain together so many times, but it was always at her urging. Her heart thumped in her chest at hearing him ask for her in that way. It was just because he was sick. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t allowed to enjoy it all the same.
She pulled back the covers, joining him in between the sheets where she could snuggle up properly. Cole cracked open one eye and lifted his arm, urging her nearer.
“Get closer, I’m cold,” he whispered.
His skin felt hot to the touch, but Savannah didn’t argue, draping her arm across his chest, and one leg over his hips as she wrapped her body around his.
He sighed a little sound of contentment and pressed a kiss to her hair. “Thanks, Savannah.”
Savannah awoke to an intense heat radiating around her. She flung the blankets off her, gasping for breath. God he was burning up. “Cole?” She shook his shoulders trying to rouse him. “Cole, wake up.”
He lazily opened one eye and let out a slight groan. “Need Savannah.” His hand raised and then flopped heavily against the mattress.
“I am Savannah. Sit up so you can take some pain reliever for me.”
“No…want Savannah,” he groaned, his eyes still closed.
She reached for the pills, pried open Cole’s lips and placed them on his tongue, then patted his cheeks and made him take a sip of water. He did so, lethargically, before falling back against his pillow.
“Savannah…” he breathed once more.
She smoothed her hands through his hair. “Shh. Just rest. I’m here.” She rubbed his neck and shoulders, finding them tense even while he slept.
Hope surged in her chest. Feeling needed and vital was a sentiment that she missed so much it brought tears to her eyes. She blinked them away and brought a palm to Cole’s roughened cheek, skittering her thumb back and forth. He only needs you because he’s delirious with fever. She ignored the empty feeling in her chest and continued smoothing his hair back and gently caressing him, doing her best to soothe both of their aches.