From Nanny To Wife (8 page)

"The flu is making its rounds," Dr. Marlow said. "I believe that is what Zoe has."

"Should I bring her in?" Hope asked.

"No. The best thing for Zoe is bed rest, plenty of fluids, children's Ibuprofen to relieve fever and aches. Dress her in layers and keep her covered up. I recommend wearing a face mask so you won't catch it and wash your hands frequently. Flu is highly contagious. If she's not feeling better in a week bring her in."

"Thank you," Hope said.

"You're welcome," Dr. Marlow said. "Call if you have any questions."

"I'll do that," Hope said. She hung up the phone.

"What did he say?" Ryan asked from the doorway.

Hope glanced his way. "Zoe has the flu."

Ryan sighed heavily. "What should we do?"

"Make sure she gets plenty of rest and fluids. Give her Ibuprofen for the fever and body aches. Do you have children's Ibuprofen?"

Ryan nodded. "What else?"

"He told us to wear face masks and wash our hands frequently," Hope explained. "He said flu is contagious. He wants us to bring her in if she hasn't improved in a week." She stepped closer to Ryan. "I'm surprised I was able to talk to him. In the past I had to leave my name and number when I wanted to talk to a doctor."

"Did you drop my name?"

"Yes."

"That's why you were able to talk to him," Ryan said. "Every year I give the hospital a large sum of money. They'll do anything to make sure I keep writing those checks."

Hope ran a hand through her hair. "Where is the Ibuprofen? I want to get Zoe started on them."

Ryan's eyes traveled over Hope's body. "Get dressed," he said hoarsely. "I'll see to Zoe." He left the office.

Hope glanced down at herself and felt heat rush to her face. Her robe had parted to reveal her cleavage. Groaning, she went to her bedroom to get dressed.

Ryan was sitting on the bed with Zoe when Hope walked into the room five minutes later. He had a mask covering his nose and mouth. "There's a box of masks on the dresser," he said. "I told everybody to wear one when they come in here."

"Good." Hope slipped a mask on and looped the cords around her ears. "Did you give her the Ibuprofen?"

"Of course," Ryan said.

Hope leaned down and pressed a hand to Zoe's warm forehead. "Are you thirsty, sweetheart?"

"Yeah," Zoe mumbled.

"I'll get her a glass of water," Ryan said.

"No, stay here," Hope said. "I'll get the water." She went across the hall to her bathroom where she filled a plastic cup with cold water. Returning to Zoe's room, she passed the glass to Ryan.

Ryan helped Zoe lift her head off the pillow and held the cup to her lips. "Drink slowly, baby girl."

Zoe managed a few sips and then had to stop when a coughing spell overtook her. Ryan set the cup on the bedside table and gently lowered her head to the pillow.

"Cold," Zoe whispered, shivering.

Hope pulled a blanket down out of the closet and covered Zoe with it. "I'm going to have Gordon make you some breakfast."

"I'm way ahead of you," Gordon said, pausing just inside the room. In his hands, he had a tray. "I made cream of wheat and freshly squeezed orange juice."

"Thank you." Hope made her way toward Gordon and took the tray from him.

"Let me know if the little one needs anything," Gordon said.

"We will," Ryan said. "Now please go back downstairs."

"Yes, sir."

Hope placed the tray on the bedside table and perched on the bed next to Zoe. She gazed at Ryan. "Will you help me sit her up?"

"Sure." Ryan grasped Zoe and lifted her into a sitting position.

Hope stuck a pillow behind the child's back and then picked up the bowl of cream of wheat. "You don't have to eat it all, but I want you to try and eat a little."

"While you're feeding her I'm going to go to my office and make some calls," Ryan said. He stared down at Zoe. "Daddy will be down the hall. Try and eat for Hope."

Hope brought a spoonful of cream of wheat to Zoe's mouth. "Okay, sweetheart, open up for me."

Zoe ate several spoonfuls and couldn't eat any more. Hope didn't force her. She was just thankful that she ate something. After drinking, half a glass of orange juice Zoe lay back down exhausted. Hope tucked her in, turned off the small lamp beside the bed, and sat there watching as Zoe drifted off to sleep. Her heart aching for the little girl she had come to love more than life.

Ryan and Hope took turns throughout the day sitting with Zoe. Neither one wanted to leave her side for very long. Her illness tugged at their heartstrings and it took all they had to sit by and watch her as she struggled through a fit of coughing. They would have taken her place in a heartbeat given the chance. Since that was not an option Ryan and Hope did all they could to make Zoe comfortable.

Zoe's temperature broke some time that evening. Hope had returned from taking a short break and found the little girl covered in sweat, her body was cool to the touch. Relieved she carried Zoe to the bathroom and bathed her in warm water. Afterward she dried her, dressed her and carried her back to the bedroom, laying her in the window seat long enough for the soiled bedding to be changed. Once Zoe was back under the covers Hope settled on the bed and read to her until she fell back to sleep.

Careful not to move the bed Hope stood. She switched on the night light and then went down the hall to Ryan's office. He was behind his desk, his eyes on the computer screen in front of him. Clearing her throat, she said, "Zoe's temperature broke."

"That's the best news I've heard all day," Ryan said.

"I know," Hope said. "It was a relief to feel how cool she is. I've been so worried. I bathed her and changed her bedding. She's sleeping now."

Ryan nodded. "Thank you."

"For what?" Hope asked.

"For being here for Zoe," Ryan said.

"There's no where else I'd rather be," Hope declared.

Chapter 9

Ryan tossed the covers aside and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He got to his feet and made his way to the door. Stubbing his toe on the corner of the bench that sat at the foot of the bed, he swore under his breath. His toe throbbing he limped to the door and jerked it open. He headed down the dark hallway and entered Zoe's bedroom. Ryan walked to the dresser and pulled a face mask out of the box. Slipping it on, he moved to the bed and bent over Zoe. He touched her forehead and breathed a sigh of relief when he felt how cool her skin was. He kissed her temple through the mask and then sat down on the bed. Zoe stirred in her sleep, but did not wake up.

"How is she?"

Ryan glanced up to find Hope standing there. "All right, no fever."

"Good," Hope muttered. "I'm glad she's resting. The poor little soul had a rough day."

"It's only going to get rougher," Ryan said. He could feel Hope's breath on his neck and it caused goose bumps to erupt on his skin.

"I'm going downstairs to make a cup of tea. Would you like some?" Hope asked.

"No, thank you," Ryan murmured. He returned his attention to Zoe.

"If you need anything let me know," Hope said.

Ryan left Zoe a few minutes later and went downstairs to the kitchen. Hope was sitting at the table with a cup of tea. She had a photo album in front of her and was flipping through it. "What are you looking at?"

"Pictures of my family." Hope picked up her cup and took a drink. "I pull this album out every year, look at it, and then put it away again."

Ryan suddenly remembered that it was the anniversary of her family's death. He pulled out a chair and sat next to Hope. "May I?" he asked, gesturing at the photo album.

"Of course." Hope pushed the photo album toward Ryan.

As Ryan glanced through the pictures, he noticed that Hope resembled her mother. She had the same blond hair, gray eyes and bone structure. "Your mother was a beautiful woman."

"Yes she was," Hope agreed.

"Now I know where your loveliness comes from," Ryan said, turning the plastic sleeve over. "What was her name?"

"Elisabeth," Hope said.

"I see your sister took after your father," Ryan commented.

"Becky was a beautiful girl," Hope said. "She was my best friend."

Ryan came to the last picture in the album. Hope was standing with her parents and sister in front of a waterfall.

"It was taken two months before they died," Hope said.

Ryan closed the photo album. "How did they die?"

"Plane crash." Hope grabbed the cup and rose from the chair. "I won't fly because of it." She carried the cup to the sink, rinsed it out, and put it in the dishwasher.

Ryan stood and stepped toward Hope. "You were only seventeen. Where did you go? What did you do?" He saw her shoulders shake and mentally kicked himself for asking so many questions. "Hope, I'm sorry if my questions upset you."

"Don't apologize." Hope sniffed. "You didn't do anything wrong. I get this way every year. I'll be fine."

Taking Hope by the shoulders, Ryan turned her to face him. Tears shimmered in her eyes. An ache pooled in his chest. His only thought was to comfort her and he drew her into his arms. It was, he realized, a mistake. Her scent, the softness of her body pressed against the hard contours of his sent a shaft of desire coursing through him. It had been so long since he held a woman in his arms. Ryan pulled back slightly and gazed at Hope. Her face was flushed and her lips were parted. She took his breath away. Before he could talk himself out of it, his lips settled on hers.

Ryan felt Hope stiffen and then go limp. Her arms snaked around his neck and she leaned into him, kissing him back with a passion that made his blood boil. Ryan groaned, tearing his mouth away. He trailed his lips down the column of her throat and back up again. Hearing her gasp, he reached up, unwound her arms from around his neck, and took a step back. What the hell was he doing? He was her employer. He had no business kissing her. His body burning in protest he turned around and walked quickly out of the kitchen without a backward glance.

Hope relived the kiss she and Ryan shared repeatedly as she went about her morning. She knew from the way Ryan had abruptly left her standing in the kitchen that he regretted what happened between them. Even though it had been an amazing kiss, a part of her wished it had not happened either. She loved Zoe and did not want to do anything that would give Ryan a reason to fire her. Her heart could not take being separated from the little girl who had become a part of her.

Zoe was propped up against her pillows watching cartoons when Hope showed up with a breakfast tray.

"It's time to eat, sweetheart."

Zoe shook her head. "No."

Hope held back a sigh. "Will you please eat a few bites?"

"No."