Forever Hers Walters, Ednah (best novels for teenagers .TXT) 📖

Eddie winced. He hadn’t told his dad he’d be heading to Idaho after visiting Montana with Chase. “Aunt Siobhan was fine when I saw her weeks ago. I’ve been in Idaho at Baron’s place.”

“Oh, no one told me you were in Idaho. When are you coming back to L.A.?”

“End of the week. How are things at work?” His father was the head of Commercial Crime Division at his station.

“Busy. The IA guys are still snooping around.”

Dealing with the Internal Affairs guys, the watchdogs who investigated corrupt cops among other things, was the least of his worries. “I was hoping you could help me with something, Dad.”

“Shoot.”

“I have a sick child with me.” He glanced at Raelynn who was resting her head on her arms and watching him. “She is a pretty tough young lady, but last night was rough on her stomach and she threw up quite a bit. She’s hungry, but I’m not sure what to feed her.”

If his father was surprised by the request, his voice didn’t show. “Start with a few sips of water. If she can hold that down, give her about half a cup of Gatorade or ginger ale?”

“A few sips of water,” Eddie repeated out loud for Raelynn’s sakes. “I don’t know if we have Gatorade or ginger ale but I’ll check.” He poured water in a small cup, got a straw from a drawer and placed in front of Raelynn, who made a face. “A few sips for me, princess.” She took a sip. He dropped a kiss on her hair and went to check the pantry. “No Gatorade or ginger ale,” he said into the phone.

“See if you have clear broth, chicken or beef. She mustn’t drink more than half a cup and makes sure she avoids sugary and acidic drinks.”

“I’ll see if we have any of that.”

“You know, son, your mother had some amazing home remedies for most ailments. You could call her if you don’t have any of these store bought items. Whenever Lori was ill, she always had answers.”

Eddie grimaced then leaned against the pantry door, so he could keep an eye on Raelynn, who was sipping water. A few months after his mother left, she’d gone on a world-wide tour sponsored by her U.S. publisher and those abroad.

“I didn’t know you two talked.”

His father chuckled. “We did all the time. She may not have been here physically, but she was only a phone call away.” There was a pause. “Just because our marriage ended didn’t mean she stopped being your mother, son. You will have to forgive her sometime.”

He didn’t have to do Jack. Interestingly enough, the bitterness that usually accompanied thoughts of his mother weren’t there. “She never wanted my forgiveness, Dad. Just to explain why she left.”

“You didn’t give her a chance. Call her.”

That wasn’t going to happen. She wasn’t really important in the grand scheme of things. Then he noticed Raelynn’s expression. “I’ve got to go, Dad.”

“Give me a call when you get into town. There’s something we need to discuss.”

“Okay.” He threw the phone on the table, scooped up Raelynn and rushed her to the sink. Her little body convulsed as she threw up the water she’d drank. Tears filled her eyes and her body became limp.

This wasn’t good.

Eddie rinsed her face then the two of them went to wake up Amy.

One look at her daughter and Amy threw something on. The drive to the ER was probably the hardest he’d ever made. Amy was being stoic, but every time their gazes met in the rear view mirror, he saw fear in her eyes. If only he could spare her the pain and fear. He floored the gas pedal all the way to the hospital.

Raelynn had the flu. Apparently, the aggressive strain had been going around Sandpoint for several weeks, but it only lasted twenty-four hours. Eddie was surprised at how relieved he was. That little girl meant more to him than he’d realized.

Amy held it together until they were alone, then she cried. He didn’t say anything, just held her, happy to be there for her. Being a single parent was the toughest job in the world.

Keeping an eye on Raelynn took up the rest of their day. Eddie got a chance to talk to Briggs about his plans to trap Nolan. The plan was bold and unorthodox, but the captain liked it.

That night, after dinner and cleaning up, they played chess, but Amy’s heart wasn’t in it. She was too exhausted physically and emotionally. She kissed him and said, “Goodnight.”

“Whoa, wait for me.”

She frowned. “Where are you going?”

“To sleep with you in your room.”

“Why?”

He liked sleeping with her in his arms. “If Raelynn takes a turn for the worst, I plan to be there.”

Amy smiled. “That’s sweet, but she’s over the worst, Eddie. I can handle it.”

“I know.” Something in her eyes said she was hiding something. He walked to where she stood, wrapped his hands around her neck and lifted her chin with his thumbs. “You’re pushing me away. Why?”

Her eyelids dropped. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m doing exactly what I promised I’d do—working on our relationship. That means sharing the good and the bad.” He cupped her cheek and caressed her lower lip with his thumb. “Talk to me. What’s bothering you?”

“If I had stayed in her bed, I would have known she wasn’t well. She didn’t want me to leave and kept asking me to read to her. That should have told me something was wrong. Instead I couldn’t wait to leave her room and come to you, so now I feel terrible.”

“So you’re punishing us,” he finished.

“Kind of,” she corrected then grimaced. “I hate to admit that I feel guilty, but damn it, I should have been a better mother, put my child’s welfare above mine. So now I have to deny myself something I like until…until she feels better.”

Nice to know she liked sleeping with him too. “Your