“See you there. Do we need to call ahead?” he asks.
“You can, but they have walk-in availability for kids who wake up sick and this applies as far as I’m concerned. We may have to wait a few minutes longer, but the way Dr. Goldberg’s office runs, he’s got several nurse practitioners who handle the unscheduled visits, while he does the appointments. Of course, the NP will defer to him if necessary, so don’t feel like you’re getting shafted or anything,” I caution. “Their practice was highly recommended which is why Cami’s a patient there.”
“Okay, then I guess I’ll see you shortly,” he states before hanging up the phone.
I quickly lock up my house since I had several windows open to let some fresh air in. It might still be considered winter, but the temperature today is closer to sixty than the normal forty, so I opted to take advantage of the unseasonable warmth. Hopping into my SUV, I make a beeline to the doctor’s office, anxious because Cami’s sick, but excited because I’ll get to see herandEli.
Not that I’ll examine why that matters too closely. I mean, he was my cousin’s long-time boyfriend and my interest in him goes against the sisterly code. Well, maybe that’s not quite accurate and there’s some wiggle room where their past relationship is concerned since she broke up with him on a regular basis, but I’m sure there’s some kind of line that I’d be crossing if I let him know I was the least bit interested.
“Well, this little punkin is trying to push three teeth through, Daddy,” Tracie, the nurse practitioner, says as she looks up at Eli.
He certainly looks imposing today. Dressed in black, from his T-shirt down to his jeans, he even has his cut on, which I saw him put on once he had parked and stopped the truck he was driving. His hair is pulled back in a low ponytail, the shaved sides showing his chiseled jawline with its five o’clock shadow.
“Three? Is that normal?” he asks.
“Honestly, when it comes to little ones, there’s no normal versus abnormal. Some kids get their teeth early, some late, and some like Miss Cami here want to get them in bunches. She does have an ear infection as well. I’ll send the prescriptions over to the pharmacy for you, and if you’ll give me just a few minutes, I’m going to put together a new parent package for you,” she says.
When she leaves the room, he looks at me and asks “What’s a new parent package? She’s eight months old, do I really need that?”
“So, it’s going to have a book that details what a parent can expect during the first few years of a child’s life, as well as an age-appropriate thermometer, coupons for things she either uses now or will in the future, that sort of thing. Rosa got one when Cami was born, of course, but I’m glad Tracie is putting one together for you as well.”
“It’s that obvious I’m in over my head, huh?” he questions, smirking at me, which has my heart fluttering in my chest.
“I mean, you’re asking questions which is never a bad thing, especially since you’ve recently been thrust into the role of a parent, but that’s just another reason why I like this particular practice. They knew about you beforehand, because I brought up the documents the day before I found you so they’d realize that change of care would transfer to you instead of Rosa or me.”
“I don’t have a problem if you’re ever watching her, and she needs to be seen.” His voice is low, rough, and very intimate sounding, sending a different sensation coursing through me.
“Then when we check out, just let the clerk know your preferences. They’ll update her file. Do you… I can go pick up her prescriptions for you so you can take her back to the clubhouse. I know for a fact she’ll be out for a little bit thanks to the shot they gave her,” I say.
“It’s too noisy there, are you okay with us following you back to your place? Then I’ll go get her medicine, pick up her pack and play, grab us some food, and come back. Is that okay?” he questions.
My heart squeezes in my chest and I briefly wonder if I’m experiencing a cardiac event, then I realize I’m still standing, albeit with a heavy little girl who’s drooling on my shirt as she snuffles in her sleep.
“That’s perfectly fine, Eli. She’ll probably rest better anyhow, but I don’t want to keep you from anything.”
“You’re not, I need to check my client schedule but if I have to push anyone back, I’ll do it. She’s more important,” he decrees.
“If you have one you can’t change, I’m happy to keep an eye on her. I’m off for the next few days.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to impose on your downtime.”
“Do you know what I was doing when you called to tell me she was sick?” When he slowly shakes his head, I grin then state, “Laundry. I was doing laundry, Eli. I’d rather take care of a fussy little miss who’s not feeling her best than fold another pair of scrub pants or hang another top.”
He chuckles at how vehement I am, but he doesn’t understand just how many loads I’ve washed, dried, and folded today alone, and I still have at least three loads of regular stuff to do. “Then we have a plan, Phoebe.”
“Yes, yes, we do,” I tell him.
I’ll do whatever I have to in order to spend time with him and the little girl who stole my heart the first time I heard her heartbeat on the doppler.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Prophet
When I hear Cami waking up from her nap, I walk over only to notice she’s flushed and looks like she’s in pain. Picking her up, I quickly get her changed as she makes little fussy noises, causing my brow to furrow in concern. I head downstairs to see if any of the moms of the club are around only to come up short.
“Dammit,” I mutter as I try to soothe my daughter who is getting increasingly fractious. Pulling out my phone, I send a quick text to Phoebe, only for my phone to ring in my hand seconds later. Thankfully, she’s given me a plan Icanfocus on, so I run back upstairs and grab Cami’s diaper bag, then head out to my truck.
I’m still nowhere near as quick as Rebel is regarding getting her into her carseat, but I’m getting faster every single time. Once I’m confident she’s securely in place, I slip my cut off and place it on the passenger seat, then climb into the driver’s side and fully start the truck. Right now, since it’s a bit chilly out, I’m glad I opted for the bells and whistles on my vehicle because I did a remote start from my room before I went outside.