Cal’s hand flexed across the steering wheel as I fought to keep the concern from my face. “Okay, honey. Has your sister been sleeping a lot?”
“Just today,” he replied, before his eyes widened in panic. “Is she okay? Did I do something wrong?”
I reached back to grasp his hand. “No, honey. You did everything right. She’s lucky to have you. I’m sure she’s okay and I’ll give her a checkup when we get back to the house, okay?” I told him with what I hoped was a reassuring smile.
When we pulled up to the house, both kids were asleep in the backseat. As promised, we’d stopped at the nearest drive-through and ordered Max a cheeseburger. I didn’t want him eating much else for fear he’d upset his stomach.
I planned to make something a bit easier on the stomach for Emmie once we got inside.
“We’ll put them in the guest room,” I murmured. “I want to give Emmie a once-over. Her blood sugar is probably just low,” I continued, aiming to reassure myself more than anything.
Cal reached over and gave my thigh a squeeze. “Been a rough few days for them. She’s young. It might just be her body’s way of protecting itself.”
I bit my lip against the emotion threatening to consume me.
“Baby.” His tone was full of tenderness. “Let’s get them inside, all right?”
“Yeah,” I croaked.
This time Cal scooped Max up. He carried him into the house as I followed with Emmie.
Mack was at the kitchen table when we walked in and stood up when he saw us. His eyes scanned from me and Cal to the kids and his gaze softened a degree.
“I’m sorry,” I mouthed. It was the best I could do at the moment.
He offered a chin lift in response, his eyes on the kids. Hopefully, he wouldn’t hate me for taking off on him.
“Thanks for staying,” Cal murmured to him. “I’ll check in with you guys in the morning. Head on home.”
Mack nodded, grabbed his cut, and headed for the door.
Cal carried Max off to the guest room while I carried Emmie into the kitchen.
“Emmie,” I called softly. “It’s Auntie Jill. Time to wake up.”
Nothing.
I used the opportunity to take her pulse and check her temperature with the back of my hand. Normal on both counts.
When Cal walked back in I was holding her still, trying to rouse her while I whipped up some oatmeal. It was after midnight, but I wanted to get something in her stomach as soon as possible.
Finally, when the smell of maple brown sugar filled the room, she started to stir.
“Hi, baby,” I murmured, hoping she wouldn’t be too scared to find herself in an unfamiliar place.
She raised her head, her shimmering brown eyes immediately landing on Cal, who stood by my side.
My breath held as I braced for her to start crying or to show fear at the unfamiliar environment she suddenly found herself in.
Instead she shocked us both.
Her little arms reached toward Cal.
He immediately took her into his arms, cradling her small body against his chest. She curled into him as though she trusted him to provide her comfort. As though she’d known him all her life.
My heart was close to bursting as I watched the two of them. His gaze lit with surprise and a depth of emotion I’d only ever seen when he looked at Mason. And at me.
Realization hit me like a bolt of lightning as warmth raced down my spine.