Heart of the Family by Margaret Daley

now?”
    “Hundred and four. When was the last time you gave her something for her fever?”
    Hannah checked her watch. “Four hours ago.”
    When the nurse came into the room, Jacob examined the child, then took a swab of her throat. “Strep is going around. We should know something in a few minutes.”
    He handed the sample to Teresa, who left, then shook out two children’s pain relievers and gave them to Nancy. After chewing them, she sipped the cup of water Jacob filled for her.
    “If it’s strep, you’ll need to keep her away from the other children. It can be very contagious. I often see it make the rounds in a family.” Jacob jotted something on the girl’s chart.
    “I’ll have her stay in my room, but she ate dinner and breakfast with the whole crew.”
    “I’ll give you a maintenance dose of antibiotics. I don’t want you getting sick, too.”
    The door opened as Nancy leaned against Hannah as if the child didn’t have the strength to keep herself upright. Teresa entered and handed Jacob a slip of paper.
    He frowned. “It’s strep.” He scribbled on a prescription pad, then ripped it off and handed it to Hannah. “Get her started on that right away. I’ll come by this evening to check the rest of the kids, as well, and see how Nancy is doing after she’s had a dose of antibiotics and lots of rest. I’ll bring maintenance doses for the children to take when they get home from school.” He smoothed the child’s hair from her face. “You’ll rest for me, Nancy?”
    She nodded and buried herself even more against Hannah.
    “Great. I bet Teresa has a toy for you from the box. Do you want one?” Jacob sent his nurse a silent message.
    Nancy’s dull gaze slid from Jacob to the nurse. “Yes, please.”
    “What would you like?” Teresa took the child’s hand and assisted her down from the exam table. “We’ve got some coloring books. Do you like to color?”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “Then you can pick from several different ones.” Teresa left the room with Nancy in tow.
    The second they were gone, Hannah rounded on Jacob. “What didn’t you say in front of Nancy?”
    “This could be serious. Both Terry and Susie get strep throat easily. Last time Terry was very sick from it. I’ll be there not long after they get home from school. Has Nancy been around them much, other than at dinner and breakfast?”
    “Susie read to her last night. She’s the one who came and told me Nancy wasn’t feeling well and was hot.” Hannah pictured the children all in bed with sore throats and fevers. “So do you think I’d better dust off my tennis shoes and get ready to run between bedrooms?”
    He chuckled. “That’s a possibility, but I’ll help as much as I can.”
    The barrier around her heart crumpled a little as she looked into his eyes. Since he’d come into her life, he was doing that a lot—helping her out.

     
    Hannah collapsed onto the couch in the living area and rested her head on the back cushion. “Thankfully Terry doesn’t have strep yet, but I’m worried about Susie.”
    “I’ve got her on an antibiotic. We caught it early this time so she should be all right in a few days.” Jacob settled across from her in a lounge chair.
    “Are you as tired as I am?”
    “I could fall asleep sitting up in this chair.”
    “Are you going to be all right driving home?”
    One corner of his mouth lifted. “Sure, if I can persuade you to fix me a cup of coffee.”
    “Won’t that keep you up after you get home?”
    “I’m just hoping it will keep me up until I get home.”
    “If you think there’ll be a problem, you are welcome to stay here and sleep on this couch.” She patted the black leather cushion.
    “No. My new car practically drives itself.”
    Summoning her last bit of energy, Hannah pushed to her feet. “One cup of java coming up then.”
    In the kitchen she quickly brewed some coffee, amazed that she actually invited him to stay over. It wasn’t as though they would be