Stripped Bare by Lacey Thorn Page B

better. They were all in the same room so the sick just kept passing it back.”
    “So antibiotics, rest, and fluids,” Stace said. “If she isn’t re-exposed then she should be fine, right?” she asked.
    Shep nodded. “Chloe will be just fine. Physically at least.”
    Stace knew what he meant. Her sister would have to deal with her kidnapping, how she was taken, and what she had endured. Those things would take a large mental and emotional toll on Chloe.
    She looked up as a doctor finally came into the room. “Anders?” he asked.
    “Over here,” she said gripping Shep’s hand tight and moving across the room to where the doctor stood.
    “Your sister is being moved up to a room now,” the doctor said. “We’ll be keeping her for a few days while the fever breaks and we can rehydrate her. She’s fighting an infection. We’ve run several tests and I’ll be able to tell you more as soon as I get those results back. Do you have any questions, Miss Anders?” he asked.
    “How long until I can see her?” Stace asked.
    “Give us time to move her up to a room,” the doctor told her. “She’ll be on the third floor. There’s a waiting room up there that you can stay in. I’ll have someone let you know when you can go in.”
    “Thank you, Doctor,” Stace said and when he walked away she turned to Shep. “And thank you.”
    “You don’t need to thank me,” Shep said shaking his head.
    “I do,” Stace nodded. “I really do. I couldn’t have done this without you, without Ally. My sister would be out there now sick without medical care if not for your help.”
    “It’s what I do,” Shep said and shrugged.
    “I know,” Stace said. “But I also have a feeling that you don’t call Ally in on all your cases. You’re too protective of her. You did that for me didn’t you?”
    He nodded his head. “You’re pretty special, Stace. I’m not sure what it is about you. No, that’s not true. It’s everything about you. I couldn’t walk away if I wanted to, which I don’t.”
    “I don’t want you to either,” Stace replied.
    “That’s good since I just took told Jack I was taking some vacation time to stick around and see what I could do to help you,” Shep smiled.
    “And what did Mr. Madigan say?” Stace asked.
    “He said to be sure to let him know when I convinced you to come back with me to Legacy,” Shep chuckled. “He said you had a job when you wanted it as long as we promised he wouldn’t find us going at it in an office somewhere.”
    Stace laughed. “Why would he think something like that?”
    “There’s a lot you don’t know about this wild Madigan-Daniels family that I’m lucky enough to be a part of,” Shep said. “But I’m hoping you’re willing to stick around and find out.”
    “I’d like that,” she said. “I’d like that a lot.”

Chapter Ten
     
    It had been a long two weeks and Shep had been beside her the entire time. Chloe spent four days in the hospital and then was released to come home. They had laughed, cried and talked for hours and hours. Stace felt like she was getting a fresh start at life. Her sister, Shep and an open job offer that would allow her to work close to home doing what she enjoyed and was good at. But her sister was ready now for Stace to leave, to get out of her hair.
    Chloe had decided to take the rest of the semester off from school and return next term. She was still dealing with some things but these were things that Stace couldn’t help her with, that only Chloe could work through. Stace had to respect that and not press her sister.
    Tomorrow Stace was leaving again but this time she was only going a few towns over. After spending almost a month with Shep, Stace knew that she was falling in love with him. She also knew that he was feeling something similar for her though neither of them had spoken the words yet. But she had agreed to stay with him while she looked for a place of her own. Chances were she’d never find that