Page 94 of Already Home

“I’m sorry,” Ellington said, soundingfrazzled. “Isaiah picked up this stomach bug somewhere and now my mom has it.He’s finally feeling better, but she’s worse and I can’t get away.”

“I understand,” Jenna said, keeping the disappointment from hervoice. She and Ellington had been planning an evening together before she leftfor California.

“Do you?” he asked. “I’m sorry I won’t be able to see you.”

She smiled. “I’m sorry, too. Anything I can do?”

“No, but thanks for offering. The pediatrician said he would beokay to go to school tomorrow. Now I just have to keep my mom hydrated.”

“You take your son to a pediatrician?”

Ellington chuckled. The sound was both weary and amused. “Sure.There are a whole lot of laws about doctors treating their own family members.Plus kids aren’t my specialty.”

“But you’ve given him tree bark or whatever it is you’dprescribe.”

“Are you mocking me?”

“I’ve heard tree bark is very helpful.”

“It is, but you’re mocking me.”

“Maybe a little.”

“Nice. I like a little mocking now and then.” He paused and sheheard muffled conversation. “Sorry, I gotta run. Call me while you’re gone?”

“Promise.”

“Good. Talk to you soon.”

She hung up and glanced at the clock, then wondered what shewas supposed to do with the rest of her evening. She’d already packed and hadbeen planning to spend the time with a certain handsome doctor.

She felt badly that he’d been having to deal with a sick kidand now a sick mother. If it was anything but tummy trouble, she would havetaken over food. But with a stomach issue, it was best to leave the specialdishes for another time. There were—

She sat up straight as she remembered Ellington sayingsomething about a bake sale. Wasn’t that this week?

Five minutes later she’d logged on to his son’s elementaryschool and saw that the bake sale was tomorrow.

* * *

It was close to nine-thirty when she stopped in front ofher garage. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Ellington.

“Hello?”

“It’s me,” she said. “Hope I’m not disturbing you.”

“Both patients are sleeping. Isaiah’s energy is back, which isboth good and bad, and my mom’s improving.”

“I’m glad. Did you remember that tomorrow is the bakesale?”

There was a second of silence, followed by a lot ofswearing.

She held in a laugh. “I’ll take that as a no. It’s okay. Golook on your front porch. I’ll wait.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Go look.”

She heard him open the front door.

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