Page 76 of Holiday Hire

My heart swells. "Thanks. I'm really glad I am too."

"Night."

"Night, sweetie." I turn off the light, step outside, and shut the door.

Alexander steps out of the bathroom.

"Is everything okay?" I fret.

Worry fills his expression. "Ace is sick again. Can you go in my bedroom and into the bathroom cabinet? There's a first aid kit with a thermometer. I'm worried about how hot he feels."

A new fear fills me. "Sure." I do as he's asked and go into his bedroom.

It's the first time I've been in his room. It's like the rest of the house—neutral walls with no color anywhere. It strikes me as sad.

The Cartwrights are such a fun family, and the main house isn't boring, but something about Alexander's house not having any color, especially when he has two awesome boys living in it, seems depressing.

I make my way into his bathroom and find the first aid kit. I bring it out and set it on the table. I grab the thermometer and take it back to Alexander.

I knock on the bathroom door, and a moment later, Alexander opens it. Ace has a towel wrapped around him. His face is flushed.

I rush inside and squat down so I'm eye level with Ace. I coo, "Oh, you're not feeling well, sweetie?"

He shakes his head, then throws his arms around me, snuggling into the curve of my neck. He mumbles, "I feel bad."

I wrap my arms around him. "I'm sorry."

Alexander warns, "Ace, be careful. We don't want Phoebe getting sick."

"I'll be okay."

"Not if you get sick," he argues.

"I won't."

He grunts. "How do you know that?"

"I rarely get sick."

He arches his eyebrows. "Really? I never do either."

"Wilder said that. But don't worry about me. I've taught a lot of kids. My immune system is strong."

"Hmmm," he says, then grabs the thermometer from me. "Here, Ace, open up and keep this under your tongue."

Ace stays close to me, turning his head toward his dad.

Alexander turns on the thermometer and slides it into his mouth. It doesn't take long before it beeps. He pulls it out, announcing, "101.5."

"That's not too horrible," I state.

Alexander nods. "I'll keep an eye on it tonight. Ace, let's get you in bed."

"Can Phoebe put me to bed too?" Ace asks, his blue eyes glistening.

"Sure. I can come in."

"Good." He hugs me harder, and my heart almost breaks.

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