Page 22 of Falling for Love

“Let’s get you home, okay? You’ll feel better in no time.”

He nodded weakly, and I helped him into his coat, grabbing his backpack from the nurse.

I thanked Mrs. Wheeler and hurried back to the truck, Hayden leaning against my side. He looked so small, and my heart twisted as I put him in the backseat of the cab in his booster seat.

The drive home was quiet. Hayden dozed in the backseat, his head lolling against the window. Occasionally, I glanced at him in the rearview mirror, wishing I could take the fever and stomachache away myself.

It was amazing how motherhood made me want to absorb every bit of discomfort my child felt, just to spare them even a moment of it.

When we got home, I smiled at Hayden in the rearview mirror.

“How are you feeling?”

“Ugh.”

I unbuckled and climbed out of the truck before helping him inside.

We went to his bedroom, and he groaned as he curled up on his bed, his face scrunched in discomfort.

“Okay, first things first—pajamas,” I said, rummaging through his dresser.

I helped him into his favorite pair with dinosaurs and tucked him under the covers.

“There. Feeling a little cozier?” I kissed his forehead.

“A little,” he admitted, his voice muffled by the pillow.

“I’ll be right back.” I headed to the kitchen to grab some water, crackers, and the thermometer.

As I filled the glass, Lance padded over, nudging my leg with his nose.

“Don’t worry, Lance. He’ll be okay,” I murmured, scratching behind his ears.

The dog followed me back to Hayden’s room, hopping onto the bed and curling up at his feet. Hayden let out a small, contented sigh, his hand resting on Lance’s fur. He had definitely found his forever home.

I took his temperature—101.5. Not too high, but high enough to make him miserable.

“Here, honey,” I said, handing Hayden the glass of water. “Sip this for me, okay?”

He nodded, taking a small sip before leaning back against the pillow.

“Looks like you’re staying home with me tomorrow,” I said, smoothing the blanket over him.

“Sorry, Mom,” he mumbled, his eyes fluttering shut.

“Nothing to be sorry about, sweetheart. Just rest. I’ll be right here.”

I sat with him for a while, stroking his hair until his breathing evened out. The house was quiet except for the soft hum of the heater and the occasional creak of the old floors. I finally allowed myself a moment to breathe.

That’s when it hit me—I needed to cancel my date with Liam.

Again.

I chuckled as a soft groan escaped my lips.

There was no way he would buy this excuse, not after I’d canceled on him a million other times.

The truth was that I’d been looking forward to breakfast all week, replaying our texts in my head and wondering if I was finally brave enough to let him in. But life had other plans, as usual.

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