Page 57 of One Summer Day (Prosperity Ranch 1)

Heidi approached and felt Ruby’s forehead, too. “Goodness, she’s burning up.”

Macie straightened. “Maybe I should take her to a hotel for a couple of days. I don’t want her spreading germs.” She very well knew that cancer patients shouldn’t be around extra germs.

“Nonsense,” Heidi said. “Everything’s sold out with the rodeo, anyway. I’ll wash my hands and keep separated as much as possible.”

“Is grandma sick, too?” Ruby asked in her innocent voice.

“A little bit, sweetie,” Macie said. “Here, let’s go find some fever medicine. Then I’ll lay down with you.” She hoisted Ruby into her arms and carried her into the bedroom.

After getting her settled with a drink and a teaspoon of fever medicine, Macie lay down next to her daughter until Ruby’s breaths grew even. Taking such a late nap would probably mess with her sleeping schedule that night, but that didn’t matter right now.

Sometime later, Macie opened her eyes. Her first realization was that she’d fallen asleep right alongside Ruby, and her second realization was that the sound of a truck had awakened her. Her pulse immediately jumped. Holt must be back.

She listened for more sounds. The front door opened, followed by a murmur of voices—Rex’s and Holt’s. Rex said something about going to the barn, and then footsteps came down the hallway. Holt’s. Macie’s heart rate beat in tandem.

When the door cracked open, Macie turned her head. Holt stood there, hesitating. She motioned for him to come inside as she sat up.

Holt approached silently, his gaze going from hers to the sleeping Ruby.

“How’s my little darlin’?” he whispered.

Macie moved off the bed and straightened her clothing. “Sleeping, finally. The medicine seems to be helping.”

Holt’s blue gaze scanned her face. “You’re all right? You’re not sick, too?”

“I’m fine,” she said. “Your mom and I went to her appointment, then to lunch. Came home to find your dad had been doing double duty.”

“I’m glad you’re fine.” He linked their fingers, and Macie’s heart rate zoomed. “You look tired, though.”

“I took a little nap,” she said. “It’s good to see you.”

Holt’s mouth curved, and Macie inched closer.

“Where’s your dad?”

“In the barn.”

Macie was pretty sure Heidi was taking her own nap, so she moved even closer to Holt. He smiled just before she raised up on her toes and kissed him.

“You did miss me, darlin’,” he murmured against her mouth.

She only pulled him closer, and he chuckled, tightening his hold on her.

“I need to talk to you,” Macie said. “Somewhere else.”

Holt nodded, even though he was clearly curious. Macie led him to the kitchen after closing the bedroom door to let Ruby continue sleeping.

She filled a couple of glasses with peach lemonade from the fridge and handed one to Holt. He leaned against the counter, took a sip of the lemonade, then said, “What’s going on?”

Macie set her glass down. “We saw Barb in town, and while your mom was in the car on her phone, Barb confronted me.”

Holt’s brows pulled together. “About what?”

Macie relayed the entire conversation, then she said, “I don’t know how much longer we can keep things a secret. And now that Ruby’s sick, I should take her somewhere for a few days. I don’t want her getting your mom sick, and every minute of the day, I’m waiting for Knox to show up and make claims he has no right to.”

Holt set down his glass and moved closer to Macie. He laid his hands on both of her arms. “Don’t you worry about Knox. I’ll handle him. And don’t you even think twice about leaving here. Maybe we should just tell my parents today. It will be a lot to lay on them, but I agree with Barb.”

Macie stared at him. “You do?”

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