Shelter (Heroes of Big Sky 2)

“I’m going to call Josh and tell him to bring some supplies,” Cara says behind me. Jillian keeps rubbing my back and presses the cool cloth against my neck.

“It’s okay.”

“Not okay.” I lean my forehead on the toilet seat and feel like crying. “What are you doing?”

“I’m soothing you. Doesn’t your mother do this for you when you’re sick?”

“No.”

I throw up some more, and then I feel too weak to do anything else. Jillian helps me to the bedroom, where Cara’s already turned down the bed.

“Josh will be here in ten minutes with some electrolytes and crackers,” she informs us as I fall onto the bed. “I hate to be the one to ask this, but Remi, could you be pregnant?”

“Pregnancy doesn’t cause diarrhea,” Jillian hisses.

“I don’t think so. Unlikely.” I take a deep breath and will my stomach to settle just as my phone rings. I frown at Annie’s name and answer on speaker.

“’llo?”

“Tell me you didn’t eat the corned beef hash this morning at Ed’s,” she says. “It was bad. I guess a bunch of people are sick from it.”

“Sure did.” I swallow hard. “So sick.”

“Oh, man. I’m so sorry, Remi. Do you need anything?”

“Hi, Annie, this is Jillian. Cara and I are here, but we’ll be sure to let you know if anything comes up.”

“You do that. Get some rest, Rem. I’ll call you later and check in.”

“Thanks.”

I click off and moan. I don’t think I’ve ever been so sick in my life. “You guys don’t have to stay. I think the worst is over. I hope.”

“We’re staying,” Cara insists. “At least until Seth comes home. Do you think you can take a tiny sip of water?”

“Nothing.” I wrinkle my nose.

“Okay. It’s okay,” Cara croons.

They’re hovering. They’re worried. I can see it on their faces.

“If you get too dehydrated, you’ll have to go to the hospital,” Jillian says.

“This just started. Let me settle down, and then I’ll try the water.”

“That’s fair,” Cara says and then runs out of the room when we hear a knock on the door.

“That’s probably Josh with the supplies,” Jillian says with a smile. “You’ve already gotten rid of most of what you ate. You should start to feel better.”

“I got rid of everything I’ve eaten since I was nine,” I reply and then turn into the fetal position as more cramps rack my body. “It’s like someone is squeezing my stomach in a vise.”

“I’m so sorry,” Jillian whispers and wipes another cloth on my face. It feels cool and nice.

And weird.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Oh, I’m sorry if it doesn’t feel good.”

I sigh when the cramp passes. “That’s not it. I’m just not used to being taken care of, that’s all.”

Jillian is quiet for a moment. “I hate that your mom didn’t take care of you when you were sick.”

“Yeah, well, she’s not a stellar mom.”

“Not all mothers are born with the nurturing gene,” she says softly and tentatively wipes the rag over my cheek. “Cara and I are mothers, honey. And we’re here to take care of you. You can’t do it yourself right now. But if you’re uncomfortable, just say so, and I’ll back off, okay?”

My eyes want to fill with tears, so I blink rapidly. “Thanks. Really, thank you for coming so fast. I was scared.”

“I know. I know you were.”

“I have supplies,” Cara says softly. “And Josh is trying to get in touch with Seth. He’d be upset if he knew you were so sick and no one could reach him.”

“I feel like I’m a huge pain in the ass.” I swallow hard, willing my body not to make me throw up again.

“This is what family does,” Cara says, so matter-of-factly that my eyes fill with tears once more. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll get you feeling like yourself in no time. I promise.”

“Oh, God.”

I have to run for the bathroom again for round two. It’s not as bad as the first round, but when I’m done, sweat covers me.

“Who knew food could be so angry?” I ask as Jillian starts the shower for me. I don’t even feel self-conscious as I strip down and step into the warm water. It’s not too hot, just enough that it doesn’t make me shiver.

“My hips remind me just how angry food can be, every time I eat cupcakes,” Cara says with a wink.

I take in her curly blonde hair, her curvy body, and grin. “You’re completely adorable. I can see why Josh fell hard for you. And Seth, now that I think of it.”

“Seth fell for me?” Cara asks in confusion.

“He told me that you were his safe person for a long time,” I reply and turn the water off, then take the towel Cara offers. “And I can see why. You’re wonderful. You’re both just wonderful.”

“I think I have something in my eye,” Jillian says, wiping at her face.