A Wonderful Kind of Love (Kinds of Love 2)
“Of course, sir. That does make sense,” Craig agreed. “Who else would even know to send you a tie?”
Ethan nodded. “Thank you for your help, Craig. I'm almost ready. I know it's about time to leave.”
“You are most welcome, Mr. White,” Craig replied. “Would you like me to pack up your suit and put it in the car? That way you won't have to worry about it. I have a spot where it won't wrinkle.”
“That would be wonderful, Craig.” Ethan smiled at him. “I appreciate it.”
“Of course, sir.” Craig smiled and then quickly looked away as he put the suit into a garment bag and carefully made sure the tie was folded correctly and stored where it wouldn't get lost.
Ethan watched him for a moment and then went to find his shoes and grab his documents for the day. He was going to have to give Craig a promotion if this level of service kept up.
Chapter 10
Laura
“It'll be okay, Dallas. I promise,” Laura told her brother as she rubbed his back. “You're doing great.”
He nodded weakly and continued to vomit what little was left in his stomach into the toilet. Laura kept rubbing his back and making soft words of encouragement until the little guy curled up in a ball on the floor.
“I don't feel good, Laura,” he said weakly. If that wasn't the understatement of the year, she wasn't sure what was. His little cheeks were flushed, and he looked absolutely miserable.
“I know, sweetie,” she said softly, pulling him up into a hug. “Let's rinse your mouth out and then we'll go join your sister on the couch. Then we can watch a movie.”
Dallas nodded weakly, letting his sister take him to the sink. “A new movie?”
“Sorry, we just have the old ones,” Laura said, turning on the water.
“Okay.” He didn't even try to whine about it. That's how Laura knew he was absolutely miserable. Dallas reached out and washed his hands and took a small sip of water into his mouth. When he was done, she picked him up and carried him out to the couch. She could feel his fever starting as he pressed his forehead into her neck.
Out on the couch, Ivy was wrapped up in a fluffy yellow blanket with a Halloween candy bucket perched on the cushion beside her. The orange pumpkin smiled out like nothing was wrong, but Laura knew better.
The kids had the stomach flu. She was just praying she didn't catch it, too.
Laura carefully set Dallas down next to his sister. He found a matching blue blanket to Ivy's and promptly curled up underneath it, hiding everything but his eyes.
“How are you doing, Ivy?” Laura asked her sister as she got out a second pumpkin head for her brother. They made for easy cleanup if the kids couldn't make it to the bathroom in time.
“Not so good,” Ivy whispered. “My stomach still hurts.”
“Do you need me to clean out your pumpkin?” Laura asked, hoping that she didn't.
“Not yet,” Ivy replied. Laura sighed in relief even though she knew it wouldn't be long before she had to clean it out anyway.
“Okay. I'll get you two some ginger ale,” Laura told them. “It'll help settle your stomachs.”
“Make sure it's the green kind,” Ivy said, then looked up. “Laura? Weren't you supposed to go on a date?”
“Yeah, but I canceled it,” Laura told her. “You guys are sick. I'll go another day.”
“I'm sorry, Laura.” Ivy's green eyes filled with tears.
“Don't worry about it, Ivy,” Laura said coming over to her. “I'll be fine. I want to make sure you guys are okay.” She brushed the hair off Ivy's forehead. “Let me go get that ginger ale.”
Both kids just stared at the TV as she went to the kitchen. It was just on the preview screen. Usually, they both would be clamoring for her to hurry up and press the skip button to get to the movie, but neither one of them said a word. She knew they felt awful.
Laura was halfway to the kitchen when the doorbell rang.
“If it's that damn vitamin sales guy again, I'm calling the cops,” she muttered as she stalked to the door. The last person she wanted to deal with was an overzealous door to door salesman today. She threw open the front door, ready to deal out some murder.