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Chapter One
“Stop! Don’t come any closer”
Paige McLean stared at thebetween her and the front door to her friend’s house As a rule she didn’tlate and had places to be when she left here
“Or what?” she asked, tucking her yogaher best to look stern and intiood at either “This is a public sidewalk You can’t stopanywhere”
Technically, they were standing on a private ay but unless the guy was a lawyer or a surveyor, he ht not think of that
The hed He held up his other hand and waved her away “I ious”
He had a nice voice, she thought Sexy, with a British accent The thrill of the sound faded and she was able to focus on what he’d actually said
“Yikes” She took a step back “What’s wrong with you?” She paused, not wanting the question to sound too hostile “Medically, Ion any personal issues”
“Personal what?”
“Issues You know Like you’re unable to commit or you drive too fast Whatever It’s fine We all have flaws I assume the best of people, which isn’t really a flaw, I suppose So far I haven’t been let down I have a ood to double the tax, but don’t different states have different tax rates? Is that really dependable?”
She paused to look into his dark blue eyes They were slightly dilated and unfocused “Are you okay?”
“Not really”
The front door opened and Simon Bradley, her friend Montana’s husband, stepped out
“Paige, you need to step back”
“So I’ve been told What’s going on?”
Siue of mine He’s here for a visit Unfortunately, he has the measles Apparently his vaccination didn’t take”
“Uh-oh” Paige nant wo “He can’t stay with you”
“We know that, thanks,” Alistair said, coughing again He was pale and looked like he ht be clammy
“What are you going to do?” she asked, thinking a hotel wasn’t really an option Exposing tourists to an active case of measles certainly wasn’t visitor friendly
“I’ht now,” Simon admitted
“He can stay with e said before she could stop herself “I’ve had the measles Wow, that was a painful rash I remember it Aunt Sophia took pictures I still have them”
“How helpful,” Alistair said
Paige pointed her finger at hie town, you’re sick and I’m all that stands between you and the infectious disease ward of the local hospital I’d be a little friendlier if I were you”
Alistair surprised her by flashing a gorgeous, if weak, sies”
“All of them or just some?”
“As I’ out, you can have all of them” He swayed as he spoke
Paige shook her head “Okay, this has gone on long enough Si to assume you’ll confirm that your friend here isn’t a serial killer, so I’ll be safe with hia I’ll take Alistair home, then call for instructions I assume you knohat I’m supposed to do with him?”
“Of course Fluids, keep down the fever”
Alistair looked at her “I shouldn’t intrude”
“No, you shouldn’t, but you’re going to It’ll be fun I’ cooing to faint Try to stay conscious until we get hoged”
Alistair turned to Simon “You actually know her, do you not?”
“Funny,” Paige said “Now stay right here I have to put et cooties”
She hurried back to her small corabbed what she assumed was Alistair’s suitcase and slid it into the rear seat Then she was back at his side She put an arm around his waist
“Okay, big guy Let’s get your British self back toto walk now”
“As you wish”
He put his arm around her shoulders and leaned on her a little as they started to walk Sierms’ way
“I’ll call,” Simon promised
“No I’ll call,” Paige told hiet your friend settled It’ll be about half an hour”
“I’ll be here”
She was sure of that Simon was a doctor, but, more than that, he was a first-time father-to-be He adored his wife and nearly drove her crazy with his constant worrying Paige had a feeling the entire front of their house, not toto be sanitized before the day was over
Alistair did a good job of cooperating He slid easily into the seat, leaving her with the thought that it was going to be a lot et him out
As she leaned over to fasten the seat belt around hi from his body Not sexy heat, either This was a whole lot of fever Oh, joy She really hoped that -up session because this guy had been hit hard
She drove through the quiet streets of Fool’s Gold and arrived back at her small house in less than ten minutes
“Stay here,” she told Alistair, although, based on his closed eyes and slightly bobbing head, she guessed that she was speaking to awith unconsciousness
She raced into the house and up the stairs
Twenty-one years ago, five-year-old Paige had suffered the horrible loss of both her parents Her only fareat-aunt, Sophia, a nun for the past forty years When Sophia had heard about the tragedy, she’d immediately left her order and had traveled to Fool’s Gold to be Paige’s guardian She’d e as her own
Six e had lost her beloved aunt Now she hurried down the short hallway into Sophia’s room Once across the threshold, she paused for a second, re she’d ever known to raise her great-niece
“Hey, Sophia,” Paige whispered “There’s this British guy who’s going to be staying here for a while What do you think of that?”
She had a feeling Sophia would have approved Taking care of people had been one of her callings
Now Paige worked quickly, putting fresh linens on the bed and opening theto let in fresh air The May weather arrass
Paige returned to the main floor and dashed out the front door Alistair sat where she’d left hier door and called his name He didn’t move
“Alistair,” she said o unconscious on me now We have a set of stairs to climb”
His eyes opened, revealing dark blue irises “I don’t see how that is possible”
“Anything is possible with faith, my friend I was raised by a nun I should know”
“A nun? Really?”
“Yes, really Now gather yourself We’re getting out of the car”
His eyes sank closed “Just leave me here”
“No way My neighbors will call the police for sure”
“I thought Americans were friendly”
“We are, which is e don’t leave strange men in cars” She leaned over his toward her until his feet were dangling over the driveway
“Come on,” she told him “You can do it”
“I can’t”