“Germs?” he asked, as if she’d said a dirty word.
“Cold germs, that’s all.” She could see the grimness on Matt’s face and she felt sorry for him. The playboy was truly gone right now, and in its place was a very worried father.
“Do you have a family doctor?” he asked.
“Not really.”
His mouth tightened as he used his cell phone to call his mother, telling her the situation and shooting out instructions.
He hung up. “Mum will get our family doctor to pay a visit.”
“Good,” Lana murmured.
She usually visited the local medical center if she or Megan needed a doctor, though she wasn’t sure Matt could understand that. He had wealth and connections, and for the first time ever, she thanked God he did. She wanted the best for her daughter.
As soon as Ruth opened the door, Megan cried out to Lana, who hurried forward and took her daughter in her arms. Lana’s heart lurched at Megan’s rosy red cheeks, stained by tears. She wore only a diaper and felt hot to the touch.
Then Megan saw Matt, gave a loud cry and threw her arms out toward him, wanting to be held by her father. Lana looked at Matt and her legs almost gave out at the sheer love for his daughter on his face. She willingly handed Megan over to him.
“I’ve given her some medicine,” Ruth said calmly as they moved inside. “And I’ve been cooling her down in the bath.”
“Thank you, Ruth,” Lana said, looking at her daughter with a worried frown. “Let’s take her into the living room, Matt.”
“I’ll just go wet this washcloth again for her,” Ruth said.
Once in the living room, Megan whimpered and Matt looked helpless all of a sudden. “Shouldn’t we take her to the hospital?”
Lana tried not to show her worry. “Let’s give the medication a chance to work until the doctor gets here.”
Megan started crying again and he tried to soothe her. “Dammit, where is that bloody doctor?”
Lana wiped her daughter’s nose with a tissue. “Try not to worry, Matt. Kids can look so sick one minute and the next they’re up and running around.” She gave a sympathetic smile. “Believe me, there were some nights I walked the floor with her when she had a cold or colic and I would have sworn she had pneumonia or something worse.”
Matt stiffened. “I would have been there if I’d known.”
She groaned inwardly. “It wasn’t a criticism of you.”
Megan continued crying and he shot Lana a dark look. “Really? It sounded like it to me.”
She knew he was panicking deep inside, so she allowed him his snide remark. “Matt, I was only trying to say she’ll be back to normal in no time. Just take it easy.”
“Like you’re doing?” he snapped, as Megan continued crying. “You seem to be taking this real easy. But you’re an old hand at this, aren’t you?”
She angled her chin. “That’s enough, Matt.”
“No, it’s—”
“Mr. Valente,” Ruth warned, coming back into the room with the washcloth. “This is not the time or place to be arguing. Your daughter is sick. She needs you to remain calm.” She sounded like a schoolteacher reprimanding one of her students, and Matt’s face blanched.
A moment crept by.
He let out a slow breath. “You’re right, Ruth.” He looked at Lana. “I’m sorry, Lana. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“I know, Matt.”
After that the doctor came and said it was probably only a virus but to keep an eye on her. The medication had worked by then, so the little girl soon fell asleep.
They continued to anxiously check on her throughout the evening, unable to sit still for long. By midnight she woke and was cool to the touch, and they each breathed a sigh of relief. It appeared the worst was over. After a drink of water, she fell asleep again.
“Lana, I’m really sorry about snapping at you today,” Matt murmured, standing by the crib.
She realized she had finally given himself permission to relax now that Megan was on the mend. “Matt, I understand. You were scared something serious was the matter with her.”
His mouth flattened into a grim line. “It doesn’t excuse me taking it out on you. Hell, I can only imagine how it must feel to be alone and carrying the full weight of it all.”
“Don’t beat yourself up about it.”
He stood still for a moment longer, looking down at his sleeping daughter. Then he looked up. “Why don’t you go to bed,” he suggested quietly. “You should get some sleep.”
“But you’re the one with work tomorrow.” She at least had a day off.