Chapter Ten
The next day was one of the hardest of Caleb’s life. He had to be around Helen without killing her or showing his anger, and then he had to wait until nighttime for Helen to leave and the doctor to get there.
Caleb was ready when the call came up to the condo.
“Dr. Wesley is here to check on Bella.”
“Send him up, and don’t tell Helen he was here.”
“That’s easy. We never talk to her.”
“Good.”
Caleb shook the doctor’s hand as he stepped off the elevator.
“What have you told Bella?” the doctor asked.
“I haven’t. I want to make sure it’s poison before I tell her.”
“Good idea. Why upset her if it’s something else. Show me the patient.”
“This way.”
Caleb knocked on Bella’s door.
He opened it when he couldn’t hear anything.
“I’ll need a light.”
Caleb nodded and turned on the lamp by the bed.
“Why don’t you wake her up. I don’t want to startle her.”
Caleb sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed his thumb over her cheek. “Bella, baby. Dr. Wesley is here to check on you. Come on and wake up.”
Bella opened her eyes and came awake slowly. She saw Caleb’s expression and tried to smile at him, which about broke his heart. “Stop worrying, Caleb. The virus will go away.”
“I know, little star, but you’re his patient, and when he says he wants to see you, I let him.”
She looked over his shoulder at the doctor. “Hi.”
“Hello, dear. You don’t mind if I stop by for a moment, do you?”
“No. Not at all.”
Caleb got up and let the doctor sit in his place.
“I’m going to examine you.” He took her temp and blood pressure and then checked her glands under her chin. He pulled the blanket down and pushed up the nightgown.
The doctor must have caught the look in her eyes when she grabbed on to the doctor’s hands because Caleb did.
“Baby, do you want me to go?”
She relaxed and smiled. “Sorry. That silly.”
“No, it’s not if me being here makes you uncomfortable.”
“It doesn’t. Please stay.”
He nodded. “Okay, honey. Tell me if you change your mind.”
Caleb cringed when she winced at the pressure the doctor put on her stomach.
“Okay, that’s enough of that,” the old man muttered. “Do you mind if I take a little blood? I’d like to see what kind of virus it is.”
“That’s okay.”
Caleb flinched when the needle went into her skin, but it didn’t seem to faze her.
“I’ll call Caleb when I get the results, all right?” The doctor patted her shoulder.
Caleb cleared his throat. “If it’s okay with Bella, call me.”
“No, that’s fine,” Bella said.