He set Kaira up in the kitchen for the call to Jordy. While they talked, Rowan made Earl Grey for himself and a weak blueberry tea with honey for her. When she’d finished, he told Jordy he’d call him back, popped her in a quick bath to warm her up, and set her up in Jordy’s bed. Anna had put Kaira’s sheets in the wash, although at least there was less mess this time, as Rowan had purchased a package of “nighttime underpants” a few days ago.
He’d been surprised Kaira let him maintain the polite fiction that they weren’t diapers, but too relieved to let the surprise show.
“She’s getting worse,” Anna said when Rowan pulled the bedroom door closed behind himself.
He heaved a sigh. “I know.”
“It’s not—I don’t mean to be unsympathetic.” She tugged at the end of her ponytail. “She’s been through a lot. And I can see she’s a good kid. Shewantsto be a good kid. But she’s….”
“Struggling,” Rowan supplied.
“To say the least.” Anna settled in the armchair next to the fireplace and crossed her legs on the seat, cradling a mug of cocoa. “I think she might need to see a doctor, just in case.”
Oh fuck, Rowan had never considered that Kaira might have a medical issue. “I’ll bring it up with Jordy, but I’m sure he’ll agree.”
She exhaled gustily as though she’d been afraid he might not. “Okay, great. Uh. Can you…? I’m going to go to bed and cry a little.”
“Go,” Rowan told her. “You’ve earned the night off.” Besides, he had other things to do.
When Jordy picked up, he didn’t mince words. “I have ten minutes.”
“Kaira is asleep,” Rowan told him. “She’s—she was upset because she wet herself again, and I wasn’t here. I don’t think she wanted to go to Anna with it. She feels like a baby.”
“Fuck.” There was a hollow plastic sound. The thump of a helmet, maybe? “This is my fault. Poor kid.”
“It is not. You’re doing your best. Anna thinks we should take her to a doctor, just in case, though. To make sure she doesn’t have an infection or something.”
“God, yeah, okay. That’s a good idea. Can you take her to the clinic? Maybe tomorrow? I know it’s not convenient—”
“Jordy. I think work will understand that this is important.”
“Fuck.” In the pause that followed, Rowan could picture Jordy rubbing a hand over his face. “I hate that I can’t do anything from here. I feel useless.”
Rowan sighed. “I don’t think there is much to do except love her a lot while we wait it out. Things will start to get easier once you’re in the same city again.”
“I know.” Jordy sounded so bleak that Rowan wanted to hug him. “Doesn’t do much to make things easier in the meantime.”
Rowan cleared his throat.Here goes nothing.“I’ve been thinking about that. There’s no way Anna can take her on a flight. Like, literally. I’m pretty sure they’d kick Kaira off the plane.”
Jordy groaned. “Maybe my mom—”
“Jordy, I can do it.”
“What?”
“I can take her. I’ll be on holidays anyway, so I’ll have the time. I can take her to Vancouver.” Rowan let out a breath. “And I think knowing that might actually make things easier for her until Christmas.”
“Are you sure?” Jordy sounded small.
“Of course I’m sure,” Rowan all but snapped. Did Jordy think Rowan was heartless? Of course Rowan could take a couple of days to get Kaira across country.
“I don’t want to ask you—”
“You’re not asking, I’m offering. I mean, you’re paying, but I’m offering. I’ll take her as soon as school is out and stick around a few days to help her get settled.”
“Thank you,” Jordy breathed. “Rowan, thank you. I can’t—what? Fuck. I have to go. I’ll text later about the tickets.”
“Great. I’ll text tomorrow once I’ve got details about a doctor’s appointment.”
