He coughs but manages a yes. I help him get the rest of the tea down before taking his temperature again. 95.7 and climbing, slowly, but it’s climbing.
“Your temperature is coming up. I’m going to add more hot water, okay?” He nods. “How bout more tea? Can you drink another cup?”
His face scrunches up like he’s in pain. Chuckling, I inquire, “Was it that bad?” He shakes his head but I’m sure that’s what he meant. I try to negotiate. “I can add some honey or sugar to it if you promise to stay awake and keep your head up.” I cock an eyebrow at him, waiting for his acceptance. “Deal?”
“Deal,” he croaks.
This time I make his tea in the kitchen like a civilized host. When I return, he is splashing the water over his own chest, his color pinker by the minute.
“You’re looking better already.”
He looks down at his expansive chest, a scowl on his face. I didn’t notice in my rush to get him warm, but his upper body is riddled with scars. Thick, jagged gashes are literally covering his chest and torso, all healed. They must be a couple years old given the coloring of the scars.
I clear my throat, diverting my eyes and hand him the teacup. “Can you hold it?”
He nods and starts to drink while I pour more water over his scarred chest. When he announces he’s done with the tea, I take the cup and grab the thermometer. He groans. “Yeah, yeah. I know.” I thump my chest and mock in my best Tarzan voice, “Me man. Me healed.”
Cade releases a burst of laughter, its raspy sound comforting like I’ve known it for years. Smiling, I push the thermometer close to his face and he opens his mouth without any more protests. The thermometer reads out 96.9. Good enough.
I look at Cade, holding his eyes. “I’m going to round you up some clothes.”
He stares at me without answering immediately. “You don’t have to do that.”
I smile and caress his cheek with a quick stroke of my palm, nodding to the side of the tub. “There is some soap and shampoo. Wash up.” I leave quickly before he can break my heart more.
I find Cade some of Theo’s sweats and a shirt to wear. They look similar in size. When I return and set the folded clothes on the counter, the bathroom is hotter than the seventh circle of hell.
“I sure hope you have warmed up because I am about to melt in here.” Eying a scrubbed Cade, I wink. “All nice and clean?”
He grins at me and tries hard not to laugh. “Yes, Mom.”
“Good boy!” I praise and hand him a towel. “Here are some clothes for you. I’ll wait outside the door.” He nods as I pull the door closed behind me and consider the guest bedroom down the hall.
Pushing aside the memory of my father, the pain that haunts my childhood memories, I realize why I felt so compelled to offer compassion to Cade. It wasn’t because of my ethical duty as a doctor. It’s because—I can’t even finish the thought, the memory still raw. Deep down, I understand the reason behind my actions but still, I can’t believe I am about to tuck a stray bum in my guest bedroom. I’ve officially lost it.
In the spare, I check the sheets and pull on an electric blanket. Being that it’s an old house, there is a fireplace in every room. I converted them to gas a couple years ago because I am not a wood-chopping girl. I flip the switch and enjoy the roar of the fire.
Satisfied that Cade will be comfortable, I make my way back to the bathroom. The door is still closed so I give it a couple raps just to check on him. “Are you alright?”
It opens slowly, Cade standing there awkward and a little shaky. I wedge my body up against his like before. “Come on, let’s get you to bed.”
At the doorway, his tired eyes take in the room languidly. I push him to the bed and pulling the blankets back, encourage him to lie down. He complies slowly, his freshly washed body stretching out to fill the full-size bed, his eyes already drifting closed.
“Not so fast, Gorgeous.” I reveal the thermometer in my hand. Cade grimaces but opens wide.
His body temperature has dropped a little. I frown and pull the blankets over him.
“I’m going to get you another blanket. Your temp is dropping some.”
“This is more than enough. Thank you.” He stills my hand from fussing with the blanket, his face haggard, cheeks red from the elements.
I pat his hand before standing. “One more.”
He sighs. “I’m guessing you don’t get told no very often.”
I smile and flash him a little wink. “No one would dare.”
When I return with the thickest quilt I can find, Cade is curled back into the fetal position like I found him. I wonder if it’s a defensive position or if this man is truly broken, inside and out.