Chapter Fourteen
Madison broke into his thoughts.
“Hey, I have Chloe here. She’s listening.”
“Good. I’ll have your mom call tomorrow or the next day. She’s going to be in bed until I think she’s well enough to get dressed and come outside,” he said, making both girls chuckle.
“Good luck with that,” Chloe said.
“Once you get to know me, you’ll find there is nothing I wouldn’t do to keep her safe. If I have to chain her to the bed, I will.”
Cain looked at the signs. “I’m just about there. She’ll be taken care of, so I don’t want you girls to worry anymore. All right?”
“We’ll try,” Madison said. “Give her a big hug and kiss for us.”
“I will. Good night.” He stuck the phone back in his pocket and parked at the curb of the hotel.
“Sir, you can’t park there,” a young man in a uniform said.
“I’m here to pick up my woman, who is very sick,” Cain said.
“Oh, well. That’s fine. Do you need any help?”
“I might. I’ll call out if I do.”
The man bowed. “Very good, sir.”
Cain walked up to the desk. “I’m here to pick up Eden Mongomery in Room 213.”
The young woman nodded. “Yes. She called down. Take one of the blankets and pillows.”
“I already brought some. I’ll see how she is, and then I might get a blanket to cover her.”
“I understand, sir.” The woman handed him a key. “Would it be all right if I sent Sam up with you? He’ll stand in the hallway until you need him. He’ll gather everything and bring it down to you.”
“That would be great. Thank you. I just want to get my girl home,” Cain said.
“We’re glad you came. She’s a sweet woman, and we can tell she’s sick, but she wouldn’t let us call anyone or even an ambulance. We worried a lot. We had her check in with us every day, and if she didn’t, we told her we would come into her room to make sure she was okay.”
He smiled. “She can be a bit stubborn sometimes.”
The woman laughed. “Yes, sir.”
“If you have questions or need to talk to me, call the Crawford Ranch and ask for Cain Crawford.”
“I’ll write that down. Thank you.” She waved a young man over and gave him directions. Sam hurried and made it into the elevator.
He didn’t say anything but knew the boy was nervous. “Thank you for the help,” he told him.
The young man relaxed and nodded. “Anything you need, sir, I’ll be out in the hallway until you call.”
Cain nodded and watched the elevator doors open. He walked to Eden’s room and slipped the key in. He really hoped she had released the security lock because it would just take more time to get to her.
He was shocked at his first glimpse of her room. It was shrouded in shadows, and the TV was on low. It didn’t look like she had opened her suitcase. Things were strewn around the room and in the bathroom.
He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. He gritted his teeth when he saw how pale she was and how sunken her eyes were. He smoothed her hair from her face. His fear kicked up when he felt her forehead and knew she had a high temperature.
Jesus, she could have died so easily. She was practically wasting away. He could tell she’d lost weight. He didn’t know how much and wouldn’t until he had her home and stripped.
Cain swallowed. “Sweetheart, wake up for me.”
It took two more times to rouse her.
She blinked a few times and then tried to smile. “Hi.”
He cupped the side of her face. “Hi, Sweetheart. Do you know how much trouble you’re in with me?”
He couldn’t believe the smile that grew on her face. She wasn’t the least bit worried. Cain rolled his eyes, making her giggle.
“When was the last time you took aspirin?” he asked.
Her brows puckered. “I’m not sure.”
“I’m going to have you take two before we go,” he told her and tapped a few into his palm. He lifted her to a sitting position, handed her the pills, and then grabbed a bottle of water.
Afterward, he gently laid her back down. “I’m going to get us ready to go. I want you to rest.”
She nodded and closed her eyes.
He walked to the door, opened it, and called for the guy that was going to help him.
“Yes, sir.”
“What’s your name?” Cain asked.
“It’s Sam, sir.”
“I’m glad I have you with me. Can you go through the room and pack everything that does not belong to the hotel?”
“I can do that. I also have a cart outside in the hallway. I’ll put it on that and follow you when you’re ready to go,” Sam said.
Cain shoved the curtains open, letting in light. He needed to know what she was wearing so he could have her covered when he walked her out.
It was a huge T-shirt with the hotel’s logo on the front. He could tell she had sweated a few times, so he would need to bathe her before putting her in bed, or she would never be comfortable.
He pulled the blanket from the bed and covered her with it. Looking around, he saw that Sam had already cleared the place.
“I’m taking you home,” he murmured to her.
In the elevator, Cain had her tucked against his chest and couldn’t take his eyes off her.
The woman at the desk had a concerned look on her face as she waved.
“Thank you,” Cain said but didn’t stop. Sam had everything in the back seat before he made her comfortable in the front. He pulled a few bills from his pocket and handed them to Sam. Can you make sure you and the doorman share this? I’m going to send something in appreciation for everyone who helped her. I also wanted to tell you that you all are welcome at my ranch anytime.”
“Oh, sir, you don’t have to do that. I enjoy helping people,” Sam said.
Cain patted his shoulder. “I can tell. You have no idea how much you’ve all helped.”
“What ranch, sir?”
“The Crawford Ranch. I’m Cain Crawford if you need to get in touch with me.”
“Thank you so much, sir,” Sam gushed.
Cain waved, slipped into the truck, and checked on Eden before driving them home. The only home Eden would ever know for the rest of her life.