Chapter 25
Kace
By the time we make it to the beach, Lindsey looks completely done in. Whatever my body notices about her beautiful form is overshadowed by my brain's awareness that Lindsey is ill. She's too pale, too drained, and I'm done pretending this is a phase she can push through by sheer will.
Our day has barely started, and I'm worried. I think she got sick earlier while we checked out one of the sites along the trail, but maybe not. I know how prickly she gets when the attention turns on her, so I keep my lips shut and continue to observe.
Despite my best efforts not to notice, I nearly swallow my tongue when she removes her T-shirt and shorts to reveal her swimsuit beneath. Like most women on the beach, Lindsey's in a two-piece. She's perfectly covered up, but her slim form is a reminder that she's unwell.
What she's gained up top thanks to the pregnancy doesn't show anywhere else, and once again, I'm convinced she's losing weight.
When we get back home, I'm going to get her into a doc, even if I have to drag her to get her there.
The morning sickness should be loosening its grip, but Lindsey's seems to be getting worse. Enough is enough. Time to get answers.
For now, she's stretched out in all her beautiful glory, and I'm kicking myself six ways to Sunday for not being able to take my eyes off her. I tell myself it's concern. I'm keeping an eye on her because I don't want her overdoing things. But I can't stop, either.
"Daddy! You knocked it down," Dani says loudly.
I jerk my gaze to my little girl and grimace. Instead of dumping the packed sand next to the last tower, I'd dumped it on top in my inability to focus. "Sorry, kiddo. My bad."
I glance up and find Madi eyeing me with a knowing expression. I frown at her, but her smirk gets more pronounced.
Three to one. I'm doomed.
After spending a few hours on the beach soaking up the rays beneath the nonstop breeze, watching the surfers and building a sandcastle the size of England, we decide to pack it in for lunch and then continue exploring the island.
While Dani, Mads and I gather up the sand toys and towels and the backpack cooler, I notice Lindsey moving more slowly than normal. She's sat up on her towel and tugged on her shirt and shorts, but she's pale despite the sun.
"You okay?" My question seems to spur her on, and she nods.
"Peachy."
She shifts off the towel to gather it up and fold it, but she doesn't stand. I hand the cooler off to Madi to put it in the back of the cart and move back to where Lindsey is kneeling. "Hey. What's going on? Talk to me."
She ducks her head and makes a show of looking through her oversized tote.
"Nothing. Just—just making sure I have everything."
"Need a hand up?"
"I'm fine," she insists, even though she doesn't move.
She grabs a half-drank water bottle from her bag and takes a long sip, shooting me a look over the top. She replaces the cap and tucks it away once more before giving in and holding up her hand.
I brace the crutches out and stand like a tripod to tug her to her feet, watching while even more color drains from her face.
"Whoa," she says softly, eyes squeezed tight as she leans against me. "Head rush."
Her hands are on my arms, gripping me, as she lowers her forehead to my chest.
"You sure that's all it is? If you're not feeling well, we can head back to Carolina Cove."
"Don't you dare," she says in a low voice.
She lifts her head to glare at me, looking more than a little muddled but fierce. And gut-clinchingly beautiful.
"I'm fine."
Uh-huh. I might believe her if she wasn't visibly wobbly. "Okay. Let's get to the restaurant to cool down and get some food in you. Maybe that'll help."
She doesn't move, and neither do I.
"Lindsey, come on! I'm hungry!" Dani cries as she runs toward us.
Dani takes hold of Lindsey's hand, and I frown at my daughter. "Easy, baby girl. She's dizzy."
"That's okay. I'll help you, Lindsey. I've got you," she says, repeating one of her daddy's favorite phrases.
I watch as Lindsey softens at my daughter's words, and I grip the crutches more tightly.
That right there?
That's why I need to keep my hands to myself. It's not just me who'll be hurt if I were to follow through with kissing Lindsey again and risking our relationship. Dani and Mads have to be considered, and God knows they've both been through hell already.
I follow my girls and reluctantly allow Mads to continue driving us, even though it's against the rules.
But even I have to acknowledge Madi's perfectly capable of driving the golf cart and has done extremely well, taking it nice and slow.
I can't drive with the cast, and Lindsey can't, being as lightheaded as she is.
Our only other option is a seven-year-old speed demon.
Madi drives us to the restaurant, and I praise her once we arrive.
She's done a fantastic job, license or not.
But we will be working to get that license so she can legally drive as soon as possible.
Thankfully the trails and pace are slow, and Madi's listened to every word I've said about slowing down or speeding up as needed.
The restaurant is the most casual of those the older couple had mentioned, and while I'm still uncomfortable with them paying for our lunch, I get their desire to do so.
It's one of the things I love about living in Carolina Cove.
People care. And thank-yous are the norm.
It's not the first time I've walked up to a cash register to pay only to discover the tab's already been anonymously taken care of.
I remind myself of that as the ladies and I enter the restaurant and head to the bathrooms first to wash our hands. We regroup at the hostess stand, and I can tell Lindsey has splashed her face due to the damp hair around her face and spiky lashes.
A smiling young woman takes us to a prime table by the windows featuring the gorgeous view. It's cool in the restaurant, and I see Lindsey lifting her face to bask in the air blowing over her skin.
She's still too pale and far too quiet. Hopefully the AC break and food will help.
I see the waitress heading our way, and the moment she arrives, I request some fruit and crackers to be brought out immediately due to a medical issue.
The twenty-something waitress leaves to go grab the request, and Lindsey gives me a chiding look.
"I'm fine."
She sounds about as convincing as she looks. "Who says it's not for me?"
Another staff member brings water for the table, and Lindsey takes a few sips before lifting the glass to her cheek and neck.
Dani is talking to Mads about how cool her key ring is, and Madi seems to sense the need to keep Dani engaged so my girl gives Lindsey a rest. I guzzle my water to empty the glass and then pour the ice cubes into my napkin, pushing it across the table toward Lindsey. "Here."
I can tell she wants to protest but feels so bad she can't. With a flick of her gorgeous eyes towards me, she takes the napkin and presses it to the back of her neck with a relieved sigh and a pleased expression that has me grinding my teeth and forcing my gaze away.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Dani-girl, after lunch, maybe we should head back to the ferry and home."
"But we didn't see the turtles yet."
The island's conservatory has a turtle display that Dani's been talking about for the last week.
"Exactly," Lindsey says, adding to Dani's protest. "We have to go see Tobey the Turtle before we leave."
I shake my head slightly at Lindsey's determination to push through when she's obviously having a hard time. "We'll see."
"Please, Daddy? I don't wanna go home. Not yet," Dani says in her little-girl voice. "I wanna see the turtles. You promised. It's my birthday trip, remember? I get to do all the things."
And normally I'd be all over that promise to my girl, but I hate the thought of Lindsey pushing herself to keep up.
"I'll be fine," Lindsey says softly. And pointedly. "I just need to eat."
The fruit and crackers arrive atop a board along with spreadable dips, and we all dig in. I make sure to set Lindsey's favorites onto her plate before Dani and Mads can take them, and I ignore the fact I've paid enough attention over the last few weeks to know which fruits Lindsey prefers.
I pile Lindsey's plate and point a single finger at it. I get a glare in response.
She nibbles at the fruit but doesn't gobble it down like I hoped.
"Can I have pancakes?" Dani asks.
I chuckle at the question. "Breakfast is long over, baby girl. How about a sandwich or some chicken and pasta?"
Dani goes back to looking at the menu and points to the picture she thinks is the prettiest. That's one way to pick food, but it is the chicken and pasta dish I mentioned.
The waitress returns to take our order, and I note that Lindsey's eaten about a third of her fruit plate and managed to keep it down. She also ordered some plain pasta. No sauce, no nothing. I want to argue, but right now, I just want her to eat something. Anything.
"How's your leg?" Lindsey asks once the waitress walks away.
I know it's her way to shift focus off her onto me, but I allow it. For now. "Itchy from the heat but not too bad. I'm looking forward to getting into a boot."
"Can I go play outside until our food comes?" Dani asks.
There's a kids' play area on the deck right outside the windows where we sit, along with a sandbox, toys and the like. "It won't be long, Dani-girl."
"I know, but I want to go play. It's one of the things."
I bite back a chuckle. "You'll have to wash your hands again when you come back inside."
"That's okay. Can I go?"
"You can't go out there alone," I say, trying one last time.
"I'll take her," Madi offers. "If it's okay, I mean."
Ever since our late-night talk in Mads's room, she's seemed calmer and more at ease around me. I hope that's the case, and I'm not reading into things simply because I want her to feel comfortable with me and her new home.
"Dani, you listen to Mads and do not leave her side. Break the rule, and we leave for home immediately. Understand?"
"Okay, Daddy."
The girls get up and make their way to the door. And being the dad I am, I watch them through the glass as they pass a group of people standing outside talking and make their way to the play area.
"Your protective side is sweet," Lindsey says softly.
"Glad you feel that way. Eat," I order.
Her gaze narrows, and I grin. "You just said I'm sweet," I remind her, splitting my attention between her and the girls.
She nibbles on a strawberry, and I have to force my gaze away from her luscious lips.
Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment. Doing the right thing should be simple. But simple stopped applying somewhere around the moment Lindsey started feeling like mine.