Chapter 10
Noah’s eyes popped open. What had awakened him? He listened but heard nothing but Finn’s soft snores.
Stretching, Noah immediately thought of Caitie. Thinking about her before falling asleep had led to dreams of her.
Finn and Joe’s comments kept repeating in Noah’s mind, doing battle with his loyalty to Keven. The man had been a good friend to Noah, but what else might he have lied about?
Except for criticizing him for name-dropping, nothing in Caitie’s behavior since being paired as team leaders for the project even hinted at any ulterior motives. Oh, she was hiding something, but everyone did. Noah’s gut told him he could trust her. But he’d thought he could trust Keven too.
The noise came again. He glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand. Two in the morning. Was someone up? Carefully, he eased from his bed, trying not to wake Finn across the room. Noah went to the door and slowly turned the handle. He stepped outside and listened. There it was again.
Noah tiptoed down the hallway to the top of the stairs.
The glow from the city shone through the giant wall of glass, giving the room its only light.
At first, he didn’t see the form on one of the couches.
Until the sound of a groan was followed by retching and then another groan.
Noah dashed down, slowing only when he recognized Caitie’s pink hair.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, kneeling beside the couch.
“Oh, go away.” Caitlyn started to roll away from him, but she groaned and clutched a small rubbish bin closer to her chest.
Noah watched helplessly as she heaved into it, but she must not have anything left in her stomach. When the convulsions finally stopped, she set it down with a sob.
“Can I—” he started.
“Go away.” The words came out mumbled, like she was having a hard time making her lips move.
But Noah couldn’t leave her to face this misery alone. “Do you hurt anywhere besides your stomach?” He pulled a throw over her shoulders.
“Everywhere.”
Could it be food poisoning? Noah didn’t feel the least bit queasy. He searched his memory of the evening meal. Caitie hadn’t done more than pick at her food. Now that he thought about it, she’d looked even paler than usual, her pink hair unable to add any color to her complexion.
“Were you feeling sick before dinner?”
“Yes. Ugh.” She reached for the bin again.
He wrinkled his nose at the smell as he handed it to her. When the fit ended, he took the bin from her and carried it to the bathroom, where he washed it out. Poor wee thing.
“Could it be the stomach flu?” he asked when he returned.
“I think it’s an allergic reaction, probably to the jalapenos since that was the only new food I ate.”
A jolt of alarm raced through him. He’d had a childhood friend from school who’d nearly died from anaphylactic shock.
“I’ll be right back.” Noah dashed to the kitchen and the medicine cupboard he’d noticed there. Fortunately, it held a bottle of antihistamines. He hoped she would keep one of them down.
“Here now, let’s see if this helps what’s ailing you,” Noah said when he’d returned to the living room.
He sat beside her on the sofa and lifted her head to shift the pillow to his lap.
When she sat up, he handed her the little pink tablet.
“I’ve got a pill for you to swallow. ‘Tis an antihistamine and ought to help an allergic reaction.”
Wearily, Caitlyn took it and put it in her mouth. She accepted the glass of water he offered and took the smallest of sips. She didn’t choke, so he patted the pillow on his lap.
“Settle down, my dear,” he said. “You’ve got your bin and blanket. Now tell me what your symptoms are.”
Caitie lay down as instructed. “Are you my doctor now?” she asked, her voice soft and weak but carrying a touch of humor.
“Aye. Did I never tell you my da and his da before him are both doctors?”
She looked up at Noah and the depth of her blue eyes reminded him of their early acquaintance. He’d seen depth of character then. It was still there, even stronger.
“Were they disappointed you didn’t study medicine too?” Caitie asked.
Noah shifted his gaze. “They never said it, but I’m sure thinking they must have been. Many in the village have told me ‘twas a shame I didn’t want to follow in their footsteps.”
“But you wanted to be a game developer.”
“Aye.” He gave a soft chuckle, thinking to distract her from her discomfort.
“I never thought I could until I met Kayn. Well, Finn met him first, working at Tasheton Castle where Kayn was staying. Finn was getting off work one day. Since Kayn had some free time, Finn invited him to the gaming night at my house.”
“Did Sona come with him?”
“No. ‘Twas just Kayn that night. We didn’t meet Sona and Granny until later. My granddad has often said ‘tis a small world. With how we all met proves it to me.” Noah glanced at Caitie.
She’d closed her eyes, and Noah wondered if she might be falling asleep.
“‘Twill pass,” he murmured, brushing back her short hair. “I’m promising you. You’ll be feeling better soon.”
Caitie didn’t speak, so he rested his head against the back of the sofa, crooning a lullaby his mother had sung to him as a young child when he’d been sick.
“That’s beautiful,” she mumbled. “Can you teach it to me?”
“Now?” He lifted his head.
“Yes. It’ll distract me from how bad I feel.”
“Sure.” Noah sang the cradle song again, stopping after the first line to repeat it. “Now you be trying it.”
Caitie’s voice, while a little rough, still carried a sweetness that made a lump form in his throat. She sounded like the angels in the lyrics and made him feel like he’d returned to Ireland.
“Ah, Caitie, you’re an Irish lass at heart. Now try the second line.”
Once again, as his mother would have done, Noah ran his fingers through Caitie’s hair as he taught her the song. Her words slurred as her body relaxed. Noah continued to sing softly, letting his voice grow quieter as his eyes drooped, and his hand came to a stop, cupping the crown of her head.
A painful stab of light through Caitlyn’s eyelids made her squeeze them more tightly closed. It was morning already? She’d been having the most wonderful dream, and she wanted to get back to it. But it was already fading. It had something to do with...
Noah.
No. She couldn’t go there again. Her crushed expectations two years ago had been bad enough; she wouldn’t set herself up to be hurt again. Keven had taken so much from her. Was she never going to be free of him and his lies?
It’d been the right choice to press charges against him.
That and refusing his advances which had triggered the beating.
Even after he’d started his character-destroying vendetta after, she hadn’t been sorry.
With a record for assault and battery, she’d hoped he might think twice before hitting another woman.
It should have been ancient history. Old news.
Caitlyn’s stomach growled, and she realized she was ravenously hungry. And not queasy in the least. Her mouth tasted foul, so she reached in her pocket for a breath mint.
Then she remembered the allergic reaction. She pressed her lips together. They were still a little puffy, but her tongue didn’t tingle anymore. The antihistamine must have worked—
Oh! It hadn’t been a dream. Sudden warmth filled her cheeks at how kind Noah had been to her. He’d held her while she’d been ill. Maybe he had more doctorly instincts than he credited himself with. He’d even taught her that beautiful Irish lullaby.
Why couldn’t he always be like that to her? But no. Even though he had the power to curl her toes like before, he was still friends with Keven.
Caitlyn’s eyes filled with tears, and she started to roll over but paused. She wasn’t in her bed—and her head was resting on someone’s lap. Opening her eyes, she looked up.
Noah’s head leaned to the side at an awkward angle. She wanted to straighten it. That position couldn’t be comfortable. His morning scruff of a beard was prominent.
Caitlyn slowly raised her hand and, ever so softly, ran her fingers along Noah’s jaw. Once upon a time, when they’d gone almost everywhere together, she enjoyed watching him when he wasn’t looking. He’d hinted they should date exclusively. Then Keven must have said something.
“You’re awake—” Noah said, breaking off with a groan as he straightened his head.
Caitlyn’s heart leaped into her throat at being caught touching his chin. She dropped her hand.
“I wondered if you would wake with a crick in your neck. Thank you for playing nursemaid for me.” When she sat up, the effort making her feel lightheaded, she swayed.
Her body must be depleted after the vomit-fest the night before.
Remembering Eve’s suggestion, Caitlyn said, “My blood sugar’s too low. I need to get some juice.”
“Aye, last night ‘twould do it to you. I’ll fetch you some.” He shifted, moaning like an old man. “Well, I will once I’m getting this body moving.”
The image of the two of them, stumbling around like they’d just come in from a wild night, struck her as funny, and she giggled.
“Would you be laughing at me?” Noah scowled at her, but his eyes had a twinkle, and the corners of his mouth twitched.
Still giggling, she tried to explain, and he chuckled.
The effort was too much for her, though. Unable to hold her head upright, Caitlyn rested it against the sofa back for support.
“I’ll be hurrying back.” Noah bent over and ran the back of his fingers down her cheek. “Don’t you be worrying.”
His tender concern had brought tears to her eyes. Telling herself not to act the fool, she wiped her face.
“Juice first to raise your blood sugar fast,” Noah said, appearing at her side again.
He handed her a large glass and sat surprisingly close beside her. He said nothing but watched as she drank, his gaze full of concern. It was kind of sweet.
She had to remind herself there was no point in thinking of what could have been.
Each swallow of the orange juice raised Caitlyn’s energy. By the time she finished half the glass, Noah had removed the wrapper from a cheese stick.
“Have you been talking to Eve about my blood sugar problem?” she asked.
“No,” he said, his expression confused as he handed her the cheese.
“Then how do you know so much about handling low blood sugar?” She bit off the end.
“Son of a doctor.” Noah pointed to himself, wearing a duh expression. “‘Twas quite the reaction you had last night. I’m sorry I pushed you into tasting that jalapeno ice cream.”
“It’s not your fault. With my being so sick lately, I’ve had to be careful about what I eat.” She gave a soft laugh. “But seriously, how could either of us have known I’d be allergic to jalapenos? That was just the worst bad luck. Par for the course for me, though.”
“Ah, now, don’t you be putting yourself down, Caitie dear.”
Caitie dear. His adorably stern expression softened her willpower. She reached up to smooth the crease between his brows. He captured her hand and gently pressed a kiss to her palm.
It was like Noah’s lips were connected to a power source, sending a zap of electricity through her nerves.
The thrill of attraction rushed from her hand into the rest of her.
Noah’s gaze shifted to her mouth and back up to her eyes, as though asking her permission.
To kiss her? Another jolt raced through Caitlyn.
Had the orange juice sweetened her breath enough?
She gave the smallest of nods. One corner of his mouth quirked up, and he leaned in.
“You two are up early,” Zoe called, skipping down the staircase.
Caitlyn and Noah leaned back. She fumbled to keep from dropping the glass, and he jumped to his feet.
“Well, I’m that glad you’re feeling better now, Caitie. Morning, Zoe.” Noah didn’t look at either of them but jogged to the stairs and went up them two at a time.
“Are you sure you were sick?” Zoe took Noah’s place on the couch and peered at Caitlyn. “Because that sure looked like you two were about to kiss. And, see, your lips are swollen.”
Caitlyn let her head rest against the couch back, exhausted. “No, we haven’t been kissing.” And it was all Zoe’s fault they hadn’t. Caitlyn held up her still-puffy hands. “I had an allergic reaction to something, probably the jalapenos. Noah heard me puking my guts out and came to help.”
“Oh.” Zoe’s expression had gone from expectant to disappointed and settled on worried. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” As Caitlyn explained. “He got me some food, but I think I’ll be better once I’ve gotten more sleep.”
“I’m sure, but I liked my version of your night much better,” Zoe said, her tone matter-of-fact. “You have great chemistry. I can totally ship you two.”
“We could never have a relationship,” Caitlyn said with a disgusted snort. “He’s BFFs with Keven.”
“Oh. Yeah. That restraining order you have on him would make going on double dates a little awkward.” Zoe’s expression, which had been thoughtful, now turned concerned. “It’s too bad Noah can’t see what a jerk Keven is.”
A discreet cough came from the top of the stairs, and they both glanced up. Finn. Caitlyn winced. How much of that had he heard? She couldn’t face him.
“I had a bad night. Since it’s Sunday, and we don’t really have anything formal planned, I’m going to bed.” Caitlyn dragged herself up the stairs.