“Of course. Thank you for everything. Do you have medicine? It’s probably just a cold or something. Give me a call later and let me know how she is.”

Ryan walked with Emily to the car. “I guess we’ll have to postpone that romantic night.”

“She was fine when she woke up, and she was painting happily all day. It’s come on very suddenly.” She pressed her hand to Lizzy’s forehead again and felt a flash of unease. She was relieved Skylar was staying another night. It would be moral support.

“Give her lots of fluids.” Ryan opened the car door for her. “Don’t let her overheat, and if you’re worried get in touch with the medical clinic. You have the number?”

“Stuck to the fridge.”

“If you’re worried, call me. I’d come back with you, but we have a wedding at the Ocean Club tomorrow and things are a little crazy.”

“We’re fine, Ryan.” She strapped Lizzy into her seat. “I should go.”

She closed the door, and Ryan put an arm on either side of her, caging her. “As soon as Lizzy is better, we need to arrange another sleepover.”

For a moment she thought he was going to kiss her right there in public, but then he pulled away and she saw Skylar walking toward them, loaded down with art materials.

“Have I kept you waiting? I was taking photographs of the mural for my website. How’s poor Lizzy?”

“Feverish.” Emily knew she was going to be answering a hundred questions from her friend the moment they were on their own. “I’m going to get her home.”

“Keep her cool,” Ryan advised. “Don’t let her overheat.” He stood back so that Emily could slide into the driver’s seat. “I’m sure she’ll be better tomorrow.”

* * *

Tomorrow came and Lizzy was worse. She was restless and fractious all morning, and by the time Emily dropped Skylar at the airport at lunchtime her temperature was high.

Skylar stared up at the sky. “Storm blowing in. I wish I could stay, but I have a meeting with the gallery. They’ve sold some of my pieces and need more, and I really have to do some work on my collection for the exhibition in December.”

“Of course you can’t stay. We’ll be fine. It’s just a cold, I’m sure.” She ignored the uneasy twinge in her stomach that told her it was something more.

She was a worrier, so she had to counteract that by forcing herself to be rational.

All the same she was up all night, checking Lizzy and keeping her cool. By morning, Lizzy was worse, not better. It was when Emily was changing her soaked T-shirt for the second time that she noticed the rash.