Luke went to take Sally from Gloriana. “You’re exhausted. I want you to go rest. Have a nap. It won’t hurt for you to take some time away from all this. I’ll stay here and take care of JT and Sally.”

“But you don’t know what to do for JT.”

“So tell me.” He grinned and put Sally to his shoulder to see if she needed to burp. She did.

“It’s too complicated. JT has to get the willow bark tea every six hours to help with his fever, and he has to drink plenty of fluids otherwise. He’s just now starting to feel a little cooler, so I dare not relax my concern now.”

“You aren’t. You’re letting me take it on for you. Now go to bed. I’ll be here to oversee it all. I know how to warm a bottle and change a diaper. I can even wash out dirty clothes if I need to.” He adjusted his hold on Sally. “We’ll be just fine.”

“Well, maybe for just an hour or so, but it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to sleep with you here.”

“Then sleep next door. It won’t hurt a thing. We’re going to be married as soon as you feel it safe enough to slip away and do so. No one has any right to fuss over you taking a nap next door while I mind the sick and very young.” He kissed Sally’s face, and she squealed in delight and reached for his nose.

Gloriana watched them for a moment, then nodded. “All right. I’ll go next door and take a nap. If I’m not back in an hour or two, however, come wake me.”

“Go on. We’ll be just fine, and you’ll be much better once you’ve slept.”

He watched Gloriana hesitate as she wrestled with the decision one more time before finally leaving the house. She was barely functioning. He could see the exhaustion in her eyes. Her drive to care for JT—to see him through this sickness and save his life—had taken such a toll. No doubt her worry that Sally might catch the disease had also kept her from being able to relax for even a moment.

“Well, here we are, pretty miss,” he told Sally. “I suggest we go check on JT, but since I don’t want to give you any extra exposure, I’m going to put you in your crib to play.”