Page 62 of A Heart of Little Faith

Lily shook her head. “No, don’t worry; you didn’t disturb me at all. You’re making a habit of falling asleep on me though.”

He reddened. “Guess you just have that effect on me.”

She rolled her eyes. “They’re releasing me today.”

“That’s great. Let me get myself together and I’ll help you get ready.”

A half hour later they sat and waited for her to be discharged. When the nurse came in with the wheelchair, Gideon stiffened. Lily glanced from the strain on his face to the chair the nurse pushed.

“Look Gideon, his and hers!” she quipped.

He coughed. “I’ve got a better idea.” He patted his lap and Lily checked with the nurse. When she nodded, Lily settled herself into his lap and they departed the hospital.

“Gee, my own private chauffeur,” she said as she nuzzled his neck. “How’d I manage that?”

“Wait until you hear the payment.”

Lily raised an eyebrow. “And if I refuse to pay?”

“I may just have to cut your ride short.” He furrowed his brow in mock anger and moved as if to push her off his lap.

She squealed, and threw her arms around him. Her chest pressed against his; its rock hardness contrasted with her softness and she longed to feel well enough to feel his skin against hers.

“That’s much better,” he whispered, as he cradled her body to his.

Chapter 22

Gideon paused at the threshold of Lily’s apartment, hand on the cold brass knob, her in his lap. Memories from a few days ago washed over him and filled him with an icy dread. The still apartment, her feverish body, his fear for her. He swallowed as he convinced himself everything was okay.

“Um, are we going in?”

Her words interrupted his thoughts and her weight in his lap reminded him she was here, safe with him. Gentle heat from her body calmed him. Such a difference from a few days ago, when touching her made him sweat. The tension in his body began to ease; the kinks in his muscles started to unwind.

He shook his head to clear the cobwebs. “Yeah, sorry.” He opened the door and Lily stood.

As they entered the apartment, Samantha and Claire welcomed her like a returning war hero. Claire screamed and ran over to her, jumped into her arms and hugged her so tightly, she stumbled backward. Clamping his jaw closed to prevent himself from yelling at Claire, Gideon rushed forward. He grasped her waist, as Samantha raced over to pry Claire off of her.

“Why don’t you give your mom what you made her?”

Claire raced into her room and Gideon steered Lily into the apartment and over to the sofa. She was as substantial as a twig and he shuddered.

Lily sank into the cushions as Claire jumped onto the couch next to her. She hugged her mother again and handed her a pile of papers, including a get-well card, several pictures and a poem. As she read the poem, her eyes welled with tears and she leaned over and hugged Claire. “I missed you so much, sweetie.”

“Me too, Mommy. Don’t ever do that again.” Claire pulled away and frowned at her.

Lily took her cheeks in her palms and kissed her. “I’ll try not to, honey, okay? Now, tell me everything you did with Samantha while I was gone.”

As Lily and Claire talked, Gideon and Samantha put Lily’s things away and pulled down the covers of her bed. When mother and daughter finished, he came over.

“Okay you two, that’s enough for now.” He picked Lily up and put her on his lap. His breath caught in his chest as her bones dug into his lap and side.

“What are you doing?” she sputtered.

“Putting you to bed.”

He and Sam both ignored Lily’s protests and put her to bed.

“I’m not tired.” She struggled to get up, but Samantha gently pushed her into the pillow.