Charlene checked her temperature, then forced herself to stay awake for a while, hoping Thorne would return. But exhaustion soon got the better of her, and she drifted off to sleep.


    When she woke again, sunlight nting across the room, Thorne was still there, quietly reading in his chair.


    She stared at him in a daze, not quite focusing, until Thorne noticed her and put down his book. He walked over and gently pressed his hand to her damp forehead. "How are you feeling?" he asked.


    It had been a long time since they''d shared this kind of closeness.


    Charlene tensed at the touch, unused to his hands on her, even though she knew he was only checking her temperature. She brushed his hand away and shook her head, saying nothing.


    She was just surprised he was still there.


    She''d assumed that after taking that phone call earlier, he would have left the house.


    A fresh wave of sweat broke out across her skin, but finally, the fever began to fade. Feeling mmy and ufortable, she changed into clean clothes, ate a small meal, and theny down to rest again.


    The next time she awoke, it was already afternoon.


    Her fever had finally broken.


    Now, Thorne was gone. The room was silent and empty, leaving her alone with her thoughts.


    Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. It was a message from Stewart, asking how she was feeling.


    Charlene replied with a few brief messages. Stewart still had work to do, so their conversation was short.


    She set her phone aside and, for the first time, really looked around the room.


    She hadn''t noticed much while she was sick, but now she realized that Thorne''s room looked just as it always had. Her collection of lotions and perfumes was still scattered across the vanity. When she''d changed earlier, she''d noticed her clothes still hanging neatly beside Thorne''s in the wardrobe, untouched.


    "Are you feeling unwell?"


    Thorne''s voice startled her from her thoughts-she hadn''t even realized he''de back into the room.


    She blinked, then shook her head. "No, I''m fine now. The fever''s gone."


    Thorne nodded. "I know."


    Charlene hesitated, then climbed out of bed. After picking out somefortable clothes and grabbing her phone, she quietly left the room.<fn8ca4> This text is hosted at fι?dnοvel</fn8ca4>


    Thorne watched her go. "Where are you headed?"


    "Just need some fresh air."


    He didn''t protest, simply watched her slip away.


    A littleter, when Thorne finally left the room himself, he found Charlene standing by the upstairs.window in the sitting room, gazing out at something in the distance.  s


    He walked over, and Charlene, hearing his approach, turned to him. "The roads


    are clear again. I''m feeling much better, so I think I''ll head back now."


    She paused for a moment, then added, "Thank you for everything today."


    Thorne understood she meant for taking care of her.


    Before he could respond, Irma''s voice rang out from down the hall. "Thorne is this how you take care of someone? Charlene''s just gotten over a fever and you let her stand by the open window? What if she gets sick again?"  s


    Charlene, standing a few feet away, replied before Thorne could defend himself. "Grandma, I''m really fine. I''m not going to rpse so easily."


    Irma shot her a disapproving look. "You never take care of yourself.


    You''re still pale as a ghost-you


    should rest some more. There''et


    plenty of time before dinner. Why don''t you go back to your room and lie down a bit? You''ll feel much better by evening."  s