Discovering Sophie (14 page)

“Are you sure you need to stay here all night?”

She leaned in and whispered, “This little boy is very sick, Jack. He needs me.”

Not given much of a choice, Jack translated Sophie’s treatment plan. The old woman smiled serenely, then closed her eyes and made the sign of the cross as she prayed.

“Tell me what she said,” Sophie asked, placing her hand on Jack’s arm. “Did she give me permission?”

“Yes.” Jack gazed into Sophie’s somber eyes. “She also said that God sent you.”

As he relayed the message, Jack had the strongest impression that God had also sent Sophie for him. Instead of rejecting the idea, he allowed the thought to take root. Maybe it was time for him to discover why Sophie had come into his life.

He watched her mouth lift into a soft smile. “He did send me.”

Right then, Jack wished he was worthy of someone like Sophie. But how could he ever hope to be when he still harbored so much animosity for his family? He knew that withholding his forgiveness was the stumbling block that kept him from fully recommitting himself back to his faith. He wasn’t sure he could do it, but for the first time in years, he was willing to try.

* * *

Sophie tied the rubber tourniquet just above Mario’s elbow. His skin was hot and dry to the touch, the fever still raging inside the small body. She adjusted the headlamp light so it shone on the child’s forearm and palpated the skin with her fingertips until she felt the vein that was barely visible. Praying her IV skills were as good as they’d been in med school, she tore open an alcohol wipe and thoroughly cleansed the area.

Putting on a clean pair of disposable gloves, she picked up the pediatric sized IV catheter and removed the plastic cap. Mario didn’t even flinch as Sophie pierced the skin and pushed the tip of the needle in at an angle, probing gently. She felt the tiny pop as the needle entered the vein. Slowly, she advanced it forward until she saw the flashback of dark red blood at the hub. She pulled the needle out while simultaneously threading the catheter into the vein.

“Good boy,” Sophie said to Mario, removing the tourniquet and attaching the tubing to the IV. Jack stood next to her, holding the bag of fluids. She opened up the roller clamp, allowing the fluid to drip freely, and taped the IV securely.

“Wow,” Jack said with awe, “the kid didn’t even move.”

“I know.” The child hadn’t even opened his eyes. “That’s what worries me.” She glanced around the hut trying to decide how best to hang the bag. She noticed a nail protruding out of the wall behind the child’s pallet. “Do you think you could string the bag up to that nail?” she asked Jack.

“Sure.”

While Jack jury-rigged the bag, Sophie mixed up the antibiotics, wanting to get the first dose of ampicillin in as soon as possible. Over the next three minutes, she slowly pushed the antibiotic through the IV port.

After she finished, Sophie cleaned up her mess and then documented the time and dosage of the antibiotic in the small notebook she kept with her medical supplies. She then adjusted the roller clamp so the IV fluids dripped at a therapeutic pace. Mario still hadn’t stirred, and Sophie hoped that with hydration and the medication he would start to perk up.

She placed her hand on the boy’s forehead, pleased to find it cooler. She brushed back a few locks of hair from Mario’s brow as he slept peacefully. A soft snore came from his grandmother who had fallen asleep in the rocking chair while Sophie attended to Mario.

Guadalupe was exhausted and probably hadn’t slept well since her grandson had become ill. By letting herself fall asleep, Sophie knew the older woman must trust her. She continued to pray for direction about how to help Mario get better.

Satisfied, Sophie stood and stretched, her knees protesting after staying in one position for so long. Needing some fresh air, she turned to quietly sneak outside. Jack stood by the door, watching her with his intense, blue eyes. Her heart thudded, and she gave him a tentative smile. “He’s doing a little better.”

His gaze continued to penetrate her, and she wondered what was going through his head this time. With Jack, she could never be sure.

“You’re a good doctor,” he said softly.

She lowered her lashes, feeling her face go warm. How did he do that? It caught her off guard when he spoke so tenderly and made fighting the attraction pointless. “Thank you.” She ran a hand through her disheveled hair. “I need to get my tent and sleeping bag, and then I’ll come back to stay the night.”

Jack’s eyes darkened, and he frowned. “Why do you have to stay here? Can’t you just come back in the morning?”

She wondered why he would care. Wasn’t he planning on being somewhere else tonight? Sighing, she whispered, “Let’s go outside to work out the details.”

He opened the door, and they both stepped out into refreshing night air. The ordinary nocturnal sounds of the jungle were replaced by music and the laughter of humans. One raucous group was not too far away from Guadalupe’s hut. Flames from the campfire flickered in the night, illuminating images of individuals dancing to Latin music.

Sophie guessed this was why Jack was worried. She’d been so intent with Mario’s care she hadn’t even heard the lively party going on.

Jack crossed his arms in front of his chest, taking the stance of a man who wouldn’t take no for an answer. “It’s not safe for you to set up your tent here.”

He was probably right. As uncomfortable as she might be in the small space, her only option was to sleep inside the hut. “If I’m inside with Mario I’ll be okay.”

“You won’t get any sleep. How are we supposed to travel tomorrow if you’re wiped out?”

As much as Sophie wanted to keep on their journey to find her father, she couldn’t leave Mario when he was this sick. “I know what you said, but we can’t leave tomorrow. Mario needs me.”

The muscle in his jaw tightened. “What if he’s better?”

“Jack, another day or two and Mario would’ve died. I have no idea why he isn’t septic now. I have to be here to administer the antibiotics and keep him on IV fluids until he can start taking in water and food orally.”

Jack scrubbed his hands over his face in frustration. “That means I need to make camp out here.”

He sounded put out, and she realized he must be angry that his plans for tonight would have to be canceled. “I don’t need you to babysit me.”

His eyes sparked with irritation. “You’re a woman, and I’m responsible for you. Leaving you alone and unprotected would be stupid.”

“I’m not helpless. Go do whatever it was you were going to do.”

“I’m going to be sleeping. Out here.” He leaned in close to her. “Don’t argue with me about this.”

The nearness of his face momentarily distracted her, but she could take care of herself. “I’m not arguing. I’m just stating a fact.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “Hey, Doctor. This is one of those times when you’re making me mad.”

Was he being charming?
His moods were so hard to read. “Well, this time I was actually trying to make you mad.”

He started to chuckle and took her hand, entwining their fingers. “Come on, Sophie. Whether you like it or not, I’m sleeping near you.”

She didn’t know how to respond to this even-tempered Jack, so she let him lead her back to their supplies. When they were within a few yards of the hut, she saw Elaina standing outside. Even from this distance, Sophie could see the girl’s dark eyes were filled with hostility. The second Jack noticed, he dropped Sophie’s hand.

“What’s the matter, Jack?” Sophie hissed. “Don’t want to make your girlfriend upset?”

He spoke low, clearly as annoyed as Sophie was. “No, I’m just trying to keep you safe for the night. Let’s just say when it comes to me, she can be a little obsessive.”

More envious feelings rocketed through her. “So are you trying to provoke her? Correct me if I’m wrong, but if you’re sleeping with me, she won’t be too happy.”

Jack swung his head around, his eyes opened wide with astonishment. Then he spoke through gritted teeth. “Boy am I glad she can’t hear us. And just for clarification, Sophie…I’m sleeping
near
you, not
with
you.”

Heat flooded her face. “I know that…I didn’t mean—” She threw her arms up and stomped away. “You are driving me crazy.”

Chapter Eleven

Yeah?
Well, welcome to the club.
Jack thought sourly as Sophie disappeared inside the hut. He had pretty much lost all sense of mental balance when it came to Sophie.

He eyed Elaina warily, wondering why she wasn’t out with her boyfriend. He wasn’t exactly sure how to handle this whole situation. Forcing his lips into a smile, he lifted a hand and waved. “
Hola,
Elaina.”

Her dark eyes narrowed, and she asked him where he had been.

Jack explained his role in helping Mario get better. The way he worded it made it sound like Sophie would be incompetent without him. It wasn’t the truth, but he hoped it would placate Elaina.

A smile crossed her face, and she threw her arms around his neck. Startled, Jack turned his head just as her lips grazed his cheek instead of his mouth. This was getting out of hand, and he was to blame. Even more unfortunate was the delay in their departure.

Hector suddenly appeared, leading the donkey by a rope. His arrival allowed Jack to untangle Elaina’s arms from around his neck. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The kid who had been kissing Elaina earlier, stormed across the yard toward his girlfriend. Fear entered Elaina’s eyes for just a moment before she coolly thanked Jack for giving her an update on her cousin.

Taking the young man by the hand, Elaina led him away and said something to make her boyfriend laugh while putting his arm around her shoulders.

Jack watched them disappear and hoped Elaina wouldn’t try anything else tonight.

Hector gave a low whistle as he tied the donkey to a tree branch. “The sooner we leave the better, ¿
no
?”

“That had been my plan.” Jack laughed humorlessly. “Sophie won’t leave the little boy, though. He’s too sick.”

A look of concern entered Hector’s eyes. “He is bad, then?”

“Yeah.” He glanced at the hut. “She’s going to sleep there tonight.”

“What will you do about Elaina?” Hector asked, knowing all about the girl’s obsessive tendencies.

“I guess I’ll have to set up my tent by Guadalupe’s.”

One of Hector’s bushy eyebrows lifted. “
Amigo
, would you like me to do it instead?”

“Yes, Jack,” Sophie said, coming outside. “You should let Hector come. That way your night will be free to spend with Elaina.”

Sophie seemed jealous and very angry with him. Jack really needed to set the record straight about Elaina so Sophie would know he wasn’t interested in the girl. For now, he said, “Thanks for the offer, but Hector will stay with Fred and I’ll go with you.”

Sophie’s nostrils flared, and Hector stifled a laugh before picking up Jack’s gear and handing it to him. “
Buena suerte esta noche
.”

Jack grinned. He’d need more than luck to make it through their visit without any more problems. His stomach gurgled loudly, and he remembered they hadn’t eaten dinner.

“Do you think we could take some food with us?” He glanced around but didn’t see any evidence of the meal Hector had been working on.

For the second time that day, Hector’s face colored. “Someone stole the chicken when I wasn’t looking.” His eyes narrowed. “They even took the vegetables.”

“I was going to say the chicken got lucky, but it sounds like he’s still on the menu.”

“I would’ve started something else, but I’ve been searching for the culprit.” Hector gave an apologetic shrug. “I’ll go ahead and get started now.”

“Hector,” Sophie said, stepping in front of him. “Don’t worry about it. A protein bar will be fine with me.”

When Hector looked like he was going to protest, Jack moved next to Sophie. “I agree with Sophie. Besides, I know she wants to get back to the little boy right away.”

He thought he’d score some points with her, but she didn’t even acknowledge him as Hector turned and grabbed a couple of the meal replacement bars. “Thank you, Hector. Have a good night,” Sophie said, marching past Jack without a backward glance.

“
Buenas noches, señorita
,” Hector said to her retreating back.

Jack watched Sophie making tracks before he hollered, “Hey, Sophie.” He waited until she turned to look at him. “You’re going the wrong way.” He pointed out the correct direction and tried not to laugh when she spun on her heel and stomped the other way.

The two of them made pretty good time. Jack didn’t try to talk—he was smart enough to know now was not the time to bring up Elaina.

When they arrived at Guadalupe’s small home, Sophie continued to ignore him and headed for the front door. Jack put a hand on her shoulder and stopped her. “Hang on a minute, would you?”

She let out a long breath. “What do you want?”

What did he want?
He eyed her contemplatively, wishing he had more time to analyze such a loaded question.

“Jack,” she said impatiently. “I would like to go in and see Mario.”

“Are you actually going to sleep in there?”

She glowered at him defiantly. “Yes.”

“Okay.” There was no use arguing with her. “I’ll set my tent up right outside the door.”

Her chin shot up. “I told you that isn’t necessary.”

“And I told you it is.” He peered into her eyes and softened his voice. “I really am just trying to look out for you, Sophie.”

That did the trick. In the glow of the setting sun, Jack saw her lips curve up into a smile. “I know,” she said. “Hopefully Elaina will forgive you.”

He tried not to grin. Sophie didn’t stay angry very long, and she was still jealous. “What if you have a nightmare?”

She frowned. “I had almost forgotten about that. I’ll try not to sleep, and then tomorrow I’ll catch a nap while you’re off spending time with Elaina.”

Despite his earlier conviction, he found it funny how she kept bringing up Elaina and Jack couldn’t resist teasing her. “Thanks, after how angry I made her, I’ll need a little alone time.”