His answering grin was self-deprecating. ‘Not at all.’
A cry sounded in the other room. ‘Here we go. Jamie doesn’t wake up sweetly. Especially after a rough night.’ This was sure to send Mitch charging out of the motel faster than an angry bull.
Pulling the curtains open, she sat on the edge of the bed and ran her hand over Jamie’s damp hair. ‘Hey, sweetheart. It’s time to get up and have some breakfast.’ She kept talking softly while rubbing his head, then his back, slowly coaxing the crying to a sniffle then to a few hiccups. ‘That’s my boy. Shall we put your tiger top on today?’
‘Okay.’
Really? That easily? Jodi studied Jamie and realised he was looking beyond her to the doorway. A quick glance showed Mitch leaning against the doorframe. That’s why she’d won the first round in the dressing stakes so easily. Mitch was a huge distraction.
‘Let’s get you some toast and honey.’ That usually meant Jamie would automatically want cereal.
‘Okay, Mummy.’
Blink. Was something wrong with her hearing this morning? Where had this little angel come from? She plopped a kiss on her boy’s cheek. Noted the slight temperature from the warmth on his brow. Paracetamol coming up with that toast.
Mitch spoke up. ‘Can I put the toast on?’
‘Thanks, that would help. I’ll give the tiger a face wash.’ Swinging Jamie up into her arms, she winced as her back clicked.
‘He’s heavy for you.’ Mitch reached out to Jamie. ‘Hi, sport. Can I carry you to the bathroom?’
Jodi held her breath, certain that this gesture would lead to tears, if not tantrums.
Jamie jammed a thumb in his mouth, staring at Mitch warily. Then he nodded and held his free hand out to him. Stunned, Jodi handed him over to his father. ‘Guess I’m on toast duty, then.’
‘Ahh, are you sure? What if Jamie doesn’t like me washing him?’
‘Then I’ll be right with you. Coffee?’
When Jamie trotted out to join her a few minutes later Mitch was right behind him, a bewildered smile lighting up his face. ‘That was easy.’
Jodi handed him a mug of black coffee. ‘Beginner’s luck.’ But it warmed her heart that he’d done something for Jamie. The first hands-on thing and he’d come out of it with a smile. That had to be good. Didn’t it?
*
‘Now, about that breakfast.’ Mitch leaned against an impossibly small bench and eyeballed Jodi. ‘You could do with feeding up. I don’t believe you’ve had anything. Facing today on an empty stomach is not a good idea.’
‘I don’t want to carry a rubbish bin around with me either,’ she grumped as she elbowed him out of the way to make coffee.
‘If I cook it, will you at least try to eat a little?’ Mitch slid back against the bench. He wasn’t giving up on her that easily. ‘I’ll carry the bin.’
She glared up at him from under lowered eyebrows. ‘Persistent, aren’t you?’
‘That’s a yes, then.’ He ignored the flush spreading across her pale cheeks and delved through the two small cupboards to find a pan. ‘I can feel your eyes boring holes in my back.’ He unpacked the groceries, opened the packet of bacon.
‘Which part of no didn’t you understand?’
‘Which part of persistent don’t you?’ He turned around and was fixed with a look that told him to back off. A look distinctly lacking in humour. ‘Here’s the deal. I’ll cook some food and if you still don’t feel like eating then that’s okay with me.’
It wasn’t true but he wasn’t about to have a big argument over what she ate for breakfast. Somehow he doubted Jodi could take too much angst this morning, even if he was only doing it for her own good.
She dipped her head in acknowledgment. ‘Deal.’ Those brown orbs were filled with exhaustion, and behind that he saw her need for someone to take care of her, to stand at her side while she faced a new round of specialists today. A need she’d never in a month of birthdays admit to.
‘I’ve told my staff I might not be available for most of the day. I intend spending it with you while we talk to Lucas and anyone else he might refer Jamie to.’ Including Max. Damn it. He needed food in his stomach to manage that.
She didn’t move, didn’t say a word. But her gratitude was in the welling up of tears and the lightening of the brown of her eyes.
If only he could give her everything else she required as easily.
One step at a time, boyo. One step at a time.
*
Lucas Harrington turned out to be a genial man who immediately won Jodi over by simply spending time getting to know Jamie and putting him at ease. He acted as though he had all the time in the world for her little boy, and yet he had to be extremely busy. The examination he eventually gave Jamie was thorough and gentle.
Jodi nibbled her lip and watched Lucas’s face the whole time, looking for clues of what he thought. Not that she expected any nasty surprises: she’d already had them all. But worry held a permanent place in her head when it came to Jamie’s health.
Beside her, Mitch picked up her hand and held it in his. His thumb rubbed her wrist, softly, soothingly. When she dared to shift her vigil from Lucas to take a quick peek at Mitch she was surprised to find his eyes fixed on her, concern and care staring out at her. If only she’d had him beside her right from the beginning. It would’ve been so much better to have someone to share the burden, to talk about Jamie’s health and future. But that couldn’t be changed. She’d chosen not to tell him. And if he had known, it still wouldn’t have changed Jamie’s situation.
Mitch whispered, ‘Hang in there, Jodi. Jamie’s doing fine.’
‘He’s so brave.’ Her teeth nibbled her already tender bottom lip. ‘If only I could swap places with him. It’s so not fair.’
‘I think you’re very brave too. I’m only beginning to understand what it’s been like for you, and I’m probably so far off the mark but, hell, Jodi, you’re a marvel.’
‘I’m a mother. It comes with the territory. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.’
Understanding filled his gaze. His thumb stilled on her wrist. Then he lifted her hand and kissed her palm. ‘Thank you from me for Jamie.’
Shock rippled through her. What a difference thirty-six hours made. Mitch had gone from denial to acceptance that they had a child together. He’d made her breakfast—which seemed to be staying in place. Now he was sitting with her throughout their appointment, totally supportive. Blimey.
‘Right.’ Lucas’s deep voice blasted through her wonder. ‘Let’s get Jamie back into his tiger suit and then we’ll talk.’
With Jamie dressed and sitting on her knee, Jodi braced herself. She knew what was coming b
ut hearing it from this man would take away her last, futile grain of hope.
Lucas cleared his throat and looked at her. ‘I’ve read all the notes sent up by your specialists in Dunedin and I don’t see any reason to disagree with their prognosis.’
Her stomach churned. She tasted bacon at the back of her throat and not a rubbish bin in sight. In a strange, quivery voice she asked the specialist, ‘Are you going to run more tests?’
Mitch gripped her hand tight. She gripped back, probably crushing every bone in his.
‘I’m going to keep everything to a minimum. Jamie doesn’t need any more distress than is absolutely necessary,’ Lucas told them.
Jodi liked this gentle man even more.
Tapping his pen against the desk pad, he added, ‘But I can’t avoid all the tests, I’m afraid. We need to take some bloods.’ Tap, tap, tap. ‘We need to put him on stronger antibiotics too. I’m sure you’re aware of his temperature.’
‘That’s happened overnight,’ she told him. ‘Please, just tell me.’ Everything. Nothing. Make it all go away.
Lucas’s voice was very matter-of-fact. ‘Jamie does need a kidney transplant. Urgently.’
She knew that. Had heard it in Dunedin. That’s why they were here. But it still caused her breathing to cease, her heart to stop. The truth hurt, like a knife turning in her tummy. Shredding her to bits. Her boy was dying. Slowly, painfully. Horribly. And now she had to depend on someone else volunteering a kidney. Or, worse, another mother losing her child so Jamie could live. She opened her mouth to answer Lucas, but nothing came out. Not one word, not even a sound.
Mitch’s hand still held hers, but it was the specialist he spoke to. ‘Lucas, do you do the transplant surgery?’
‘No. As you are well aware, we have an excellent transplant team here, headed by none other than your brother. I’d prefer that Max does this.’
Beside her Mitch tensed, then shocked her with, ‘He is the best.’