“I am going to take care of you, teeny. All you have to do is listen to Daddy and do exactly what he tells you to. Understand?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Good girl. Now, I want you to roll onto your belly. I’m not going to let you go. I promise. I won’t let you fall.”
She whimpered but rolled onto her belly. He kept his hands on her at all times, guiding her down, keeping her between him and the ladder. When he was on the ground, he grabbed her around the waist and lifted her down, turning her in his arms so she was cradled against his chest.
“She okay? She hurt?” Kent asked from behind her.
She burrowed in closer against Linc, breathing in his sc
ent. He walked inside with her. Her teeth chattered.
“No, I don’t think so. Just scared and cold.”
“You want me to call Doc?” Kent asked.
“Yeah, thanks.”
“No,” she said. “N-no, I don’t need Doc. I’m just c-cold and tired.”
“Linc?” Kent asked.
“Call him,” he said grimly. “She’s freezing cold and I want to make sure she’s all right.”
“Linc, I don’t need Doc. I’m fine,” she protested as he laid her on the sofa with an admonishment to stay there.
Kent, who was on the phone, stepped towards the fireplace, throwing on more wood.
Linc returned seconds later with her bag so she could check her blood sugar.
“Is there something I can do?” Abby asked anxiously, hovering to the side. “A hot drink? Hot water bottle?”
“Actually, sweetheart, could you go into our bedroom, it’s just down the hall to the left, and grab Marisol’s doll and blanket that are on the bed?”
Abby nodded and took off.
“Linc,” she hissed in protest. Now Abby would know she slept with a snuggly and Princess Nana.
“Hush,” Linc said firmly. “When was the last time you ate?” She held out her finger for him to prick.
“Umm. Lunch time, I think. What time is it?” If she was honest, she was feeling a bit light-headed and woozy.
“What can I do?” Kent asked just as Abby raced back in and bounced into him. She would have fallen if he hadn’t grabbed hold of her.
“Whoops.” She handed Marisol her doll and blanket.
“Can you get me some blankets,” Linc said to Kent. “Her blood sugar is low.” He showed her the number before grabbing a small tube of glucose tabs from her kit. He opened up two and gave them to her.
Kent returned with a handful of blankets and they started piling them over her.
“I don’t need blankets,” she said irritably, pushing them back. She was sweaty and shaking.
Linc placed his hand over her forehead. “You feel cold to me. You’re irritable because your blood sugar is low.”
“I am not.” She scowled at him.
Linc moved to her feet, removing her shoes and rubbing her feet. She groaned in pleasure.