"Oh diddly..." Ned sighed the moment after he stopped her from hitting the floor "Can you hear me, ma'am?"
He went a little further into the store with Maude and laid her down with her head onto his lap.
Ned placed his fingers on her neck and checked for a pulse.
"Steady..." he sighed in relief as he took a magazine out of the shelf next to him and waved fresh air at her face. He squeezed her right hand with his and smiled his softest smile.
Maude slowly opened her eyes and looked up at Ned with a dazed look.
"Hello there" he said "and welcome back."
A small giggle escaped his lips.
"You had me scared there for a moment... in 10 years of running this store this is a first!"
"Thank...you..." Maude mumbled weakly.
"Can you sit up? I'd like to get you something to drink..."
"Yeah...I think I can..."
Maude sat up with Ned's help.
"Great! I'll be right back!"
Ned came back a few seconds later with a glass of orange juice in his hand.
He also brought a few cookies with him and offered them to Maude.
"You should eat something sugary! Do you want me to call an ambulance? I...I don't want to sound rude but you look very pale..." Ned placed the back of his hand against her cheek.
"I'm fine. Just a little dizzy..." Maude started trembling at his touch. There was this nausea again.
"Dizzy? You should rest a little! I'll get you a blanket from the back, just wait here..."
Ned ran into the back of the store where he had his small office and got a blanket out of a drawer and went back to the front.
What is wrong with me?! Why am I feeling so dizzy and tired...
"Here!" He smiled as he wrapped the blanket around Maudes shoulders "Do you want to lie down a little?"
"Thank you so much!" Maude muttered as she sipped on the orange juice "I'm already feeling a lot better."
"I should lock down the store early today..." Ned said as he went to pick up the black purse Maude had dropped.
He handed the purse to the redhead before starting to lock the door.
"My name is Ned Flanders but please call me Ned."
"I'm Holly. Thank you very much for helping me... I'm so, so sorry for causing trouble..."
"No, no your not causing trouble! At this time there are usually no customers anyway! Are you really alright?"
"I think so..." Maude giggled.
"I...I'm sorry for staring but you remind me of someone..." Ned blushed.
"I hope that is meant to be a compliment?"
"Of course it is! She was very, very pretty...my wife... ah, I can't even speak normally." He stuttered as he blushed even more "You look like her a lot...I think it's the hair..."
"Oh she was a red head?" Maude smiled.
"Exactly the same shade! I...I'm sorry i must sound like a creep.."
"Actually I feel very flattered..." Maude smiled "I feel very sorry for your loss..."
"It's been a few years but...I appreciate your condolences..." Ned smiled a sad smile
"I would like to give you a ride home if you don't mind. I'm a little worried...about you...you know..."
"Thank you, I would be very happy..."
Maude smiled gently as Ned pulled her to her feet.
"Do you mind if I hold your hand? Just in case you uhm...pass out again..." he mumbled under his breath.
"I...I don't mind..." she blushed as Ned squeezed her hand tightly.