Carrying the container of chicken dumpling soup that Gustav had made up for him, Lucas left the Queen of Hearts and walked briskly to the library. Faith had informed him that morning that Fiona was staying home to nurse a little cold. The doctor had also assured him that Fiona would be fine. She just needed a little extra rest.

Lucas had decided to stop by for a short visit to bring her lunch. Though he didn't want to overwhelm Fiona, he thought she might enjoy seeing him for a bit. Especially as he had a surprise for her, assuming of course that the book he was looking for was currently on the shelf of the library.

Reaching the library, Lucas walked in to find Elizabeth sitting in a chair with a group of kids gathered around her. He had forgotten about her summer reading program.

"I am sorry to interrupt,"Lucas said as Elizabeth looked up. "I was hoping that Heidi had not been checked out."

Elizabeth smiled. "It isn't," she replied. She pulled a book out of the pile of three books in her lap. "It was one of the choices I was going to give the kids to start reading. What do you say kids?" Elizabeth said looking around at the gathered kids. "Should we let Mr. Bouchard have the book for now?"

Lucas smiled at the chorus of 'yes' that followed the question. Elizabeth held the book out. Closing the distance, Lucas took the book from her. "Thank you, all," Lucas said, turning to the kids before leaving the library.

A short time later, he was standing at the door to the row house Faith and Fiona were renting together.

"Who is it?" Fiona called out.

"It is, Lucas," he replied.

"The door is open," Fiona replied.

Lucas opened the door and stepped inside. Fiona was lying on the seette an afghan covering her legs and feet.

"I brought you some chicken dumpling soup for lunch," Lucas said holding up the container of soup.

"That sounds good," Fiona said just before she sneezed into her handkerchief. "Thank you, Lucas."

"I'll put it in a bowl for you," Lucas told her walking toward the kitchen. "I also brought a copy of Heidi. I might not be your mother, but I thought perhaps you would like me to read some to you."

Fiona sighed. "You remembered."

"I remember everything you tell me," Lucas replied easily.

"I may have to test that claim," Fiona said, a teasing tone to her voice, right before she sneezed again.

"Bring it on," Lucas told her from the kitchen.

Lucas got Fiona a bowl of soup, brewed her a cup of tea with honey in it and then settled down in the armchair near the settee. Opening the book, he began to read the story of Heidi to her. When she was finished with the soup and tea, Fiona set the dishes on the coffee table and rested her head on the pillow Faith had brought her. Listening to Lucas read the familiar words, Fiona drifted off to sleep at which time, Lucas closed the book, took the dishes out to the kitchen and let himself out of the house, happy to have done something nice for Fiona while she was sick.