Night had fallen, and Candy and Jason had decided to take turns monitoring Jeremy throughout the night while the other grabbed a quick nap. It was Candy's turn to keep watch. The lamp on the bedside table cast shadows on Jeremy's still form. He hadn't moved a muscle since getting the bullet removed.
Candy watched him sleep. She had to smile seeing the unruly lock of long hair had once again fallen over his closed eyes. It must have happened when Jason had moved him. She brushed the stray hair back. But before she drew her hand back, she traced her finger over his eyebrows, marveling at how long his eyelashes were, then along his jawline, and finally tracing the outline of his lips. Oh, how she loved this man! How could she possibly live without him? She jerked her hand back to banish the negative thought. She then stroked her hand down Jeremy's bare arm, ending by intertwining her fingers into his, and gently kissing each knuckle of his hand before placing his hand on her cheek and holding it there.
Just then, Jeremy groaned in pain. Candy jumped in her chair in surprise.
"Jeremy? Jeremy, can you hear me? Are you waking up? Jeremy?
"Candy? Candy, get down! Get down!" he shouted. His arms and legs thrashed as he yelled. He then screamed in pain the movement had caused. But his eyes remained closed.
Jason had heard Jeremy's scream in the back room where he'd been napping, and came running to Jeremy's bedside. He lay his hands on Jeremy's legs to try and stop him from thrashing around.
"Easy, Jeremy. Easy." Jason tried to calm him, but he still moaned in pain.
"Harry said to give him a teaspoon of the laudanum for the pain. Help me raise him up a little, Jason." Candy slid the liquid from the spoon into Jeremy's mouth, which caused him to cough and then groan in pain again. When the coughing subsided, his breathing became more regular, and he was quiet again.
Candy sat back in her chair. "Jason, should we get Harry? He said if anything changed..."
Jason looked out the window. "It'll be daylight soon. Let's wait just a bit longer. Hopefully, Harry's gotten some rest. We need him in good shape for whatever might happen with Jeremy today."
Candy nodded, then felt Jeremy's forehead and cheeks. "I hope he's not developing an infection like Harry thought he might. But he doesn't feel feverish. It scares me when he gets delirious. It's happened before."
"Candy, Jeremy's body has been through so much, it wouldn't surprise me if he has moments where he seems out of his head now. He's always pulled through, and I know he will again this time." Jason said the last part firmly.
Candy nodded, but in the back of her mind, there was a nagging doubt. A cold shiver went through her body like a lightning bolt. She gripped Jeremy's hand tighter to try to make it stop.
