Hero of Mine Read Online Free PDF Page A

she’d overheard the nurses saying that one of the other little boys in the waiting room had been dehydrated from throwing up for days. Dani had prayed hard that Noah wouldn’t get it, but sure enough, Noah had spent most of yesterday throwing up, and she had hardly been able to sleep, worried he’d start up again. She’d slept on the couch, with Bella lying across her feet snoring. She loved the fat pug, really, but her loud snores hadn’t helped Dani’s insomnia.
    The coffee dripped slowly, and Dani tapped her foot impatiently. She’d called in sick for tonight, just to be on the safe side, and her boss had been understanding. It was the first time Noah had ever experienced the stomach flu, and watching his tiny body convulse and retch had been heartbreaking.
    Finally, the pot filled up, and Dani pulled down one of the mismatched mugs from the cupboard. The rich aroma made her mouth water as she started to pour.
    The soft sound of Noah’s feet on the carpet, followed by the trampling of Shasta, their shepherd mix, made Dani put down the coffeepot reluctantly. She turned with a smile, her heart swelling as her son stumbled down the hallway, his brown curls mussed from sleep. Although he still slept in his crib, he had started to be able to climb out. Shasta padded along beside him, pushing her nose into his hand for head pats, but the little boy ignored her, surprisingly. She had brought the dog home the same time she’d found out she was pregnant with Noah, and from the moment he was born, Shasta had attached herself to him, and he adored her. He still must feel pretty crummy if even her demand for affection couldn’t make him smile.
    â€œHey, buddy, you feeling any better?”
    Noah shook his head as he climbed up onto the couch next to Bella, who still snored loudly.
    â€œDo you want me to get you some crackers or something?”
    Noah didn’t answer. Dani went to grab the saltines anyway and heard the unmistakable sound of Noah throwing up. She flipped on the light as she rushed to Noah’s side. There was a large puddle of dark vomit on the floor, and Dani stared at it for a moment, puzzled. Noah hadn’t had anything to eat in over twenty-four hours except a little chicken broth last night. Why was his vomit so dark?
    And then she saw the reddish brown tinge and what looked like . . . What was that congealed junk? Dani glanced up into Noah’s pale face, saw the burnished smears in the corner of his mouth and chin, and knew.
    Blood. Her son was puking blood.
    Dani ran to grab her purse from the kitchen and her hard-soled slippers from the bedroom, panic propelling her like a whirlwind. Finally, she scooped a crying Noah up in her arms and raced out the door.
    â€œIt’s okay, baby. Mama’s got you. We’re just going to the doctor.”
    Noah sobbed into the crook of her neck as she threw open her car door. Buckling Noah into his car seat, she kissed his cheeks and forehead before closing the door.
    When she turned the key in the ignition, there wasn’t even a click.
    â€œNo, this cannot be happening.” She tried again, begging and pleading with her car, but still, nothing happened.
    Noah started gagging again, and Dani grabbed her phone from her purse. As she dialed her parents’ home, she turned in time to watch Noah cover the whole front of his pajamas and seat with blood.
    Ending the call, she dialed 911 instead. “Hang on, baby. We’re going to take a ride in a spaceship.”

Chapter Four
    H ENRY C OLESON GLOWERED at Tyler as he held out the spoon of Jell-O to him.
    â€œI’m not a fucking child. So why the hell are you trying to feed me like one, dipshit?”
    â€œBecause the nurse said you won’t eat and I should try to convince your stubborn behind to take a bite.” Tyler had limited patience for most people, but Henry was different. The battle-scarred Marine had seen a tour in Nam and Desert Storm,