Dragan's Redemption Book One of the Manor at Echo Lake Trilogy by Kelly Ilebode Page A

Daphne called from the hospital, and then Aaron returning home both asking what was going on, he realized that others closest to the doctor noticed the change .   Dragan had a purpose now where he never had before , and a light seemed to have been lit from the inside out.   Every one pretty much agreed that he was the only one that has not yet realized the change in him .
    After informing the c hef of the orders, James went and packed an overnight bag for Dragan.  He was not sure if this was the intention , but he was going to do whatever he could to convince the man to stay with the young woman.
    Dragan placed his journals into a leather briefcase , looking up as James walked in.  Noticing his overnight bag in his hand, his eyebrows rose and a look of gratitude crossed his face at his butler’s intuition.
    “I thought you might need a few fresh items in case you chose to stay overnight , Sir.”
    “You, James, are indispensable to me.”
    “I am heading back to the cottage now, please inform Aaron of the details , and tell him I will call when I can.”
    “Of course.  The c hef has already put your request of food in your car.  Please tell Miss Amira I wish her a speedy recovery.”
    Driving back over to the tiny cottage, Dragan wondered what he was doing.  She probably just had a cold , which was nothing that rest couldn’t cure.  He w onder ed if the molehill he was turning into a mountain had anything to do with wanting to get to know her better .
    Approaching the door, he could hear Shadow scratching and barking as if to get his attention.  Running the remaining few feet, he quickly entered the house.  Shadow was frantic, nip ping at his arm to make him hurry.
    Dragan ran into the bedroom.  Amira was tossing frantically , twis t ing and moaning , tangled in the sheets.
    Touching her skin, he pulled back stunned.  She was on fire.  Pulling the sheets off her , he hurried to the bathroom, turning the faucet on and filling the tub with cool water.  As it filled , he w e nt back to lift her up gently in h is arms , carrying her to the bathroom.
    Amira felt herself floating.  Struggling to open her eyes, she looked up at Dragan’s face.  His teeth were clenched , and he seemed angry.  “Are you mad at me?”
    Looking down, he thought that her eyes seemed even a deeper shade of green with the fever.  His heart constricted with worry .
    “Of course not , Amira.  T his is going to feel a bit shocking to your system, but your fever is really high , and I need to get it down.” 
    Amira gasped as the water touched her skin as he lowered her into the tub fully clothed , and she clutched at his arms trying to prevent him from putting her into the freezing water.
    “ Shhh, i t’s ok ay .  I won’t let go of you.”  Kneeling at the edge of the tub, he kept his arms around her as he held her.  Her head resting on his arm fell to one side, and he realized that she was unconscious .
    Afte r several minutes, her eyes reopened.  She actually looked better to him.   Weakly smiling up at him, her voice came out in a whisper.
    “Hi , Dragan.”
    “Hi , Amira.”
    “Whatch a doing?”
    Dragan laughed.
    “Oh, nothing much.  Just hanging out in the bathroom with you.”
    Looking at him, she tried to pull away .  “Your clothes are all wet.”
    “They will dry.”
    “I don’t feel well , Dragan.”
    “I know , sweetheart.”
    Sighing , she leaned her head against his chest.  “ Did you just call me sweetheart?  The water feels good.  I wasn’t feeling too good after you left.”
    “You will feel better soon, Amira , I promise.”
    Pulling the stopper in the tub to drain the water, he reached for the towel hanging from the silver rack.
    “I am going to lift you up now , Amira.  Are you ready?”
    Nodding her head, she felt herself floating again.  He was so strong . 
    “Amira, I need to get you out of these wet clothes.  Do you think that you can do it by yourself?”
    Looking up , Amira