“One hundred four point one,” I whispered, my ER nurse training kicking in immediately.

“Her core body temperature is spiking dangerously high.”

“Is the thermometer broken?” Ethan asked, moving closer.

“Try the other ear.”

“It isn’t broken, Ethan.

She’s in severe febrile distress.”

“Rachel, listen to me,” Ethan said, his voice rising into a nervous, rapid rhythm.

“If we go to the emergency room, we’ll be sitting in a waiting room until three in the morning.