Read Online 03_The Doctor's Perfect Match by Irene Hannon - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Irene Hannon
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seven-mile trip from the main town, she figured the ambulance would make good time on Milestone Road.
But it couldn’t get here fast enough to suit her.
“Sorry for all this trouble, Marci.”
Henry’s apology tugged at her heart. “It’s no trouble, Henry. I just want you to get back on your feet fast so we can finish this garden before I leave.”
He squinted up at her, as if trying to focus, and his grip loosened. “Might not happen, Marci.”
“Of course it will.”
Another smile whispered at his lips. “I like your spirit. You’d be good for Christopher, you know. That boy needs a woman like you.”
He was starting to drift, and Marci didn’t respond. The last thing Christopher needed was a woman like her—for reasons she didn’t want to get into with Henry. Why tarnish her relationship with the older man by introducing bad stuff from her past?
The minutes passed in slow motion, but at last she caught a glimpse of flashing lights as the wailing ambulance came down the tiny byway in front of the cottage. Only when the EMTs pushed through the back gate did she relinquish her grip on Henry’s hand.
She stepped aside as they went to work, answering their questions while they started an IV and took Henry’s vitals. Most of the terminology they bantered back and forth was Greek to her, but she gleaned enough to determine that his blood pressure was low and that they were concerned about the pain on his left side.
When the EMTs were ready to transport him, Henry turned her way. “Would you call Christopher, Marci?”
“Sure. And I’ll follow you to the hospital, too.”
He lifted a hand in acknowledgment, then closed his eyes again.
As the technicians loaded Henry into the ambulance, Marci slid into her car, following the ambulance when it began to pull away from Henry’s cottage.
By the time she finally got a live operator on the phone for directory assistance and was put through to Christopher’s office, she was back on Milestone Road, headed for the main town.
“Family Medical offices. How may I help you?”
“I’m trying to reach Dr. Morgan. Is he in?”
“Yes. He’s with a patient. May I have him return your call later this afternoon?”
“I’d appreciate it if you’d give him a message as soon as possible. This is Marci Clay. Would you let him know that Henry Calhoun has had an accident? He’s en route to the E.R. now. Let me give you my cell number.” Marci recited it.
“I’ll catch him between patients.”
With a murmured thank-you, Marci set the phone in her lap.
Less than five minutes later, it rang. “Christopher?”
“Yes. What happened?”
She could hear the worry in his clipped question. Keeping her narrative as brief as possible, she gave him the highlights.
“His color wasn’t good, and he said his left side hurt. Do you think he might have broken some ribs?” she finished.
“It’s possible. I’ll call the E.R. and let them know I want to be kept informed. Where are you?”
“Following the ambulance.”
“I’ll get to the hospital as soon as I can, but I’ve got a full patient load this afternoon. I’ll call you if I hear any news.”
“Thanks.”
There was a brief pause.
“How are you doing?”
His quiet, caring question took her off guard. “I’m not the one who fell.”
“Accidents are traumatic on everyone.”
At the warmth in his voice, Marci blinked away the tears that sprang to her eyes. “It was scary. And I didn’t like feeling helpless.” A tremor ran through her words, and she clamped her lips together. She was not going to get emotional, even if she was touched by his unexpected concern. It wasn’t in keeping with the strong, independent image she cultivated.
Adopting a bravado she didn’t feel, she hardened her tone. “But, hey, I’m a tough chick. You don’t have to worry about me.”
In the few beats of silence that followed, Marci got the distinct impression she hadn’t fooled Christopher.
“Okay. Hang
But it couldn’t get here fast enough to suit her.
“Sorry for all this trouble, Marci.”
Henry’s apology tugged at her heart. “It’s no trouble, Henry. I just want you to get back on your feet fast so we can finish this garden before I leave.”
He squinted up at her, as if trying to focus, and his grip loosened. “Might not happen, Marci.”
“Of course it will.”
Another smile whispered at his lips. “I like your spirit. You’d be good for Christopher, you know. That boy needs a woman like you.”
He was starting to drift, and Marci didn’t respond. The last thing Christopher needed was a woman like her—for reasons she didn’t want to get into with Henry. Why tarnish her relationship with the older man by introducing bad stuff from her past?
The minutes passed in slow motion, but at last she caught a glimpse of flashing lights as the wailing ambulance came down the tiny byway in front of the cottage. Only when the EMTs pushed through the back gate did she relinquish her grip on Henry’s hand.
She stepped aside as they went to work, answering their questions while they started an IV and took Henry’s vitals. Most of the terminology they bantered back and forth was Greek to her, but she gleaned enough to determine that his blood pressure was low and that they were concerned about the pain on his left side.
When the EMTs were ready to transport him, Henry turned her way. “Would you call Christopher, Marci?”
“Sure. And I’ll follow you to the hospital, too.”
He lifted a hand in acknowledgment, then closed his eyes again.
As the technicians loaded Henry into the ambulance, Marci slid into her car, following the ambulance when it began to pull away from Henry’s cottage.
By the time she finally got a live operator on the phone for directory assistance and was put through to Christopher’s office, she was back on Milestone Road, headed for the main town.
“Family Medical offices. How may I help you?”
“I’m trying to reach Dr. Morgan. Is he in?”
“Yes. He’s with a patient. May I have him return your call later this afternoon?”
“I’d appreciate it if you’d give him a message as soon as possible. This is Marci Clay. Would you let him know that Henry Calhoun has had an accident? He’s en route to the E.R. now. Let me give you my cell number.” Marci recited it.
“I’ll catch him between patients.”
With a murmured thank-you, Marci set the phone in her lap.
Less than five minutes later, it rang. “Christopher?”
“Yes. What happened?”
She could hear the worry in his clipped question. Keeping her narrative as brief as possible, she gave him the highlights.
“His color wasn’t good, and he said his left side hurt. Do you think he might have broken some ribs?” she finished.
“It’s possible. I’ll call the E.R. and let them know I want to be kept informed. Where are you?”
“Following the ambulance.”
“I’ll get to the hospital as soon as I can, but I’ve got a full patient load this afternoon. I’ll call you if I hear any news.”
“Thanks.”
There was a brief pause.
“How are you doing?”
His quiet, caring question took her off guard. “I’m not the one who fell.”
“Accidents are traumatic on everyone.”
At the warmth in his voice, Marci blinked away the tears that sprang to her eyes. “It was scary. And I didn’t like feeling helpless.” A tremor ran through her words, and she clamped her lips together. She was not going to get emotional, even if she was touched by his unexpected concern. It wasn’t in keeping with the strong, independent image she cultivated.
Adopting a bravado she didn’t feel, she hardened her tone. “But, hey, I’m a tough chick. You don’t have to worry about me.”
In the few beats of silence that followed, Marci got the distinct impression she hadn’t fooled Christopher.
“Okay. Hang
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