Read Online One Sure Thing (Mamma Lou Matchmaker Series) by Celeste Norfleet - Free Book Online Page A

episode?”
    “Yes,” Raymond answered patiently.
    “What the hell does that mean, an episode?”
    “If you would calm down I’ll tell you,” he paused than began again. “Mamma Lou and Colonel Wheeler were dining with some friends when she began experiencing tightness in her chest. The episode continued for several moments then dissipated. Then early this morning the discomfort began again, this time with a body rash. That’s when Colonel Wheeler contacted emergency services and they brought her here to the nearest facility.”
    “Where’s here?”
    “We’re at the Golden Heart Medical Center in New York.
    “How’s she doing?”
    “She was just falling asleep when I left the room.”
    “What do you mean when you left the room? Where are you now?”
    “I’m in the hospital parking lot. Cell phones aren’t allowed in the hospital.”
    “Raymond, is Mamma Lou going to be okay?”
    Raymond nodded his head. “She’s going to be fine. She’s stable and resting comfortably. The attending physician gave her a mild sedative and an antihistamine that has induced sleep.”
    There was silence on the other end of the line as Tony processed the information. “Are you sure it wasn’t a heart attack?” he asked calmly.
    “I don’t think so. The doctor has run a number of tests. Although the results aren’t all in, it seems that she suffered intestinal gastritis from some ingested allergen.”
    “Speak English?”
    “She had an allergic reaction to something she ate, and possibly developed a gas bubble in her chest from undigested food.”
    “How serious is it?”
    “She’ll be fine.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Of course I’m sure.”
    “So what happens next?”
    “The attending physician wants to keep her overnight for observation.”
    “Is that bad?”
    “It’s standard medical procedure. It’s just a precaution. Her blood pressure is elevated and she has a slight temperature. But I think those are primarily due to the circumstances. What she needs now in plenty of rest. Her body has been through a mild trauma.”
    “Trauma? We’re on our way. We’ll catch the next flight to the States and be there by tomorrow evening give or take a few hours.”
    “Tony, chill out. There’s really no need for you and Madison to cut your trip short and rush home. Mamma Lou’s going to be just fine. I’m here and so is Colonel Wheeler. Dad is in surgery and Uncle Matthew called from the West Coast. They’ll both be here as soon as possible. Mamma Lou’s in excellent medical hands and in a very well respected facility. If there is any change at all, I’ll call you.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Positive.”
    “All right,” Tony relented, “Give Mamma Lou our love when she wakes up. I’ll call you tomorrow to get the results of all the tests. Tell her I’ll call tomorrow.”
    “Okay, talk to you later.”
    Just as Raymond ended the conversation, his cell phone rang again. He spent the next twenty minutes assuring his uncle, his aunt and several other members of the Gates family that Louise was well, getting the best medical attention, and that she was in excellent hands.
    The last call came from his father, Ray, while he was still in surgery. Having only just begun the eight-hour plus procedure, he had the Johns Hopkins surgical staff patch an outside communication line through to his operating room headset.
    Raymond finally closed the phone ending an extended conversation with his father. Dr. Raymond Gates, Sr., or Ray, as the family affectionately called him ever since Raymond Jr. was born, was the Director of Neurology and Critical Care at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, and he was well aware of Golden Heart Medical Center’s reputation. Apparently their newly renovated ER department was known for its excellent critical care. Raymond reassured his father that Louise was in good hands.
    Raymond eventually turned off the cell phone. He went back into the hospital. As he entered the ER area he looked around