Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“CC is as honest as her coffee is strong,” Wyatt vouched for her. “CC’s husband, Darren, was my partner a couple years ago. Unfortunately, a felon on release took away his ability to force CC to come see you.”
“So, you brought her in. That’s a good friend,” Dr. Warren commented with a nod of his carelessly styled crewcut.
CC dragged her gaze away from the spiky, deep brown hair she wanted to run her fingers through as he obviously did frequently. “I really don’t think I need to be here,” she protested with a wave of her swollen hand.
“Whoa. That swollen appendage says otherwise. Let me see both hands, please.”
Dr. Warren stepped closer and held out his hands for hers. When she placed her palms against his, CC tried not to pay attention to the feel of his broad fingers under hers. After comparing the size of both hands, the doctor set the unaffected one on her thigh before examining the bite closely.
“You’ve been on antibiotics?” he double-checked.
“And got a shot at the urgent care center,” she confirmed.
“And now, you should definitely be here. You need stronger antibiotics for a couple of days at least. I’ll admit you and we’ll get an IV started immediately,” Dr. Warren said, still holding her injured hand.
“A couple of days? I run a coffee shop with animals. I have to be there to feed the cats and brew coffee,” she protested. “And I have my own cat at home.”
“I’ll bet Wyatt here has all that under control for you.” He paused for a minute and studied her face.
CC wished she’d taken time to freshen up a bit before coming. The scant makeup she wore seemed to melt in the heat of the coffee machines by midmorning. She hadn’t combed her hair since this morning, but she supposed it was fine. She rarely differentiated her style. The thick brown locks hung just past her shoulders, and she hated it in her face when she was working, so she always pulled the front up in a clip. She’d been in a hurry and hadn’t glanced in a mirror all morning. She’d refused to leave for the hospital before the morning rush was finished.
“CC, coffee, cats.” Dr. Warren clicked each item off his fingers. “You own CC’s Purrfect Coffee.”
“I do. And I should be there if you can just give me some stronger pills,” she suggested with a smile.
“No sweet talking the doctor, CC,” Wyatt warned.
She shot him a look that should have set him on fire.
“Tell her what will happen if you don’t get the infection under control,” Wyatt suggested.
“You’ll lose your hand and maybe more,” Dr. Warren answered. “I’m calling in a colleague who specializes in infectious diseases. Until she gets down here, I’ll start you on broad-spectrum medicine that will knock most things back.”
“Lose my hand,” CC repeated, not able to focus on anything else after that blunt statement.
“I’m not going to let that happen, but you have to stay here so we can treat you, okay?”
CC looked into his light blue eyes and exhaled strongly. There was something reassuring about this guy. She decided to trust him. “Okay.”
“The nurse will be here in a minute to help you change into a gown. She’ll take what looks like all the blood in your body for tests so we can figure out how to defeat this. Finally, she’ll start the IV. I’ll go reserve a room for you. Any questions?”
“Two days?” CC asked, crossing the fingers of her healthy hand.
“We’ll have to see what Dr. Okino decides. She’s the expert.”
Shaking her head in disbelief, she looked at Wyatt. “This sucks.”
“It does. Thank you for agreeing to have it checked out,” Wyatt answered.
“Cat bites are bad. Their teeth are narrow and sharp. The germs in their mouths are pushed deep into the flesh and can be trapped there despite being disinfected,” the doctor explained.
“I’d have a stern chat with Little Miss if she was still at the coffee shop,” CC grumbled.
“Littles can cause all sorts of havoc. Even furry ones,” the doctor commented before turning to walk from the emergency department bay.
When the curtain fell back into place, CC turned to Wyatt. “Did he just say what I think he did?”
The fabric at the entrance twitched again, and a nurse came in with all sorts of supplies.
At the sight of the gown, Wyatt assured her, “I’ll come back and visit tonight and give you the update on the plans. Need me to pick up some stuff for you?”
“If you don’t mind rifling through my drawers and closet, I could use a few pairs of panties, slippers, and a robe,” she requested, feeling strange asking another man to get her clothes.
“I’m glad to help. I’d already planned to stop by your house each evening after work to take care of Tangerine. Lark will be glad to help me pick out what you need. Text me if you think of anything else. I’ll grab your phone charger and your tablet. That will give you something to do,” he suggested.