Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“Cardioverter defibrillator?” Her voice shakes. “My husband is in Houston on business. I need to explain all of this to him. Should I tell him to come to New York, too?”
There’s always a chance that something can go wrong during a procedure like the one Daxton will undergo, but I can’t make that determination for her, so I offer what I can.
“I can give him a call and explain the situation directly to him.”
“You’d do that?” Her brows pinch together. “You would do that for us?”
“It’s my job to help,” I tell her.
“Thank you.” Her hand jumps to my forearm. “You’re very kind.”
It’s not the first time I’ve heard that but I understood the assignment when I was taught in medical school that a good bedside manner is at the core of success in my chosen field.
The woman in front of me is scared shitless that her son isn’t going to see his twenty-fourth birthday. It’s my job to do what I can to not only ensure that happens, but keep her calm throughout the process.
Julissa, a nurse who works in this unit, approaches us. “Dr. Morgan I’m sorry to interrupt but there are two women waiting to speak to you and Mrs. Robinson. One is named Penny I believe, and the other is…”
“Eloise?” Her name leaps from my lips before I realize it’s left my tongue.
“Yes.” She nods with a slight smile. “That’s right. They’re friends of your patient and would like a moment if you can spare it.”
Eloise somehow got roped into returning here, so the least I can do is assure her and Penny that Daxton is receiving the best care possible. I’ll keep that quick and to the point.
“We’ll be right out, Julissa.”
She starts toward the exit of the coronary care unit as I shift my focus back to Mrs. Robinson. “Penny is the young woman I mentioned earlier. She was with your son when he collapsed.”
She tugs on the gold pendant around her neck that has the word ‘Mom’ etched into it. “And the other woman? Eloise, you said? Is she a friend of Dax’s too?”
I have no idea how the hell to answer that, so I don’t. “I’ll let Penny explain it all to you. Why don’t we go speak to them now and then I’ll make that call to your husband?”
“Yes.” She nods. “That works. Let’s do that.”
I steel myself with a deep breath as I follow her out of the unit to where Eloise Rehn is waiting to see me.
CHAPTER FIVE
Eloise
I can’t deny a word of what Penny said last night.
Dr. Morgan is smoking hot.
Today he’s wearing a pair of dark gray pants and a light pink button-down shirt under his white coat. Not every guy can pull off a look like that, but Dr. Morgan is effortlessly conducting a master class in how it’s done.
“Penny,” he says my new friend’s name first while keeping his gaze on me. “Hello, Eloise.”
Again, I can’t tell whether he’s happy to see me or not. I wonder if learning the art of a poker face is taught in medical school because once again he’s nailing that.
“This is Daxton’s mother.” He touches the forearm of the woman standing next to him. “Mrs. Robinson, this is Penny and Eloise.”
“I’m Penny,” Penny makes sure that’s known in a voice that is way too loud for this private family waiting area.
A little brown-haired girl and a woman dressed in blue scrubs sitting next to her both turn to look at us.
Mrs. Robinson takes Penny’s hand in hers before she reaches for mine. No words accompany that, but that’s not the least bit surprising. Her son is facing a medical crisis and she’s most likely been awake all night.
“Mommy!” The little girl suddenly rushes toward us. “Daxie. I want to see Daxie.”
I glance at the small child. She’s adorable and with the pink bow in her hair, and her matching overalls she looks like she should be in a playground, not the coronary care unit of a hospital.
“Saylor, let’s read another book.” The woman in scrubs approaches us. Her name and position are visible on the badge pinned to her top. She’s a cardiac care nurse. “I think your Mommy needs to talk to the nice ladies.”
“I want Daxie!” Saylor demands. “Please let me see him.”
Mrs. Robinson looks to Dr. Morgan for guidance. He crouches to get closer to eye level with the little girl. “Why don’t I take you to see him now? The thing is Saylor, we need to stand behind a big piece of glass and look at your brother because he’s fast asleep and we don’t want to wake him up.”
Clutching a stuffed toy close to her chest, she nods. “I can be super duper quiet. I know how. Right, Mommy?”
Mrs. Robinson manages a weak smile. “You do know how.”