Minor Opposition Read online

  “Are you home for good?”

  How could she tell him she didn’t have a home, just two residences the bank had retained? Would he understand why she had returned to Eastlake?

  “Why don’t you consider staying in Eastlake? The hospital needs nurses. Have you kept up your license?”

  “Yes.” She noted the signs pointing to the baggage area and turned to the right. “Lately, I haven’t been thinking beyond each day.”

  His fingers lightly stroked her jacket sleeve. She wondered if he was aware of his action. The rush of heat she felt in response to his gentleness dissolved the wall holding back her pain. In silence, she walked beside him.

  She pointed to the navy blue duffel circling the carousal with the suitcases. “The duffel’s mine.”

  Alex snagged the strap. “Just one?”

  She nodded. “I’ve learned to travel light. Not much room in a tent or a hut.”

  “What were you doing in a tent?”

  “Working for International Health Rescue Missions. Didn’t Megan tell you?”

  “Probably. It’s hard finding facts in her chatter.”

  They entered the bullet train and exited minutes later at the door leading to the parking lot. The air, redolent with exhaust fumes, made her choke and cough. Alex opened the car door and slung the duffel in the back.

  “How’s your son?”

  “Johnny’s five and a lot of fun.”

  “And your wife?” As soon as she blurted the question, she remembered what Megan had said about her sister-in-law and how she had abandoned her husband and her son.

  A muscle at the corner of Alex’s mouth twitched. “She died six months ago.”

  “Does your son miss her?”

  The tic increased in tempo. “He hadn’t seen her since the divorce.” He pulled out of the parking lot and headed for the Parkway. “What were your assignments like?’

  “Primitive conditions. Needy people. Too little help often arriving too late. I saw a lot of apathy and anger.”

  “But you helped?”

  “Some.” Just now, she didn’t want to talk about IHRM and the reason she had left. “How’s your father? So many of Megan’s letters were lost because of the number of times the team moved. All I have is bits and pieces of what’s been happening.”

  He caught her eye. “I bet if you had them all, you’d still be confused. Dad’s become the heartthrob of the middle-age set.”

  She watched his face lose it’s guarded look. Though sorrow lines remained deeply etched at the corners of his mouth, the tic had disappeared. Had his wife’s desertion soured him? Not knowing how to offer comfort, she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.

  *****

  Alex glanced at his passenger. Though she had spoken about being a member of a medical team, he noted the expensive cut of her khaki slacks and jacket. Bet she had fun playing “Lady Bountiful.”

  Her gauntness reminded him of his ex-wife’s physical condition the last time he had seen her. That afternoon, Rhonda had brazenly admitted using cocaine to enhance her playtime. “All of my friends do it. Why not try before you knock something?”

  His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. The miles flew past. Laurel shifted in her seat. He became aware of the wheeze in her breathing. Deep circles under her eyes spoke of exhaustion. She was too thin. Anorexia? He could suggest several people who could help. He shook his head. She hadn’t asked for medical advice.

  As they neared the mall ten miles outside Eastlake, he glanced at the clock. “Laurel, would you like to stop for lunch?”

  She opened her eyes. She’s ill, he thought.

  “Do you have time? It’s your day off. You don’t have to give up your plans for me.”

  The vulnerability in her voice surprised him. “My plans are flexible.” He stretched the truth a few inches. His Wednesday afternoons belonged to his son, but there were many occasions when lunch wasn’t included.

  “Then I’ll accept.” She straightened. “A mall. When did this happen?”

  “Two years ago.”

  He flipped on his turn signal and pulled into the parking lot of the Pirate’s Cove. “This is new, too. Owned by a friend. He just started serving lunch in January. Dad and Megan give it rave reviews. Evenings, there’s a jazz combo and a fabulous buffet.” He parked, got out and walked to her door. Her amber eyes appeared glazed.

  As she slid from the passenger’s seat, a paroxysm of coughing caused her to double over. Perspiration covered her forehead. Her tanned skin blanched. She fell forward, but he caught her before she hit the ground. Her hair loosened from the coil at her neck and fanned over his arm. He lifted her into the car and reclined the seat. Her frailty shocked him.

  Just how seriously ill was she? Had she come home to die? Her skin felt as though lava flowed beneath the surface. He inhaled the scent of jasmine.

  “Laurel, can you hear me?” His fingers found her pulse and he counted the rapid yet regular beats. The dusky hue around her mouth alarmed him. He fumbled in his medical bag, pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the rattles and crackling sounds in her chest.

  He shook his head. What doctor would let a patient this ill fly across the ocean? Had she even seen one?

  As he pulled out of the parking lot, he reached for the cellular phone and tapped 911. “Dr. Carter here. I’m on the way to Eastlake Community with a patient.”

  Three miles from town, a waiting dark blue sedan pulled from the side of the road. With lights flashing and siren blaring, the police car led the way to the hospital.

  Alex pulled up to the door and jumped out. He lifted Laurel and held her against his chest. From nowhere, came a jolt of desire. He wanted to brush his lips over her face. Damn, he thought. She’s ill, and even if she wasn’t, these thoughts are out of line.

  By the time a nurse appeared with a gurney, he was halfway down the hall with Laurel in his arms. Gently, he placed her on the sheet and steered the gurney into the Emergency Room. An urge to scold Laurel warred with his guilt over not seeing how sick she was.

  “Portable chest, routine labs, make the CBC and blood gases stat. EKG. Nasal oxygen at three liters after the blood gases.” He reached for Laurel’s wrist and checked her pulse. “Hang a D5W at 75 ccs an hour.” Was she allergic to any of the antibiotics?

  Leaving the nurses to carry out his orders, he opened Laurel’s purse. Inside her wallet, he searched for the name of someone to notify. A snapshot of his family caught his eye. Behind a credit card, he found a slip of paper. “In case of an emergency, notify the Mellwood Bank.” No help there, he thought.

  He dialed his sister’s unit and waited for her to come on line. In a few words, he explained what had happened. “Allergies?”

  “Penicillin. She took it once when we were in school and ended up looking like she had scarlet fever. What are you going to do with her?”

  “Admit her.”

  “Oh, dear.” Megan said. “I remember how she freaked out when they wanted to keep her in the infirmary overnight. Better put her on my unit. There’s a private room. I’ll be down in ten minutes.”

  “Any idea why she doesn’t like hospitals?”

  “She spent months in one as a child. After the accident that killed her parents. She seldom talks about what happened then.”

  Alex hung up and called Admitting. Then he returned to the curtained cubicle. Laurel moved restlessly. She reached for the intravenous tubing. “Neil, please. I can’t.”

  Who was this Neil who had upset her so? Alex put his hands on her shoulders. “You’re all right. You’re safe here.”

  She opened her eyes. “Where?”

  “Eastlake Community.”

  “Why?”

  “Pneumonia. I need to know about antibiotics.”

  “No penicillin, sulfa or erythromycin.”

  He shook his head. “You’re making this difficult.”

  “Don’t I know.” She tried to sit up. “When can I go to Megan’s?”

 
His fingers massaged her shoulders. “She’s on her way. You’ll be staying here for a few days.”

  Tension ran like a wire through her body. “I can’t.”

  The nurse pushed the curtains open and handed Alex the results of the X-rays and lab work.”

  “How bad? Tell me.”

  “Right lower lobe pneumonia. Elevated blood count. Low red count. Low oxygen blood level.”

  She looked up. “I’m a mess.”

  “You’ve got it.”

  She sighed. “Guess I’ll stay.”

  He nodded and ran his knuckles over her chin. “Be back in a few. Have to call home.” Moments later, he explained to his housekeeper why he was late. “Is Johnny upset?”

  “Not so it shows, but he and his invisible friend are in the yard.”

  The muscle at the corner of Alex’s mouth throbbed. While the pediatrician had assured him imaginary friends were a normal part of his son’s development, Alex wasn’t convinced. “Tell him I’ll be home soon.”

  Megan appeared at the desk. “Where’s Laurel? What’s wrong? She’s seldom sick.”

  He looked up. “Pneumonia, anemia, maybe anorexia.”

  His sister shook her head hard enough that her short blonde curls bounced. “Never. She said she was coming home because she needed to think. How long are you keeping her?”

  “Until I like the lab results and know the antibiotics are working. Are you sure she’s not anorexic?”

  “She eats like Jen.”

  “Not lately.”

  “Where is she?’

  “This way.” Alex crossed to the cubicle.

  Megan pushed in ahead of him. “Laurel Richmond, what have you done to yourself?”

  Chapter 2

  Megan’s demanding question jerked Laurel from confused dreams of being trapped and afraid, of reaching for a hand and never being able to grasp it. Her eyelids flew open. “Megan.” Relief filled her voice. Behind her friend, she saw Alex Carter and swallowed a sigh.

  “Welcome home,” Megan said. “You look dreadful. How could you let yourself get so run down you ended up with pneumonia? What kind of people were you working for? I’d like to tell them a thing or two.” She paused to take a breath. “I can’t believe you’re here. I’m so glad.”

  “Thanks. I’m happy to be back.” Laurel tried to sit up and discovered her right arm was taped to an armboard. “How did I get here? When do I get out of here?”

  Alex moved to the other side of the gurney. “We’ve talked about this. I’m admitting you.”

  Not Neil. Alex had told her she had to stay in the hospital. Had his hands been the ones gently massaging her shoulders? She caught herself before her imagination took fire and glazed with fantasies.

  “Tell me again. I’ve been drifting between dreams and reality.”

  “When we stopped for lunch, you fainted.” Alex’s voice took on a professional tone. “I should have seen how sick you were.”

  “I’m good at hiding.”

  Alex nodded. “You have pneumonia. You’re anemic and your electrolytes are out of balance.”

  Megan huffed. “What kind of employers would let you burn yourself out like that? You’re home and we’ll take care of you.”

  Tears burned in her eyes. Laurel swallowed. For so long, she’d taken care of herself. She lifted herself on one elbow. “It’s not IHRM’s fault. The director wanted me to see a doctor. You know how I am. Once I decide, I keep pushing through anything in my way.” A few tears trickled down her cheeks.

  Megan patted her arm. “And you never look to see if there’s a way around the obstacle.”

  Alex handed his sister some papers. “I’ve arranged for you to be admitted to a private room on Megan’s unit.”

  “No hospital. Please.” A bitter taste rose in her throat. Her heart pounded. “I’ll go to Megan’s. I’ll take my medicine. I’ll do nothing but eat and sleep.”

  Alex took her hand. “I’d be a poor doctor if I let you kill yourself.” His thumb rubbed small circles on the back of her hand.

  Slowly, her tension ebbed. Could she tell him about her traumatic childhood and all those months of pain? “I’m not trying to kill myself.”

  “You’ll be fine,” Megan said. “How can you be afraid of a hospital? You’re not a child any more.”

  Laurel clamped her teeth together. But that’s how she felt. Like that three year old who had no control. Skin grafts. Pins. Plates. Casts. Grim doctors. Days and notes of searching for lost parents. Only the nurses had offered hugs and praise to a lost little girl.

  A shuddering sigh shook her body. The concern and caring offered by Megan and Alex stilled her panic. She could stay in the hospital. This time, she had friends. “For how long?”

  “Until your temp’s normal for forty-eight hours,” Alex said.

  Though his pronouncement sounded like an indefinite sentence, she saw compassion in his dark eyes. Years ago, her body had been healed in a hospital. Perhaps this time, her spirit would be renewed.

  He released her hand. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  She smiled. “Thanks for picking me up at the airport and at the restaurant. Sorry I ruined your lunch plans.”

  “A raincheck.” He waved and strode away.

  Laurel tucked his promise away. She glanced at Megan. Her friend’s brown eyes sparkled. Laurel nearly asked to share the secret but decided she might not like the direction Megan’s thoughts had taken.

  “I’ll find someone to help me push you to Four East.”

  “The armpit of Eastlake Community.”

  “It’s been completely remodeled. The stench is gone. The rooms and halls are big and bright.”

  “Thank heavens or I’d be signing out. Do you remember the nights we worked there?”

  “With eerie sounds and awful smells.”

  “And the night the old man tried to get in bed with Lucybelle.”

  Megan giggled. “Those days are gone.”

  “I’m glad.” Laurel sat up. “What about taking me in a wheelchair?”

  “If you promise not to faint. I’d never be able to pick you up.”

  “Isn’t that the truth.” With her short blonde curls and petite stature, Megan resembled a sprite. “One faint a day is enough.”

  Megan winked. “And I’m not Alex.”

  Laurel closed her eyes. Megan had known about the crush. In fact, she’d encouraged Laurel’s pursuit. No, Megan wouldn’t -- Megan would.

  Twenty minutes later, Laurel sat on the edge of a hospital bed in a large room with yellow walls. Sunlight streamed through a wide window to enhance the cheerfulness. Sally Greene, a nurse’s aide, helped Laurel change into a hospital gown. She felt vulnerable and exposed.

  Megan returned with a stack of papers. The scope of the nursing assessment included a physical exam, a care plan, a social history, teaching needs and discharge plans.

  “I’m impressed,” Laurel said.

  Megan nodded. “This is an experimental unit. We’ve no nursing manager, just one for administration and a clinical consultant. I’ve eight patients with an aide who does most of the routine care while I do things a nurse is trained to do. Jen’s husband is responsible.”

  “How?”

  “He’s our Director of Nursing.”

  “A man? Things have really changed.”

  “That’s what Jen said when she heard the hospital board had hired him. They were on opposite sides until they found a common cause. Tell you the story later. You look ready to fade into the sheets. Want lunch?” She put three containers on the bedside stand.

  Laurel coughed and reached for one. “About lunch. Sounds good, though I’ll probably fall asleep on the tray.”

  Megan made a phone call and sat beside the bed. “If you’re good, I’ll bring you a snack from Frank’s Place this evening.”

  “Make that two chili dogs from the Hot Doggery and a gallon of iced tea. I’ve dreamed of them for years.” She took a deep breath and reached for the second
sputum cup.

  While Megan began the physical exam, Laurel closed her eyes. Her friend had never seen the scars on her leg. During the summer of the visit and the years at Grantley, Laurel had taken care not to expose her leg. At least Neil had helped her overcome the shame she’d felt about her imperfections.

  “If you have time, could you get my duffel? It’s in your brother’s car. Grab a couple of tee shirts, underwear and some bike shorts. This air conditioned gown could prove embarrassing.”

  “Socks, too,” Megan said. “Do you still hate slippers and shoes?”

  “I’ve learned to tolerate them. You can’t imagine the places I’ve been and the creepy crawlers I’ve seen.” She shuddered and thought about the time the snake had gotten into her sleeping bag. “Anyone from the gang around?”

  “Just Jen and me. She says she’ll drop by at eight. ICU’s on thirteen hour shifts. I don’t know how she stands the hours.”

  “Sounds like heaven. Most of the time, I worked sixteen hours, sometimes twenty straight.” She reached for the glass of water. “What about the others?”

  “I’m working on Liz Jordan. Eastlake would be a great place for her twins and she’d be perfect for Dad.”

  Laurel giggled and recalled her friends schemes to pair her father with the oldest member of their nursing class. “Still playing matchmaker?”

  “Of course.”

  “What about you?”

  “I have an entire collection of almosts. And you?”

  Laurel stared at the intravenous. She wasn’t ready to talk about Neil and she definitely couldn’t tell Megan how the meeting with Alex had re-activated the strong feelings she’d had for him years ago.

  “Someday I’ll tell you about my recent escape. What about the rest of the Deadly Dozen?”

  Megan talked about their friends while she completed the physical exam. Then she started on the social history and discussed the care plan, allowing Laurel to set the priorities. “What’s the most important part of the plan?”

  “Discharge.”