As Caleb Winstone rode the elevator to the fifth floor of
Eastlake Community, the familiar aromas shouting hospital engulfed him. Though
slightly different than the scents of his last placement, they smelled of coming
home. Exhaustion threatened to swamp him but he had places to visit and things
to accomplish before he sought sleep.
The indicator flashed five. The doors parted and he
stepped out to face the nurses’ station. A half dozen women stared and
collectively sighed.
“Enter the handsome doctor.”
Gasps and giggles greeted him.
Caleb felt his face heat. Had he really said that? He
considered a strategic retreat but the elevator doors had closed. Though he’d
been called handsome often enough, he had no reason for the blatant
announcement.
A burst of male laughter interrupted his swirling
thoughts. “Hello, Caleb. You certainly know how to make an entrance.” A tall
blond man rounded the end of the desk and offered his hand,
“Alex Carter, good to see you again.”
Alex clasped his hand. “Are you in town for good?”
“Looks that way. I’ve joined Joe Grogan’s practice.” Caleb
grinned. “Blame my announcement on jet lag. Arrived this morning from London
“Have you been home?”
Caleb shook his head. “Came straight here. Decided to
complete the paperwork and get my parking pass and then go to the office before
I go home. I’m meeting Joe at one thirty at the office. Actually, I’m in no
hurry to reach the stone mansion.”
Alex nodded. “Are they still upset over your career
choice?’
“Naturally. They equate my straying from the financial
sphere as a betrayal like they did when I chose swimming over football in high
school.”
“Shame. Let me introduce you to today’s crew. Alex walked
to the desk.
The nurses smiled. Were they hiding laughter? He felt sure
his appearance and words would make the rounds.
Alex grinned. “Ladies, this is Caleb Winstone the newest
addition to our staff. He’s joining Dr. Joe and vying for the handsome doctor
award.”
Caleb shook his head. Years ago Alex had been a tease. His
first wife’s behavior had soured him. The second marriage had brought a welcome
change. “I’ll get you.”
Alex mentioned name after name until they reached the tall
brunette at the end of the desk. Her lab coat marked her as the unit’s nurse
manager.
“Caleb, Jenessa Bradshaw, acting nurse manager. Her
husband is Director of Nursing.”
“Glad to meet you,” Caleb said. “Sorry about the grand
entrance.”
She laughed. “You said what we were thinking.”
“Don’t encourage him,” Alex said. “Half the girls in high
school followed him around.”
“The other half followed you.” Caleb turned to Jenessa.
“Why are you just acting nurse manager?”
“Our newly hired one was to start two months ago but a family
emergency intervened. She’s starting on Monday.”
“She must be special.”
“She is. She’s a nurse practitioner.”
“I’m impressed.”
Jenessa smiled. “Let me give you a quick tour.”
Caleb walked beside her. “Is the name of this new nurse a
secret?”
“I forgot you weren’t here during the selection process.
She’s a friend from my class at Grantley.”
Alex nodded. “She’s one of the infamous Grantley Gang. You
were seldom home back then to know about their antics.” He turned to Jenessa.
“Are we holding a welcoming party to celebrate the event?”
“I would tell you to ask your wife but just the Gang minus
Rick,” Jenessa said. “She’ll be tied up at Rehab getting her brother settled.”
Caleb halted. “Just who is this person?”
“Suzanna Rollins,” Jenessa said. “She
worked at City.”
Caleb held in a groan. Not
her. Not here. He prayed his face didn’t show his feelings. Of all the
women in the world to invade his space. Suzanna Rollins had no use for him.
Their days of dating hadn’t ended well.
“Do you know her?”
Caleb shrugged. “I may have seen her a time or two.” Or more. They had dated for several
months until the night he’d asked her to give up her job and move in with him.
All her expenses would be paid. All she had to do was warm his bed.
His cheek still stung with the memory of her reaction.
She’d walked away. He’d managed to avoid her and had leaped at the chance to
spend three months in London
He covered a yawn with his hand and followed Jenessa on a
tour of the patient rooms. Most were semi-private. Two nurseries held four
cribs each. There was one isolation room. She pointed out the playroom where children
could escape their rooms. She pointed out the patients being cared for by his
new partner. Several of them had respiratory problems. He needed to see their
charts and decide what new ideas he
could suggest. Of the twenty patients on the thirty bed unit, nine belonged to
his new practice.
Before he left to have lunch in the cafeteria he reviewed
the charts. As he ate, he thought of the irony of working with Suzanna. He was being drawn into a whirlpool with no
escape. Could he see her every day knowing she was not his to touch? Not to
mention facing the contempt he knew she felt.
He cleared his tray and drove to the office he would share
with his new partner. According to the information Joe had sent him, the second
floor of the five story building was theirs. Instead of using the elevator, he
opted for the stairs.
Before heading home to crash, he wanted to spend several
hours organizing his office and learning about the practice. He exited the
stairwell and entered the waiting room. Several patients waited with their
mothers.
The receptionist looked up. “Dr. Winstone, welcome. Dr. Joe
is waiting.”
“Thanks.” Caleb walked down the hall and paused outside
the room with his partner’s name on the door. He knocked and stepped inside.
Dr. Joe looked up. “Glad you’re here. Welcome.”
“Glad to be here.” Caleb sank onto the chair before the
desk.
“You look like hell. When did you arrive?”
“Six AM. Then through customs and claimed my car. I drove
straight here and headed to the hospital. Put in my paperwork and have my
parking pass. What do you want me to do?”
The older man rose. “I’ll have Gloria show you around.
Then, set up your office. There’s a stack of boxes that have been here for
months. How was London
“Great and I learned a lot.” Caleb paused at the door. “I
can see patients and I want to talk to you about the asthma kids.”
“No need to see patients. It’s a light afternoon.” He reached
for a chart. “The asthma kids are yours.” He paused beside Caleb. “Suppose
you’ve heard about the new nurse manager. Bright young woman. Her being a
practitioner is a plus.”
“I’m sure she’ll be an asset.” Though working with Suzanna
would be a challenge, he must manage each encounter with grace. He pushed to
his feet. “Let me organize my office and take the tour.” He yawned. If he sat
any longer, he would crash.
“Do that, then go home.” Joe grinned. "You can make
hospital rounds tomorrow and skip office hours.” He paused. “There’s a teenage
boy arriving at the Rehab
Center
Caleb found his way to the office that would be his. For
several hours, he unpacked boxes, hung his licenses and diplomas. He fitted
reference books on the shelves and hooked up the computer sitting on the
extension of the mahogany desk. When he finished, he found Gloria. She showed
him the treatment rooms and supply closets.
When the tour ended, he walked to the door. Time to go
home where he really didn’t want to be.
MY PLACES
http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com
BUY MARK
http://bookswelove.net/authors/walters-janet-lane-romance-fantasy-suspense-medical/
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