Join the writers at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com for some great excerpts. Meet the opposition to the hero and heroine of Romancing the Nurse
Blurb:
Ginny’s new job as patient care coordinator at a suburban hospital is a dream come true. She can raise her daughter and young niece away from the city.
The older orthopedic surgeon who recruited her helps make the move easier. His stroke brings his son, another surgeon home to take over his father’s practice. Unfortunately, Ginny remembers him from an evening encounter at the city hospital where she worked. They had words. He also remembers that night.
They clash but beneath the anger, there is an attraction. Blake wants her in his bed and attempts to romance her. Then he discovers he wants her forever and must eat a lot of crow.
Excerpt 1
"Have you forgotten the incident that occurred several months before I arrived? Isn't the hospital being sued? A nurse with orthopedic training would have recognized the problem before permanent damage occurred." Ginny met Carol's icy glare with one of her own. "Dr. Marshall recommended the course begin ASAP."
"He won't be here to teach and I've heard he plans to retire." Carol leaned forward. "He wants the classes because his partnership is involved in the suit."
"Perhaps you're right, but he also sees the need." Ginny clutched the papers. "I don't think he'll retire."
"You would know, wouldn't you?"
Carol's sly smile and the tone of her voice made Ginny grit her teeth. Silently, she repeated the advice she had given herself before she entered the room. Calm, she would remain calm.
"You never met Dr. Marshall's wife," Carol said. "Beth was a pediatrician. Such a lovely and caring woman. Dr. Marshall adored her. Until recently, he's been faithful to her memory."
Carol's words rubbed like an emery board. Ginny counted to ten. "Dr. Marshall and I worked on this project because we're concerned with the efficiency of the unit and the quality of nursing care. The other orthopedic surgeons, except Dr. Simon, have volunteered to teach a class."
Anger flashed in Carol's eyes. "You can't expect them to pick up the slack." She laughed. "Do you really think his son will step in? He's right out of a residency and you know how territorial young doctors are."
Though Ginny hadn't found that to be true, Carol might be right about Blake Marshall. "I'm sure he'll want to help his father."
"Perhaps."
Ginny glanced at her watch. Only twenty minutes had passed but she felt like she'd been on the grill for hours. "I hope I've answered your concerns. I need to get back to the unit and give out the schedules."
Carol swiveled her chair to face the window. "Some of your staff is unhappy about the classes and at least one has threatened to quit. I hope you won't be sorry."
The words sounded like a threat. Who was Carol acting for? Tomorrow at lunch, she'd ask Nan about the assistant D.O.N. How had such an unpleasant woman reached the position she held?
Excerpt 2
Though Ginny wanted to inform him that Lisa was only a staff nurse, this wasn't the time. She walked to the desk where the younger nurse waited for report.
"Do you have any idea who they are?" Lisa asked.
"Mrs. Smith is a patient."
"They're just about the richest people in Hudson View. When we belonged to the country club, my dad golfed with him." Bitterness tinged her voice. "I baby-sat for their kids a number of times. You know, when their son was a patient on Peds, every nurse got a Gucci watch. Maybe we'll be as lucky."
Ginny shook her head. "We'll give Mrs. Smith the best care we can with no thought of a reward. Is that clear?"
Lisa grabbed the chart. "I've got to take care of these orders."
"Just a minute," Ginny said. "In the future, don't take it on yourself to decide who will or won't be moved. That's not part of your job description. Aren't you due for an evaluation soon?"
"Don't threaten me."
"I'm not. Your evaluation will reflect the facts." Ginny strode away.
Betty Tawser followed her. "If you have time, we can talk now."
"Let me get us coffee. How do you like yours?"
"Hot and black."
"A woman after my own taste."
My Places
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Lots of conflict in these excerpts, Janet!
ReplyDeleteLisa seems like tough boss.
ReplyDeleteJanet always does medical well. Sounds like since I enjoyed the Opposites In Love series, I'll enjoy this tale also.
ReplyDeleteUncomfortable situation -- which always makes for a good story!
ReplyDeleteThe dialogue feels authentic, just the sort of conversation to occur in a hospital pressure cooker.
ReplyDelete