A Man to Believe In. Kathleen Pickering

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СКАЧАТЬ waved from the nurse’s station. “How’s the eye?”

      “Looks worse than it feels. You’re Rachel, right?”

      “Yes, indeed. What brings you here?”

      “My truck is in for repair.” He gestured to his feet. “Since I’m limited in range, I thought I’d see if I can get some orientation around the E.R. before I start work. Maybe fill out my papers and get all the red tape out of the way.”

      As he spoke, Cassie emerged from a nearby examination room. His heart almost stopped in his chest. So much for thinking his initial reaction to her had been a fluke.

      Her long locks were pulled back in an elastic band, her eyes bright and smiling. She wore a white long-sleeved crewneck shirt beneath a pair of charcoal V-neck scrubs. Gray sneakers with pink laces adorned her feet. A stethoscope around her neck, a chart in her hand, she looked at home and thriving in her profession. Everything about her screamed she was his version of the ideal woman. An angel and a caregiver wrapped in one. Amazing.

      He blew out a breath just to make sure he was still breathing. He didn’t know if he liked her better in scrubs or biking clothes. He’d like the chance to see a few more choices to round out his decision.

      A look of surprise crossed her face when she saw him.

      He waved. “Hi.”

      She came over. Her momentary frown disappeared. “You’re not due until Monday.”

      “Slept most of the day away yesterday. Wanted to do something useful today.”

      Rachel chimed in. “Now, Cassie, don’t be discouraging our newest employee from showing some enthusiasm for his job.”

      Cassie held up a hand. “Oh, I’d never want to do that.”

      Something in her body language set Peter’s antenna pinging. Cassie was uncomfortable, as if she were wrestling with thoughts about him. Had his flirting turned her off?

      He pressed on. “I don’t want to put anyone out. I know you’re busy. I just thought if someone could set me up I could nose around the computer to learn your charting system, the department layout. Things like that.”

      “Getting your paperwork done is a great idea,” Rachel said. “I’ll take you to human resources, if you’d like. I can make sure you have passwords for the computer and for access to the supplies and meds on Monday.”

      “That would be great. Thank you.” He glanced around. “Is there anything I can do to help today?”

      Rachel shrugged. “I’m just about to get off shift. I can take you to HR to process you. Afterward...?” She looked at Cassie.

      Cassie looked apologetic. “I’m sure all of us can show you around as we free up. Given that you’re not in scrubs and your eye still looks pretty raw, I’m not sure you want to meet patients today.”

      Rachel sighed. “There you go again, discouraging the new help.”

      “No. No. I’m simply saying that I can’t take the time right now to show him around.” She gave Peter a soulful glance. “Come find me when you get back from HR. I’ll take you to the back nursing station, and you can get a feel for the area, check out the computer. Is that okay?”

      There were other nurses walking around, glancing over as if they knew Peter was the new hire. “That’ll be fine, Cassie. I don’t want to intrude.”

      “Doc is here, as well. He’ll be glad to see you.”

      Rachel tapped his arm. “Come on. I’ll take you to HR.”

      An hour later, Peter returned to find Cassie exactly where he left her at the nursing station.

      She smiled when he walked up. “All set?”

      He nodded. “You’ve been standing here since I left?”

      She waved a hand. “Hardly. Come with me. I’ll introduce you to Brenda and Anna.”

      Her perfume wafted around him as they walked side by side down the hall. He inhaled another long breath. He’d just spent an hour around three other women going through his orientation and he tried to catalogue Cassie as just another woman. Yet, why did she seem to shimmer and shine, her voice like music to his ears? He shook hands by way of introduction with the two other nurses, registered their smiles, welcoming words and willingness to help him acclimate to the department, but all he could hear, see, smell and concentrate on was Cassie.

      Man. He had it bad.

      Not until she walked away, leaving Brenda to show him how the computer entries worked, was he able to focus on the task at hand. Holy smokes. If Cassie continued to have that effect on him, he’d never be able to work with her as a teammate. He’d be too wrapped up in her to concentrate. Or maybe he’d get used to her in time. The infatuation would die and she’d just be another coworker. No. Maybe not.

      Twenty minutes later, Doc appeared at the nursing station. “Cassie said you were here. Showing up to help before your start date is a great way to brownnose the boss. Well done.”

      Peter laughed. Brenda did, too. He stood up from his seat to shake hands. “I was going stir-crazy at the hotel. Been hunting for an apartment. Got frustrated there, too. Couldn’t think of anywhere else to go.”

      Doc held up a hand. “Oh, come on. Tell me you’re so dedicated you couldn’t stay away. That’ll improve your job review.”

      Both men laughed, then Peter asked, “So, how’s it going today?”

      Doc and Brenda exchanged glances. “Pretty quiet so far, but it’s only Thursday.”

      “Believe it or not, Mondays are our busiest,” Brenda said.

      “Oh, I remember well from the E.R. in Los Angeles. Everyone nurses their problems through the weekend so they won’t blow their days off. Then, Monday morning hits and the E.R. becomes jammed.”

      “Exactly.” Doc waved for Peter to follow. “If Brenda’s finished with you, join me. I’ll show you the trauma unit.”

      “He’s all yours,” Brenda said.

      As the two men walked, Doc asked, “Did you get a chance to look around?”

      “A bit. Nice facility. Great waiting room.”

      “The trauma unit is state-of-the-art. Everything is on wheels so that we can move the equipment wherever we need it.” He led Peter down another hallway into a room with glass partitions that opened into an identical adjoining room, both holding a bed, supply cabinets and a monitor station with an overhead operating light.

      Doc motioned to the partitions. “That wall opens in case we get hit with multiple trauma victims. We can fit up to four beds in here.”

      “Looks great.”

      “Rachel will get the protocol list to you. You’ll see. Our routine is pretty straightforward.”

      “Do nurses work rooms individually or as СКАЧАТЬ