A Daddy Sent By Santa. Susan Carlisle

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СКАЧАТЬ a long time? What was this odd reaction she was having to a stranger? Whatever it was she had to put a stop to it. Nothing about it was healthy.

      Rick had done a good job of driving but the going had been slow. The snow had slackened but the bitter wind had picked up. When Rick stopped at the emergency department door Lauren hurried inside to let the staff know they had arrived. Earlier Rick had radioed ahead, telling the hospital they were on their way.

      She headed straight for the unit desk, which was draped with garlands and red and gold Christmas balls. The clerk, wearing reindeer antlers, looked up.

      “Hey, I’m Lauren Wilson from Last Stop. I’ve got two patients in the car. One needs a wheelchair.”

      Lauren didn’t wait for her response before returning to her patients.

      Paxton, as she suspected, had climbed out of the car in order to assist their patient.

      She rushed to him. “I’ll take care of Mr. Thompson. You should be concerned about your hands.”

      “He’s my responsibility,” Paxton growled through pain she was sure he was trying to hide.

      “And you’re mine,” she snapped.

      Glancing behind her, Lauren was pleased to see the unit staff hurrying toward them with a wheelchair.

      She pointed to Mr. Thompson. “He needs the chair.”

      Mr. Thompson settled into his chair and Paxton walked into the hospital beside him. She and Rick followed close behind them. When Paxton reached the unit desk he said, “I’m Dr. Paxton Samuels. I need to speak to the attending.”

      Lauren hurried forward. “I’ll take care of giving report. You’re a patient as of now and you need to worry about having those hands properly tended.”

      “They’re fine.”

      “Doctors never make good patients,” she muttered.

      “I heard that,” Paxton said with a glare. “I’m sure my fingers have recovered.”

      “I think we need to get a second opinion. Last Stop needs a doctor with good hands.”

      He gave her a stricken look then nodded. “Okay, but I want to be informed about my patients.”

      “Not a problem.”

      “Hey, Lauren,” Henry, a doctor and friend who was wearing a Santa hat on his head, said as he came up the hall toward them.

      “Hi, Henry.” She gave him a smile.

      “What do you have for us tonight?” Henry looked at Paxton with curiosity.

      “You’ve already gotten one of our accident victims, Lewis Williams. Head trauma and hypothermia. We have another head trauma, Art Thompson—” she pointed toward a cubicle where he’d been taken “—in there who needs to be seen.”

      “I’m Doc—” Paxton tried to butt in.

      Lauren didn’t slow down. She gestured to Paxton. “This is Dr. Samuels. He’s a possible frostbite case.”

      Henry told a nurse who had just joined them, “Take him to trauma three and get him started on the frostbite protocol. I’ll see the head trauma you brought in first. Lauren, come with me and tell me what’s going on.”

      Throughout the brief exchange Paxton looked from her to Henry and back again. He appeared puzzled by their discussion. A couple more times he made noises as if he was going to interrupt but before he could utter anything the unit tech pushed him away.

      Lauren stowed her outer clothing behind the nurses’ station and joined Henry in Mr. Thompson’s room. He was sitting up and talking to the nurse. Lauren shared what she knew about his case. A few minutes later they were on their way to Paxton’s room.

      “So, who is this Dr. Samuels?” Henry asked.

      “Our new temp doctor until we can find someone to permanently replace Dr. Barden. Dr. Samuels was on his way to Last Stop and came up on the accident. He wasn’t well dressed for the occasion. I can’t complain about his care and quick action, though.”

      She and Henry stepped into Paxton’s cubicle. He was sitting in a chair with his hands in water.

      “How’s Lewis doing?” he asked before either of them could say anything.

      “He’s in a room,” Henry stated. “He still hasn’t regained consciousness. We scanned for swelling but saw nothing. It’s just a waiting game now.”

      “And Mr. Thompson?”

      “He seems to be recovering. He has a handful of stitches and we’re going to keep him overnight for observation.” Henry stepped closer to Paxton. “Now it’s your turn. I’m Dr. Henry Fields and I understand you’re a doctor as well.”

      “Dr. Paxton Samuels.”

      “I hear you’re going to fill in at Last Stop.”

      “Yeah, if I ever get there,” he said in a grouchy tone.

      Henry gave a dry chuckle. “I’ve heard of the difficulty. So, tell me, how’re your fingers? Our winters are pretty brutal here.”

      “Better.”

      “Good to hear.”

      Paxton lifted his hands out of the water and flexed his fingers. He looked directly at her. Lauren’s middle fluttered. He had deep green eyes. Green like the plain in the spring. Their new doctor was handsome.

      “I had good care on the way here.”

      Henry glanced at her. “I have no doubt you did. I should admit you, but Mr. Thompson took the last bed. The best I can offer you is a spot in the waiting room. You really should have someone checking on you every couple of hours.”

      Rick stuck his head into the cubicle. “Lauren, I’ve been called out. I’ve got to go. I’ll pick you up in the morning or get someone to come get you.” He raised a hand and was gone.

      He didn’t even give her a chance to respond. She and Dr. Samuels were stuck in Lippscomb.

      Paxton’s unnerving eyes met hers. “Isn’t that our ride back to Last Stop?”

      She nodded. “Yep. I guess we’re staying the night in the waiting room.”

      “What about that hotel across the street? I saw it as we pulled in. Surely they have rooms.” Paxton was in no mood to sit up all night in a brightly lit public area.

      Lauren shrugged. “I guess that’ll work. The weather is too bad to ask anyone to come get us.”

      “He’s—” Henry indicated Paxton “—going to need you to check on him a couple of times during the night. I’m concerned he might spike a fever.” Henry looked at her then at Paxton. “And you, I want you to promise you’ll keep your hands covered for the rest of the winter season. You’ll have trouble again if СКАЧАТЬ