Doctor's Orders Box Set (Babies in the Bargain, Right Name, Wrong Man, No More Lies)

by Risk, Mona

  “To marry is a big step.”

  “Loneliness is the worst thing for a man. He keeps tumbling from one woman to another, until he wakes up with no one to love him. Right?” Hubert focused a knowing look on him.

  “Enough.” Yves exhaled loudly. “Why don’t you go take care of the chateau?”

  Mary-Beth whimpered in her sleep. Ignoring his butler, Yves turned toward her and sighed.

  “I can stay with Dr. Mary Beth. You look like a zombie, my son. You better go and rest.”

  “No. I want to be with her when she wakes up.”

  “I just want to help.” Hubert raised his hands. “If you’re staying beside her, at least try to doze.”

  “I will.” After Hubert left, Yves slumped onto the recliner and stretched his legs on the footrest. If only she would wake up from this lethargy that scared the hell out of him.

  Rehearsing for the millionth time the sweet words he’d tell her soon, he contemplated her cherished face and cursed the fear of commitment that had prevented him from facing the truth.

  He loved her, as much—if not more—than Rose-Anne. Why was he even comparing them? Rose-Anne had been sick and weak from the day he met her. He’d had to protect her after she got pregnant and lost their child. She had needed him every hour of her short life.

  Mary-Beth didn’t need him. Not even now when she was gravely injured. When she recovered she’d get on with her career and her life. But he wanted to be part of both, her career and her life. He wanted to marry her and keep her with him forever. It was time to enjoy the passionate love they had shared in the past few days.

  “I can’t marry you. I can’t.” The muttered words jolted him from a light doze.

  “What? Why?” Yves leaned over her bed to catch the words rumbling between her lips.

  Her eyes closed, Mary-Beth scowled. “Sorry, Steve. I can’t forget him.” Her head tossed right and left while Yves listened to the unconscious woman spill the nightmare that had tormented her for years. “I tore up his picture. I love you, Steve. I don’t love you, Yves. No, no Steve. I don’t love you. I love Yves. Go away. Go away, Steve. Yves. Steve, no. Yves.” Tears flowed over her cheeks as she screamed his name between incoherent sentences.

  “Oh, my darling, I am so sorry.” Guilt tore at his heart and his gut squeezed at the pain he had caused her. He’d felt badly about her accident, but the gravity of her moral injuries was as serious. How long had she lived with that conflict, marrying a man she didn’t love to avoid the one she loved?

  Skimming her burning face with careful fingers, he murmured sweet words. “I love you, Mary-Beth. I love you, Sweet-Mary.”

  Had she heard him? She whimpered in her fever.

  “Shh, calm down, mon amour, my love. You don’t have to run away from me. I promise I will never leave you.” He dampened a towel and softly pressed the cool cloth to her forehead. “This will make you more comfortable.” She sighed and seemed to calm down as he changed the compresses and soothed her with soft words and caresses.

  ****

  “Quiet, please.” Mary-Beth’s voice came as a hoarse whisper.

  Yves opened his eyes. Her finger across her lips, Mary-Beth scowled at a nurse. He bolted out of his chair.

  “Mary-Beth, you’re back.”

  She slowly turned her head toward him, eyes huge. “Back from where?”

  “How are you feeling, chérie?”

  “Sore. Everywhere. My face, my chest, my side.” She moved her hand over her head and body as she enumerated the places that hurt. She looked around. Fear spread over her face. “I’m at the hospital? I mean in a hospital bed? What happened?”

  “You fell from the horse.”

  “The horse?” She narrowed her eyes and wrinkled her forehead in an effort to remember.

  “Please, chérie. Don’t think about it now. It will only hurt. I promise we will talk later and clear the air. But not now, not when you have been through so much.” He gently stroked her cheek and bent to press a light kiss on her lips. “Even if you hate me now, and you have the right to, allow me to help you heal first.”

  “No, no.” Her eyes filled with panic. “I never hated you. Never. I love you.”

  She sighed and closed her eyes, her hand outstretched toward him. He grasped it and covered it with kisses. “Just rest now, sweetheart.”

  “I fell from a horse. Why?” she asked, her voice hardly audible.

  Was it possible she had a short-term amnesia due to the fall or the long anesthesia?

  If only he could change the past. “A squirrel darted in front of your mare and frightened her. She reared and you fell.”

  Mary-Beth opened her eyes and squirmed. Her head frantically dug in her pillow. “I can’t remember.”

  “We’ll talk about it later. When you feel better. Can you trust me for now?” He smoothed her hair away from her suture points.

  “Of course, I trust you.” She smiled brightly, and immediately grimaced. “Ouch.” She felt her left cheek and rested her hand next to the base of her ear. “I have stitches?”

  “Yes, a couple of them on your jaw and three more on your forehead.”

  “Yves, what exactly are my injuries?”

  He swallowed. Should he give her the worst right away or explain them by order of gravity?

  “The pain in my chest?” She touched the dressing on her breasts and heart.

  He sucked in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “When you fell, you impaled yourself on a stick.”

  “I’m still alive, so I assume it didn’t pierce the heart,” she said in a cold, dispassionate voice as if she assessed a patient.

  “Dr. Julien removed the stick without problem. You also had a broken rib that penetrated the pleura.”

  She looked at him and chewed on her lip. “You removed it?”

  “Yes. Julien and Lebel performed the major surgeries. Carlos and Roberto assisted. I couldn’t. I just stitched the cuts on your face”

  “All in all, I guess I’m lucky I came through without permanent damage.”

  “There is more. You broke a hip.”

  “That explains the pain in my side and my back.” She tried to move and shrieked with pain. She cringed and tears welled in her eyes.

  “Don’t move, my love.” He injected morphine into her IV.

  She whimpered, closed her eyes, and didn’t ask more questions. A moment later, her regular breathing indicated she’d drifted off. Yet Yves couldn’t relax. Not when his mind reeled and his heart worried and wrenched.

  She said she still loved him but….

  Eventually he’d have to remind her of his selfish request that she stay in France.

  ****

  How long had she slept this time? A weird noise startled her. Mary-Beth opened her eyes and slanted a glance to the right. Slumped in the recliner next to her bed, Yves softly snored, his hand clutched to the metallic disc of his stethoscope as if ready to jump at the first emergency. Such an endearing sight. Her heart swelled with love.

  Had he been here continuously? For how many days?

  She smiled and lifted her arm to reach him. The effort exhausted her. Footsteps entered her room and she closed her eyes bracing against the noise that pounded like a hammer on her skull.

  Next to her, Yves stirred. “How is it going at the hospital, Julien?” Yves asked in a sleepy voice.

  “Great. You may be indispensable, but somehow we managed without you.”

  Yves sighed. “I can’t thank you enough. You saved this place.”

  “Our sleeping beauty regained consciousness two days ago.”

  No kidding. She’d slept two more days?

  “Yes, and she’s not over it yet.” Yves’s deep sigh worried her more than his words.

  “It’s time you get out of here and take a good nap in a real bed. She’s out of danger now. Out. Doctor’s orders. And this time you’ll follow them.”

  “Okay. Just call me when she wakes up.” Yves sounded so weary. Why?

&nb
sp; She winced, too tired herself, to voice her concern.

  “I will.”

  Mary-Beth must have briefly drifted off. When she awoke the next time, Yves had left. Sophie Marin, her former obese patient sat in the chair next to her bed. “Sophie, when did you get here?”

  “An hour ago.” Sophie took her hand and squeezed it. “You gave us a good fright with your fall, Dr. Drake. All the ladies at the Health and Beauty Clinic send their best wishes for your recovery. As soon as you can stand, I will give you a big hug on their behalf. We have all been so worried about you since Hubert stopped by and told us you fell from a horse.”

  “Oh, I see.” She knit her eyebrows thinking hard. Why had she been on a horse anyway?

  Robert and Carlos walked in. “How is our favorite patient?” Carlos asked with a big smile.

  “Not good I suppose. I have stitches on my face. My body is covered with bandages and aches all over. And I can’t remember why I was riding.”

  “Let see if we can help you,” Roberto said. “Do you remember the wine festival? You danced on the grapes with the other girls. We had dinner and then you left with Dr. Malroux.”

  Her face warmed. Oh yes, she remembered the festival and the Pompadour room. How could she ever forget the most beautiful night of her life?

  “Hubert said that the next day you went riding with Dr. Malroux. Remember?”

  Yeah, it was coming back, the picnic on the grass and…and… she smiled. “I remember.” While riding on the way back, she’d assessed his request to stay in France. She’d turned around to tell him she accepted. Now it was too late for these happy plans. She’d have to go back to Boston and follow a strict therapy until she improved. “Where is Dr. Malroux?”

  “Mary-Beth, Dr. Malroux sat next to you for the last seven days,” Carlos said.

  “Are you sure?” She didn’t need to ask the question. Every time she’d come out of oblivion, she’d seen Yves in the chair next to her. Had he told her he loved her? Or was it her imagination playing tricks?

  Roberto nodded. “He hasn’t budged from that chair. We all worked extra shifts to cover for both of you. He’s only done a few surgeries since your accident.”

  Her heart pounded in her chest. She brought her hand against her body and patted her hip and the dressing. “Thanks, guys. Do you know when I can get out of this bed?”

  “You will have to ask Malroux or Lebel,” Carlos said. “They will probably move you to Rehab soon, now that your temperature is normal.”

  “Can you ask Yves to come, please?”

  “Dr. Julien said he sent him to get some sleep, not long ago.”

  “Yes, I forgot.” She propped herself up on her elbow. “Ouch, it hurts. Can you help me and raise the bed? I’m sick of lying down.”

  “Just stay put.” Roberto adjusted the bed and fluffed up a couple of pillows behind her back “Is that better?”

  “Perfect. Thank you.” The new position improved her morale tenfold. And then there was the fact that Yves had been constantly at her side. Wasn’t that proof of love?

  “Mon Dieu, you are awake, sitting up and smiling.” Yves stood, rooted at the door as if he couldn’t take another step.

  Her smile faded. My goodness, what happened to the well-groomed Comte de Marancourt? He wore green scrubs and a white jacket on top. Stubbles darkened his jaws and gray shadows ringed his eyes. He raked his fingers through his disheveled hair.

  Was she the reason for his ghostly appearance?

  “Malroux, what are you doing here? I told you to go and rest.” Rushing in behind him, Dr. Julien crossed his arms on his chest, but his grin belied the chastisement.

  “I did, for a few minutes. I wanted to check on Mary-Beth.”

  “In that case, I’ll let you check her at length.” He gave Roberto and Carlos a wink. “Come with me, doctors. You are needed in the OR.” They all bustled to the door.

  Sophie followed them. “I will come to see you tomorrow.”

  “How are you feeling?” Yves asked as he carefully sat next to her on the bed.

  “Better, I guess. Can I stand up and walk?”

  “Wait.” He pulled a stethoscope from his pocket and listened to her heart and lungs. “Everything sounds normal.” He unfastened her hospital gown and examined the stitches.

  “Oh, my bandage is gone.”

  “You are healing nicely. I will ask Julien to examine you before I remove your sutures. Let’s look at your hip. Not bad. Lebel may have you start therapy tomorrow.” He reattached the straps of her gown.

  “I’m fed up with this bed. Can you help me to a chair?”

  “Hold on a second.” He approached a recliner and gently turned her around to let her feet dangle from the bed. She winced.

  “Does it hurt?”

  “A little bit. My side.”

  “Here, lean on me.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and slowly lowered her to the floor. She took two steps that hurt like hell and felt dizzy. He immediately sat her onto the recliner, raised the footrest, and covered her with a blanket. “Breathe deeply and relax.”

  She obeyed and smiled. “Much better.”

  “Good.” Yves sighed and walked to the door.

  “Where are you going?”

  “You need some quiet time to rest now.”

  “Stay, I want to talk.” She stretched out her hand toward him.

  “You’re not up to it.”

  “Please, Yves. I need you.”

  Right word. He immediately brought a chair and sat in front of her. Silence drifted over them. She was the one who had something to say. She bit her lip, brought her hand to her chest, felt her stitches and the thump of her heartbeat.

  She crossed her fingers in her lap. “Yves, remember you asked me to stay in France and do a three-year fellowship here? I was about to tell you I decided to take the offer when I was thrown. Now, I can’t stay here and work. I have to go back to Boston and heal.” She lowered her head and sank against the back of her recliner.

  ****

  Yves flinched at her sadness and disappointment. She was recovering from an accident and major surgeries. And he loved her more than he thought he could ever love a woman.

  He crouched in front of her and took her hands between his. “Look at me, Mary-Beth. I am the one responsible for this mess. I couldn’t get myself to completely commit. To tell you I love you.” He covered her hands with kisses and then pressed them against his cheek. “When I saw you on the ground and thought you might die, I nearly lost my mind.”

  Her eyes shadowed with uncertainty, she bit her lip.

  “You can throw me out of your life. But Mary-Beth, know that I love you. I think I loved you in Boston three years ago as the cute, adorable and funny Sweet-Mary with the bubbly laughter and sharp mind. And then when you arrived, I discovered a gorgeous woman who stole my breath. I couldn’t resist the attraction even though you were not free.”

  “My darling.” Tears shimmered in her eyes, as she frowned and chewed on her bottom lip while studying him.

  “Do you believe me, Mary-Beth?”

  “Yes. Yes, I do. I love you. Kiss me, please.”

  He straightened and bent over her to deposit a chaste peck on her cheek.

  “Can’t you do better?” With a hiss of frustration, she grabbed him by the lapels of his white jacket.

  “I didn’t want to exhaust you. Mon amour, your wishes are my command.” With a big smile, he leaned over her and molded his lips to hers. She hooked her arms around his neck and darted her tongue into his mouth. He let her play at her own leisure, carefully responding.

  She eased away, and he smiled as he stroked her cheek. “Good to see the anesthesia and morphine injections haven’t doused your ardor.”

  “Last time, it was… There was… ”

  He understood her reference to their lovemaking and chuckled. “Sparks?”

  “More than sparks, flames, fire.”

  Standing next to her, he traced his knuckle along her j
aw. “It can be the same every day, every night of our life.” He cradled her face and captured her gaze. “Mary-Beth, my love, I want you to marry me.”

  Her blue eyes widened like a mesmerizing sea. “I love you, Yves, and nothing could make me happier than—”

  “How is my patient?” Dr. Lebel strode to her side as Yves released her and jumped back with a merde muttered between his teeth.

  “I’m fine. Really, I feel great,” she said with a bright smile.

  “Good, we should start the therapy right away. Dr. Drake, I won’t hide from you the fact that the break in your hip was not a clean one. It may leave some…ahem… “

  “Some what, Dr. Lebel? Please say it straight. I’m a doctor, too. I can take it.”

  “Well, you will have a little claudication. Of course, with time…huh, it… ”

  “You mean, I will limp.” She slumped back, against her pillow, eyes closed.

  Yves shot a scathing look at Lebel and took Mary-Beth’s hand. “Chérie, you’re young, athletic and otherwise healthy. With intensive therapy you will walk straight.”

  She looked at him, deep lines gathered between her brows. “Don’t try to sugarcoat the diagnosis.” Her voice broke as she averted her gaze.

  “You will go at it with all your energy and you will succeed in overcoming any limp. If not, we’ll operate again. Right, Lebel?”

  “Yes, of course,” Lebel said with a doubtful shake of his head.

  Yves shoved him out the door and shut it behind him.

  “Ma chérie, what’s wrong with you? Are you going to give up?” He stepped close to her and cupped her cheeks. “Where is my assertive resident who believes in herself and always succeeds?”

  Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I’ll do my best and I’ll fight to walk.” She shook her head. “But I can’t marry you if I limp.”

  “Sacrebleu, what has the way you walk got to do with us getting married?”

  “Can you see a limping woman on your arm, after all the beauties you paraded in the past?” She slanted a pitiful glance at him.

  With his fingertip he dispelled the frown on her forehead. “The only woman I can see on my arm is you, mon amour, only you.”

  Her jaws clamped in a stubborn lock. “Thank you. I don’t want sympathy.”