The guy looked like he was about to pass out from pain as he attempted to move his arm. He nodded as he swore under his breath. “Definitely grinding.”
Erika leaned closer.
Kent’s gaze dipped to the opening in her jacket and Reed snapped a finger. “Eyes up here.”
Erika was oblivious. “The bone is off center. I can see it protruding here. It needs to be readjusted as soon as possible.”
Readjusted? On the mountain? No way. “Erika, you need to step down. We will get him on the litter and to the emergency room at Wild River Community, where the doctors there will set any broken bones.”
She shot him a look. “The leg—there’s nothing we can do here. It’s too far gone...”
Jesus. Kent looked horrified. “Your leg will be fine,” Reed said.
“But the clavicle, I can help. An hour from now, this bone will be that much harder to put back in place. This guy will be wishing for death,” Erika said.
The guy’s eyes widened and he looked ill.
What was Erika like with her own patients? He was glad he wasn’t one of them. “We are not authorized...”
“You are not authorized. I am,” she argued, her steely gaze igniting a fire in him. Infuriatingly impossible to deal with. Yet, there was the smallest part of him that found her challenge attractive.
“As fun as this is to watch, can you two maybe argue later?” Tyler said, moving closer to act as referee between them. “This guy is in pain. Whatever we’re going to do, we need to do it now.”
Backing down was not in Reed’s wheelhouse. Tearing his gaze from Erika’s, he looked at the injured skier. “I recommend we get you to the hospital, where they can properly assess the situation and set the bone in a more comfortable environment.”
Erika’s jaw clenched, but she remained silent.
Kent looked back and forth between them.
“It’s your life,” Erika said.
Kent nodded. “If it’s all the same, I think I’ll go with the surgeon.”
Erika beamed victoriously. “Well there you have it. Excuse me,” she said, kneeling closer to Kent, forcing Reed out of the way. She pulled off her gloves. “Okay. This is going to hurt, but in three seconds the bone will be set and the pain will ease a little...”
The guy nodded, his hands clenched at his sides. “Just do it before I change my mind.”
Chicken out, more like it.
Erika placed a hand on the center of his chest and gripped his arm. “Take a deep breath. I’m going to count to three and then...”
Snap.
“Ow! Jesus!”
“There. Done. Feels better already, right?” Erika asked the guy, as she stood, putting her gloves back on.
The guy’s look of anger dissipated quickly as he nodded. “Actually, yeah. A million times better. Thank you,” he said as Tyler and Wade lifted him carefully onto the litter hooked to the snowmobile. They buckled the safety straps and the vehicle headed slowly down the hill.
“That wasn’t nice,” Reed said as he stood next to Erika, watching the crew disappear over the side of the mountain.
She shrugged, looking far too pleased—whether with her performance or having won the battle of wills with him, Reed wasn’t sure. “Hurts less when they don’t expect it.”
* * *
TWENTY MINUTES LATER, unexpected nostalgia overwhelmed Erika as she entered the hospital’s emergency room. Sure, she worked in a similar environment every day, but this place was special, embedded deep in her psyche. Even the smell of the iodoform awakened memories of visits to see her father when he’d worked here years before.
Her love of medicine had started the first time she’d walked into Wild River Community Hospital. At six years old, she’d felt the energy and excitement of the fast-paced emergency room, enjoyed the quiet, comfortable silence of the nursery and sensed the passion and dedication of the doctors and nurses. Every day after school, she’d beg her mother to drop her off at the hospital to do her homework in the doctor’s lounge, and she’d take every opportunity to annoy the doctors with her thousands of questions whenever they’d come in for a break. They marveled over her interest and her ability to retain what they taught her.
Most children hated hospitals, but she loved her afternoons there. The best part was when her father would let her go on his rounds with him. How he was with his patients and the way they looked at him with admiration and respect had made her feel such pride, even at a young age. Back then he was a real-life superhero.
She’d wanted to be just like him.
Maybe she should have waited in the search and rescue van.
“Are you the doctor who set the shoulder?” a young physician asked her as they approached the triage desk.
She nodded. “The fractured clavicle—yes.”
The doctor, whose name tag read Ford, checked the chart he held. “Right. I just have some paperwork for you to sign.”
“Paperwork?”
“Releasing the hospital from any complications that could arise based on you setting the shoulder on the mountain instead of waiting for the patient to come here.”
There wouldn’t be any. She could have set that clavicle anywhere, but she understood. She reached for the clipboard.
Reed frowned next to her. “Wait. The patient authorized her to do it and he was a lot better off for it.”
The young doctor shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. I’m sure it’s fine, but it’s procedure. I’m sure you can appreciate that, Dr. Sheraton.”
He recognized her?
Wasn’t a complete surprise. She had given several presentations to the Anchorage Hospital Association regarding the new antirejection drug the year before. And her father’s reputation as a top surgeon in Alaska had a way of shining light on her and her career, as well.
“It’s no problem. I’ll sign it.” Truth was, she hadn’t really been thinking about procedure on the mountain...or the search and rescue’s policies and standard operating. While she’d done what she thought was best for the skier in the moment, she’d overstepped.
She probably owed Reed an apology—that would be tougher.
“Here you go...it’s front and back. You can just leave it with triage when you’re done. We’ll add it to Mr. Jansen’s file,” Dr. Ford said.
Taking the clipboard, she sat in the emergency waiting room, read through the release and signed quickly, letting her actions sink in. She wasn’t one to question her decisions, but she also wasn’t one to act hastily in these kinds of situations. Luckily, her assessment about the fracture had been correct, otherwise she could have done more damage than good.
How much of her uncharacteristic impulsiveness on the mountain had to do with Reed and the fact that she’d been determined to be right and maybe impress him with her skills?
She glanced at him now, checking his cell phone as he paced the emergency room, waiting for her. His invite to tag along had surprised her—they’d never been friends and she knew his breakfast delivery had probably been under pressure from Cassie.
A memory of his hands gripping her waist in the kitchen made her flush. She’d kissed him. Drunk Erika had courage sober Erika would never have. She’d rarely dated in high school and college, instead focusing on her studies and the volunteering experience she needed for her medical school applications. But when she did go out with a guy, it was usually someone as studious as she was...often her dates had turned into study sessions. She never dated guys like Reed—outgoing, laid-back and hot as hell. Guys like Reed had never been interested in her and now, she was too busy to notice if they were or not.
“Oh my! Look at you.” A deep, familiar voice made her smile. “When the nurse said Dr. Sheraton was here, I knew it couldn’t be your father, but wow,” Dr. Smyth said, approaching with arms outstretched.
Erika stood and accepted the
older man’s hug. “Hi, Dr. Smyth. How are you?” She hadn’t seen her father’s former colleague and mentor since moving to Anchorage. He looked exactly the same. He’d always had white hair and deep-set wrinkles even in his forties and now in his late sixties, he’d seemed to stop aging. He’d always insisted she call him Grandpa and he’d been as much a part of her family as her real grandparents...until her mother died and her father had stopped entertaining in their home, withdrawing from everyone. Even her.
“Trying to get in as many days here as I can before they kick me out,” he said, but his smile revealed he was looking forward to his upcoming retirement. She’d read about it in the hospital association newsletter the month before and had been meaning to reach out with her congratulations. A month ago? Wow. Her days at the hospital were a blur.
“I’m sure they’d keep you. Let me go tell them you want to stay on a few more years,” she teased.
He grabbed her hand as she made a move toward the triage desk. “Don’t even think about it. My golf times are already booked in Palm Springs. Jillian’s there now.” She knew he’d finally gotten married five years ago after being alone his entire life. His work had been his focus—giving back to his patients and community through countless charity organizations he was part of. But apparently, later in life, he’d developed a need for companionship. She’d meant to reach out to congratulate him on that news, as well. Had she even RSVP’d to the wedding invite? Guilt was easier to repress when she was holed up in her tiny office...now it drowned her. She should have attended the wedding.
“Congratulations on everything—the retirement, the wedding...” she said, and from the corner of her eye, she saw Reed watching them. She turned slightly so he was out of view.
“How’s your father? I invited him to the wedding, but he RSVP’d that he was out of town that weekend.”
Her father was never out of town...he was barely ever out of the office, but at least he’d responded. Or his assistant had. She forced her voice to sound light as she answered. “He’s good... As busy as ever.”
“Yeah, I reached out to him a few days ago, on the anniversary of your mom’s death, but he didn’t respond.”
The mention of her mom made her chest tighten, then she felt slightly embarrassed. Her father had once thought the world of Dr. Smyth. The man had mentored him into the fantastic surgeon he was now. Yet, her father felt no ties or obligations to the hospital where he’d developed his skills. “He’s been really preoccupied working on the new antirejection drug. Pending final approval, we start clinical trials right before Christmas.”
“Yes. I’m on the committee that approved the trial start date yesterday,” he said, nodding. “Wonderful new product.”
She fought hard to hide her surprise at the news. The committee had approved the trials and her father hadn’t told her yet? She’d checked her emails on the way to Snowcrest Mountain and there had been nothing from him or any of the other members of the team. “Yes, it is. It’s been a long time coming, but we feel we may have a breakthrough product.” One that might save lives without doing more damage than good. If only this drug had been around when her mother was fighting her battle with polycystic disease, she might still be there.
“I believe you do,” he said sincerely.
Erika beamed, his support meaning so much to her. “Thank you. I should have known you would be part of the approval committee.” Dr. Smyth had been nominated for several awards in clinical research himself.
“You’re doing great work. Both of you. Your mom would be so proud.”
The unexpected lump that rose in her throat at the second mention of her mother was tough to force down. She rarely talked about her mom, as her father refused to discuss her, but she was on her mind a lot. “I hope so,” she said. Her mother had died from complications of a kidney transplant before she could see Erika grow up and achieve her dream of becoming a doctor. The empty chair in the auditorium when she’d crossed the stage to accept her high school diploma, her college diploma and then her medical school honors achievement had made each accomplishment shine just a little less.
Her father’s pride was a given, but then he always expected success. Anything else wouldn’t do.
Dr. Smyth placed a hand on her shoulder. “We could use a surgeon of your qualifications around here. Not that I’m poaching you,” he said quickly. “Just letting you know that if you’re ever looking for a change...a month from now there’s a position opening up.” He smiled.
She’d never give up her position at Alaska General Hospital, but Dr. Smyth’s belief in her felt good. “Thank you, but Alaska General is my home. That’s where my true passion is—with the opportunities to do so much good in medical research.” She cast a glance at Reed and he looked away quickly as though he hadn’t been listening to every word.
Dr. Smyth nodded, his gaze drifting in the direction hers had gone. He gave her a look she didn’t fully understand. “The opportunities here are different for sure.”
“Excuse the interruption, but Mr. Jansen wants to see you,” Dr. Ford said, coming to a stop next to them.
“Me?” Dr. Smyth asked.
“No. Dr. Sheraton.”
Erika shook her head. “Oh no, I only stepped in to help on the mountain. He’s in good hands here.” Wild River Community was not her hospital. She’d already crossed boundaries.
“I think he just wants to thank you. His girlfriend is in there, as well.”
Her pulse raced and her hands sweat a little. Beyond the doctor’s shoulder, Reed was still watching, listening...
“Can you tell him I had to go, but I wish him a speedy recovery?” she asked, handing him the signed release form and heading toward the door. “It was great seeing you, Dr. Smyth,” she said, desperately fighting to not read too much into the older man’s expression.
“You, too. Say hello to your father for me,” he said.
She nodded and escaped outside. She doubted very much that she’d be telling her father anything about this experience.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“TO YOUR FIRST successful mountain rescue,” Cassie said, raising her wineglass. After that morning’s hangover they were sticking to their wine-only plan.
“To her only mountain rescue,” Reed muttered from behind the bar of The Drunk Tank as Erika raised her own glass to accept the toast. No hard alcohol that evening. She couldn’t trust her lips to behave.
“We’ll see,” she said, enjoying the fact that he was so bothered. He was right. She had no intentions of venturing out on any more rescues with him—the liability only one reason, the odd, adrenaline-induced rush she’d gotten from the experience another—but she wasn’t about to tell him.
“Besides, an injured skier wasn’t a real rescue,” he said, yanking on the Santa head so that beer “peed” out into a pint glass.
“What’s up your ass tonight? Erika helped that guy today,” Cassie said, shooting her brother an annoyed look.
He shrugged, pouring three more pints and placing them on a tray for the waitress.
Erika would like an answer to that herself. After all, it had been his idea for her to tag along and he had to know that as a trained medical professional, she couldn’t not step in to help the poor guy, and she had apologized for being slightly pushy. Sort of. Her “I’m sorry, I had to pull rank” in the van on the way back to the station had been met with a grunt and eye roll, but it was as good as it got from her.
The other search and rescue crew members had been complimentary when they’d arrived back at the station...particularly Tyler.
He was cute. A little younger than her, but funny and sweet and less...intimidating than Reed. She wouldn’t mind seeing more of him while she was there. And before she’d left the station to head back to the village, he had offered to take her heli-skiing...something she’d been wanting to try. Skiing was the only sport her father
had approved of. That and golf. And only because the board organized semiannual retreats and he believed it would somehow reflect badly on their operating skills if they weren’t good at both. Therefore, she’d taken private lessons every winter since she was twelve. Regular slopes held little challenge for her anymore, so she planned to take Tyler up on his offer...
“And feel free to keep that ski suit, it looks way better on you,” Cassie said.
“It’s too tight on her,” Reed said.
Both women’s jaws dropped.
His face turned the same shade as the nose on the Rudolph ornament hanging from the garland above his head. “I just meant, it was...tight.”
“Yeah, you said that. Now’s the part where you apologize for the assholic comment,” Cassie said.
Erika waited, her emotions wavering between pissed off and embarrassed. Her friend was a lot smaller than she was, the suit had been tight, but come on—who said something like that?
“Sorry, that came out wrong...” Reed said through clenched teeth. “I meant that it may get you some unwanted attention while you’re on vacation,” he added as his gaze wandered past them to Tyler entering the bar.
His jaw set in a tight line as the younger guy waved at them.
Erika didn’t get it. The two men worked together on the team. They seemed to get along just fine...until the ride back to the village. The more Erika and Tyler had chatted, the grumpier Reed had gotten. His annoyance had been evident, but was it more than that? Jealousy perhaps? She’d caught him staring at her ass in the too-tight ski suit, and there was a sexually charged tension between them, but they couldn’t stop bickering for five minutes. What did he care if she took Tyler up on his date offer?
Ignoring his scowl, or maybe because of it, she enthusiastically returned Tyler’s wave. “Maybe I’m okay with some attention,” she told Reed.
A hard stare met hers before he moved away to serve several customers at the other end of the bar.
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