“Nicki Clark?” The man asked crisply. “I’m Doctor Tanor, head cardiologist at the Klinik Im Park in Zurich. I had the opportunity to review your test results and the queen asked me to speak with you directly as soon as I did.” He barreled on without pausing, his gaze steady on her. “You don’t have any current signs of cardiomyopathy in your heart muscle.”
“I—” Nicki blinked, but she couldn’t seem to see correctly, her eyes not focusing. “I don’t?”
“You do not. You have a slight arrhythmia that’s worrisome and will require some monitoring, and I’d like to have you track your blood pressure more routinely. There’s also some diet and exercise recommendations I’d prefer you to follow to ensure you don’t tap your system unnecessarily. But the bottom line is—you are healthy, you can do nearly every activity you might want without concern other than, potentially, sky diving. And while I recommend testing your heart again in six months and consistently thereafter, you are otherwise free to carry on.” He smiled at last, his eyes softening. “I can’t speak to all your fitness evaluations, but your heart is in a very good place.”
The doctor accepted her stammered thanks then took his leave quickly after, heading next to Ari, she expected. For a long minute Nicki stared after him, as Stefan reached over and slipped her hand into his.
“It’s in a good place,” Nicki whispered, and he leaned toward her to brush her lips softly with his. “He said I’m fine—I’m fine. I’m in a good place.” She looked up at Stefan and he pressed his fingers against hers, pulling her close.
“You’re also here—with me,” Stefan said. “For as long as you wish to be. That feels like a good place as well.”
“It’s the best place I’ve ever been,” Nicki said, and she didn’t stop the tears from falling this time. “The best place in the world.”
Get ready for Crowned, Book 4 in the Gowns & Crowns series, coming this fall!
Crowned
Trauma psychologist-in-training Francesca Simmons would like to think she can help anyone, as long as she keeps herself centered, focused… controlled. Then she meets a man in desperate need of that zen-state serenity… and he makes her absolutely crazy.
Ryker Stavros has been rotting in a Turkish work camp his entire life… the life he can remember anyway, which began a year ago in fire and pain. When an angel steps into his world with maddeningly cool hands and gentle words that set his soul on fire, telling him he’s not at all who he believes he is, he knows she’s only trying to help…
But the devil in him won’t rest until he makes her his.
A Note From Jenn
In researching Nicki’s illness, I realized very quickly that heart conditions can vary widely, manifesting in many different ways. I found myself understanding Nicki’s hesitation in getting regularly tested, but knew that ultimately, she would have to face her fears and learn the truth about her condition, so she could manage it properly. While I was writing this book, I was also diagnosed with a physical condition in my own body that requires ongoing medical testing—a condition I’d apparently had for some time, without significant symptoms. While I was momentarily tempted to forego testing—after all, I’d gone this long and was okay, right?—I knew I had to be certain, both to ensure my own safety and to prepare my family no matter what the results were. There are many ways to treat a physical ailment, but you have to have full information before you can make any sort of decision about your health. So I urge you—if you’re ever recommended for medical testing, follow through on that recommendation. What happens after is totally your call, but at least you’ll be prepared.
And here’s wishing you amazing health, no matter where your adventures take you.
About Jennifer Chance
Jennifer Chance is the award-winning author of the New Adult contemporary romance Rule Breakers and Gowns & Crowns series. A lover of books, romance, and happily-ever-afters, she lives and writes in Ohio. She’s also urban fantasy author Jenn Stark, whose Immortal Vegas series is now available; and YA author Jennifer McGowan, whose Elizabethan spy series Maids of Honor is also available. She really, truly, loves to write.
When she’s not at work on her newest book, you can find her online at http://www.jenniferchance.com/ , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authorJenniferChance and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Jenn_Chance.
Table of Contents
Copyright
Also by Jennifer Chance in the Gowns & Crowns series
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-four
Epilogue
Coming Next
A Note From Jenn
About Jennifer Chance
Claimed: Gowns & Crowns, Book 3 Page 23