In a Jam

by Cindy Dorminy

  He heads toward the door. “Watch your back, Doc Ballard. The love doctor is in.”

  She snarls then glances back at me. In a deadpan voice, she says, “What was it you said about making more money in Atlanta? I think I’ll have to check the want ads tonight.”

  Gunnar chuckles. “She wouldn’t leave her loving family.” He salutes his cousin, and I watch his retreating frame.

  Regina returns with a tray of bloodletting supplies. She removes the blood pressure cuff and wipes down my arm with an alcohol wipe. She wraps a tourniquet around my bicep and sticks the needle in my arm. She may be a cranky girl, but I didn’t feel a thing. She draws two tubes of blood and places them on the bedside table. No frickin’ way. I know a gray-topped tube is the kind that blood-alcohol content is collected in.

  I snatch it and hold it up. “I’m no fool, Miss”—I check her name tag—“Regina Price, RN.”

  Regina’s face pales, and her mouth gapes open.

  I smirk. “That’s right. I know what this color is used to run.”

  The doctor takes it from my hand. “Regina, what did I tell you? Electrolytes only. We do not need this gray-topped tube.” She plunks it into the hazardous disposal container. “I could write you up for that.”

  The nurse’s face loses its color, especially when she sees my shit-eating grin. “I didn’t mean any disrespect. Sometimes we draw extra tubes in case the doctor orders more labs later. That way, the patient doesn’t have to get stuck again.”

  She does not deserve an eye roll.

  Dr. Mel shakes her head. “When I’m on duty, you draw what I say and only what I say. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Before Regina leaves the room, Mel says, “Oh, and don’t forget our strict policy on patient confidentiality.”

  Regina’s spine stiffens. “Of course.”

  Mel grins. I think the nurse got schooled. Mel is my new best friend. I’ve never had a best friend before, and I like having people in my corner for a change. Maybe this town won’t be so bad after all.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Gunnar

  My phone buzzes with an incoming text while I pace up and down the hallway of the hospital. My nosy sister wants to know how my lunch date went. I text her back, “Not a date.” She replies with one single eye roll emoji. People don’t get it. I am not interested in Andie like that. She’s fun, but I’m not ready to get involved right now, if ever.

  I lean against the wall to text her back, when I overhear Regina at the nurses’ station. She’s speaking to Jolene, another nurse, who is also Willow’s stepsister.

  “Doc Mel got all pissy when I suggested running a blood-alcohol content on our new town drunk.”

  Jolene replies with her standard huff. “You know as well as I do she was drunk. Who in their right mind jogs in this heat?”

  I storm up to the station and slam my hand down on the counter. “Someone not from around here.” My voice booms louder than I mean.

  Jolene and Regina jump back.

  Jolene bats her fake eyelashes and flips her auburn hair over her shoulder. “Hey, Gunnar. What brings you here?”

  As if she doesn’t know.

  I jerk my thumb in the direction of Andie’s room. “Mel’s in with—”

  Jolene rolls her eyes. “New girl. I know.”

  “Would it hurt either of you to be kind to our guest? She is Miss Grace’s granddaughter, after all.”

  Jolene stiffens her spine and clicks her pen. “Come on, Gunnar. Two days, and you’re already under her spell.”

  Heat rises up my neck, and if I weren’t wearing my uniform, I might do things that I would get arrested for. “No spell, Jo. It’s called being nice. You should try it on for size.” I need to get out of here before I throw a chair through a window.

  I take two steps away from the nurses’ station, when Jolene chuckles. “He’s so horny, he’ll take rejects from Boston.”

  I jerk around. “What did you say?”

  Jolene blows out a breath. “You can’t be her knight in shining armor. If you’re that hard up, you should call Willow. I bet if you give her another chance—”

  “No, thanks. What has Andie done to you?”

  She shrugs. “Nothing yet, but if she gets near Stanley, we’ll have words.”

  Regina snorts. “Jo, please. He’s a flirt, but he’s all yours, and all the women in the county thank you for it.”

  I point a finger in her face. “Be nice. And if you can’t do that, then be silent. Are we clear?”

  Her eyes twinkle, but I think Regina is about to crap her pants. “Yes, sir, Officer.”

  “If I hear one more rumor that you spread about a patient at this hospital”—I point at the room where Mel is—“I’ll have a little chat with my cousin.”

  Now my eyes twinkle when her plastic face falls. “Bye, ladies.”

  “I’ll tell Willow you said hello.”

  I let my middle finger do the talking as I storm down the hall in search of some strong hospital-grade coffee.

  AFTER TWENTY MINUTES of grinding my molars to powder, Mel finally strolls into the cafeteria. I’m glad I didn’t get a call because I really do want to take Andie home. She has no one else that will help her right now.

  “Three texts for me to meet you here is two too many, mister. What’s up your craw?”

  I crumple my empty paper coffee cup. “Jolene.”

  She groans. “I hate every time we work the same shift. She and Regina together make me feel like we’re back in high school. Regina’s not so bad on her own, but together, they have no respect for my credentials.”

  “They were talking trash about Andie, but I think I put the fear of God in them.”

  Mel surveys the room then leans over the table toward me. In a hush, she says, “That’s not all. Regina tried to slip one past me. She drew a gray-topped tube on Andie.”

  I motion for her to continue. That means nothing to me.

  “I ordered electrolytes. They’re drawn into a green-topped tube for the lab to process. A BAC, blood-alcohol content, is drawn in a gray-topped tube. I’m not stupid, and apparently, neither is Andie. She called Regina out on it. I was so proud of her, I could squeeze her.”

  My mouth drops open. I knew Regina had her suspicions, but I never thought she would stoop to that level. “I bet Jo put her up to it. What did you do?”

  “I tossed the tube into the Sharps container. She’s not so stupid as to fish it out for risk of getting stuck with a needle. Besides, I know Jo put her up to it. Regina has a little bit of respect for me.”

  I take a deep breath and stare off into the corner of the cafeteria. It has been a long time since I’ve gotten my hackles up over a girl, but Jo and Regina’s comments hit me the wrong way, and something inside me couldn’t stop myself from protecting Andie. She doesn’t have anyone in this town, and even if Tinsley didn’t ask me to watch her, I would. There’s something about Andie that won’t let me stay away.

  Mel clears her throat, causing me to flick my eyes back in her direction.

  “While I appreciate your protective nature, don’t you think you’re going a little overboard?”

  “Not you too. I do not like her. I’m looking out for her because a fellow officer asked me to. And what was I supposed to do? I was driving through town, and I saw her about to pass out. I would have stopped for anyone.”

  She scoots away from me and puts her hands out. “Okay. But would you hold back Stanley’s hair if he was puking his guts out?”

  “Stanley hardly has three hairs on his head.”

  She crosses her arms. “You know what I mean. It’s that I haven’t seen you this worked up since—”

  “Don’t you dare say the W word. I’ve heard her name too many times today.” My knee bounces. All this talk about feelings and caring makes me jumpy.

  Mel covers my hand with hers. “You can talk to me. I’m not part of the grapevine.” She peeks over her shoulder. “I certainly don’t d
iscuss personal stuff at work, especially not with Jo or Regina around.”

  “I’m fine, and I’m not worked up.”

  She pats my hand. “Can I say something without you chewing my head off?”

  I grin. “Considering you’ve already spilled the beans about my extracurricular activities in high school, I think you’re safe.”

  She stares off into the distance then takes a deep breath. “Would it be so terrible if you were, in some teeny, tiny way, attracted to Andie?”

  I rub the back of my neck. If I’m being completely honest with myself, I’ll admit there’s something brewing. There’s something about her that draws me to her. And it’s more than my usual Mr. Fix Everyone mentality. I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready to give myself completely again. Some wounds never heal.

  “She doesn’t need me in her life.”

  Mel rolls her eyes. “I know all the shit with Willow.”

  My jaw clenches.

  “And not to mention the way you tried to whore away the pain.”

  I cringe. One year of lying in a fetal position followed by another year of chasing every tail in three counties is something I don’t like to remember. “Thanks for being subtle.”

  She shrugs. “What can I say? It’s a gift. Anyway, you’re a great person. All I’m saying is that even though you’ve only just met her, the way you are around her, it’s... sweet.” Her mouth tugs up in one corner.

  I snort. “Sweet? I don’t do sweet.”

  Her eyebrows dance. “That’s my point, cuz.” Her phone buzzes. She reads the message then stands. “Andie’s fluids have finished running. Should I call her a cab?”

  I follow her out of the cafeteria. “Nah, I’ll take her home. And while I wait for you to discharge her, I’ll see if Mitchell’s working today.”

  She swings around to face me. “Don’t you dare.”

  I wrap my arm around her shoulder and lead her toward the elevator. “You can trust me... maybe.”

  She shrugs my arm off her shoulder. “Oh, hush. You stay out of my business, and I’ll stay out of yours.” Barely over a whisper, she adds, “Maybe.”

  “I heard that.”

  “Besides, I think Andie likes you.”

  I don’t know if I have it in me to do the whole sweet thing again. When I was nice, I got burned. When I was bad, I almost got killed. Maybe the pendulum is ready to swing back in the other direction.

  “You know she only wants the money,” I say.

  “Pfft. Not so sure about that. But Mitchell... he only likes the chase.”

  He only chases her because she runs. He’s more like a little puppy wanting her to notice him. Andie is different. She’s definitely running. Not necessarily away from me, but from the world. I wish I could convince her to keep her grandmother’s shop, and not only for my sake. But she has made it clear. Andie is only here for less than two months, no matter what is stirring inside me right now. But six weeks is forty-two long days, and I plan to enjoy every last one of them.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Andie

  Regina checks my blood pressure again and types the values into the computer system. The air is thick with tension. She thinks I was drunk and that was why I was stumbling around town. No matter what I do or say, it’s not going to change her preconceived opinion of me. That’s her problem, not mine. Now that I know she’s got a direct link to the pastor, I’ll need to be extra careful of what I say and do around her. But that doesn’t mean we have to be besties.

  “I think you’re going to live to see another day.” When she rips the blood pressure cuff off my arm, she actually grins, and if I didn’t know better, I would think it was a sincere gesture, a far cry from her judgmental scowl from earlier.

  I can’t help but think that everyone in this town is going to think the worst of me no matter what I do. I can either be who they think I am or rise above it all. The old Andie would tell them to screw it and get drunk. The new Andie wants to make my grandmother proud. I guess I’ll have to kill them with kindness.

  “I feel so much better. Thank you.” That whole killing with kindness may kill me in the process.

  Regina’s lips form a thin line. “Only doing my job. From here on out, if you have to run, go early in the morning. I’m talking crazy early, like six o’clock. It’s the only time of day it’s safe, especially if you aren’t used to it.”

  “I appreciate the tip. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  In one swift motion, Regina removes the IV from my other arm and wraps a bright-green stretchy bandage around my arm to keep a cotton ball in place. “Keep the bandage on for about an hour, then you should be able remove it without bleeding all over everything.”

  I let out a giggle, thankful the nausea has passed. “Let’s hope I don’t do that.”

  Regina stares, and I’m a bit terrified of what else she thinks of me, especially since her father is the pastor. She swallows hard. “I should not have assumed—”

  “It’s okay.”

  She shakes her head. “It was unprofessional and unkind.” She takes a deep breath. “Sometimes, living in a small town is a lot like being in high school on a permanent basis.”

  I shudder, making her laugh.

  “Exactly. I let others put thoughts into my head, and I need to grow a pair, especially at work. Jo, the other nurse on duty, likes to stir the pot. She planted the seed about getting your blood-alcohol level, knowing good and well I would be the one to get in trouble if I got caught. Plus, she really likes to get under Gunnar’s skin. It’s not you. It’s her all-access pass to his past.”

  Too much information. Before she hands me my discharge papers, she scribbles a note on it. “That’s my cell phone number. If you want to go for a jog, at a safe time of day, give me a call. We can go to the high school football field and run around the track.”

  My mouth drops open. I must be hallucinating. She’s being nice. I’ve stepped off the crazy train straight into the Southern Twilight Zone.

  Regina giggles. “I’m not pranking you, and I’m not my daddy’s little spy. The coaches run the sprinklers. All. Summer. Long. I’m not kidding. Even if we have a water ban. I don’t know how they get away with it.” She holds up a finger. “Yeah, I do. Football is king in the South. Never mind. Anyway, the coaches are too lazy to watch what’s being watered, so the track gets plenty soaked too. It’s the only place to run during the summer.”

  “Really?” I scrunch my eyebrows together. “Are you trying to get me arrested for trespassing?”

  She holds her hands out in defense. “Scout’s honor. My brother is the head coach. And Jolene hates anything to do with exercise, so no fear of her showing up. She’ll probably be pissed if she ever finds out, but that’s her problem, not yours.”

  As much as I didn’t like Regina prejudging me, I shouldn’t judge her on first impressions, either. She’s being nice, and until she’s not nice, I should give her the same courtesy. I’m exhausted and not thinking clearly, but it would be very nice to have some female company while I’m here.

  “I might take you up on that. And stop by In a Jam tomorrow for a free cup of plain ole coffee.”

  Regina laughs as she helps me to my feet and holds on to my arm as I steady myself.

  Mel knocks on the door before entering my room. “How’s it going?”

  Regina stiffens her spine. “Vitals are stable. I’ve gone over her discharge instructions, and she’s ready to go when you sign off on her discharge, Doctor.”

  Mel logs in to the computer system, and with a few clicks, I am officially not their problem anymore. She points her finger at me. “No more running in this heat.”

  “I promise. Regina offered to share her favorite running spot with me.”

  Mel gasps as she snaps her head in Regina’s direction. “The track at the high school? I’m hurt.” Mel faces me. “In all the years I’ve known her, she’s never invited me.”

  Regina’s mouth flies open. “Would you have gone if
I had?”

  Mel rolls her eyes. “Duh. Of course.”

  A red flush creeps up Regina’s neck. “Okay. How about Tuesday at six a.m.? We’ll meet at In a Jam and go to the field together. I wouldn’t want the newbie to get lost again.”

  Regina and Mel knuckle-bump each other then hold out their fists for me. I bump theirs. This is all very strange for me. I’ve never really had girlfriends before. I’ve had drinking friends but not hang-out kinds of friends. Being included is an odd but warm feeling. This must be how life is when it doesn’t revolve around staying drunk. Or it could be how things are in a small town. Maybe it’s both.

  MEL WHEELS ME OUT OF the emergency room. Regina waves as I pass by, but all I get from the auburn-haired girl is a resting bitch face.

  “Thanks for helping me today, Doctor.”

  “Just doing my job. And really, you can call me Mel.”

  “You really knew my grandmother?”

  Mel’s face lights up. “I’d stop by most mornings to make sure she took her meds and to give her a visual look-see to make sure she was getting around all right. I hated she had to climb those stairs every day and worried all the time about her falling down them.”

  “Thank you. I really appreciate that.” A pang of guilt hits me in the pit of my empty stomach. I should have been the one making sure Granny was safe.

  She clears her throat. “Gunnar was there when she had her heart attack, and he called me. I was able to make her comfortable before she passed. She had her DNR orders on her refrigerator, so we didn’t initiate CPR. That’s ‘do not resuscitate.’ Those were her wishes, and I had to respect that, but it was really hard. I wanted to try.” She swipes a tear away. “She was a good egg.”

  “Yeah. I wish I had known her like you and Gunnar did.” It sounds as though she was close to them and treated them like they were her grandchildren.

  “You would have loved her.”

  “I hope I didn’t cause a rift between you and Gunnar.”

  She waves me off. “Aw, it’s all fine. That’s what family does.”