One Sure Thing (Mamma Lou Matchmaker Series)

by Norfleet, Celeste

  He paused briefly to come around front then perch on the edge of his desk with extreme confidence. “We would greatly benefit from your medical expertise and connections.”

  Taken aback by the pitch, Raymond continued smile. He had no intention of leaving Manhattan Medical Center. “Thank you for your very generous offer Hugh, but I’m quite satisfied with Manhattan Medical at the moment. But, should my circumstances change, you’ll be the first to know.”

  Hugh smiled, but was not particularly pleased with the response.

  “Actually, the reason I’m here is that my grandmother was admitted to this hospital yesterday.”

  “Yes, I was very sorry to hear about your grandmother’s illness. But I assure you everything is being done to make sure that her stay with us is comfortable and relaxing. And, of course she has the medical attention of some of the best physicians.

  As a matter of fact, I met with Mrs. Gates earlier this afternoon and I must say she is a very remarkable woman. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen so many flowers, telegrams and phones calls for a patient.”

  Raymond nodded. “She is extraordinary.”

  “I actually received a phone call from the governor of Virginia’s office this afternoon. Not to mention several congressmen and a senator. I believe one of the congressmen actually referred to her as a national treasure. I can surely see why she is so admired.”

  “She is that,” Raymond readily agreed, then changed the subject to get to the point. “About my grandmother’s attending physician, Dr. Adams, although extremely capable I’m sure, she seemed detached.”

  “Yes, Dr. Hope Adams… I assure you she’s one of our most promising physicians. But she’s had such a tragic past. You see as a child she was present when her mother was brutally murdered in a domestic violence dispute. That’s how she got that horrid scar on her face. She was thrown through a window.” Hugh smiled sensitively. “But, she is a very talented and experienced doctor by all accounts.”

  “That’s terrible. I’m very sorry to hear that.” Raymond said. He paused remembering the brief moment they shared in the doctor’s lounge. “Be that as it may, I’d like to arrange for my grandmother’s transfer to Manhattan Medical where I can more closely monitor her progress.”

  Hugh nearly choked. “Manhattan Medical! There’s no need to transfer your grandmother. We are every bit as capable as Manhattan Medical.”

  “I have no doubt that this hospital is extremely capable.”

  Hugh nearly fainted. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. There was no way he was going to have Raymond’s grandmother transferred to another facility as long as he was administrative director. “Dr. Gates, there must be another solution. Of course you know that transferring a patient in the middle of treatment can be detrimental to the patient’s recovery.”

  “I’m sure that won’t be the case in this instance. As you said, my grandmother is extremely resilient.”

  “Yes, but I would strongly recommend that the patient remain in our facility until fully recovered.”

  “I would agree in most cases but not in this particular case, and not with my grandmother.”

  “Is she receiving the best medical attention?”

  “Yes of course. I’m certain she is.”

  “Is the standard of medical care as high or better the than Manhattan Medical?”

  “Yes,” Raymond admitted candidly.

  “Then I don’t understand why you’d like to have her transferred.”

  “Having my grandmother at Manhattan where I’m already on staff, would be more convenient for all parties involved.”

  “Well,” Hugh began somewhat relieved, “if that’s all that’s concerning you, why don’t I simply add you to our staff. Temporarily, of course,” he added as an afterthought. “Now don’t get me wrong, I completely understand your concern. After all it’s your grandmother’s heath we’re talking about. But might I also add that Dr. Adams is one of our most talented young doctors. Her record is impeccable.”

  “I’m sure she is. But…”

  Hugh held up his hand to allay Raymond’s concerns. “If I might,” he began diplomatically, “as I said earlier, I spoke to your grandmother at length this afternoon. She is truly a delight. She seemed very comfortable with her surroundings and had nothing but praise for Dr. Adams. As a matter of fact, she even requested that Dr. Adams continue as her physician of record.”

  Raymond’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Really?”

  “Indeed. It’s not necessarily the usual request, but we do make exceptions on occasion, particularly when the patient is such a lovely woman.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Plus, I personally reviewed Mrs. Gates medical record and I completely agree with Dr. Adams diagnosis. I believe that under our roof, Mrs. Gates is receiving the best medical care possible.”

  “I’m sure she is.”

  “I also noted that she’s scheduled for a 48-hour discharge once the final tests results have come in.” Raymond nodded. “So, since she’ll only be in this facility for another twenty-four hours, isn’t it preferable to have her discharged to her home rather than taken by ambulance to another hospital?”

  “Nevertheless, I still prefer that my grandmother be transferred,” Raymond said.

  Hugh sighed anxiously. This wasn’t going as he’d planned. For the first time he began to feel as if he was losing the battle. “Raymond, talk to your grandmother, and if at that time you still want her transferred, I’ll sign-off on the discharge papers myself.”

  “Fair enough,” he said.

  “I’m sure you’ll find there won’t be a problem with Mrs. Gates staying with us a bit longer. And, for your convenience, I will add you to our consulting physician list immediately. As of this moment, you have all the rights of a Golden Heart staff doctor.”

  Raymond nodded. “In that case, I’d like to meet with Dr. Adams to discuss my grandmother’s case as soon as possible.”

  “Of course. Although, I don’t believe she’s on call until later.”

  “I’ll be at my office until late this evening.”

  “I can have her meet you at your office at let’s say eight o’clock.”

  “That would be fine.” He pulled two cards from his business card case and gave them to Hugh. “I appreciate that. And thank you for your time Hugh.” Raymond stood and extended his hand to shake. But instead of receiving Hugh’s hand, he received a linen-colored envelope.

  Hugh had grabbed the envelope from atop his desk and thrust it at Raymond. “As a new staff physician, this is your invitation to our fundraiser this weekend. It’s a twelve-hour affair so feel free to come at your leisure.”

  Raymond opened the envelope and immediately noticed the location of the event. “Spotlight NYC.”

  “Yes, I hear it’s supposed to be one of the most exclusive places in the city. I understand from the committee that the owner is donating his time and the restaurant free of charge.

  “Dennis Hayes is a very generous man.”

  “Oh, you know Mr. Hayes?”

  “Yes. Dennis and I have met from time to time. He’s a good friend of my cousins’ family.”

  “Great, then you’ll be there?”

  “I’m afraid I have plans this weekend.”

  Hugh was visibly disappointed. “Oh, that’s too bad. I am sorry to hear that. I’m told it’s going to be an outstanding event.”

  “If I know Dennis, he’ll certainly outdo himself.” Raymond extended his hand again to shake. Hugh grasped it firmly. “Thank you for your time Hugh,” Raymond said before turning to leave. Then, Raymond turned back toward Hugh. “Will Dr. Adams be attending this weekend’s affair?”

  Hugh looked confused at first than realized that Hope’s attendance might be the incentive to get Raymond to attend. “Yes,” Hugh chirped louder than intended. “As a matter of fact, I do believe she will be attending.”

  Raymond nodded his head with a sly smile. He held up the invitation. “Thanks ag
ain for your time doctor.”

  As soon as the door closed Hugh picked up the phone.

  Chapter Nine

  Hope ripped the Post-it note taped to her locker door. She read the note then balled it up and stuffed it into the pocket of her jeans. It was starting out to be another miserable day. She looked up onto the top shelf of her locker. Neatly pressed scrubs and a white jacket were folded and stacked and waiting for her. It was too early to change. So she clipped her ID badge onto the pocket of her jeans and slammed the locker door closed.

  The only good thing was that she was still scheduled to work the shift during the twelve-hour fundraiser tomorrow. She shook her head just thinking about it. Awkward conversations, small talk, feet-tiring dancing and inebriated coworkers embarrassing themselves, wasn’t exactly what she considered a fun, even if it was being held at one of the hottest restaurants in Manhattan.

  She went over to the coffee station and poured a cup of dark rich Columbian brew. Like molasses, it poured like syrup from the carafe into a thick paper cup. Yuck! She trashed the cup and took the decanter to the sink.

  Hope washed the muddy, viscous liquid out, and then rinsed the pot to brew fresh coffee. As she mindlessly prepared the coffee, her thoughts were elsewhere.

  In terms of money, power, influence, style and class, Raymond Gates was beyond equal. As far as sex appeal, he was in a class all by himself. Still, it took more than good looks and a healthy bank account to make a doctor. She was all too aware of that fact. She smiled remembering his dimples and how they creased the more irritated he became. She had to admit, she liked the way he moved. A lingering smile widened across her face.

  Stop it! she said, suddenly reprimanding herself. What am I doing? Damn. Ever since Dr. Gates breezed into her life, all she could think about was those stupid, adorable dimples. Oh brother. This is it. I’ve finally lost it.

  Hope flopped down, then slouched back on the comfortable leather sofa and propped her feet up on the wooden coffee table in the doctor’s lounge. She took the brand new throw pillows and placed them behind her head to get comfortable. Just as she closed her eyes her pager sounded.

  She looked at her watch. It was two hours before her shift was to begin. No one should have been paging her at this hour. She hadn’t even changed into her scrubs yet. She stood, looked at the LED-lit number and picked up the telephone on the side table. She waited anxiously for the message to finish playing. She had been summoned by Hugh.

  Dressed in her knee-ripped, well-worn jeans and a University of Pennsylvania sweatshirt and sneakers, she left the lounge and headed toward the elevator.

  On the way to Hugh’s office, Hope decided to take a detour and make a brief stop at Louise’s room. She got off on the fifth floor and proceeded to Mrs. Gates room. Hope knocked and entered. She was surprised to see that Louise wasn’t lying in bed. Instead, there was a very attractive man standing at the window. Hope assumed that he was probably another handsome grandson.

  “Hello,” Hope said looking directly at the stranger. The man turned and smiled. Her expression reflected her curiosity. “I’m Dr. Adams.”

  He looked at the sweatshirt, blue jeans and sneakers and nodded after seeing the staff ID badge dangling from the lanyard around her neck. “So,” his smile broadened, “you’re the guardian angel Mamma Lou’s been talking about.”

  “I wouldn’t exactly call myself a guardian angel.” She came further into the room. “I’m her physician. And you are?”

  Dennis strolled around the side of the bed towards Hope. He approached her with a broad welcoming smile and dark smoldering eyes. He extended his hand. “Dennis Hayes, I’m a good friend of the family.”

  Hope nodded and shook his hand. “Hello Mr. Hayes.”

  “The pleasure is all mine, I assure you.”

  His smooth reply was anything but innocent. Holding onto her hand a second longer than necessary, Hope recognized Raymond’s kindred spirit.

  Dennis had the same mischievous glint in his eye and devilishly handsome features that brought admiring glances from women. Dennis Hayes was everything a woman could ask for. But he wasn’t Raymond.

  Hope looked around the room. It resembled a small flower shop. The sweet scent of floral arrangements surrounded them. Bouquets of every description sat on the windowsill, desk and dresser.

  “Looks like Mrs. Gates is a very popular woman with the local florists.”

  Dennis looked around. “Actually, I’m surprised that there aren’t more. Mamma Lou is much-admired.”

  “I’m learning that fast. Where is she?”

  “Mamma Lou and Colonel Wheeler went for a walk. They’ll be back soon. In the meantime, why don’t we get better acquainted?”

  Hope smiled and shook her head. The charming Dennis Hayes offered her a seat then perched himself on the end of the bed. Hope sat on the chair near the dresser. Within minutes Dennis had Hope laughing at his outrageous sense of humor. In the middle of another story, the door opened, and Louise and Colonel Wheeler returned to the room.

  “Hope, dear, what a pleasant surprise.”

  “Hello Dr. Adams,” Colonel Wheeler said as he closed the door.

  Dennis instantly hopped up and dashed across the room to aid Colonel Wheeler in helping Louise into her bed. Bookend by two handsome gentlemen, Hope just shook her head. Louise Gates was truly a one-of-a-kind.

  Hope stood and moved closer to the bed after Louise settled in comfortably. “Hello,” she said. “You look much better.”

  “I feel much better,” Louise said. “Hope this is a dear friend of the family, Dennis Hayes. Dennis this is Dr. Hope Adams. She’s my physician.”

  “Yes, we’ve just met.” Louise couldn’t help but notice the smile on Hope’s face when she looked at Dennis. He returned her smile with equal enthusiasm.

  “Hope and I were getting more acquainted when you returned. I see why you raved about her Mamma Lou. She is quite a rare gem.”

  Hope nearly blushed. To her amazement Dennis Hayes was every bit as charming and charismatic as Raymond. She shook her head and wondered if Louise Gates knew every handsome man in New York City. She stood a few moments then grabbed her now cold coffee and excused herself to go meet Hugh.

  As soon as she stepped outside of the room she paused to make note of Louise’s good spirits. She was spry and lively. Hardly the sick patient she’d seen just hours earlier.

  Her thoughts were still on Louise as she entered Hugh’s outer office and was told by his assistant that he would be right out. The door was closed and she could hear him speaking rather loudly. She assumed he was on the telephone since she only heard Hugh’s voice.

  After a few minutes, the door opened slightly. Hope stood and walked toward the door, assuming that Hugh had opened it and walked away leaving her to close the door as was his usual practice.

  Raymond ran full force right into Hope.

  As she staggered backward, her coffee spilled down the front of her sweatshirt, splashing all over her, including her jeans and sneakers.

  She looked up at him from the carpeted floor outside Hugh’s office. Her expression said it all.

  Then Raymond’s dimples winked at her.

  She stiffened, tried to ignore his charm, and looked down at her clothes, as did Raymond.

  “Are you all right?” he quickly asked.

  “Yea, great, covered with coffee, but uh, fine. Thanks for asking. How about you?” she said, her sarcasm thinly veiled.

  “I am so sorry,” he said with a broad smile.

  “Hope looked up at him. “Yea, I can tell.”

  “No, really,” he began, “Really, I am very sorry. I guess we just can’t get our timing right.”

  “Gee, yah think?”

  Raymond pulled a white handkerchief from his pocket and began gently rubbing the stain across the large letters of Hope’s University of Pennsylvania sweatshirt. A few seconds later, it dawned on both of them exactly what he was doing. Whoops.

  Hope snatched the h
andkerchief from his hands and continued to wipe the front of her shirt and jeans. “Look, I’m really sorry, what can I do to make it up to you?”

  “Nothing, you’ve done quite enough,” she said too quickly, then breathed deeply, aware of Raymond’s closeness and thankful the heavy sweatshirt hid her aroused nipples. “Don’t worry about it really, it’s okay.”

  Raymond reached out and steadied her busy hand. “But, it’s not okay. Please, allow me to pay for it.”

  “It’s just an old sweatshirt, no big deal.”

  “But it is a big deal, and I’m sure it holds a lot of sentimental value.” His voice was softer.

  Hope refused to look at him, afraid of the effect he would have on her. She was instantly mindful of their meeting in the doctor’s lounge earlier that morning. “It was just as much my fault. I should have been watching where I was going.” She looked into those hazel eyes, brimming with dangerous thoughts.

  An uncomfortable silence passed between them as they smiled and realized the impact of their physical collision. “We really do have our moments, don’t we?” Raymond offered.

  “I guess we do,” she agreed.

  Suddenly the door to Hugh’s office opened wider, jolting them out of their trance. They proceeded to go in opposite directions, but bumped into one another again. They spared each other a parting glance.

  Hugh Wescott had emerged from his office and witnessed the two stumbling into each other. He opened his door wide to allow Hope to enter. Hugh got a glimpse of Raymond as he watched her walk away. The way Raymond looked at Hope spoke volumes, even though he tried to appear disinterested. But it took an interested man to know one. Raymond was apparently very interested in Hope, and Hugh was very interested in getting Raymond on his staff.

  Hugh Wescott shut the door soundly. Barely acknowledging her, Hugh didn’t even offer Hope a seat. He got straight to the point. “You will attend to your ER rounds this evening and tomorrow morning. But I am also putting you on temporary assignment to the fifth floor recovery ward until further notice.”