“In here,” her father called out.
Elise walked to the den. “Hey, Dad. You here alone?”
Her father winced as he adjusted himself in his seat. “Yes. Your mom had her Bible study group.”
“Dad, are you okay?”
He waved her off. “Yes, I’m fine.”
She inspected her dad better. He was pale and looked to be in pain even though he was trying to hide it.
She stepped closer. “Dad, please. I know something is wrong.”
“It’s no big deal, peanut. Just some leg pain, and now, I feel some pressure in my chest.”
“Dad! We are going to the hospital right now.”
“Calm down. I looked up heart attack, and I don’t have any other symptoms.”
Elise fought the urge to roll her eyes in exasperation. “Dad, other things can cause chest pain. Like a PE, which sounds like what you might have because you have pain in your leg. We are going to the hospital.”
“What’s a PE?” her father asked, all the while still sitting in his chair, not moving.
“It’s a pulmonary embolism. Get. Up.”
“Huh?”
“It’s a blood clot in your lungs. It can kill you. Now, will you please get your butt off the chair, so we can go to the hospital?”
Her dad finally, blessedly, scooted to the end of his chair. “Jeez Louise, you don’t have to yell. Just ask nicely.”
She gritted her teeth. She’d already asked nicely, and that hadn’t worked.
Her father stood and shook his head, as if she were the annoying one in this conversation. If her father wasn’t already dying, she might just kill him.
After what seemed like a year later, her dad had his shoes on and was ready to go.
“Oh, I forgot my car keys,” he said as he patted his pockets.
Elise squeezed the bridge of her nose. Her headache from the day before was coming back.
“Dad, you are not driving to the hospital. I am driving you.”
He frowned.
“You wouldn’t want something to happen and for us to get into a car accident, would you?”
“No,” he answered reluctantly.
“Okay then, let’s go.”
She got her dad in the car, but he grumbled the whole time.
“We’re going to Southdale, right? Your doctor still practices out of there?”
“Yeah, fine. Let’s get this over with.”
When they got to the hospital, Elise checked her father in and then set out to make phone calls. Her mother didn’t answer, but that wasn’t a surprise. She was forever putting her phone on silent and forgetting to turn the ringer back on. Next, she called her sister, who also didn’t answer, so Elise left a message for her. Then, she called her mom one more time before leaving a message on her phone also.
Elise texted Rachel just to let her know what was going on. They were supposed to have brunch the next day, and she didn’t know if she’d make it now.
After texting her friends, she scrolled through her messages until she landed on Luke. She hadn’t seen him since the Fourth of July, despite their promises to get naked again. She’d thought that maybe they’d see each other this weekend, but Luke had begged off, saying he had to work. She didn’t know what kind of work he had to do on the weekend. She’d never asked him what he did, but she assumed he had some office job at the mall. But what if there was somebody else, or he just didn’t want to see her again?
Elise looked up at her father.
Why was she ruminating about Luke? She should be worrying about her dad. She knew part of it was because she was trying to take her mind off her father. But another part of it was because she wanted to see Luke. They had been texting back and forth, so she didn’t really think he didn’t want to see her again. She was just trying to find another problem to focus on even if it was a made-up one. The truth was that she wanted to talk to Luke. It seemed silly. After all, he wasn’t her boyfriend, which was why she fought the urge to text him about her father. She didn’t want to scare the guy off by being too serious.
After what seemed like forever but was probably only forty-five minutes to an hour, they were called back. The triage nurse asked her father a list of questions. When they got to the medication question, her father shrugged.
“Oh, Dad. You seriously don’t know?”
“Peanut, they put me on this and that every time I go to the doctor. I can’t keep that stuff straight. That’s your mom’s job.”
Elise explained to the nurse how her father had colon cancer and was going through chemo at the Mayo Clinic down in Rochester and that she would call her mom and ask her to bring her father’s meds.
Of course, her mother didn’t answer again, so Elise left another message and an update to tell her that they were getting a room.
Just as they were being led back to a room, her sister called.
Elise stayed a few steps back to answer. “Kristen?”
“Elise, what’s going on?”
“We don’t know yet. We’re just going into a room. I think Dad might have a blood clot in his lungs though. If he does, they’ll have to admit him.”
“Oh God.”
“I know.”
“We’ll be there as soon as possible. I’m about an hour away, but I’m coming.”
“Okay. If we’re not in the ER when you get here, I’ll let you know. Otherwise, just go to the front desk and ask for Dad.”
“Will do.”
“Oh, and try to get ahold of Mom. I’ve called her several times, and she hasn’t answered.”
“Phone on silent?”
“Probably. But I’d really like to hear what the doctor has to say and stuff, so if you could work on finding Mom, that would be great.”
“I’m on it.”
“Thanks, sis. And make sure she brings Dad’s meds or a list when she comes.”
“Got it. See you soon.”
Elise hung up just as a new nurse walked in.
“Hello, Mr. Phillips. I’m Amy, and I’ll be your nurse this evening.” She was young with dark hair and blue eyes and a bright smile.
Elise liked her immediately.
“Hi, Amy. You can call me Ward.”
Amy smiled. “Sounds good, Ward.” She looked at Elise. “And is this your daughter?”
“Yes, she made me come tonight. I think she’s overreacting.”
“Dad, I am not overreacting. I’m Elise,” she told the nurse.
“Well, Ward, we’re going to run some tests to see if we find anything. If this is a false alarm, I give you permission to tell your daughter, I told you so,” Amy said with a wink.
“Ha,” her father said.
Elise snorted.
After her father removed his shirt and shorts and put on a gown, Amy took his vitals. “Your heart rate and respirations are a little fast, and your blood pressure is a little low,” she told him. “I’m going to put this information in your chart, and then I’m going to let Dr. L know that you’re ready for him. Sound good?”
Her father nodded.
Amy did her stuff and exited the room. As they waited for the doctor, Elise’s phone rang. It was her mom.
“Finally!” she exclaimed.
“What’s finally?” her dad asked.
“Nothing.” She hadn’t told her dad that she hadn’t been able to get ahold of her mom. She hadn’t wanted to worry him. “I’m just going to step out into the hallway.”
She left the room and stepped far enough away so that her father wouldn’t overhear before answering, “Mom, where are you?”
“I’m on my way. And I have your father’s meds. Have you found out anything?”
“Nothing much. His vitals are off, but we’re still waiting for the doctor to come in.”
“Well, what’s taking them so long?”
“Mom, the nurse just left a few minutes ago, and Dad is not the only patient in the ER.”
Her mom huffed. “I suppose.”
“Just
concentrate on driving. We don’t need you getting in a car accident, okay? I’m watching out for Dad until you get here.”
“Thank you. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Elise hung up and turned around to go back into her father’s room. She saw a glimpse of a tall male with broad shoulders in light-blue scrubs. This must be the doctor. Thank heavens he got there before her mother arrived. She didn’t need her mom yelling at the ER staff.
She could hear the doctor and her father speaking to one another, and Elise thought the voice sounded familiar.
But…she thought…
Suddenly, she realized that she had made the wrong assumption and was immediately embarrassed. When Rachel had said Southdale, Elise had assumed Southdale Center, but Rachel had actually meant Southdale Hospital.
Elise stepped into the room, and the doctor turned around.
“Hi, Luke.”
“Elise?” Luke said, surprised.
His patient, Mr. Phillips, said, “You two know each other?”
If he only knew.
“Yes, Dad, this is my friend Luke—or Dr. L, I’m guessing. We went to college together.”
Friend?
He was more than her friend. After all, he’d been inside her. Although not as recently as he’d have liked to have been.
Luke shook his head. He really needed to concentrate on his patient. He usually didn’t let anything interfere with his work. And he couldn’t let this female start now, no matter how badly he wanted her.
For some reason, Elise’s face had flushed a bright shade of pink when she came into the room. She seemed embarrassed or ashamed.
Was she feeling guilty that they’d slept together now that they were in the same room as her father? It didn’t seem like her.
And it appeared her father had taken note of her blushing, too. “Friends?” Mr. Phillips asked doubtfully. He had dark hair sprinkled with gray and green eyes, like his daughter.
“Yes, Dad.”
“Mr. Phillips, I’m friends with Sean, Rachel’s fiancé. We were roommates in college.”
“Oh,” his patient said. “And you can call me Ward.”
Luke took that as a good sign.
He pulled up the stool from near the computer. He preferred getting down on eye-level with patients. They always seemed more comfortable and more likely to talk to him that way.
Amy walked back into the room and pulled up Mr. Phillips’s chart on the computer as Luke began asking questions about his patient’s condition.
“So, I’ve read your chart, and Amy gave me a rundown of your history. But I’d like to hear the information from you. Can you tell me what brought you in here tonight?”
“My daughter.”
Luke chuckled as Elise rolled her eyes. “Okay. Can you tell me what symptoms brought you here tonight?”
“I have some pain in my chest. And my leg was bothering me earlier, but it doesn’t really hurt anymore.”
“I’m going to take a look,” Luke said as he pulled back the blanket. “Which leg?” he asked as he examined Mr. Phillips’s lower limb. He already knew which one his patient was going to say.
“My left.”
“I can see that it’s red and swollen.” Luke pulled the covers back up. “Can you describe your pain? Is it a pinching pain? Does your chest feel tight?”
“Yeah, tight. But that’s it. I’m starting to feel like someone is hugging me securely.”
Luke turned to Amy. “I’m going to have you put in an order for a chest CT, and let’s get Ward ready to go right away.”
“Do you want the usual labs?” the nurse asked.
“Yes.” Luke moved back to his patient. “Amy is going to take some blood and start an IV while we continue to talk, okay?”
Mr. Phillips nodded. “Sure.”
“When did this pain start?”
“I don’t know. Probably two to three hours ago.”
“Oh my God, Dad.”
Elise’s father waved her off. “She worries about me too much.”
Luke smiled at Mr. Phillips, but he silently agreed with Elise. “Has the pain and tightness been constant, or has it gradually gotten worse?”
“Gotten worse.”
Out of the corner of his eyes, Luke saw Elise bite her lip, like she wanted to say something but was restraining herself.
Luke asked a few more questions and asked about Mr. Phillips’s cancer history and treatments.
“All right, Ward, we’re going to start with this blood work. Then, we’ll get a urine sample, and we’re going to order a chest CT. You’ve had a CT before, correct?”
“The CAT scan thing? Yes. That’s how they found the cancer.”
Luke stood. “Okay, I’m going to go and make sure all your orders are in the computer while Amy finishes up with your lab work.”
Luke nodded at Elise and exited the room.
He went to his own computer and put in his notes and orders for Mr. Phillips. While he did that, he kept an eye out for radiology to come and pick up Elise’s dad to take him to CT.
As soon as they wheeled Mr. Phillips out of his room, Luke went back in and closed the door.
Elise, who had been facing the corner with her phone in her hand, spun around upon hearing the door latch.
“Luke,” she said with tears in her eyes.
Luke stepped toward her with open arms, and she slid into his embrace.
He held her for a few minutes, letting her lean on him and absorb his strength.
“Are you going to be okay?” he asked her.
She pulled away, far enough for him to see her face. “I’m scared.”
He reached up and wiped her tears from under her eyes.
“It’s a PE, isn’t it?” she asked quietly.
He was kind of surprised she knew what that was. “Most likely.”
“Oh God.”
“Hey. I know it’s scary, but we can treat it.”
“I know. And I know it’s not the same thing, but I keep thinking about my patient on Friday who had a stroke. I don’t want my dad to be like that lady.”
“Patient?” he asked, recognizing that he didn’t know exactly what Elise did for a living.
Of all the things they’d talked about in their time together, that had never been one of them. They’d texted back and forth from work, but they hadn’t really discussed their jobs when doing so. It was kind of pathetic that he didn’t know, but at the same time, it meant they’d seemed to have plenty of other things to talk about.
“Yes, I’m a speech therapist. I’ve been dealing with a difficult stroke patient.”
“Ah,” he said, understanding. “I guess I never really knew what you did. I didn’t pay attention to what you majored in back in college.”
Not that he’d really paid attention to what anyone majored in back in college. They had all been too busy having fun when they weren’t in class or studying.
She shrugged and stepped away from him. “That’s okay. It’s not like we’re dating or anything.”
She was right, but it still made him flinch.
“Besides, I had no idea you were a doctor.”
With those words, he felt a wave of relief that was unexpected. In college, most girls had wanted him because he was a hockey player. Now, most of the women he met wanted to date him as soon as they’d found out he was a doctor. He hadn’t even realized he’d been worried that Elise’s interest in him now due to his profession, as she had stayed away from him in college.
“You didn’t?”
“No, Rachel said something about you working at Southdale, and I assumed you worked at Southdale Center. I don’t know if it’s because you and Sean were friends and roommates, but I always thought you both had the same major.”
Elise was turned slightly away from him, her eyes cast down, and he studied her face. She was red again.
“Why are you blushing?”
She looked at him. “Because it’s embarrassing. You know what they say
about assuming. I don’t know why I didn’t ask more about what you did for work. I guess I assumed, again, that it was some fancy title that wouldn’t mean anything to me, so I didn’t even question it. Now, I understand why Tera and Heidi were asking whether you were McSteamy or McDreamy. And why you were looking at Tera’s leg after she got hurt. I feel so stupid.”
Luke pulled her into his arms again. “You’re not stupid. You’re cute.”
She shook her head. “I doubt that. I probably look frazzled.”
“Sexy frazzled.”
Her blonde hair looked like she’d run her fingers through it quite a bit, and she looked tired, but he still found her attractive.
She laughed. “I don’t think those two words go together in a sentence.”
“Well, I think you’re sexy, frazzled or not.” He kissed her.
He had meant it to be a sweet kiss to let her know she was beautiful to him and to take her mind off her father for even just a short amount of time. But she turned the kiss into something hungry and urgent. She tried to slip her hands under his scrubs, and, man, did he want to let her. He wanted to strip them both down and slide into her tight heat.
But he was at work. And her father could come back from his test at any moment. They couldn’t be caught doing anything unprofessional.
Luke was saved from having to rein them both in by a shrill, “Elise,” from the hallway.
Elise stepped back and broke their kiss. Her green eyes were round and panicked. “It’s my mother. If she finds me kissing Dad’s doctor, I’ll never hear the end of it.”
He wiped the moisture of her bottom lip and asked, “Why? Because she’ll think you’re distracting me?” He pulled her close for a second and rubbed his hard dick across her stomach. “Because you are.”
She looked down at his obvious erection that his scrubs did nothing to hide. “Oh my God, put that thing away.”
Luke laughed. “It’s not that easy, babe. I can’t just make it go away like that.” He snapped his fingers. “Especially with you still looking at it.”
Her eyes flew up to his, and she looked guilty. “I’m sorry.”
He brushed a finger down her cheek. “I’m not,” he said, grabbing something off the desk in the corner. “That’s what clipboards are for,” he said, waving it.
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