Reunited with Her Daredevil Doc

by Susan Carlisle

  “I’d say you’re going above and beyond the call of duty.”

  Dana would too. She’d known Travis years ago but he hadn’t been a doctor then. How different was he? How much had life changed him? What she’d seen in the last eighteen hours had been impressive. Was there more to learn?

  “Mr. Gunter, when did you start feeling bad?” Travis asked, the worry evident in his voice.

  “Just after lunch.”

  Travis pulled the blanket back from the man’s calf and touched it. Dana could see the wash of fluid under his skin.

  “You’re retaining fluid.” Travis pulled a stethoscope out of the bag. He placed the bell on the man’s chest and the tips in his ears. After listening, he wrapped the instrument around his neck. “Irregular heartbeat and shortness of breath. Gunter, you’re in failure. This is what I was afraid of. We’ve got to get you out of here and on dialysis ASAP.”

  The man weakly tried to sit up. “I can’t leave my home.”

  “You don’t have a choice.” Travis’s firm tone made Dana straighten. He placed a hand to Mr. Gunter’s shoulder and had him lay back. “Where’s your medicine?”

  The man pointed to a rough wood box hanging near the rear door. A large metal bowl sat below it on a stand.

  “I’ll get it.” Dana hurried to it. After opening the box, she scooped up five prescription bottles and dumped them on the bed within Travis’s reach.

  He searched through them. Selecting a bottle, he removed two pills. “Dana, will you see if you can find some clean drinking water?”

  “There’s a well outside.” Mr. Gunter pointed toward the back door.

  Dana nodded. She passed a small potbelly stove with a rocker beside it and a book in the seat on her way to the kitchen area in the opposite corner. Picking up a jug, she then headed out the back door leaving it open so she had enough light to see.

  She found a hand-pump well ten steps outside the door. It wasn’t something she had much experience with but she knew the basics. Giving the handle three pushes up and down to prime the pump, she held the wide-mouthed jug under the spigot. Soon water flowed. Returning inside, she took a glass off an open shelf and filled it. She went to the bedside.

  Mr. Gunter looked at her but spoke to Travis as he helped the man sit up. “Who’s the pretty girl?”

  “Her name is Dana Warren. She works for the US Forest Service. She brought me up here.” Travis put the two tablets in Mr. Gunter’s mouth. After taking the glass from her, Travis offered it to the man.

  “Not too much now,” Travis told Mr. Gunter. “We need to get some of this fluid off you before you eat or drink anything.”

  “You shouldn’t have come,” Mr. Gunter said.

  “I couldn’t get in touch with you. Apparently I was right. In your condition you don’t need to stay here. If the fire makes it here—”

  “That’s what they say every year. I’ve lived up here fifty years in the same cabin. It’s never gonna happen.”

  Travis shook his head. “That might be the case but that still doesn’t mean you don’t need medical care.”

  Dana couldn’t help but be impressed with the even tone Travis used when she wanted to shake the old man for being so stubborn. “This time it’s headed your way.”

  “We’ll see about that, missy.” Mr. Gunter pierced her with a look.

  “The name is Dana.”

  Travis gave her a warning look. “I hate to put you on food duty but would you mind seeing if you can find some soup or something light for him?”

  “I don’t want no federal government employee messing around in my kitchen,” the old man grumbled. “Can’t trust a Fed.”

  “Well, this one you can. And you’re not strong enough to stop her anyway. I hope you don’t mind us sharing your food. I’d like a hot meal instead of freeze-dried beef. I’ll see that it’s replaced when we get to town.” Travis pulled a blood pressure cuff out of his bag. “Now lie back and rest.”

  The old man grunted and did as Travis said.

  Picking up her radio, Dana started toward the door. “I’ll see what I can come up with but I need to report in first.”

  “Okay. Ask base to call Rescue. We’re going to need a chopper here at daylight.”

  “Will do.” Dana stepped out on the porch to make her call. After a brief discussion she returned inside. “The weather is turning for the better. The helicopter will be here in the morning. We’re to meet it in an open field about two miles southeast of here. Mr. Gunter, I hope you have some transportation.”

  The old man grunted. “A four-wheeler in the shed out back.”

  Travis picked up the man’s wrist and took his pulse. “Not what I’d hoped for but we’ll make it work.”

  Dana turned to the kitchen. As she worked to put some food together she heard Mr. Gunter say in a loud whisper. “I need to piss.”

  “That’s good to hear.” Travis rose from the chair he’d pulled beside the bed. “That’s what I wanted you to do to get that fluid off your body. I’d hate for you to die after you’ve put me to so much trouble to get here. I even had to fight a fire. Let’s go outside.”

  A low rumble of a chuckle came from Mr. Gunter. “Fight a fire, did ye?”

  “Yep.” Travis helped the man to his feet.

  Dana grinned. She had to admit Travis had a nice bedside manner. She bet a lot of women had experience it firsthand. She wouldn’t be one of them.

  CHAPTER THREE

  TRAVIS GLANCED BACK at Dana as his patient shuffled beside him. She’d been smiling, then a stricken look came over her face. What had she been thinking?

  She didn’t seem to fit in a slot like most women he knew. It had been his experience that women were either interested in money, position or a good time. Some in all the above. Dana had grown up and into her own person. She did a tough job with grit and expertise, and more determination than he could imagine anyone else giving such a strenuous profession.

  Yet through it all, he’d caught glimpses of concern for him and Mr. Gunter. He couldn’t help but be fascinated by her. He’d like to learn what made Dana tick, who she had become. She hadn’t been very forthcoming on their hike. Had something happened to her or had someone hurt her?

  By the time he’d returned with Mr. Gunter and settled him in the bed, Dana had something bubbling on the stove and stood looking inside a mini refrigerator. She pulled out a block of cheese. Glancing at Mr. Gunter, Travis found him sleeping. He’d let the man do so while Travis and Dana ate.

  Stepping over to her, he leaned over her shoulder speaking softly, not wanting to disturb his patient. “Smells good.”

  Dana took a step to the side. Following his lead she kept her voice down. “It’s stew. I found some cans and opened them. No big deal.”

  He took a step back. “It is if you’re hungry. Which I am. What can I do to help?”

  “Pour a couple of glasses of water. I’ll put the stew in bowls. I’m going to put one to the side too cool for Mr. Gunter.”

  While he did as she asked, Dana sliced cheese, put it on a plate and placed it on the small but functional table under one of the two windows.

  As she turned back to the kitchen, she bumped into him. A zip of awareness traveled up his arm and out through his body. This reaction to Dana wasn’t something he expected. Hell, he’d not planned on Dana at all.

  “Sorry. This place is tiny.” She hurried on.

  “Functional is the intent, I believe.” He pulled the chair he’d been using up to the table and waited beside it for her to bring their food.

  Dana brought their bowls and set them on the table.

  He took a chair. His knees knocked hers as he pulled up. Dana quickly shifted hers to the side. She acted skittish about every contact with him. What was she afraid of? He picked up his spoon, filled it. “Mmm...good.”

  She follo
wed suit. “I wasn’t sure how it’d turn out. I’ve limited skills on a two-eye gas hot plate.”

  Travis lifted a spoonful to his lips. “Gourmet if you ask me.”

  “Now you’re getting carried away. How is Mr. Gunter doing?”

  “Worse than I had hoped I’d find him. I’m just glad I didn’t wait any longer to come after him. The fire’s the least of his worries.”

  She placed her hand briefly on top of the burn on his forearm. “Don’t worry—we’ll get him out tomorrow.”

  He winced and pulled away. “I’m counting on that. He needs attention I can’t give him except at a hospital.”

  Dana looked down at his arm. Alarm filled her voice. “You’re burnt, aren’t you? Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “Because there wasn’t enough daylight to spend time on me.”

  She reached for his hand and brought his arm closer, unbuttoning his cuff. “Travis, you still should’ve said something.” She rolled the material back and hissed. “Oh, Travis. This must be painful.”

  “I can’t argue with that.” His lips formed a tight line. It did hurt.

  Dana pushed back from the table. “I’m cleaning and bandaging this right now.”

  “No, you’re not. Right now, you’re going to finish your food. I’ll see Mr. Gunter is fed and then I’ll let you patch me up.”

  “I’ll agree, but only if I feed Mr. Gunter while you clean up. Are you in any pain?”

  “Only when I think about it.” Which is pretty much all the time except when I’m wondering about you.

  Her brow wrinkled as she studied him. “Have you taken anything for it?”

  “A couple of pain relievers a few minutes ago.”

  She nodded. “Good.”

  In an effort to get the discussion off him, Travis said, “I’d heard of these remote cabins but I’ve never been in one.”

  “Yeah, a number of them were built as fire lookouts by the CCC boys during the depression.” Dana continued to eat.

  “CCC boys?”

  “Civilian Conservation Corps. They were a voluntary group of unemployed, unmarried males between their late teens and early twenties. President Franklin Roosevelt started the program to put young men to work.”

  “How do you know so much about them?”

  She filled her spoon. “Forestry school. And I like history. I’ve read a lot about the national forests.”

  “You really love what you do.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, I really like my job.”

  “I like mine, as well. It’s one thing I’ve gotten right.”

  Dana studied him a moment before she dipped her head to the side toward Mr. Gunter. “I can tell you’re good at your job.”

  “Thanks. I like to think I am.”

  She looked at him. “The one thing you got right... Surely that’s not true.”

  Travis leaned back in his chair. This discussion had gone deeper than pleasant dinner conversation. “Let’s just say that all the plans I’d made outside of medical school crashed and burned. I moved back to Redmond to start over fresh and I don’t make plans anymore. I just live and enjoy what comes my way.”

  “Kind of sounds sad to me.”

  “Maybe so, but certainly more realistic.” That happy marriage, good job, house, swimming pool and kids hadn’t worked out as he planned. He’d given up on them. He finished his soup and pushed back from the table.

  Despite the conversation turning uncomfortable he liked talking to Dana. It was the most civil and open she had been since they had met again. For once he hadn’t had to pry information out of her. She’d maintained a distance between them all day, keeping herself closed off where none of the simple friendship they’d shared that long-ago summer could return. Their chat had consisted of short verbal remarks. He wanted to find that easiness they’d once had.

  Dana gathered the used dishes. “I’ll see about these while you shower.”

  “Are you giving the orders now?” Travis kept his tone light as he picked up his bowl.

  “I thought I made it clear I was giving them before we got on the plane.”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, you did. But I think I should be leader now since we’re in my patient’s house.”

  Dana stepped toward him. Her neck having to crane to look him in the eyes. Her voice went low and tight, “Maybe so, but I think I’ll keep the position.”

  Travis took a step into her personal space. He could see the flash of hesitation go through her eyes but she didn’t move. Dana was strong. She’d gained that confidence since he’d last known her. He respected it. “I tell you what, when we’re in the cabin I run the show. When we’re outside you do.”

  “Okay, but I’ll agree only after you clean up and let me bandage your arm. I don’t need two sick men on my hands.”

  “Deal.” Travis offered his hand.

  Dana looked at it a moment as if deciding if it would be safe to take it. Finally she slipped her hand into his. Her palm didn’t have the soft, pampered skin of a woman who led the easy life. Instead there was strength and purpose in her grip. The thought he could depend on her ran through his mind. She was the type of person who’d stand beside someone she loved during hard times and good times.

  “I’ll feed Mr. Gunter while you shower. I noticed a handmade shower attached to the back wall. My guess is that the barrel is full of rain water. Use all you want. We can’t use it as drinking water. There’s a well for that.”

  “Sounds refreshing.” His mouth pulled. She giggled. The sound rippled through him leaving him wanting more. “Nice way to say freezing cold especially since temperatures can get down pretty low at night around here even during the middle of summer.”

  An icy shower might clear his head where Dana was concerned. The chance to take grime off would be a pleasure. Fighting fire wasn’t clean work.

  She moved into the kitchen. “Please be careful around that burn.”

  “Yes, ma’am, boss.”

  She smirked. “I’m not fond of that tone.”

  He grinned. “My apologies but I do want to point out you’re giving orders inside the cabin.”

  One corner of her lips lifted slightly. “I’ll try to make it my last one.”

  As he went out the back door she called with laughter in her voice, “Don’t take all the hot water.”

  He groaned. “I’ll try not to.”

  The tiny three-sided enclosure, the third being the side of the cabin, was situated to the right of the back stoop. He’d bathed in questionable places before, including under a hose but nothing like this. On a platform above his head was a large drum with a showerhead valve screwed into it. The floor consisted of gravel.

  After putting his flashlight down on the bench just out of the water’s range, Travis stripped out of his clothes, hanging them on a nail hammered into the side of the cabin. He placed his boots nearby. He picked up the bar of soap off the bench and turned the tap then stepped under the water. With a great deal of effort he stopped himself from squealing like a girl and settled for a manly yelp. He twisted the water off then soaped up. Taking a deep breath, he released the water again to rinse off. There was something freeing about taking a shower out in nature. If it only hadn’t been so blasted cold. He’d brought his extra T-shirt to use as a towel. After pulling his pants on and leaving his boots untied, he hustled inside to finish dressing beside the potbelly stove.

  Dana looked at him from where she sat beside Mr. Gunter. Her eyes went wide and her mouth fell open. “Invigorating shower?”

  “That would be an understatement.” Travis pulled on his dirty T-shirt enjoying her shocked but interested look.

  “I’m proud of that shower.” Mr. Gunter sat up in bed, cushioned by pillows behind his back.

  Even in the dim light from the two lamps in the room Travis could tell his color had im
proved. Travis worked to keep his teeth from chattering. “It’s a nice shower. I just wish it had a hot water valve.”

  “It’s warm when the sun is shining on it,” Mr. Gunter assured him.

  Travis turned his back to the stove. “I’ll keep that in mind for next time.”

  “Mr. Gunter, can I get you something before I bandage Travis’s arm?” Dana stood with an empty bowl in her hand.

  “I need to go outside again.” The old man moved to rise.

  “I’ll help you with that.” Travis hurried to the bed.

  “I’ll get my bag and be waiting at the table.” Dana passed him on the way to the kitchen.

  Travis helped Mr. Gunter outside. When he returned, Travis settled the old man in the bed, then took the same chair he used during their meal.

  Dana had supplies spread out on the table. “Okay. It’s your turn to be patient. Put your arm on the table.”

  “Please.” Travis gave her an expectant look.

  Her eyes snapped. “Please.”

  Travis placed his arm where she could clearly see it. She examined the burn closely but didn’t touch him. Was she afraid to?

  Her lips formed a grim line. “That’s a solid second-degree burn, close to a third. You’re lucky it’s not worse.”

  “It would’ve been if I hadn’t knocked the limb off.” He liked having Dana concerned about him.

  “You should’ve said something.” Her words were a rebuke.

  “It wouldn’t have mattered. We didn’t have the time to stop and see about it.”

  “Tender?” Her head remained down as her finger probed the skin around the burn.

  “Yeah.”

  “The blister doesn’t need to rupture. If it does you’ll know real pain.” She wiped the area around it with an alcohol pad.

  Travis said in a teasing tone, “You do care.”

  Her eyes flickered up to meet his then lowered again. She pulled in her bottom lip as she worked. Fanning the area dry, she then opened a two-by-two package of gauze pads. She squeezed ointment onto them and laid them over the wound. “When this needs to be changed, you’ll want the bandage to come off easily.”