Page 5 of Guarding Over You
“Just a half,” Gracie said. “He had a lot of tea and cookies with me while you were outside.”
She smiled and bent to kiss her daughter on the head. That playful imaginary side was still there and just wiggling its way out. When her daughter was comfortable.
Considering they’d only lived here less than a week, she’d take that as a win for now.
2
READY FOR BATTLE
“Dr. Ridgeway, so glad you’re here today.”
“The same, Erika,” he said to the nurse at the front station. He’d worked with her for about six months now. Friendly to him and everyone around, even if nosy, but that was normal for Glens Falls.
Though much bigger than his hometown of Warrensburg just twenty minutes away, even Lake George less than twenty minutes away, it still had the small town feel of gossip, rumors, and a fair share of intrusiveness.
“I love it when you say that.” Erika Johnson sent him a flirty smirk. The same one she sent most of the men she worked with. Might have been a time he thought she was hitting on him, but he soon realized it was her nature to be the center of attention. Besides, she talked about her boyfriend all the time. “Did you bring us any donuts since you were off yesterday?”
“Sorry. I had a lot going on and haven’t gone to the cafe.”
His mother’s cafe on the apple orchard he’d grown up on. It was now Ridgeway Hard Cider, owned and operated by his brother Clay.
“You better bring them for us tomorrow,” Erika said. Her hands were on her hips, and the giggle escaped even if she was trying to be firm.
“I don’t think I’m going to have the time.” He sent her a smile back, caught the eye roll of Maddy who’d been his savior in the ER for the three years he’d been here.
“Get back to work, Erika,” Maddy said. The minute the young nurse was gone, Maddy turned to him. “Girl would rather stand back here and flap her lips than check on patients.”
“She’ll never have the stamina you did.”
“Did?! Are you saying I’m old?”
He backed up a few feet, his hands out in front of his chest. “Nope. Just that with the promotion of yours, you’re back here more than you’re by my side. I sure do miss it.”
Maddy’s forced snarl dropped and she winked. “I miss our teamwork with the patients. I thought being a charge nurse would be less stress. Guess I didn’t get the memo that it’s worse.”
“No one can handle it as well as you.”
“That’s right. Which means you need to stop gabbing and get going.”
He’d already had his laptop out and was checking the charts and open cases. The minute the doctor on duty came out, they’d turn over patients and he’d catch up with what was going on.
Fifteen minutes went by before Dr. Monroe came to the desk. “I just discharged the patients in Rooms 2 and 6.” Dr. Monroe was scanning his notes. “Room 3 is waiting on X-rays, should be soon. Room 5 is waiting on cardiology. Was a quiet morning.”
“Looks it,” he said. X-rays on an elderly woman brought in by her husband for a fall and hurt wrist. Patient in Room 5 came in hours ago with chest pains but was stable now.
“I’m out of here. There is a fluffy pillow calling my name.”
Blaze scanned the two open cases, then went to see both patients and let them know he was the doctor on duty now and checked how they were doing.
Three hours later, all the rooms were full, but thankfully were minor cases.
“Dr. Ridgeway.”
“Yes, Erika.” She pulled him to the side. “The little girl in Room 7.”
“The cut on her hand? I’m heading in there now.” One thing he hated. Kids tended to be the hardest with injuries. With any luck, he could glue it closed rather than stitch. It’d be better for everyone.
“About that,” Erika said. She put her hand through his arm and pulled him to the side as if it was a friendly talk rather than a medical statement. He wasn’t sure if that was her nature or for anyone watching to not be aware of the conversation. “I think she’s being abused.”
