Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Who’s not desperate these days? Look at us. Two attractive women who don’t need a man but would like one in their lives, even if it’s only for the night.” She winks before laughing again. “I’m getting more desperate by the day.”
Even desperation wouldn’t send me on another date with Ludlow. I slide my chair over to grab my bag from the counter and tuck it in a drawer. “I don’t need my blood pressure elevated. Can we please talk about the firefighter?”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to do, Autumn.”
“All I’m hearing is that he’s cute and you haven’t secured a date with him yet. Is that correct?”
“Correct, but if he was conscious—”
“He’s unconscious?”
At the end of a heavy sigh, she replies, “A minor roadblock on my first shift tending to him. The second shift, he was sleeping. Debbie was on duty the other times when he was awake. I’m jealous. His hours are off, so he wakes at night.” Disappointment slipped into her tone, but she says it all so casually like it’s a foregone conclusion that if he were awake, they’d already be on their merry way. Or would it be married way? The woman’s got moxie.
She’s not shy about going after what she wants, and I don’t envy her. If this guy isn’t married, which I assume she already knows he isn’t, he doesn’t stand a chance. I’m expecting a wedding invitation in the next two months.
The reality of living in a small town is that if you hesitate, some other girl will be all over the guy you had in your sights in seconds. I’ve never been into the rat race of dating, especially here. It was the biggest and only hesitation I had when I returned home to Mountain Laurel Cove. I may end up alone.
My family needed me after I graduated from college. The town needs medical personnel. It helps that the reason I became a nurse—to help others feel better—is still a driving motivation behind my resolve to return home.
Getting to spend time with my grandmother, Dolly, and my sisters is also good for my soul. I’m doing what I always dreamed about when I was little. But now, at all of twenty-six years, my dreams have unexpectedly shifted.
Leechy Ludlow has turned the career I love into day-to-day doldrums.
And is it so awful to want to have a little space of my own? There’s nowhere to decompress after a ten- or twelve-hour shift. I love my family, but I need a little privacy now and again. Showering without someone barging in to use the toilet or do their makeup is the kind of dream I have these days. It’s also one I keep to myself. I don’t want to upset anyone.
I say, “I’m glad he’s not in a coma.”
“Yeah. Debbie said everyone was relieved that he had woken up so soon after being brought in three nights ago. He’s stayed on that overnight schedule since. Another firefighter visiting him told me he works a lot of nights.” Glancing back at room 8, she says, “I bet he has great eyes.” Her words swim longingly toward the image of a happily ever after she’s already created in her head.
I’m still grinning when I log in, but before the screen wakes up, I glance back at her. “I’ll report back when he wakes up.”
“Good because I have to boogie,” she says, tapping the counter again. “I ordered food for pickup from the diner on the way home. Lasagna is always better fresh from the oven.”
“Of course.”
Blanketing her hand over her forehead, she says, “Oh wow, I almost forgot to tell you. Debbie called in sick, and since I’m coming off a double, I can’t stay on the clock to assist you. Will you be okay handling this hall alone?”
“I can handle it.” We’re a small hospital in a rural community, with a little downtown, and a peak summer tourist season that ended two weeks ago on Labor Day. I glance at the screen again. “Three patients. I’ll be fine.”
“Joyce and Carrie are in the critical care wing if you need backup. The ER is covered. The patients were sleeping when I last checked.” She peeks at her watch. “It’s just past eleven.” Looking back at me, she says, “Four o’clock will be the next round. I’ve prepped the station, and there’s fresh coffee in the break room.”
“Thanks. You’re the best.” She’s already heading down the hall to grab her stuff from the locker. “Enjoy your days off.”
“I will.” Walking backward, she bursts out laughing and then calls back. “He doesn’t have a ring, but if you find out if the firefighter is clear of any girlfriend, I’m happy to come give him personal care.”
“Let me guess. Mouth to mouth?” It’s the oldest and goofiest joke in the nurse’s handbook, but it still gets a laugh every time. “If he’s that cute, I’m not calling for backup.”