Page 6 of One Night Diamond

“Take it easy, Mr. Harlow. In through your nose, out through your mouth. You’re about to pass out again.”

I’m about ready to jump off the bed, rip the damn electrodes off my chest and hunt Darla down. Dissing me for years was her choice. A bad choice, but hers to make. However, lying to me about my child? That’s pure evil.

“It might help to talk about it.”

A wide-eyed nurse charges into the room. The calm, cool, collected doctor waves her off. “Everything’s good in here.” He stands up. “As a matter of fact, let’s unhook you from this monstrosity. Now that I think we know what’s happening, we don’t need it.”

“Much appreciated.” I blow out a big breath.

“Would you like to talk about what happened? Sometimes, it’s good to let it out. Process what’s going on so you don’t keep it bottled up.” He pours me a glass of water from a plastic pitcher. “The good news is we’re likely never to see each other again, seeing as you live in Maine and I live on the island. So, your secret is safe with me.”

“Doctor-patient confidentiality?”

“That and man code.” He winks.

I drain the cup of water while the doctor silently watches me. “It’s a long story.”

“Good.” He glances down at his watch. “I’ve got another six hours in my shift. You can help me pass the time.”

“I’m pretty sure you have better things to do than listen to my problems.”

“It’s what they pay me for.” He grins.

“Hey, can I come in?” Jake knocks on the doorjamb. “How’s he doing, doc?” He stands at the end of the stretcher and folds his arms across his chest. “You scared the hell out of me. I wanted my wedding day to be memorable. But damn, boy. No one is ever going to forget this day. How are you feeling?”

“I’m good.”

“Really? I’m not so sure about that. You looked like you were dead. You’re lucky I found a pulse, or I would have turned your chest into a bench press.”

“Good to know I dodged that bullet. Where’s your bride?”

“She’s with Darla at Paradise Cove. They insisted on coming with me, but I didn’t think you’d want company.”

“Not her company,” I growl.

“Emily? You haven’t even met her yet.” Jake pouts.

“Darla.” I snap.

“Take a breath, Mr. Harlow. You’re getting pale again.” He turned to Jake. “I think you struck a nerve.”

“I’m confused.” Jake dragged a chair across the floor to sit next to me. “How do you know Darla?”

Pain seared through my chest, spreading down into my gut with the urge to hunt Darla down, rearing its ugly head again. “It’s a long story.”

“We’re all ears.” Jake turned to the ED doctor. “Right?”

“One hundred percent.”

I chewed on the inside of my cheek, sat up, and let it all out. I told them how in love I was with Darla, how I carried her engagement ring in my pocket for ten years, how she left me without a word, and how she never bothered to have the decency to tell me that I had become a father.

When I was done, the doctor shook his head. “Vasovagal episode explained. We can skip the cardiology appointment along with the neurology appointment. However, I think an appointment for a therapist is in order.”

“What? No.” I scrub a hand over my face. “I’ll manage just fine without letting a shrink into my head.”

“Finding out the woman you love has lied to you for ten years is an awful lot to unpack.” The doctor picked up his clipboard and headed for the door. “I’ll leave you two to talk. But I’m going to offer you one piece of advice.”

“Give it to me straight, doc.”

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