Page 15 of Trash the Dress

Dr. Leah is on the other side furthest from this man keeping me steady and her brows are drawn in concern.

“Hey, now. Let’s not do that. I got ya,” the man says.

He looks up at Dr. Leah. “What did you say happened?”

“Bad salad.” It’s all I get out.

Dr. Leah explains what I told her, and he faces me again. “We’re going to get you on the gurney, so you don’t fall, then we’ll get you to Greendale Med. We’ll get an IV started once in the ambulance.”

The other fireman returns with the gurney, and I glance back at the one keeping me steady. “Why are two firemen driving an ambulance? Don’t you have EMTs or paramedics here?” I ask.

He laughs. “We are both paramedics. We’re also both lieutenants on different shifts at Greendale Valley Fire Department. We were in the middle of shift change, so we came together while our chief and sergeants hold down the fort. In the fire service, most of us are either EMTs or paramedics. Double duty for us,” he explains.

“We were both the only paramedics on site when Dr. Leah called though, so we both came. We have our own ambulance separate from the hospital,” he says.

“That’s a lot of heroic stuff I’d say,” I tell him as he helps me sit so he can check my blood pressure.

He puts the cuff on me and pumps it several times while the other man finishes locking the gurney in place.

He reads the measurement and smiles. “Is it okay?” I ask.

“It’s a little low, but that can be normal with the night and morning you’ve had. The doctor will take a closer look at you, but I’m sure with some rest and fluids, you’ll be feeling better in no time,” he says reassuringly.

“Okay, Scarlett. Slade and I are going to lift you up and lay you on the gurney. Just put your arms around our necks and we’ll do the rest,” he says.

Once they have me secure, I glance at the one he called Slade. “Nice to meet you, Slade. And your name is?” I ask, turning to the one who’s been talking to me.

“I’m Dean Warren,” he says kindly.

I glance at their hands to see if they have rings on, but they are covered by gloves. I hear Anna in my head telling me to ask if they’re married. I laugh in spite of myself.

“What is it?” the one named Dean asks.

“I was just thinking about my best friend and how even at a time like this, she’d ask if either of you are married,” I blurt out.

I clamp my hand over my mouth. “I’m sorry. I think I may be a little delirious,” I say.

They both laugh and Dr. Leah does too.

Dean chimes in as they start to move me toward the door, “I’m married to a girl I’ve loved all my life. But my man Slade Gregory over here is as single as they come,” he says while winking.

I laugh before closing my eyes. I’m so tired. “I’ll have to tell Anna that.”

Once I’m loaded in their ambulance, Dr. Leah pokes her head in the door. “I’ll hold your room and try to check in on you later. Feel better,” she says before shutting the doors and tapping them.

Such nice people in this little town. I see why someone would pick up and move here. My thoughts drift to Zander Bailey for a moment. I don’t think I can be in Greendale Valley without his name invading my mind a few times. It’s a shame I feel so bad, or I might go see him about those pictures and maybe a little more one-on-one time. Some things just aren’t meant to happen.

CHAPTER NINE

Scarlett

“We’ll just run some tests while you’re here to make sure it’s only food poisoning,” Dr. Boyd tells me.

“What else would it be?” I ask, slightly worried. No other possibility occurred to me. I may be a little overweight by textbook standards, but I’ve always been healthy. The textbook standard is ridiculous though, in my opinion. No, I’m not the thinnest woman out there, but I love my curves. Mama has always told me I have the perfect hourglass shape most women secretly want. And most men too. I’ve never lacked confidence even if the scale doesn’t reflect what the medical field says it should.

Dr. Boyd takes his glasses off to look at me. “I’m just running some standard blood work. I’m sure it’s nothing to be concerned about. When was your last menstrual period?” he asks.

This is June. I think back over May. With all I had going on I can’t remember having one in May. I quickly explain to the doctor I don’t remember, and that I’ve been under some abnormal stress over the last several weeks.

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