Page 133 of Mistaken Intention

He doesn’t say a word, but puts the car in ‘drive’ and checks the mirrors before pulling out onto the highway again.

What have I done?

I’ll never forgive myself if I’ve lost her now, after everything we’ve been through…

Chapter Thirteen

Josie

Orla is standing at the nurse’s station in the ER, staring at the computer screen, her brow furrowed, and I wonder if I can sneak past her. It seems mean when we’ve always been friends, but I’m not in the mood for conversation. Not today.

Unfortunately, she looks up at just the wrong moment, her face lighting up into a smile.

“Hello, stranger,” she says. “We were wondering if we were ever gonna see you again.” I smile, but don’t answer. I’m not sure I know how. She clicks on the mouse a couple of times and then leans over the desk. “So, is this a flying visit, or are you back for good?”

“It’s a flying visit.” I’m definitely not staying. “I just need to see Doctor Sweeney.”

“Ahh… and how is the patient?”

“He’s okay.”

That’s a lie, but lying seems to be my forte… at least according to Drew.

“So, I guess you’ll be coming back soon, will you?”

“I—I don’t know.”

I do. I know exactly what I’m doing, and it doesn’t involve coming back here.

“It might be worth discussing your return with Doctor Sweeney, even if it isn’t imminent.”

“Why?” I’m intrigued. Her suggestion may be irrelevant, but I’d like to know what it means.

“Because they took on a temporary replacement to cover for you. Agatha Meadows insisted, evidently. She said it wasn’t fair to expect everyone else to work extra hours to cover for you, and in the end, Doctor Sweeney agreed.”

In a way, that makes things a little easier for me, and I nod my head. “Well… we’ll see what happens.” I make a show of checking my watch, even though I don’t need to. It’s not like I have an appointment or anything. “I’d better get upstairs.”

She leans back, standing up straight. “I’d better check on the guy with chest pains in curtain four.”

She comes around the desk. “Is it serious?” I ask.

“No. His ECG is fine, but we’re monitoring him, anyway. I’d stake my life it’s indigestion.”

I smile and she smiles back, and I head for the elevators, pressing the ‘up’ button. The doors open immediately and I step inside, where I’m joined by a white-coated doctor, who’s studying a file and absentmindedly presses the button for the third floor.

“What did you need?” he asks.

“I’m going to the third, too.”

He nods, his eyes wandering downward slightly, appraising me for a moment or two before they return to the file he’s still holding. I’m dismissed, but I don’t mind in the slightest. It suits my mood.

When the doors open again, he moves aside, letting me step out ahead of him, and as I turn to the left, he goes to the right, and I make my way down the hall, grateful that Doctor Sweeney’s office is outside of the main Neurotrauma unit. I can avoid meeting any of my colleagues and hopefully get this over with as quickly as possible.

The doctor’s name is printed on a small sign stuck to the outside of the pale blue door, and I knock once, waiting until I hear him call out, “Enter.”

I push the door open and step inside, closing it behind me. I can’t fail to be reminded of the last time I was in here, when Doctor Sweeney told me of his and Hunter’s plans, that Drew should return home to Newport to complete his therapy, and that I should join him. Of course, the doctor’s intention was that I should remain Drew’s nurse, and manage his recovery… not that I should become his lover, and make a mess of everything, including both of our lives.

He’s sitting behind his desk, just like he did on that fateful day. Only now, he’s studying a file and looks up as I approach him.

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