Page 9 of One Sultry Summer

“Yes, sir. I’m honored that you want me to take on the project.”

“Wonderful. Just one more thing.” I waited with bated breath for his next statement. “I’d like to send Devin with you. He seems to be catching on and this would be a great time for him to learn the ropes.”

Chapter 4

Wyatt Woods

My office staff laughs at my expense daily. It seems like every time I turn around, someone is trying to play matchmaker, setting me up with all the single ladies in town. It’s not that I don’t appreciate what they’re trying to do, but they have to consider that anyone I meet must have a good relationship with Emily. We’re a package deal.

The head nurse, Gina McDermott, shakes her head in disapproval at the nurses who are teasing me. “Okay ladies, get back to work and leave Dr. Woods alone.”

“I appreciate the help and suggestions, ladies.”

“Dr. Woods, you know what you should do?”Asks, Franchesca Tanner.

“I’m afraid to know.”

“You should do a calendar. That would sell like hotcakes!”

“No, just no! Now let’s get back to work.” As I grasp the chart, a sense of purpose fills me. Among everything else, this is what I was meant to do. I go to the next room, where a patient awaits, ready to share their story and seek guidance.

I knock on the door before opening it to make sure the patient wouldn’t be surprised. That’s when I observed Clayton “Clay” Johnson sitting on the examination table. He has sandy blonde hair and a muscular build from years of manual labor. His skin is noticeably pale, which makes me feel uneasy.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Johnson. What brings you in today?”

“You’ve known me for far too long,please call me Clay.”

He’s right, but I try to keep it professional. “Afternoon, Clay. What’s going on?”

“Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit worn out. You know the farm keeps me busy. If I take any time off, things tend to pile up on me and I can’t catch a break!”

“I see.” I paused for a moment. “I know my nurse already did this, but I want to check it again.”

“Oh sure, go ahead.” I grabbed a blood pressure cuff, wrapped it around his bicep, and pressed the button to check his blood pressure.

He doesn’t seem concerned that his health might be in danger. “Hey doc, did I tell you I heard a rumor that some real estate moguls want to come in and destroy our little town.”

“No. I hadn’t heard anything about that.”

“To top it off, my wife Betsy has been urging me to make a doctor’s appointment.”

“I think she’s just concerned for you. Tell me the symptoms you’ve been having.” That’s whenI noticed he was sweating excessively, and it was not hot in the room. “Do you have any shortness of breath or discomfort in your chest?”

“A little of both.”

“Can you describe the intensity of the discomfort?”

“It starts slowly and then intensifies, and it can last more than a few minutes, or it may go away and then return.”

“How long has this been going on?”

“A day or so.” He finally looks up from his hands and sees the intensity of my expression.

“What is it doc?”

“You’ve been listing off all symptoms of a heart attack.”

“I don’t have time for that.”

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