Page 84 of Gideon's Gratitude

“I have no doubt.” Well, I did, but I wouldn’t express it. For now, I’d accept the promise.

He stepped back and away. Our gazes held for another moment before he moved to his messenger bag. He quickly checked the contents then retrieved his boots from the back door. Within a few moments he was clad in his outerwear and ready for the elements.

The sun wasn’t out, and gray clouds hung in the air.

As he opened the door, a gust of chilly wind swept through the room.

He held up his hand in a wave, gave a brief nod, and then was gone.

Aside from when I lost my kids, I couldn’t remember ever feeling so empty.

Chapter Fourteen

Archer

Dr. Tenisha Yeardley was a striking woman. Her dark complexion shone in the fluorescent lights of her office, and her dark-brown eyes were incisive. “I don’t like being ignored.”

I shrank in my seat. The woman’s husky words hit me square in the chest. “I apologize.” I was sorry. Probably not as sorry as I needed to be, though. This woman’s time was valuable, and I’d wasted it.

She held my gaze for a moment before glancing at her laptop. “You were admitted to the hospital with chest pains, Archer. That’s serious.”

“I know. At least I went to the hospital.” I hadn’t wanted to. An important client had been due at any moment, but the pain had been too severe to ignore. I’d grabbed a cab and headed to St. Paul’s. Well, the second time the pain had hit. The first time I’d been alone in a hotel after a particularly bad attempt at a hookup had gone terribly wrong.This second time, though, I’d been at the office and unable to hide my crippling pain from my receptionist and paralegal.

“Well, hallelujah. You want a gold star?”

No missing the sarcasm. “I did all their tests.” I had to try.

“And left before getting the results. Checked yourself out against medical advice and disappeared.”

“I felt better.”

Her perfectly manicured left eyebrow arched.

“I did.” And I had. Enough to feel ridiculous for having gone in the first place. I’d wanted out of there, so I’d gone.

“You could have put yourself in grave danger.”

“I was fine.”

“But you might not have been.” Her scowl intensified. “I presume you took a cab back to the office and then retrieved your car?”

I nodded.

“And if you’d had something else happen? While you drove? That could’ve impacted you, and you might’ve taken out other people.”

Wow, the doctor was on a tear. I shrank back farther. “I was fine. I am fine.” Or so I asserted. Yes, but is that true?

Dr. Yeardley pointed to her computer. “All the tests came back clear. Had you remained, the emergency room physician was going to refer you to speak to a social worker.”

Wait…what?

I didn’t understand. “A social worker?”

“Or a counselor. You admitted how much stress you’re under. After running all the tests she could, the doctor determined you likely suffered a panic attack.”

It sure hadn’t felt like one. My chest had felt like it was being squeezed too tight. I hadn’t been able to breathe properly. Had honestly believed I was dying.

So why’d you walk away?

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