Page 150 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

He nodded to one of the nurses, and she left to get Freddie.

“Do you have a first name?” Sam asked the doctor.

He huffed out a laugh. “I do.”

“What is it?”

“Rob.”

“Huh. I didn’t picture you as a Rob. I thought more like Melvin or Myron. Or maybe Warren.”

“Gee, thanks,” he said, chuckling. “If you don’t watch out, I might slip and poke you with my needle in a spot that’s not numbed up.”

“Don’t do that. I hate needles.”

“I know. So quit making fun of your favorite doctor.”

“Who said you’re my favorite doctor?”

“I have to be the one you see most often.”

“You think you’re so funny.”

“I am funny, and don’t worry, I already punched your frequent-flier card and gave you an extra punch for the holidays.”

She was surrounded by comedic wannabes. “Is this going to hurt later?”

“Like a bitch, which is why you’re going to take the painkillers I’m going to prescribe and take it easy for a few days.”

“I’m on vacation after tomorrow.”

“Including tomorrow.”

“Is she behaving?” Freddie asked when he came into the room.

“As well as she ever does,” Anderson replied.

The two of them shared a laugh at her expense.

“If you two are done, Freddie, I need the BlackBerry. Can you find it for me?”

“Sure.” He located her blood-soaked coat, tossed over a chair, and retrieved the BlackBerry from her pocket. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.” Since her left arm was completely immobilized, she said, “I need you to call Nick for me. The number is star six nine.”

Both men and the nurse cracked up laughing.

“That’s his warped sense of humor,” Sam said. “Please don’t tell anyone about that, or it’ll be all over the news.”

“Our lips are sealed,” Anderson said.

Freddie dialed the number and handed her the phone.

Sam wasn’t surprised when the call went through to voice mail. “I’m so sorry about missing the thing with Henderson,” she said. “I got myself into a bit of a jam at work, which I’m sure you’ve already heard about from my babysitters. I’m totally fine, and I’ll be home as soon as I can. I hope it went well, and I’m really, really sorry I missed it.” She handed the phone back to Freddie. “Can you push the button to end the call?”

“All set.”

“That right there is why I’ll never leave my flip. You close it, and you’re done.”

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