Page 41 of Holiday Haven

His next patient was a tall, gangly, adolescent girl who was complaining of a sore throat. Her throat looked red and inflamed, but he didn't know for sure if the cause was strep or mononucleosis. He suspected the latter but hoped for the former.

“I have to run a few tests,” he told Erica’s mother. “If it's strep we can give her antibiotics and she'll be better in a few days. If she has mono, there isn't much we can do other than treat her symptoms.”

“Oh no.” Erica's mother looked concerned. “If she has mono, do we have to cancel our Christmas plans?”

“Let's wait and see what she has,” Adam hedged. Mononucleosis was very infectious, but he didn't want to borrow trouble. While he waited for the rapid strep and mono tests to be done, he saw his last patient and ordered more antibiotics. Some days it seemed as if he was running a special on them.

Doris poked her head around the corner. “The lab results for Erica Jones are finished. She's positive for mono.”

That’s what he’d thought. “Thanks Doris.” He turned and headed into the room.

“I'm afraid Erica does have mono,” he informed them. “I hate to ruin your holiday, but she really shouldn't have contact with other kids right now. At least not for the next week or so.”

“Oh, Erica.” Her mother gave her a quick hug. “I'm so sorry.”

The teenager’s expression was glum. “That's okay, Mom. You can go to Grandma and Grandpa's house without me. I don't want to wreck your Christmas.”

“Don't be silly. We love you. We're not going without you,” her mother chided. “We'll get together another time, maybe for the New Year when you’re feeling better.”

“Good idea.” He smiled. “Make sure you get lots of rest.”

“I could sleep all day,” Erica admitted.

He thought about what Erica had said about not wanting to wreck Christmas. He'd been doing the same thing, avoiding telling Krista the upsetting details about the accident, especially his role in it, because he didn't want to wreck her faith in him.

That wasn't fair. He had to believe she'd be there for him, no matter what.

The hour was almost three o’clock in the afternoon. Perfect timing, as he wanted to check on Joy and hopefully run into Krista at the same time. At least, he was assuming she was working the evening shift again today.

Maybe they could grab a quick break together and talk. Now that he'd made-up his mind to tell her the truth, he was impatient to see her.

It was brutally cold outside, and the only bright spot in the subzero temperatures was that it was too cold to snow. He pulled up the collar of his coat as he walked from the parking lot to the hospital.

On the sixth floor, he went down the south wing and headed straight to Joy's room. He stopped inside the doorway when he caught a glimpse of Krista rocking Joy to sleep.

His heart squeezed in his chest. She looked so beautiful. The perfect mother for his children.

Whoa, wait a minute. His children? Since losing his son, he hadn't been able the bear the thought of having more children.

The tension around his heart eased. Somehow it was easier to imagine a future with Krista at his side. If she would forgive him.

He cleared his throat and knocked on the door. “Hi, Krista.”

“Hi.” She stopped rocking, looking flustered. “Are you here alone?” She peered past him, as the expecting to see someone standing beside him. Like Joy’s mother. “Do you need to examine Joy?”

“Yes.” He didn't think he could avoid discharging the baby any longer. There was just enough time to talk to Shirley to see what his options were. Maybe the state wouldn't mind if he waited until after Christmas. He stepped into the room. “How are you?”

“Me?” She carried Joy to the crib. “I'm fine.”

She looked upset, but before he could say anything more, his cell rang. He recognized Alec's number. Finally. He answered the call. “Alec? Have you found her yet?”

“Adam, this is Amber. I'm using Alec's phone.” His sister sounded upset, her nose stuffy as if she'd been crying. “We're here at Trinity Medical Center with Jillian. She's bleeding, Adam.” Amber's voice hitched. “It's possible she's losing the baby.”

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

Krista knew something was wrong when Adam's face paled, his expression turning as hard as granite.

He didn't so much as glance at her. “I'll be right there.” He lowered the phone and strode quickly toward the door.

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