by E A Chance
“Got it,” she said, trying to sound far more confident than she felt.
After scrubbing, she ignored the groans and pleas from people scattered across the floor as she made her way to the triage station. She didn’t envy the nurses having to decide which patients were top priority. They all looked equally severe to Riley.
“I’m Dr. Poole,” she said when she reached the closest nurse. “Orthopedic surgeon. I’m ready for the next patient.”
The nurse knelt on the floor, trying to stop the bleeding on a boy with a large laceration on his right thigh.
The nurse glanced up and wiped her forehead with the back of her sleeve. “Thank God. I’m Haley. This fine, ten-year-old young man is Jamaal. I just gave him morphine, so he’s feeling fine. Aren’t you, Jamaal?”
The boy nodded and gave Riley a goofy grin.
“There may be a nick on his femoral artery. He’s lost a lot of blood, but the bleeding is slowing. Mind taking a look?”
Haley grabbed a box of gloves from the floor next to her and held it out to Riley. She put the gloves on and examined Jamaal’s wound.
“The femoral artery looks intact. The bleeding is smaller vessels from the tissue damage. The femur looks intact. What I wouldn’t give for an x-ray, though. Do we have sterile suture kits?” When Haley nodded, she said, “I’ll close him up and move on to the next.”
“Jamaal’s not our most critical case. If he isn’t in danger of bleeding out, that young woman on the table has a neck injury. She’s next.”
“She needs a neurosurgeon. Is Dr. Warren here?”
Haley pressed another dressing onto Jamaal’s thigh. “I don’t know who that is, but as far as I know, you’re the only available surgeon.”
Riley hadn’t treated a cervical spine patient in years and wasn’t sure what she could do for the woman but knew there wouldn’t be time to wait. “I’ll need someone to assist. Where do you normally work, Haley?”
“Neurosurgery, as it so happens.”
“First miracle of the day. Please, find someone to take over with Jamaal. You’re coming with me.”
Riley ran to Coop’s table and explained about the neck patient. “Maybe Nabhitha will find Dr. Warren.”
“Warren’s gone. I heard he bolted for his private jet seconds after the insanity started. Imagine his surprise when the pilot couldn’t get that jet off the ground. That’s if he made it to the airstrip.”
“Guess I’m neuro for the day. How’d your abdominal patient do?”
“Didn’t make it. Organ damage was too extensive. He was the third I’ve lost today. This is tarnishing my perfect record.”
“Nowhere to go but up, then."
Julia ran out of ways to entertain herself two hours after her mom left. She’d watched all the videos downloaded onto her iPad, and there were no good books to read. She tried to study, but her assignments seemed pointless. All she could think about was her family and friends back home and wonder if they were alive. She hated not being able to call them.
Someone pounded on the door as she got up to see if her mom had any games on her phone. She’d promised she wouldn’t let anyone in but her or Coop, but she didn’t say she wouldn’t look through the peephole. She ran to the door and stood on tiptoes to see who it was. She kind of recognized the guy standing there, but couldn’t remember where she’d seen him.
“Who is it?” she called through the door.
“My name is Quinten. I’m here for Julia. Dr. Cooper sent me.”
She only hesitated for half a second before opening the door. If the guy knew her name and room number and Coop’s name, he must be legit. He stepped inside and flashed the most gorgeous smile she’d ever seen. He was tall with deep chocolate eyes and long brown hair. His arms were so ripped that Julia had to fight the urge to reach out and squeeze them.
“Hi, I’m Julia,” she said.
Quinten carried a cardboard box that had a wine label printed on the side, and she wondered what he was bringing her.
“Hey, Julia. This is heavy. Where should I put it?”
“On the table.” She ran ahead of him to make room for the box. “What’s in it?”
“Dr. Cooper asked me to bring you some games, books, and puzzles from hotel storage. I wasn’t sure what you like, but I did my best.”
She stood there, grinning like an idiot while he unpacked the box. “Thanks, Quinten. Why do you look familiar.”
“I work in the hotel restaurant, but Dr. Cooper saw me helping in the medical clinic. He asked me to find out if you’d like some company?”
She glanced at him when he stopped unpacking the box. “So much. I’m going out of my mind locked up here alone.”
“Excellent. I’ll be right back.”
Julia knew Quinten would never look twice at someone her age, but that didn’t stop her from admiring his firm behind while he walked to the door.
She finished unpacking the box and was happy to see he’d thrown in some snacks. She put them with the rest of the food and wondered who he was bringing for her to hang with. He came back five minutes later with a dark-haired girl who looked about twelve. She was thin with doe-like eyes and pale skin. Julia thought she seemed fragile. Quinten introduced her as Hannah. She gave a quick bow of her head, looking like all she wanted was to crawl in a hole.
Julia smiled to encourage her. “Hi, Hannah. Are your parents doctors, too?”
“No,” was all she said.
Julia looked to Quinten for help. “Her parents are missing,” he whispered to Julia before turning to Hannah. “The hotel manager says you can stay here, and we’ll take care of you until we find your parents. Maybe you can hang out with Julia.”
“I’d love that,” Julia said. “Coop won’t care and my mom will say it’s okay. We have lots of room.”
Hannah’s eyes brightened as she looked around the room. “I can stay here?”
“Sure. Are you hungry? We have lots of food.”
Hannah nodded and followed Julia to the kitchen.
“See you later,” Quinten said, and practically ran from the room.
Julia let Hannah choose the food she wanted, then led her to the sofa. They ate for five minutes in silence until Julia said, “Do you mind telling me about your parents?”
“We’re moving here from California. My parents left yesterday before the CME alert to go house hunting and never came back. I was with a babysitter they hired, but she said she was going to find out what was happening and left me alone.” She covered her face and cried into her hands. Julia put an arm around her shoulders, not sure what else to do. “Can we go leave a note in my room, so they’ll know I’m here if they come back?”
Julia shook her head. “I’m not allowed to leave the room, but as soon as Coop or my mom comes back, we’ll go."
As patients came one after another, Riley lost track of numbers and injuries, but she didn’t forget to keep tabs on Julia. She enlisted Quinten to check on her every two hours. He reported each time that she was fine and bored, which was what Riley hoped to hear.
She had vague memories of eating beef jerky, crackers and juice periodically, but beyond that, time passed in a mind-numbing blur. She almost passed out when someone placed a little girl with a partially crushed skull on her table and decided it was time to call it quits. She found another doctor to take the patient before curling up in an empty three-foot space near a wall. The next thing she knew, Coop was shaking her awake.
She sat up and rubbed her shoulders. “What time is it?”
Coop lowered himself to the floor with a groan and leaned against the wall. “Two in the morning. I just want you to know that you gave Julia and me a scare. I went to the suite looking for you, and when Julia said she hadn’t seen you, I came back here in case I’d missed you. One of the orderlies pointed you out, buried under the pile of coats. I walked right past you the first time.”
“I was so exhausted that this was as far as I got. Did you say Julia’s still awake?”
/> “Yes. She’s waiting up for you, and there’s another surprise.”
She could tell from his tone that she wasn’t going to like it. “I’m not in the mood for surprises. What is it?”
He stood and extended his hand without answering. “I’ll walk you to the suite. I don’t want you collapsing in some random hallway where I’ll never find you.”
She accepted his hand and grimaced when she got to her feet. Every inch of her body ached. “Feels like my residency days.”
As they wound their way to the door, she noticed that other doctors had taken their places at the tables. Most of the nurses had been replaced, too. Some of the others from earlier were scattered around the room in a dead sleep. She considered waking them to offer the sofas in Coop’s suite but decided to leave them in peace.
Julia nearly bowled her over as soon as she came through the door. “You scared me to death, Mom. Where were you?”
Riley told her about the pile of coats. “I only planned to close my eyes for a minute. That was at midnight, but I’m here now. Sorry I left you alone for so long. Why aren’t you in bed?”
Julia glanced at Coop. “I wasn’t alone. Coop asked Quinten to bring someone here who needed our help.”
Riley stared at Coop and said, “He did? Who?”
A girl with dark braids peeked her head out of Julia’s bedroom. Julia waved for her to join them.
“Mom, this is Hannah. She’s going to stay with us until her parents come back for her.”
Hannah slowly inched closer. “Is that okay?”
Coop leaned closer and whispered, “Her parents are missing. She’s alone.”
Riley gave the poor forlorn girl a smile. “Of course, you can stay, Hannah. We’ll make up the sofa bed for you.”
“She’s going to sleep with me,” Julia said. “My bed’s huge. There’s room for both of us.”
Riley wasn’t comfortable with that arrangement but was too exhausted to argue and didn’t want to hurt Hannah’s feelings. “That’s fine. You two should get to bed. I won’t leave until you’re awake in the morning so I can say goodbye.”
Julia led Hannah back to their room before going to brush her teeth.
Coop dropped next to Riley on the sofa. “What were you thinking letting Quinten bring a stranger into our suite? And are you ready to be responsible for other people’s kids? I’m having a hard enough time keeping track of my own.”
“Calm down, Riley. The hotel manager told me the poor thing spent the night alone in her room last night. She must have been terrified.”
Riley got up and started pacing. “That’s sad, but don’t tell me to calm down. You should have cleared it with me. I’m Julia’s parent, not you.”
Coop got up and put his arms around her waist. “I didn’t want to bother you, and there wasn’t much time to think. But you’re right, I was out of line. Hannah doesn’t look too threatening, and Julia’s safe, but I am sorry, Riley. Can you forgive me?” He moved his hands to her shoulders and massaged her muscles. “You’re one big knot. Let me give you a back rub.”
Julia came out of the bathroom before she could answer, and Coop lowered his hands.
“All set for bed?” Riley asked her. “I’ll be there to tuck you in soon.”
Coop dropped onto the sofa instead of going to his room, but Riley was glad despite the fact she was annoyed with him. She went and said a quick goodnight to Julia and Hannah, then hurried back to him.
“That offer for a back rub still good?”
In answer, he stood and motioned for her to follow him to her bedroom. She sat on the end of the bed and turned so he could reach her shoulders. The touch of his strong hands did more than relax her shoulders. He massaged her for ten minutes before moving her hair out of the way to kiss her neck. Her breath quickened, and she turned to face him.
They kissed tentatively at first, but their passion escalated rapidly. Riley couldn’t have imagined thirty minutes earlier that she’d have the strength to do more than collapse into bed, alone. When Coop laid back and pulled her with him, she came to her senses and sat up.
“As much as I want this, the timing couldn’t be worse. We both need to sleep. I’m too exhausted to think clearly and Julia could walk in.”
Coop turned onto his back and put his hands behind his head. “We’re just kissing, Riley, unless you had more in mind.”
Riley crossed her arms and looked away. “I did. That’s the problem. When and if anything happens between us, I don’t want it to be because we’re in the middle of Armageddon.”
Coop climbed off the bed and stared down at her. “That’s not what this was, but fine. You’re the boss. Let me know when you’re ready. See you tomorrow.”
He gave her a quick kiss and was gone before she could get another word out. She considered going after him but changed her mind, not knowing if he was mad or honestly okay with waiting?
His odd behavior from the night they met flashed into her mind. Maybe it’s just his way, she thought and rubbed her face, not sure it was behavior she cared to get used to. She changed into her nightgown and climbed into bed after she was once more left pondering what kind of man Dr. Neal Xavier Cooper IV was.
Chapter Six
Julia went to the patio while Hannah was in the bathroom the next morning. The snow had stopped, and the sun was out, but the sky was gray from smoke rising over burned-out parts of the city. It was depressing, and tears stung at her eyes. The beautiful, shining city from a few days ago was gone, maybe forever.
She wiped her tears and checked her phone to see what time it was. Nine-thirty, later than she thought. She wondered if her mom had left without saying goodbye after all. She went inside and inched her mom’s bedroom door open and was relieved to hear her soft breathing. She never slept that late, but she’d had a long day and late night. Julia quietly closed the door and went to the kitchen to fix cereal for herself and Hannah with the last of the milk. They’d have to find milk in those little boxes that didn’t have to be refrigerated. Julia thought that kind of milk tasted disgusting, but she’d have to get used to it.
Coop came through the front door and set the box he carried on the table. “Good morning, Hannah. Any word from your parents?” He frowned when Hannah shook her head. “Today will be the day,” he said and glanced at Julia. “Is your mom up yet?”
Julia peeked over the rim of the box and said, “Still snoring away. What’s in there?”
“Food and drinks. I went out scavenging an hour ago and found this. It’s not much.” He reached into the box and pulled out a package of donuts. “These are for you. Last ones in D.C., I’d bet, so you’d better savor them.”
Julia took a glazed donut and bit off a third of it before handing the box to Hannah.
Coop shook his head. “So much for savoring.”
“What’s with all the noise?” her mom asked as she shuffled toward them.
She was wearing the one ratty robe she’d brought, and her hair looked like a lion’s mane.
Julia snorted and blew crumbs all over the table.
Her mom took a donut and shoved the whole thing into her mouth. With her mouth full of food, she said, “What are you still doing here, Coop? Shouldn’t you be in the clinic?”
“I went on a scavenger hunt, but I’m heading there next.” He gestured at the box. “Please, help yourself to the donuts.”
She swallowed hard and reached into the box for another donut. “Any milk or coffee?”
Julia watched her mom and wondered what was wrong with her. She never let men see her looking so raggedy, especially not ones she liked.
“Milk’s all gone unless Coop found some,” Julia said.
“If you don’t have coffee here, there’s none to be found in the world.” He kissed Riley’s cheek. “Still planning to work at the clinic today?” She bit her donut and nodded. “Meet you there, then. See you later, Champ,” he said to Julia and laughed his way to the door.
Riley rolled her eyes and tu
rned to Julia.“Will you be okay here with me at the clinic all day?”
“I have Hannah to keep me company this time, and I did fine yesterday until you got lost under that pile of coats.”
Riley kissed her forehead. “I’m going to get dressed before I devour the rest of the donuts.”
Hannah watched her go and swallowed her bite of donut. “Coop’s not your dad, is he?”
“No, we just met him at the medical conference. My dad died over three years ago.”
Hannah stopped mid-chew. “He died? How?”
“He was a pilot and got shot down in Afghanistan.”
She watched her for several seconds. “How did it feel? What was it like when you found out?”
Julia wasn’t sure how to answer. It was the worst day of her life, and she couldn’t imagine losing both parents at once, but she couldn’t tell Hannah that. “I miss him every day, but I can think about him now without it hurting. I only remember the happy times, but at first, I thought I’d be sad forever.”
Hannah lowered her eyes and picked at the donut crumbs on her napkin. “I will be sad forever if my parents are dead.”
“Don’t say that. It’s just taking them a long time to get back because the roads are so bad. I bet they show up by dinnertime.” Julia could tell Hannah didn’t believe her, but she wanted to keep her spirits up. “I read about this secret underground bunker for government leaders. Maybe your parents went there and are just waiting for the right time to come for you.”
Hannah perked up and watched Julia with bright eyes. “Is that true? My parents could be there?”
Julia was sure Hannah’s parents were dead but would never say that to her. “Sure, why not? He works for a congressman, doesn’t he?” Hannah nodded. “See, they’re probably safe and cozy right now.” To change the subject, she said, “Coop and my mom just met, but they like each other. I think it was love at first sight.”
