Snodgrass, Catherine

by Another Chance AnotherTime (lit)

  It was probably Renee, worrying, stewing, and crying over her welfare. She would have called her parents by now. They would be frantic. Dani had to find some way to reassure them all was well-that is, if all was well.

  "Water," she managed to croak.

  "Crushed ice for now," a man replied. The voice was soft, yet had a rich timbre. As he leaned closer, the barest hint of Old Spice permeated the hospital smells.

  Curious, Dani forced her eyes open. Her breath caught. She knew this man. Just as quickly, the familiarity faded.

  He drew back a fraction, and in the dim light Dani traced the outline of his face. Shadows highlighted sharp angles and a wanna-be dimple in his cheek. His hair and eyes looked to be the same color as hers-somewhere between light and medium brown. If in the sun too long, the edges of his hair would lighten to an intriguing shade of gold. His eyelashes also rivaled hers- long with that perfect curl most women would kill to have.

  "Who are you?" she managed to ask.

  "Alec Edwards, your doctor. Do you know me?"

  "No." She truly didn't, and puzzled over the fleeting recognition earlier.

  "Okay, here you go." He scooped up some ice on the end of a wooden ice cream spoon and brought it to her lips.

  Dani pulled away as far as her pillows would allow, and wrapped her hand around a wrist so strong and steady her fingers could not touch. "Not with that you're not."

  Furrows knitted the space between his eyebrows.

  "I do not put wood in my mouth."

  He smiled and set the spoon aside. "It must be interesting to look down your throat when it's sore."

  "Something I try to avoid at all costs."

  He pinched some ice between his fingers and lifted it to her mouth. "I'm afraid this is the best I can offer."

  "I'll take it."

  She could have picked up the ice herself. That was the first thought that came to Dani's mind as he slipped the cool chips into her mouth. But there was something comforting in the action, a nurturing she sorely needed at that moment. The peace surrounding him was much better than Renee's fretting.

  His fingers were gentle, soft against her lips. His demeanor unhurried. Dani accepted each chip he fed to her and let his aura of calm settle over her.

  "I think that's enough for now." He set the cup aside. "We'll see how you do later in the day and then start adding clear liquids. How are you feeling?"

  "Like I have a ten-ton block of stone pressed against my neck." Her voice cracked a bit, but the ice seemed to have helped.

  He carefully tested the area with his hands. "We x-rayed for whiplash and found nothing. I'll order another one."

  She leaned into his touch. "Don't bother. It's something I get from time to time. Normally, only after an earthquake."

  "Really? We had one while you were under." He eased away. "They give me a headache." His smile spread. "Now that's something I've never shared with anyone, so I'm expecting you to keep my secret."

  "You have my word. You're still going to x-ray, aren't you?" She tried to wrinkle her nose in disgust, but couldn't.

  "Yes, I am. I'd prefer to be cautious. You were in a terrible accident."

  Dani sank into her pillows. "Yes, I know. The other driver?"

  To his credit, he did not look away. "He didn't make it."

  That age-old fear of death clenched her stomach. Dani closed her eyes and forced away the rising panic.

  "I would say he went quickly," Alec said. "I don't know what his blood alcohol content was, but there was certainly no doubt he had been drinking...heavily. His car reeked of booze."

  Calmer now, Dani looked at him once more. "You were at the scene?"

  "I was in the car in front of you."

  A smile raised the corners of her mouth ever so slightly. It was as much as she could manage. "Lucky me."

  He brushed a stray tendril of hair away from her face. "More than you realize."

  Dani watched his face while he laid out the extent of her injuries and how he had repaired the damage. Not once did his gaze fall from hers. His voice was low, filled with compassion. None of these businesslike cut-and-dry comments. He also wasn't the type to hide the truth. The injuries were bad, but could have been worse. She faded on them after surgery, but pulled back quickly. Everything was going to be fine.

  He was also modest in his part of it all. It was always "we," not "I." But in her heart Dani knew he was the force that saved her tonight. Just the thought overwhelmed her to the edge of tears.

  "I don't know how to begin to thank you, Dr. Edwards," she managed to say.

  He gathered her hand between his. "Thanks aren't necessary. And it's Alec...please."

  An unusual request, but somehow it felt...right. "Has my family been notified?"

  "I'm sure your friend, Renee, has called them by now. The police caught up with her at the airport." A chuckle filtered up from his throat. "A bunch of your friends and students and their parents had gathered there to give you a surprise bon voyage party."

  Her trip to Europe. Now she did want to cry. She had scrimped and saved for years just to afford it. It might not have been the grand and glorious tour most people envisioned, but she couldn't wait for those eight days.

  She turned her head away from him. Self-pity was an embarrassing thing, and Dani refused to be caught indulging in it.

  "Those guys. I should have known something was up when Renee couldn't take me to the airport." Her voice cracked at the end and ruined her light-hearted comment.

  Alec made a sound somewhere between a grunt and a laugh. "You're handling it a lot better than I would. If some drunk driver ruined my trip to Europe, I'd be pissed."

  "Well, I'm not very happy about it, that's for sure." She rolled her head his way. "But there isn't anything I can do about it. Hopefully, under the circumstances, I'll get a refund on the trip and go again another time." Optimism couldn't stop the tear that wandered down her cheek.

  Alec caught it on the crook of his finger and wiped it away. "I'll sign anything you need to help support your case."

  Thanks seemed unnecessary. She gave it anyway. "I suppose I'd better see Renee now."

  "She was upset. I sent her and the others home. I wanted you fully alert before you were inundated."

  "And she went willingly?"

  There was that smile again. "Yes, as a matter of fact, she did. But I'd bet she'll be back as soon as the sun rises."

  A weak giggle lifted her spirits. "She's very protective of her friends."

  "Then she's a good friend to have." He gave her hand a final squeeze and stood. "More ice chips?"

  Dani's cheeks flushed with warmth. "What I really could use is a trip to the bathroom."

  "I think we can manage that." He peeled back the covers, eased the IV stand away, and then tucked her hospital gown securely in place. "At least we can help you maintain some dignity. I'm sure your friend will bring you something more suitable. Okay, here we go."

  His arm was strong around her waist, and for a moment Dani half-expected him to tote her to the bathroom. She guessed he was the type of man who would, if circumstances deemed it necessary. They stood by the side of her bed until she was steady enough to walk. But walking meant stepping away from the security of his touch.

  Dani laughed at herself. The anesthetic obviously had rattled her senses. She never needed a man's support before and certainly wasn't about to start now.

  Gently, she pushed his hand away. "I can manage."

  Alec took the IV pole in one hand and maintained a strong hold on her waist. "I'm sure you can, but indulge me just this once. I'm a doctor. I live to be needed."

  A nice way of saying that she was going to do things his way. Dani didn't argue but drew the line at the bathroom door. She curled her fingers around the pole and gave him the most direct stare she could possible muster.

  "No one watches me in the bathroom. No one. I don't care how great a doctor you are."

  Although there was a hint of laughter twitch
ing at his lips, Alec didn't indulge it nor did he tease her. He merely relinquished the IV to her care.

  "I'll be right here if you discover you need help."

  Without Alec to balance her, Dani's equilibrium was off. Her stomach tumbled in revolt.

  There was a vague memory of her last hospital stay. Six years old, her throat raw from a tonsillectomy, her mom holding her head while she threw up into a metal container, and crying.

  If her stomach had its way, she was doomed to a repeat performance. Using her free hand to brace herself against the bathroom fixtures, Dani eased her way to the toilet. At least one need could be seen to before the nausea became too much to bear.

  Long after she flushed, she sat with her forehead pressed to the cool tile. At this point the slightest movement would do her in. Her poor parents were probably frantic with worry. She had to gain some strength before she called them, or the sound of her voice would be enough to have them rush back on the first airplane. Nothing was going to ruin her sister's joy in being a mother for the first time.

  Alec tapped at the door. "Are you all right in there?"

  Dani sucked in a breath and pulled her shoulders back. "I'll be fine."

  The door opened a crack. "Not good enough. If you can't do better than that, I'm coming in."

  In reply, Dani's stomach tumbled over the edge. She spun around and clutched the edges of the toilet. Seconds later, he pressed a cool washcloth against her forehead. Dani leaned into it, let the sickness run its course and then sagged against his legs.

  "Better?" He blotted her forehead, cheeks, and lips.

  "I think so." Her shaking voice betrayed her. "At least there's some savings here from not having eaten all day."

  "Some, but not much. Think you can make it back to the bed?"

  "Let me swish out my mouth first."

  Alec helped Dani to wobbly legs, even shoved a paper cup under her nose before she could reach the sink. With his hard arm around her waist, Dani soon found herself back in bed and tucked in as securely as if she had never left.

  His gaze was lit with tenderness as he mopped her face, and Dani had to admit that even her mother couldn't have made her feel more at ease, more treasured.

  The door to the hallway swung open and spilled light into her room. "Dr. Edwards, there's been another accident. A semi filled with illegal aliens. A lot of women and children. They need you down in ER to help with translation...among other things."

  "On my way." He beamed a smile down at Dani and smoothed back her tangled hair. "Our patient here is doing nicely, or will be once her nausea subsides."

  Dani grappled for his hand. "Don't..." Don't leave me. Please don't leave me.

  He cocked his head to one side while an uncomprehending panic raced her heart. His hand was tight in hers, not only by her design but also by his, as if in that grip a bond was formed. Dani gave her head a slight shake. Not formed...reestablished.

  Silly. You must have hit your head hard in that accident.

  Still, she had to force herself to calm down, to let go of those fingers that intertwined hers. A semblance of a smile lifted her lips.

  "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

  Alec's smile sparkled in his eyes. He leaned closer and then drew back, frowning. "Norma will take good care of you. I'll check back as soon as I can."

  The nurse replaced him as he zipped through the door. Try as she might, Dani couldn't keep her gaze from following his exit. She barely knew the man. Why the fear at his departure?

  Gratitude, was all. He was a doctor. He had saved her life. Naturally there would be some concern that he was leaving her side. Of course, she was on the mend, but the anesthetic still had her so befuddled she couldn't think straight.

  Yes...that was it. A lot of patients clung to their doctors-many long after the need was there. Realizing that, Dani determined that she would not fall into the category of burdensome patient. In fact, the sooner she was out of this place, the better.

  She glanced up at the nurse who was adjusting her IV. The woman gave her a smile.

  "I'm Norma Sharp. How are you feeling?"

  "A little queasy, but I think I'll be all right if I can just lie still and sleep it off."

  "Most of the time that's all it takes. If you aren't feeling better then, tell Alec and he'll have the ward nurse give you something for the nausea."

  Dani tucked the blanket under her chin. "You're not the regular nurse?"

  Norma poured some water into a cup. "For little sips only. I'll have someone bring you some ice chips. No, I work recovery."

  The panic returned. Just how bad off was she? "Is my situation that..." She couldn't think of the right word. "Dire?"

  Smiling, Norma smoothed the bed coverings. "Not at all. There was one small moment in recovery, but that passed quickly. I'm here now only because I came to get Dr. Edwards."

  "And he was here because?"

  "That's what he does. He dotes on his patients like they were small children. In fact, he once told me that's how they should be treated-coddled and indulged. Because no one likes to be sick or hurt. And you know what?" She gave a final tug on the sheets. "He's absolutely right. If I were lying in a hospital bed, he's the doctor I'd want by my side."

  "He almost sounds too good to be true." Already sleep was beginning to pull her back under.

  "Almost. But trust me, he's no dream." She pulled the call button within easy reach. "Rest. If you need something, just buzz and someone will be with you shortly."

  And there you have it. No wonder she didn't want him to leave. Who wouldn't want to be indulged, treasured, treated as if they were the most important person in the world? He had subconsciously dredged up emotions experienced from childhood. Mom and bowls of chicken soup, cups of sweet, cool rice pudding. The way Dad tucked her under his arm while he read a story to her.

  Dani's eyes flashed open. She had to call her parents and assure them she was fine. The phone lay within arm's reach. Renee would have called. They would be frantic no matter how much she reassured them.

  Shoving herself to one elbow, Dani reached for the receiver. Her stomach lurched in protest.

  "Later."

  She eased back down and nestled her cheek into the pillow. A loneliness crept in around her. Childish as it might seem, Dani found herself wishing Alec Edwards was still by her side.

  * * *

  Alec tossed his keys to the catchall table near his front door. He didn't bother to turn on the lights. There was really no point when his sole objective was bed. After twenty-four hours with no sleep, more than half of that on his feet, he was exhausted beyond words.

  The scene in the emergency room had been horrendous. Women and children, hurt, bleeding and hysterical, with no one to understand them but Alec, an orderly, and two nurses. For five hours he patched wounds, wiped tears and noses, and translated for doctors who could not understand their Hispanic patients.

  Officials from the Immigration and Naturalization Service didn't make the work any easier. Despite threats to have them removed, they stayed underfoot, always on the periphery in the event one of the illegal aliens made a run for it. The helpless women and children were viewed as a danger to INS order and discipline. The aliens would be watched. And when they were well enough, they would be sent back from where they came. Alec hated the gendarme tactics, but he refused to waste energy arguing logic with those incapable of dealing with the concept.

  Standing in his entryway, Alec stripped down to his boxers and left his clothes by the front door. Hopefully, the dry cleaner could salvage the suit. The leather shoes were ruined.

  The thick carpet cushioned his bare feet as he wandered to the refrigerator for something to eat. The cold kitchen floor wasn't as kind. Alec slid the single throw rug under his feet and then chewed on a slice of cold pizza and washed it down with milk straight from the jug.

  He should have checked on Dani Morgan before he left. Someone would have let him know if something had gone wrong. She ne
eded rest right now-not him hovering over her. Although simply watching her sleep held its own unsettling appeal. It was a temptation he had to force himself to avoid.

  Alec didn't have to remind himself that he was walking a thin line here. His body was having a hard time understanding that. A real hard time. Just thinking about Dani now made him rise to uncomfortable proportions. In his entire career, he had never lusted after a patient.

  He slugged down more milk and then smacked the container onto the tile counter. It was more than lust. Watching her, caring for her, how many times had he been drawn to cradle her on his lap, to drop a wispy kiss to her forehead or her lips? The need to hold her was overwhelming in its intensity.

  Who are you kidding? What you need is a cold shower.

  Alec kicked the rug aside and parked his feet on the linoleum. The chill did little to pierce the annoying ache pushing to free itself from the confines of his shorts.

  Dani would have to be assigned a new doctor. That was all there was to it. He tossed the pizza crust in the garbage, shoved the milk back into the refrigerator and shook his head. It would never work. Her care and recovery were paramount to him. Even assigning another doctor, Alec would find a way to insert his opinions.

  Alec plodded toward his bedroom. Tired as he was, sleep wasn't going to come easily considering his current state. There was no sense making the excuse that exhaustion had caught him off guard where his patient was concerned. Something else was going on here. He simply had to find a way to control that and himself until Dani had recovered and was gone from his life.

  That thought made him wince. He wanted to know her better, to see what type of relationship could develop between them, to feel her body pressed against his in pleasure.

  Ethical regulations he had once blessed, Alec now cursed. Somehow he had to get Dani to see beyond the doctor to the man, and do so while maintaining a professional distance of some kind.

  Impossible.

  Dani Morgan was going to be a part of his life. She was already a part of it. It was up to him to see that no hint of impropriety touched them.