“I think I may start going too.”
“Good.” So the change was real. He blessed whatever had triggered it.
“What are your plans now that you’ve reached your goal?”
“Ah…at the hospital?” Damn, she was discussing work again.
“No.” She chuckled. “No hospital talk on break. I mean in general. What do you plan to do with yourself? Although I think you’re going to be busier than ever.”
He relaxed in his chair and considered her. “True. But I will make time for fun once in a while.” He hoped she’d agree to share the fun with him. “Actually, as of tomorrow I will be looking for an apartment on the beach. This way, I can enjoy a quick swim when I am not at the hospital.”
“Good idea.”
The waiter brought their plates. Madelyn ate slowly, while he attacked his food heartily.
“Where do you live?” He couldn’t believe he’d never asked her that question before, but then she’d always blocked any attempt at personal conversation.
Her mouth curled into an adorable smile. “In an apartment on the beach.”
“No kidding.” That would explain her smooth tan, highlighted by her white dress. “Which building?”
“The Blue Lagoon.”
“Really? My real estate agent said she’ll show me apartments in the Blue Lagoon and some other buildings next week.” He lowered his head to his plate and tried to suppress a wicked grin. He could fancy himself as a next door neighbor to Madelyn. Hmm, he’d call the woman tomorrow and ask her to start the showing with the Blue Lagoon.
Madelyn shot him a quick glance but didn’t comment. She hadn’t eaten much, half of her salad and a few bites of her fish, although she finished her second lemonade. “I’m full.” She moved her plate aside.
He raised his eyebrows. “A dessert now?”
“No thank you. But if you are done too, we can dance.” She glanced at the dance floor where three couples shook their hips, kicked their feet, twirled, and swung.
He pushed his chair and grabbed her hand. Even if he hated hard rock music, he wouldn’t miss the opportunity to hold her in his arms. Half an hour later they were still dancing, sweating, and laughing while he twirled her and brought her against him.
The music slowed. His arm around her waist, he held her hand, determined not to let her sit for the slow dance. She hooked her fingers around his nape and laid her forehead against his cheek. Her hair caressed his chin and her floral perfume wreathed around him. They swayed, hardly moving their feet. “Heaven,” the singer repeated over and over.
“Heaven, I’m in heaven,” Nick whispered in her ear. She didn’t react. When the song ended, he brushed a light kiss on her temple.
She eased away and smiled. “I have to go home. Tomorrow we have a long day.”
He paid their bill and they walked hand in hand to his car. “Should I drop you home and we’ll collect your car tomorrow.”
“No. Take me to the Sea-Waves’ parking lot. I live two minutes away.”
Silence drifted between them as he drove. His lungs swelled with a happy feeling. She’d given him the best congratulation present he’d ever received. As they approached the bar he tossed her a glance and froze.
Her hands clenched in her lap. Shoulders slumped and lips slightly parted, she stared straight ahead. A frown wrinkled her forehead and her foot tapped the floor of the car. Why?
Was she back to her old self?
He stopped the car. “Madelyn, thank you for a great evening.”
She immediately smiled and opened her door. “Thank you, I had a blast.” She bent and brushed her lips over his, and strode toward her car before he could recover from his surprise.
He wanted to run after her, take her in his arms and ask her—
Ask her what?
His fingers clutching his steering wheel, he waited for her to enter her car and pull away.
Would they ever share a similar evening again?
Chapter Two
As soon as she entered her apartment, Madelyn kicked off her high-heels and wiggled her toes. Without turning the lights on, she padded to her bedroom, the fancy sandals dangling from her hand. The city nightlights and the moon glow poured in through the wall-to-walls bay windows and bathed the quiet room with a hazy light that soothed her overwrought nerves.
Keeping up the pretense of a fun evening had mentally exhausted her. She slid down the mini-dress that was so not her, and hung it in the remote corner of her closet, quite determined to never wear it again.
The feel of a cotton nightie refreshed her overheated skin and put things back in the right perspective. Be fair, you had a good time with Nick. For a few hours she’d forgotten about her recent health problems and really enjoyed being held in his arms. Even though the man was a confirmed bachelor, tonight he’d made her feel special, cherished, protected.
A snort escaped her. Sickening.
Dr. Madelyn Ramsay didn’t need anyone’s protection—especially one coming from the most famous womanizer who’d ever dwelt in St. Lucy’s Hospital. Her jaw tightened in a death grip. Forget Nick. She’d better disregard this whole evening. It had been nothing more than a sedative to alleviate the hurt inflicted by the life sentence she’d received in the afternoon.
Resolutely, she crossed her living room to settle for fifteen minutes in a lounge chair on her balcony and look at the ocean as she did every night. A fantastic therapy guaranteed to relax her after a long day at the hospital. When she reached the glass door, a continuous beep attracted her attention. Her answering machine.
Darn, she hadn’t called her mother today. Madelyn entered her office and scowled at the blinking light. Good God, eight messages. Guilt flooded her. She pressed the play button. Sure enough, the first call at 7:30 pm was from her mother. “Still at the hospital? Honey, you really work too hard. Call me when you come home.”
The second call followed at 8:00 pm. “Maddy, you’re still working? But you were on call last night. They’re going to kill you in that damn place.”
Mom’s concern and exasperation escalated with her third and fourth calls, and sent Madelyn on a guilt trip. Biting her lip, she clicked on the fifth call. “Maddy sweetheart, I’m worried sick.” A few sniffles interrupted her mother’s trembling voice. “Darling, you promised you’d call every day when you’re not on duty. I tried to reach you at the hospital. They said you left. Why did you have to join that damn medical school?” Mom’s tone gained strength. “I should have insisted you marry Bert who adored you, and—”
And stay on the farm with Bert. With a brisk tap, Madelyn ended her mother’s rattling. She’d heard it often enough in the past. Was it any wonder that she’d left Kentucky and held on her independence with both hands?
The next message was from Heather. “For heaven’s sake, Maddy, call Mom. You’re going to give her a heart attack. She’s calling me every ten minutes to cry and curse your job at the hospital. Why couldn’t you have married Jeff’s brother and lived happily ever after on the big family farm as I did with Jeff? You could have had four kids like us by now. Anyway call Mom.”
“Heather, mind your own business and enjoy your farm,” Madelyn snapped at the answering machine. Pain pinched her insides at the mention of four kids. She’d made her decision ten years ago and never regretted it.
Until now? Regrets, Dr. Ramsay?
No, not even now. Nothing could replace the thrill of saving babies. Certainly not Bert Bollin and his farm.
Madelyn groaned and skipped Heather’s second call to take the next message. Her scowl relaxed as she recognized her sister Roxanne’s voice.
Roxy rarely called. “Hi sis, apparently you sent Mom into a temporary nervous breakdown. Imagine she complained even to me. You better warn her once and for all that you’re too busy to call her more than twice a month, otherwise she’ll drive you insane with her overprotectiveness. Been there. I know what I’m talking about. I wish you were out partying, wearing the pretty dress I gave yo
u, rather than working. Having said that, let me add that if you have a problem and want to talk, don’t feel shy about ringing. Bye.”
“Oh Roxy, thanks for the support. And for the advice.”
Reaching for her cell phone, Madelyn texted her mother. “Mom, I’m fine. Very, very busy with a patient. Desperate medical case. Can’t talk now. Will call next week. Love you.”
A sigh of relief escaped her. Now she needed her fifteen minutes on the balcony. But the reflection of the moon in the ocean and the hum of the waves didn’t appease her. A scent of algae wafted with the breeze and brought back happy memories, unwelcome at the moment.
How could she perform the medical procedures necessary to save premature babies? On the other hand, how could she give up her career and stop practicing?
Wetness tickled her eyes. No one could see her here in the darkness and the privacy of her eighteenth floor condo. She didn’t try to suppress her sorrow and let the tears roll down her cheeks. A moment later, her sobs dwindled and then ceased. She thought about her dad and his strength of character when cancer ravaged him. He kept working, “As long as I can move my legs and arms,” as he said.
She’d take her medicine and hope things would improve, or at least wouldn’t deteriorate. And she’d party, with Nick, or Greg, or anyone from the hospital, and catch up on the fun she’d missed all these years. It had helped tonight. It might help again.
***
Instant silence greeted Madelyn at the nurses’ station of the Children’s floor. All heads swiveled toward her, some with inquisitive frowns, others with subtle smiles. All waiting. Hailey, the nurse on duty, added a shiny Christmas ball to the small tree sitting on the reception desk. Well, she’d let them stew in their curiosity.
“Good morning. Hailey, I’ll be in Delivery till noon.” Determined to avoid questions, Madelyn grabbed the sign-in clip board.
“Well, just like that,” the young nurse blurted and flapped both hands on the reception desk. “I mean, after what happened last night, you can’t go back to the usual routine.”
Madelyn slowly raised her head to offer her a cold stare. “Excuse me?”
“Uh, I’m sorry.” Hailey’s head slumped into her shoulders. “I didn’t mean...”
“Come on, Madelyn,” Greg intervened. “The whole clinic is wondering if you’re going to continue to be the fun person we discovered last night. Or if you’re reverting to that strict Dr. Ramsay who talks only about work.”
Madelyn couldn’t help the quirk of her lips. “Why do I have the feeling you were taking bets?”
Uncomfortable at best, Greg cleared his throat. “Actually—”
“I’m very flattered by your interest. So let me reassure you. Yes, I plan to continue, or rather start having fun. After hospital hours. Are you satisfied?”
A whoosh of relief answered her and above the din, Nick’s voice reached her. “Very satisfied.” His deep voice stirred a pleasant memory of their past evening, their dance together. A smile slid onto her lips.
She spun to face him. “Nick.” The man radiated charisma. How did he manage to be so bright and gorgeous at eight in the morning, after a night of partying?
He’d quietly arrived while she debated how to handle the staff’s curiosity. “I was wondering if you enjoyed your evening.” His gaze riveted on her.
“Very much,” she answered with the same tone. “Thank you. Now we have to work. Right, boss?”
“Please, don’t call me that. Not you.”
A snort escaped her. Who knew how long she’d be able to work for him? She’d taken her first pill last night before the party, another at bedtime and one this morning. Would three pills be sufficient to control her hands’ tremor and more importantly to prevent a seizure?
“Madelyn? You’re not here.” Nick observed her with concern.
“Just sorting the morning schedule in my mind.” She tilted her chin in that haughty way she often used to end an annoying conversation. “See you in Delivery.”
“Not right away. Your first is with Greg. I’m on my way to a hysterectomy.”
As she reached the door, he held her elbow, and they sprinted down the hallway. “Relax,” he urged after they exited the crowded lobby. “Having fun is supposed to be fun.” He chortled at his own words. “I’ve never seen you so nervous.”
She shrugged and sighed. “I guess you’re right.”
“I can show you how to relax.” He captured her gaze and she feared he might read her confusion, her anxiety and more.
“Yes, I count on you.” Anything to get rid of him now before her mask cracked and self-pity engulfed her. She offered him a smile to reassure him and rushed to the Delivery Department.
In the prep room, she covered her head with a cap and tied a mask around her neck.
“Ready?” Sandra Morelli, the pediatric head nurse asked.
“Almost.” Madelyn scrubbed at the sink and allowed Sandra to gown her.
“When you left the clinic in the afternoon you were still your usual self, but when you arrived at the bar you’d metamorphosed into a different person. Pardon my curiosity, Maddy. What prompted you to change so radically in the span of two hours?”
Empty words wouldn’t fool Sandra. They’d attended high school and premed together. Sandra’s father’s sudden heart attack had killed him at a young age and smashed his daughter’s dream of medical school. Instead she’d worked at night to pay her way through nursing school.
Madelyn needed a substantial reason to explain her new attitude. Some half-truth that Sandra wouldn’t be able to brush off with a cautious look and a meticulous questionnaire.
“A phone call from Roxy and a thorough lecture about wasting my youth. I finally agreed that being a good doctor shouldn’t preclude enjoying my after-work hours. Shall we go?”
“Yes.” Sandra frowned, not totally convinced. “Hmm. Anyway, the anesthesiologist is here and Greg should be arriving any minute.”
Saved by a delivery. Madelyn adjusted her mask over her face to hide her smile and entered the OR. Already prepped by the nurses, the patient moaned when the anesthesiologist turned her to her side and injected her with the epidural anesthetic. Greg proceeded with the C-section and extracted a baby boy from the protruding belly.
Comfortable in her own skills and reassured that her medicine should suppress her symptoms, Madelyn reached for the blue-tinged baby and performed the resuscitation.
The morning flew at incredible speed with three more deliveries performed by Greg and two more procedures on the preemies for Madelyn. By noon, she threw her surgical paraphernalia in the waste basket and strolled toward the elevator. A huge sigh of relief escaped her. The morning deliveries had gone without difficulty. At least on her part. Blessed be her little pills. Maybe she could continue to practice without anyone noticing her problem.
Eager to eat a bite and take her noon pill, she headed to the hallway leading to her office. Nick stormed out of a side corridor and ordered, “Madelyn, go scrub. Emergency delivery in OR1. Toxemic patient with twins. Stat.” He passed her and sprinted down to OR1.
Rooted in place, Madelyn stared at his back. Good Lord, she had a pill to take. Stat. And she couldn’t swallow it on an empty stomach. “Nick,” she called. “Take Dr. Raynes.”
He spun. “Kathy’s off until 4 pm. That’s why she indulged in so much drink last night.” A frown etched his forehead and his tone hardened. “Three lives are in the balance. Do I need to say more?”
“I’m coming.” As if she had a choice. She backtracked along the corridor.
Nick waited for her. “What’s wrong?” Adjusting his pace to hers, he marched beside her.
“Nothing. I thought Kathy was here. I had a full morning of deliveries.”
“So?” His eyebrows arched and then his eyes squinted. He looked at her as if she’d grown horns. “Since when had a full morning stopped you from working afternoon, evening and night?”
To be honest, she’d have stared the same w
ay two days ago if anybody had dared suggest she couldn’t work a twenty-four hour shift without a break.
“Forget it, please. Part of my new plans. To have more breaks.”
His scowl relaxed. “What a pity. Just when you finally decide to take it easy, I’m the one who stresses you out.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I’m sorry. But what can we do? We’re doctors before all else.”
“Of course. Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.” Easing out of his arm, she opened the prep room and readied herself. The staccato beats of her heart reminded her of her first day in surgery as a young intern. Eager but shaking at the thought she might fail. Why hadn’t she kept a pill in her scrubs’ pocket?
Nick scrubbed at full speed and rushed to the OR1. Madelyn muttered a short prayer and followed him. The nurses gowned them.
Standing next to the incubators, Madelyn watched Nick do his routine. Cut an incision. Move the skin away. Reach deep in the gaping belly. And...
Her arm jerked. She clenched her jaws and grasped the sides of the incubator with both hands. Steady. Remain steady. Breathe slowly. In. Out. Were her hands shaking or was it just her imagination?
Doctors and nurses huddled around the operating table. All observing Dr. Preston save the toxemic patient and her twins. I can’t afford to shake. I can’t fall down. Not now. Please Lord. Not now. Lowering her head, Madelyn bit the inside of her cheek, hoping the self-inflicted pain would counteract the onset of tremor.
“Baby A is out. A girl. All yours, Dr. Ramsay.” Nick cut the umbilical cord.
There was no way on earth she could reach for the baby. And risk dropping her. “Sandra, dry her and put her in the incubator.” Ignoring the astonished look of the nurse who’d been busy at the operating table, Madelyn slowly straightened and forced herself to observe the preemie.
A well-trained nurse, Sandra didn’t voice her surprise at the change in their routine. She wrapped the baby in a towel and placed her in the radiant warmer.
Sweet and Sassy Baby Love Page 42
