LITMIR.BIZ

       THREE

      If she made her patients wait this long she wouldn’t have any. Ella sat in the exam room and hugged her arms around her chest, grateful that Zach hadn’t deserted her. His frustration with medical personnel was evident by his frequent sighs and the pointed questions he asked the nurse concerning the lab results and CT scan. Yet he’d tried to buoy Ella’s spirits and never complained about his own discomfort.

      Of course, the nurse didn’t have any way to speed up the lab technologists handling her specimens nor the CT techs, who had probably already given the results to the doctor. But Ella was beginning to feel as frustrated as Zach. Considering the number of patients in the waiting room when they’d arrived at the hospital hours ago, and the number of people who passed by in the hallway, if she received her test and lab results by lunchtime she would consider herself fortunate.

      Not the way to run a hospital. Quin would have been equally as annoyed as the special agent, although her husband wouldn’t have hung around while she was being treated. He would have mumbled some excuse about needing to get to his research, and left her to find her own transportation home.

      Ella shook her head at the memory of what their life together had been like, and then let out a lungful of air, mentally refusing to dwell on the past.

      A tap sounded at the door.

      She sat up straighter and raked her hand through her hair, not sure who to expect. “Come in.”

      The door opened, and Zach stepped into the exam room, carrying a white paper bag. “Two coffees from the cafeteria, one with cream and sugar, and two breakfast sandwiches. Egg and sausage sound okay?”

      “Sounds delicious. How did you know I needed food?”

      “Just a hunch.” He glanced at the clock on the wall and then handed her a coffee and sandwich. “Patients could starve to death while they’re waiting in the ER.”

      “I’ll remember that in case I’m ever a hospital administrator.” She accepted the food he offered.

      “You’d be a good one, for sure.”

      She was taken aback by his comment. He was probably just being nice and making idle chitchat, but she was so accustomed to Quin’s negativity that she hadn’t expected anything as affirming and supportive. For some reason, she suddenly wanted to cry.

      She blinked back the tears that stung her eyes, feeling totally foolish as she removed the plastic lid and took a sip of the hot brew. “Coffee was just what I needed.”

      Hopefully, he hadn’t realized the emotional turmoil that had taken her by surprise. She blamed it on fatigue and her recent brush with death. If only her memory would return, so she could grasp exactly what had happened.

      “I thought you’d stepped outside to make a phone call,” she said as she unwrapped the sandwich.

      “Actually, a number of calls. The first was to CID headquarters and the second to Corporal Powers’s unit to ensure they knew what had happened.”

      “And did they?”

      “He called them on his way to the hospital.”

      “Did you learn anything about Mary Kate’s condition?”

      “That was my third and final call. She remains critical and in ICU, but her husband is there, and so is her father.”

      “Maybe they’ll offer each other support.”

      Ella and Zach ate the sandwiches, and by the time they’d finished their coffees, another tap sounded at the door.

      “I’ll wait in the hallway.” Zach left the room as the doctor entered.

      “Did I scare him off?” the physician asked.

      Ella appreciated Zach’s thoughtfulness in leaving so she could talk to the clinician, who seemed oblivious to the importance of patient privacy.

      “I’m sure my labs were in normal range,” she said, to get the doctor back on track. “But what about the CT scan?”

      “You have a slight concussion, so I want you to take it easy for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Continue to ice that lump on your head. You might have headaches for a day or so. Expect muscle soreness, especially where you were kicked. Ibuprofen will help or I can prescribe something stronger.”

      She held up her hand. “That won’t be necessary.”

      “I don’t know if you’re a churchgoing woman, but I believe in God’s benevolence. He was watching over you last night.”

      His comment took her aback. She’d never had much of a relationship with God in her youth and had stopped asking for His help when her marriage had fallen apart.

      “You were fortunate not to have broken ribs,” the ER doc continued. “Or something worse. If anything changes, don’t hesitate to come back. I doubt you’ll have to wait as long next time.”

      “I’m hoping there won’t be a next time.”

      “We’re short staffed right now, Dr. Jacobsen.” He tapped her file. “If you are looking for some weekend or evening work, I’m sure the personnel office would be happy to accept your application for employment.”

      She smiled at the job offer. “Thanks, but my patients keep me busy.”

      “I’m sure. We don’t see many Amish at the hospital. Every once in a while we’ll set a broken bone or tend to some farm injury. As you probably know, the plain folk usually tend to their own medical needs. I know they probably appreciate having you in their area.”

      “Some do. Some don’t.”

      He nodded. “That’s always the way. I wish you the best with your clinic. Let us know if we can be of help.”

      Ella appreciated his comments almost as much as she was grateful for the clean bill of health. She found Zach in the hallway, and after receiving her treatment notes from the nurse, hurried with him to his car.

      He opened the door to the passenger side and held her arm as she settled in the seat. She wasn’t used to such attention, but wouldn’t do anything to dampen his enthusiasm or good manners.

      “I’m glad you’re okay,” he said.

      “Just a little tired, which I’m sure you are, as well. Thank you again.”

      “No problem.” He was silent until they turned onto the main road leading to the Amish community. “I need to know a bit more about Mary Kate, if you feel up to talking.”

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