Asking for Trouble Read Online Free PDF

shave—garbed in surgical scrubs hurried them into a curtained cubicle. Of course, with all the commotion in the ER—an older woman covered in more blood than the baby had just been wheeled in on a stretcher surrounded by a bevy of attendants—Jackson was asserting his displeasure at the top of his lungs. More power to him if it attracted a doctor’s attention sooner.
    “What happened?” The intern lifted the bandage and studied the wound with a critical eye before pressing the pad back into place. “Looks like the bleeding has almost stopped, but that laceration needs to be stitched.”
    Miranda’s grip on Jackson tightened, and she kissed his matted hair when he whimpered. “He fell down some steps.”
    The man gave her a sharp glance. “We’ll check him for signs of concussion. Any vomiting or drowsiness?”
    She shook her head.
    “Good. I’ll be back as soon as we get the patient next door stable. In the meantime, there’re forms to fill out.” He dropped a clipboard on the paper-covered exam table.
    “His uncle will take care of it. Tall, good looking guy with dark hair and brown eyes, acting like he’d rather be anywhere else right now. Can you send him back here if you see him?”
    A grin flashed before he whipped off the stained latex gloves and tossed them in the trash. “Will do.”
    Playing patty-cake with Jackson to pass the time and drown out the noises from the next room over, she glanced up when the curtain shifted. “…in the oven for baby and me.” Her hands dropped. “You found us.”
    Cole’s face was drawn with fatigue and—regret? Of course he was sorry about Jackson’s fall. Probably blamed himself even though she’d assured him it was just an accident. She’d have to possess a heart harder than a rodeo bull’s kick not to feel sorry for what he’d gone through, not to want to hold him in her arms and—
    “I nearly had a coronary when equipment was wheeled into the cubicle just down the way and someone yelled clear …” His eyes glazed. “God in heaven.”
    “Sit down before you fall on your face.” She patted the paper-covered vinyl on the other side of Jackson. “The doctor expressed some concern about concussion, but overall, I’d say he wasn’t too worried.” She frowned. “I hope that poor woman makes it.”
    “So do I. The prayers I sent up when I thought it was Jackson in there should have pushed her to the front of the holy favor line.” He dropped down beside the baby. “The kid seems happy enough right now.”
    “That’ll change when they stitch him up.” She set the clipboard on his lap. “Fill these out.”
    With an eye roll, he uncapped the pen and started muttering. “Middle name? How am I supposed to know that?”
    Her sympathy for his suffering dissipated. “He’s your nephew for crying out loud.”
    “So.” He snapped his fingers. “William, after our dad.” Bending, he scribbled industriously before giving her another helpless look. “Birth date. I know it’s in May.”
    “You really aren’t very family oriented. It’s the twelfth. I remember Andee mentioning it.” Picking up the packet of papers, she flipped through the pages. “Here’s his insurance info and immunization records. Andee made copies of everything, probably expecting some sort of catastrophe with you in charge.” Pulling the clipboard out of his loose grasp, she started filling in the blanks.
    Jackson clapped his hands. “More.”
    “Play with him.” She gave the command without looking up.
    Cole hummed an off key version of the patty cake tune and high-fived his nephew. Unable to resist an emerging smile, she finished the paperwork while Cole and Jackson smacked each other’s palms. Was it her imagination or did the uncle actually appear to be having fun?
    “Sign here.” She pointed and handed him the pen.
    He scribbled an illegible scrawl at the bottom of the form.
    Flipping the page, she pointed again. “Here and here, too.”
    “Do they want a