Chaos at Crescent City Medical Center Read Online Free PDF Page A

had been a really long day.
     
     

Chapter 3
     
    Alex walked home from the medical center.  She lived in the Riverbend area of the city, less than a mile from the hospital.  Crescent City Medical Center was located on Prytania, between St. Charles Avenue and the river, in the shadow of Interstate 10. The location allowed easy access to its hundreds of patrons.  Alex's home was a few blocks off St. Charles and she could, weather permitting, easily walk back and forth.  The horrendous New Orleans traffic made walking preferable to driving and the exercise benefits were another boost.
    As Alex reached home, she smiled at how well the restoration of her house had turned out.  She'd decided to live in the Riverbend area of New Orleans because the neighborhood was convenient to work, and she loved the architecture.  She'd purchased a large town house shortly after arriving in New Orleans, and divided it into two apartments, renting the lower flat.  The house was built in 1875 and could be easily hailed as “Old New Orleans.”  Many of her favorite restaurants and shops were within walking distance.
    As Alex reached her front courtyard, she was jarred out of her daydreaming as her cell phone began ringing. Searching for it in her purse, she opened the front door only to note the obviously loud ringing of her house phone.  She immediately felt a pang of guilt as she heard the deep voice of Mitch Landry on the other end. She answered the phone and smiled as she heard Mitch's anxious voice on the other end of the line. 
    "Alex, you haven't forgotten our dinner plans have you? I've been calling and calling for an hour."
    Alex smiled into the phone.  "No, of course not. I'm sorry, I should have called you.  I just walked in.  It's been a long day, and, to be completely honest, I've been tied up all day.  But, I'm starving, ready and willing.  What's the plan?"  Her voice was light-hearted.
    Mitch checked his watch.  "Well, it's now about six-thirty.  Pick you up at eight?  I've reservations at the Cafe Degas for eight-thirty."
    "Sounds great.  See you then." 
    As Alex hung up the phone, she felt guilty about forgetting her date with Mitch.  Most people would die for a male companion like him.  He was handsome, intelligent and well-connected. As an architectural historian and preservation consultant, he'd never be wealthy, but money seemed unimportant to him.  Mitch was a pleasant escape from her day-to-day grind at the hospital and offered refreshing company.  Besides, Alex smiled to herself, Mitch was very sexy, and she really liked him.
    Her spirits brightened as she showered, dressed for her dinner date, and found herself mentally comparing Mitch with Robert.  They were entirely different, she thought, in appearance and personality.  Mitch was tall and dark with a muscular build.  Robert was of slighter stature with much lighter coloring.  Both men had a fervent passion for their work and both men were self-absorbed in their careers.
    This is ridiculous, she chided herself.  Why should I compare these two?  My marriage to Robert has been over for years.  It's crazy for me to even be thinking this way.  Robert's completely out of my life.  But, in all honesty, Alex had to wonder about her reaction to him today in her office.   She heard the door bell ringing and saw Mitch standing between the two Grecian Columns in her courtyard. She answered the door, her heart beating rapidly.
    Mitch looked devastatingly handsome as he stood in the door frame.  He was perfect, too perfect Alex sometimes thought.  He had on dark trousers and a white shirt open at the neck.  He was in excellent physical shape and Alex knew he worked out most days.  His wavy dark hair was combed back from his face. He was tall, dark, handsome and exciting. 
    Alex's heart began beating a little faster at the sight of him.  Once again she wondered why Mitch, whom she'd been seeing exclusively for over four months, was reticent