On the Surface (In the Zone) Read Online Free PDF Page B

for kids to endure whatever trials they faced so they could get back out there into the sunshine, back to their friends and their families, and she was damn good at it. But she also longed to help bring babies into the world. Nothing compared to holding a newborn in her arms or feeling their tiny hands grasping her finger. It would be wonderful to watch a couple become a family overnight. She had her RNC-OB certification. All she needed was for someone to quit, retire or move. She’d been waiting almost a year. She’d heard a rumor the nurse who had been there the longest was considering retirement. Every day Erin kept her ears pricked for news on that front.
    “If I had a transfer date to look forward to, that might work, but I don’t. I need more immediate relief.”
    “San Francisco then. The trip. We’ll be on the plane before you know it.”
    She and Tammy were scheduled to attend a nurse’s conference there in a little over a week. Both of them needed thirty continuing education units to keep up their licenses, and conferences provided the perfect opportunity for that, along with a pleasant change of scenery. Plus, airfare to San Francisco wouldn’t break the bank.
    “Still too far away,” Erin said. “I need something right now .”
    “It’s almost lunch. Go on a burger run. Doesn’t a cheeseburger sound good? With some beer-battered onion rings and a nice, icy Diet Coke?”
    “That does sound pretty good,” Erin admitted. Just the thought of that unspeakably fattening meal brightened her mood. “It might give me the strength to withstand the rest of her shift.”
    “That’s my girl,” Tammy said, handing her a twenty. “It’s on me today.”
    “What’s on you?” a male voice said.
    Erin knew that voice. She fantasized about it whispering sweet nothings into her ear.
    “Lunch,” she replied, turning to Dr. O and smiling. “I’m going on a burger run.”
    “Can I get in on that? I’m starving.” He pulled out his wallet. “Where are you going?”
    “Q Burger. I have one of those punch cards. You know? Buy ten, get the eleventh free kind of thing.”
    “I love that place. Can you get me a Wicked Good and fries?”
    “No drink?” Erin said, writing it down on a scrap of paper.
    “I’ll grab some coffee from the lounge.”
    “Got it.”
    “You’re a sweetheart,” Dr. O said, and Erin left the hospital with a spring in her step. If all went well, she and Dr. O would soon be lunching together, bonding over burgers.

Chapter Four
    San Diego was home to a small but very popular hamburger chain called Q Burger. The canny owner, a rabid hockey fan, put a Barracuda Burger on the menu and once a year, the Barracudas fanned out to all ten locations to sign autographs and eat as many Q Burgers as they wanted, Barracuda or otherwise. Twenty percent of the profits went toward the Barracuda Foundation, which sponsored projects to benefit the underprivileged children of San Diego.
    Tim’s email had said the signing was from twelve to two. After that, the players’ obligation ended. Tim always stayed at signings as long as he could. The fans helped make it possible for him to make a very good living by playing a game he loved. Today, however, he figured he might take off right at two. Even though it had been promoted, he didn’t expect many San Diego fans cared about meeting him. He was still a virtually unknown quantity to them.
    There was already a line, attended to by the Barracuda staff, who were dressed in blue-and-silver track suits with the team logo emblazoned on the back of their jackets. Under a portable awning, they’d set up a table with a deep blue tablecloth and a banner with the team logo on it.
    One of the staff members—Jasmine, according to her name tag—waved him over. They shook hands and she introduced him to the other player, who turned with a smile.
    “Tim, have you met Calder Griffin?”
    “Yeah. Hey, Calder.” They shook hands. “I roomed with his brother, Hart,