Promises of Mercy(Montana Promises-Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

shifts, and barely sleeping, Amber’s body was beginning to give out. If her mind would just stop drifting to her brother’s worsening condition, she might be able to handle the fatigue better. She wasn’t even sure if she was giving her patients the care they deserved.
    Twice, she’d been about to give a patient the wrong dosage, when at the last minute, she’d snapped out of her daze. At least she had the wherewithal to double check herself from then on. As a medical professional, she understood that if she didn’t rest, she’d have to tell Tammy she’d be using the remainder of her vacation days in the coming weeks, which meant she wouldn’t always be close by should Chris need her.
    Amber usually stopped in to see her brother during her breaks, but too often he was asleep. When she was able to wake him, she suggested he try to move his fingers, but he kept shaking his head, asking why he should bother. He just wanted to die.
    She might have to ask Stone to have another talk with Chris. Somehow, the man-to-man thing had seemed to work—at least temporarily. The therapist said Chris was depressed, but everyone Amber spoke with told her that was to be expected. She and the therapist both were trying to find things for him to do that would stimulate him and give him a reason to live. But nothing had worked so far.
    On the fifth night after Chris’s accident, Jamie and Ben insisted they take her to dinner. Jamie had been Amber’s rock these last couple of days. Her friend always seemed to know all the right words to say.
    After eating a big meal and enjoying herself for the first time since the incident, she went home and crashed. She actually slept. Amber figured it was because her body knew she didn’t have to work for the next three days.
    When she awoke, she felt a little perkier until she called her mom.
    “He’s not any better?” her mom asked.
    “Not mentally. Not physically, either. He’s not exactly excited about physical therapy.” She inhaled.   “It might help if you visited.”
    “Has he asked for me?”
    Amber didn’t know what her mother hoped her response would be, but she wouldn’t lie. “No, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come and be supportive.”
    “I’m afraid if I walk into his room, Chris will become more agitated. I do want to see him, but not if it’s going to upset him more.”
    Her mom had a point, but that wasn’t a good enough reason to stay away. “Don’t you want to see your son?”
    Her hesitation said it all—no. “I’m afraid he’ll see the pain on my face and know it’s hopeless.”
    Amber opened her mouth, but nothing came out for a moment. “You’re a doctor. You must lie all the time to patients to give them hope.”
    “Amber! That’s a terrible thing to say. You know that’s not true.”
    Amber wasn’t in the mood to get into an argument. “Be there for Chris just this once. Okay?” This time, she was the one to hang up. “Aargh.”
    Sometimes she wondered why her mom bothered to have any more kids after Thomas.
    Frustrated and pissed, Amber drove to the hospital to see him. This time, when he cracked open his eyes, he closed them again, probably not in the mood to listen to her badger him to move.
    “Just leave,” he said. “I don’t need your cheery bullshit.”
    Ouch . That pierced her heart. “You have to stop feeling sorry for yourself. The physical therapist is coming this afternoon, and I want you to do what he tells you.”
    “Like his stupid exercises are going to do any good? That shrink lady stopped in today and that was a joke , too.” He turned his head and firmed his lips.
    “Dr. Donovan is a very competent psychologist. Zoey also happens to be a good friend of mine.”
    “I know.”
    Amber blew out a breath wishing he’d give Zoey a chance. “You do know you have to face this at some point? You’re not doing yourself any favors by refusing help.”
    He didn’t say anything, but from the way he pressed hard on