The Other Brother Read Online Free PDF Page B

immediately hooked.
    And he quickly learned that she had much more than beauty to offer. She had depth, intelligence, spunk, character. After one month of dating, he knew he'd met the future Mrs. Reid. But he took it slow; because of what she'd been through, Dana was a slow-track kind of woman, and rushing things would have driven her away.
    But after three years, they finally were on the path to marriage, with an October wedding in the works. Nevertheless, Dana still couldn't bring herself to say that she loved him, out of an irrational but unshakable fear that once she said the words, she would lose him, just as she'd lost so many others close to her.
    "I'm here, all in one piece, doc," he said. He tried to sit up, winced as pain stampeded across his head. "But I think I could use some Tylenol or something. My ribs hurt and I've got a killer headache"
    "I'll have a nurse bring you something for that" She pushed the call button. "Meanwhile, I'll call your folks and let them know you're okay."
    "I love you, Dana," he said.
    She smiled, kissed him, and then picked up her cell phone to call his family.

    A nurse gave Gabriel a couple of ibuprofen tablets to ease his pain, and checked his vital signs, all of which were satisfactory. After she finished, the physician on duty, Dr. Boone, came in to examine him. Dr. Boone was a thirtyish, ruddyfaced guy with reddish hair and an Alabama accent. He performed a physical exam on Gabriel under Dana's watchful eye.
    "Lookin' good here, Gabriel," Dr. Boone said. He capped his pen and closed Gabriel's file. "I gotta say, after hearing about your wreck, you're one lucky fella. But we'd like to keep you here till the morning, for observation."
    "Cool. Maybe I'll go to work tomorrow."
    Dana glowered at him. But he was serious. He wanted to get back into his routine.
    Boone noticed Dana's look. "You might wanna take it easy for a few days, Gabriel. You're gonna be in some pain for a while. You need lots of rest"
    "Okay, I hear you," Gabriel said, mostly to pacify Dana. He tapped the bandage around his head. "So, when can I take this off? It feels like I've got a turban on my head"
    "The swelling and bruise should go away within a week, two weeks at the most," Boone said. "Schedule a follow-up appointment with your primary-care physician. He'll take care of it for you."
    "Or I will," Dana said, putting her arm around Gabriel protectively.
    Boone looked from Dana to Gabriel. He grinned. "Like I said, you're a lucky fella. Any more questions, Dr. Stevens ... Gabriel?"
    "We're all good," Dana said. "Thanks, doctor."
    "Take care of that guy," the physician said, and winked at Dana.
    When the doctor left, Dana closed the door.
    "I feel so much better," Gabriel said, "knowing I'll be married to a physician who'll take care of my every need"
    "Yep, every need, babe," Dana said. Sitting on the bed, she slipped her hand underneath the covers and cupped his manhood through the thin gown. He quickly grew erect. "Hallelujah. This definitely wasn't injured."
    He pulled her down onto the bed until their noses were touching. "Can I get my birthday present now?"
    "I'd love to, but something tells me there's a rule against a doctor getting her freak on with a patient in a hospital room"
    "Betcha that's not in the Hippocratic oath"
    She kissed his nose. "Tomorrow night, Birthday Boy. Promise."
    "It's a date. Meantime, I need to take a piss."
    "Spoken with all the crude charm of a man" She grasped his hands. "Come on. I'll help you up"
    She helped him climb out of bed. His knees wobbled. She put her arm around his waist, steadying him, and walked with him to the restroom.
    "I've got it from here," he said. He closed the door behind him.
    After he emptied his bladder, he stood in front of the sink, gazing in the mirror. The bandage resembled a grotesque headband. His face, usually soft and chubby, looked a little gaunt, and there were red patches on his cheeks, thanks to the air bags smashing into his face. There