The Surgeon's Favorite Nurse Read Online Free PDF Page B

after Congressman Havens made the public announcement.”
    She remembered Jake’s gruff, curt responses when he’d answered his cell that night. Probably Cal had been on the other end of the call. He’d be curious because the appointment would impact their practice. Did he also know that he’d interrupted an intensely personal moment? If he didn’t, she certainly wasn’t going to confirm. All business. She and Jake had agreed.
    “So,” she said, looking from one hot doc to the other. “You both put in a lot of hours here in the hospital?”
    “Yeah.” Cal checked the pager at the waist of his scrubs. “We’re in the process of looking for another pediatric specialist and E.R. intensivist for the practice. Both of us are married and want to spend as much time as possible with our families.”
    “You have children?” she asked.
    “I have a little girl,” Cal said, a proud smile curving his mouth. “Almost two.”
    “And I have a son.” Mitch’s smile was pleased. “Going on a year.”
    So hospital gossip was right. Two of the trauma docs were no longer single. All evidence pointed to the fact that they couldn’t be happier about losing their playboy position to Jake.
    “Is it hard,” she said, “seeing sick children when you have little ones of your own?”
    “It was hard even before I became a father,” Mitch answered. “I went through a cynical phase and had to work through some issues. A lot of patients come in for things that could easily have been avoided. I had little tolerance for that. It was my wife who helped me mellow.”
    “Really?”
    “Yeah,” Cal said. “Jake and I are incredibly grateful to Sam for this kinder, gentler Mitch.”
    “Bite me,” his partner said.
    “Seriously,” Cal continued. “I don’t see my daughter in every child I treat. But I do understand now how parents feel and try to be more sensitive to that.”
    “I see.” Hope saw a nurse in the E.R.’s doorway signaling to the doctors. “One last question. Stryker gurney or Hill-Rom? Hospital administration has a contract with the latter. We get a rebate after a certain number ordered. But I like Stryker.”
    Mitch thought for a moment. “Hill Rom is fine.”
    “The goal is to see patients as quickly as possible,” Cal interjected. “But when it’s nuts in the E.R. people have to wait and the Hill-Rom beds are more comfortable. We’re so ready for the new campus to open and take a little of the heat off us.”
    “I bet.”
    Mitch nodded. “In fact administration is training a sales nurse to channel people in your direction when the hospital’s up and running.”
    “Really?” She hadn’t heard about that yet and wasn’t sure how she felt. Sales and patient care seemed mutually exclusive—or should be.
    “Yeah—”
    There were footsteps behind her and she saw recognition in both doctor’s expressions.
    “Hi, partner,” Mitch said.
    “Hi.” Jake was looking at her.
    Hope noticed the green scrubs and knew he’d come from the OR. She’d heard he was working on a young boy. The dashing hero. At the moment he didn’t look dashing, just dog-tired and she asked, “How are you?”
    “Bushed,” he confirmed.
    “How’s the kid?” Cal asked, worry sliding into his eyes.
    Jake looked at his partner, then met her gaze. “Dare-devil boy plus flashy bike equals belly trauma. He won’t be taking jumps off the curb at warp speed again anytime soon. But he’ll be fine. I just gave the good news to his parents.”
    “Glad to hear it,” Cal said. “Speaking of parents…I have to go.”
    “Me, too,” Mitch agreed.
    “Thanks for your time.” Hope wanted to beg them to stay and not leave her alone with Jake, but she knew they were busy. “It was a pleasure to meet you both.”
    “Happy to help.” Cal disappeared through the double doors.
    “Good luck with the new E.R.,” Mitch said, then followed his colleague to where the trauma bays held patients waiting for treatment.
    She was about to