Читать книгу The MD's Mistress / The Money Man's Seduction - Leslie LaFoy - Страница 13

Five

For an instant, Becca froze in surprise and shock at the sharp sound of Seth’s voice. The sensation swiftly changed into a quick burst of joy inside at the reality of him being there. Then the present reality intruded.

As mere moments passed, she kept her hand curled around the doorknob and turned to scowl at him.

“I don’t have time for this, Doctor,” she said, anger rising to replace all other feelings. “There’s a young boy choking in here.”

Turning the knob, she entered the room, fully aware Seth was right behind her. Dr. Carter stood next to the examining table, on which a boy lay unconscious and gasping for every breath. The doctor was very carefully working a breathing tube down the boy’s nasal passage.

“Foreign object?” Seth quietly asked from where he had come to a stop right beside her.

“No.” Becca shook her head. “Allergic reaction to a bee sting.”

“Have you administered epinephrine?”

“No,” she repeated. “The doctor’s receptionist is looking for—”

“Becca, who is this man, and what’s he doing in here?” Dr. Carter interrupted. He didn’t look up from the boy, but his tone gave clear indication of his impatience.

“The name’s Seth Andrews, I’m also a physician. I worked with Rebecca in Africa.”

Dr. Carter gave Seth a quick glance.

“Have you called for an ambulance?” Seth asked, keeping his gaze on the boy. “He’s still struggling to breathe. He should be in a hospital.”

“I agree.” John sighed. “Problem is the closest hospital is over a half hour away. He wouldn’t have made it there.”

“Not without the epinephrine,” Seth responded caustically. “Why is there none available?”

“Becca told you my receptionist is looking for one.” His tone was sharp. “And I’m beginning to panic here, as I can’t get this tube any deeper.”

This entire exchange lasted no more than a few seconds, during which Becca had moved to stand beside the doctor in case he needed her. Both she and John looked up when Seth spoke again.

“He’s not getting enough air,” he said urgently. “He needs a tracheotomy…now, or there could be brain damage.”

John’s eyes widened and his face drained of color. “I never…I’m not a surgeon…” He glanced at the boy, swallowed, straightened his shoulders and said, “But I’ll do my best.”

“I am a surgeon, and while I’ve never performed this procedure, I know how it’s done,” Seth said. “Would you prefer I do it?”

“Please.”

“Is he sedated or did he pass out?”

“Passed out,” John answered. “He was terrified.”

Seth nodded. “Where can I scrub?”

“There’s a sink behind you.” John inclined his head.

Seth turned, saying, “Becca.”

That’s all he had to say. Becca got busy. By the time Seth turned from the sink, with his hands up, she was masked. She held a lab coat out and he straightened his arms for her to slide it on backwards. Moving behind him, she closed two buttons to hold the makeshift scrub top in place. The next second she was shoving plastic gloves onto his hands, and tying a mask on his face.

“Anesthetic?”

“I’ve administered a low dose,” John said. “We don’t need another reaction.”

Seth nodded, and without saying another word, or asking any more questions, he moved to the side of the examining table, as if he knew without doubt Becca would have everything he needed prepared for him to begin.

And, of course, she did. Still not speaking or looking at her, he held out his right hand. Becca slapped a scalpel into his palm.

Concentrating on the job at hand, Becca was still vaguely aware of a light tap on the door, the quiet voice of Mary, the receptionist, saying, “I found it, Doctor,” and John’s equally soft voice thanking her. He then told her to call at once for an ambulance, and also said to tell the boy’s mother he would be all right.

In short order, working with his accustomed precision, Seth set aside the instrument and inserted the breathing tube Becca handed to him into the child’s trachea. The boy’s breathing eased noticeably at once and slowly returned to a normal pattern. John handed the syringe to her and she plunged the needle into the boy.

As Seth stepped back, away from the table, another tap sounded on the door, and a voice said, “Ambulance crew.”

Glancing at John, Seth said, “He’s about ready to go.”

With her usual calm efficiency, Becca dressed the wound around the tube. Just then, the boy’s eyelids fluttered and opened. She smiled into his startling and blessedly clear green eyes.

“Mommy,” the child cried in a rough whisper.

“I’m here.” Tears streaming down her face, the woman from the waiting room shouldered her way by the ambulance crew. “I’m here, baby, Mommy’s here.”

While the crew gently slid the child from the table to their litter, the woman grabbed John’s hands. “Thank you, Doctor, thank you so very…”

“I did very little, it’s Dr. Andrews you should thank.” He turned her to face Seth.

She repeated her gratitude to Seth, and impulsively grabbed and hugged him.

Not unused to being hugged by grateful patients and family members, Seth patted the woman’s back gently. “You’re welcome, now go with your boy.”

With tears still trickling down her face, she gave him a brilliant smile and rushed after the ambulance crew.

Becca felt misty-eyed but exhilarated…for all of three or four minutes. Then she crashed. Exhaustion, part physical but mostly emotional, struck like a blow. With a last surge of energy, she pulled off the lab coat and the mask from her face. Heaving a heavy sigh, she dropped like a stone onto the chair at the doctor’s small desk.

Seth heard her sigh and he turned to give her a probing look, in exactly the same piercing way he would gaze at one of his still shaky patients.

“You look beat.” His tone was not kind, more accusing. “You shouldn’t be working yet. It’s obvious you aren’t strong enough.”

“I’m okay,” she insisted, abruptly standing to prove her point. For a second the room spun around her and her stomach lurched, proving only that she was completely played out.

“Right.” Seth shook his head, showing his impatience with her. “Let’s go.”

“I can’t go now,” she protested, feeling the need to sit down again. “I have to clean up in—”

“Seth is right, Becca, you’ve done more than enough for one day,” John interrupted. “You look about ready to collapse. Mary and I will do the cleaning up.”

“But—” Becca began once again, and again she was interrupted, this time by Seth.

“Don’t argue,” he said, moving to her to gently but firmly take hold of her arm. “And be still,” he went on as she tried to shake his arm off.

In truth, Becca was too tired to argue. She allowed Seth to lead her from the clinic to his car. It was a nice one, too, and expensive. But she was even too tired to comment on the vehicle.

Becca nearly fell asleep on the drive back to the cabin. Fortunately, she thought, as she roused with a start when the car came to a halt at the house, she hadn’t drifted deep enough for her to dream.

The very idea of Seth witnessing her in the throes of one of her erotic dreams was embarrassing. Whatever would he think? She didn’t want to find out.

Seth was out of the car and at her door before Becca finished undoing her seat belt. Pulling the door open, he again took her arm, guiding her from the car and up the porch steps.

The door swept open, revealing a concerned-looking Sue. “What happened, Becca? You look awful.” She leveled a narrow-eyed look at Seth. “What have you done to her? You, of all people…” That’s as far as Seth let her get.

“She’s all right,” he said, brushing past her to lead Becca inside to a chair. “There was an emergency at the clinic. A child stung by a bee had an allergic reaction. He was asphyxiating when I got there.”

Sue’s eyes widened and her one hand flew to her chest. “Oh, my lord,” she exclaimed. “Is he…” She paused, as if afraid to voice her fear.

“No.” Seth shook his head to reassure the woman, but kept his intent gaze on Becca, who had her eyes closed and was resting her head against the back of the deeply padded chair. “He’ll be fine. He’s being ambulanced to the hospital.”

“Thank goodness,” Sue murmured, her anxious gaze also fixed on Becca. “She overdid it, didn’t she?”

“What else?” Seth’s tone was wry. “I believe she thinks she’s indestructible…but…” He hesitated before adding, “She was magnificent.”

Becca blinked her eyes open. “I was no such thing,” she protested, scowling at him. “I didn’t perform the surgery.”

“Surgery?” Sue jumped on the word. “John performed surgery on the boy?”

Becca shook her head. “No, no, Sue. Seth did it, although John was prepared to do it.”

“But John’s not a surgeon!” Sue said.

“That’s why I did it,” Seth inserted. “I am a surgeon. But John would have tried.”

“Of course he would,” Sue agreed. “John is a devoted, caring…” The ringing of the phone stopped her cold. “I’ll get it,” she said, turning away.

“Is there any coffee, Sue?” Becca called after her. “I think I need a shot of caffeine.”

“Yes,” Sue called back. “I made a pot for lunch, but I’ll make a fresh pot as soon—”

“No, I’ll get it,” Becca said, interrupting.

“No, I’ll get it,” Seth interrupted Becca. “You stay here and rest. Where’s the kitchen?”

“Follow me,” Sue said from the dining room. “That’s where I’m going.”

“But…” Becca started to rise.

“Sit down and behave yourself,” Seth ordered, in his most I’m-the-boss tone, as he strode after the housekeeper.

Watching the back of his retreating form, Becca began to simmer. That…that…man, she thought. Who the hell did he think he was? Well, she continued in her mental rant, she wasn’t about to let him order her around. She no longer worked for him. He was not her boss.

Carefully rising, Becca stood still a moment. When her head didn’t whirl, or her stomach rebel, she smiled. Moving slowly, she took one step, then another. Ha! She could walk just fine. Take that, Mister-Big-Deal-I’m-The-Man-Surgeon.

Feeling proud of herself, which she admitted to herself was pretty childish, Becca sauntered through the dining room to the kitchen. Seth was standing at the countertop, pouring coffee into two mugs.

“You take orders much better in the O.R.,” he grumbled, turning to carry the mugs to the table.

“But we’re not in the O.R.,” Becca said, calmly, seating herself, “are we?”

He raised his incredible amber eyes.

She met his steady stare head-on.

Standoff?

“Doesn’t matter,” he said, after a long moment. Turning, he went to the fridge to get milk. “Considering your condition, I’m still in command.” Giving her a wry smile, he set the carton of milk on the table. “Do you use sugar?” As if he didn’t know.

“No, and what do you mean by my condition?” Becca asked, stunned by his blatant assumption. “What condition?” she stormed, in attack mode. “I’m a little tired. I’ll be fine. In fact, I’m feeling better already.” She pulled a cheery smile, but felt it didn’t quite come off. “That’s all there is to it. End of story.”

During their strained exchange, Becca could hear Sue talking on the phone, even though she couldn’t make out her words. Then she heard Sue cradle the instrument.

“Becca…I have sandwiches and a salad prepared and in the fridge for lunch,” Sue said in a rush as she approached the table. “And a chicken vegetable pie ready to go into the oven for supper.” She hesitated, smiled and rushed on. “Dr. Carter wants to see me…would it be all right with you if I went out for the night?”

Becca was already nodding her head, a smile shadowing her lips, certain Sue’s sudden attack of nerves could be attributed to John’s invitation…for the night, perhaps? The shadow materialized into a real smile at the thought. She had guessed Sue and John were interested in each other, and both were tiptoeing around making a bold move.

“Of course, I don’t mind. I’m tired, Sue, not half-dead. I’ll be fine.”

“Oh, thanks, sweetie.” Sue actually beamed. “I’ll just get my purse and—”

“Sue, wait a moment, please,” Seth said, interrupting her. “Before you leave, can you direct me to the closest motel or rooming house?”

“Rooming house!” Sue exclaimed. “Motel? I’ll do no such thing.” She swept the area with one arm. “Here’s this big house, and you’re thinking rooming house? Becca has the master suite down here, but there are four empty bedrooms upstairs.” She paused to breathe.

Becca jumped in. “Uh, Sue, I don’t think—”

“Now don’t tell me the owner will mind, honey,” Sue interrupted. “What that rich man doesn’t know won’t be hurting anyone.”

She glanced at Seth, who, to Becca’s way of thinking, appeared much too innocent-looking. “Now, before I leave, you go right out and get your gear from the car, then I’ll show you the place and you can take your pick of the rooms…all with their own bathroom, I might add.”

“Well…if you insist.”

Becca gritted her teeth at the humble note in his voice.

“I do.” Sue gave a definite nod of her head. “No, we do. Don’t we, Becca?”

No! Becca kept her lips tightly closed to contain the word of denial from bursting out of her mouth. “Yes,” she agreed, not too graciously. “We do.”

Seth smiled.

Had Becca been closer to him she might have smacked that victorious smile from his face. Wanting only to put some distance between them before she did something rash like face-smacking, she said, “Why don’t you get your bags so Sue can be on her way?”

He nodded, smile still in place. “Right.” Moving smartly, he headed for the door.

Becca heaved a soft sigh of relief. Still, Sue heard it. “You’re still tired. Why don’t you lie down for a bit? The sandwiches and salad will keep.”

“I’m fine, honestly.” This time Becca’s smile was genuine. “I promise if I start to feel any worse, I’ll rest.”

Sue smiled back. “Okay, and it might help if you’d eat a little something.”

“That sounds good to me,” Seth chimed in, strolling into the kitchen, suitcase in hand. “I haven’t eaten since early this morning.”

Hanging on to her fraying composure, Becca rose from the table, carrying the still full coffee cup. “Okay, you get settled in and I’ll serve lunch.”

“Good,” Sue said, heading for the archway into the dining room. “Follow me, Seth. I’m sure Mr. Moneybags won’t mind how long you stay.”

Oh, hell…hell…hell! Becca railed to herself. Just stay as long as you like, Seth. Have yourself a great time driving Becca to distraction.

Fuming, she dumped the now cold, bitter coffee into the sink and fixed a fresh pot. While the coffee brewed, she set about slapping place mats and napkins on the table, followed by plates for the sandwiches and small wooden bowls for the salads. She was setting the large bowl of mixed vegetable salad onto the table when Sue hurried back into the room.

“Seth will be down in a minute,” she said, grabbing her purse and heading for the door. “I’ll be leaving now…okay?”

“Yes, of course—go, Sue.” Becca made a shooing motion with her hand, managing a smile for her. “I’ll be fine. Dr. Carter is waiting.”

“Right.” Excitement glimmered in Sue’s eyes. “Uh…I don’t know when I’ll be…”

“Don’t worry about it,” Seth drawled, sauntering into the room. “I assure you, I’ll take good care of her.”

Sue grinned, and rushed out of the house.

Becca was simmering. Who in the world assigned Seth Andrews, boy-wonder surgeon, to take care of her? She was fully capable of taking care of herself, thank you.

Carefully setting the sandwiches on the plates, she tried to calm her rising ire, afraid if she didn’t she might explode all over the place, or him.

“Do you want a glass of water?” Becca avoided looking at him by turning to go to the cabinet where the glasses were kept.

“Yes, please.” There was a trace of hidden laughter in his tone.

“Why are you here anyway?”

“Why else—to check on you.”

The simmer was quickly turning into flaring temper. “Have a seat,” she said with false calm. Back in Philadelphia, she thought, rather nastily.

Lunch was hardly a pleasant chatty occasion. In fact it was eaten in absolute silence.

Out of pure contrariness, not thirst, Becca drank two cups of the fresh coffee, while simply nibbling at both her salad and sandwich.

Naturally, Seth serenely ignored her while eating every bit of his lunch…not to mention the half of sandwich she left on her plate.

To Becca’s further annoyance, he monitored every swallow of coffee she took.

“You know,” he said, too casually, “instead of gulping caffeine, you should be resting.”

Skirting the edge of serious anger, Becca glanced at him balefully. “Is that a professional or merely personal opinion, Dr. Andrews?”

He appeared unfazed by both her expression and sour tone of voice. “Both.”

“Well, you can take both opinions and jam—”

“Careful now, Rebecca,” he cautioned. “Let’s not get down and dirty here.”

Throwing her hands into the air, rather than her fist at his head, Becca shoved back her chair, stood and began clearing the table. “I don’t want to listen to you issuing orders or suggestions.” Carrying the dishes, she stopped halfway between the table and the sink to turn and face him. “You are not my boss here.”

“I am not trying to boss you around.” Seth shoved his chair back and circled the table to stand over her. Anger was beginning to color his voice. “Can’t you see I’m trying to help you?”

“No.” She gave a sharp shake of her head. “All I see is a man trying to tell me what to do and when to do it. Well, I’m tired of it.” Becca drew a quick breath, and ranted on, “I have been telling you I am fine. Why can’t you let it go at that?”

“Because you obviously aren’t fine,” he snapped back at her. “If you were fine you wouldn’t have damn near collapsed in John’s office.”

Although Becca was well aware that everything he was saying was true, she couldn’t admit it.

“Why don’t you just go get your bag and go back to Philadelphia, and leave me alone?” She spun to go to the sink and deposit the dishes. “You’re not my keeper, you’re a surgeon. Go back and save someone’s life, for heaven’s sake!” She turned again, away from him. Gently but firmly grasping her by the upper arm, he stopped her in her tracks.

“The way you’ve been pushing yourself, you need a keeper.” His voice had a ragged edge. Turning to face her, he clasped her other arm. “It might as well be me.”

“I don’t think so,” Becca retorted, a shiver rippling through her when he raised his hand to cradle her face. “You’re the last person…”

“Oh, Becca, shut up.” With that, he very effectively shut her up himself, by covering her mouth with his.