Mick stood as Paris came through the double doors.
The entire crowd turned her direction, waiting to hear the news.
“Amber gave birth to a beautiful baby boy,” Paris announced.
As everyone cheered, he walked next to her, placing his arm around her shoulders. “How is Ethel?”
“She’s doing great.” Paris turned to Sam and Patrick, who were sitting in the chairs closest to the double doors. “She’s wondering why you didn’t come back.”
Ethel’s husbands stood.
Sam shrugged. “We weren’t sure we were allowed to return without Doc’s permission.”
“Did you eat?” Paris smiled. “She was worried you wouldn’t.”
“We had some potato chips and some sodas from the machine,” Patrick said.
“Not quite the meal she was expecting you to get, but I suppose it will have to do.”
Dustin entered the room the same way Paris had and headed directly their way. “Fellas, I want to keep Ethel overnight.”
Sam asked, “What happened, Doc?”
“Just a case of low potassium.”
Mick listened as his brother gave the rest of his diagnosis and plan of treatment to Sam and Patrick. They seemed relieved that Ethel’s situation wasn’t serious.
Patrick sighed. “I’ve told her and told her about drinking that coffee.”
“It’s okay for her to drink some, Patrick, but not like she was.” Dustin’s eyes kept landing on Paris.
He’s obviously trying to wrap his head around me proposing to her.
Sam nodded. “Whatever you say, Doc. We’ll make sure Ethel follows every one of your instructions. My baby is going to take it easy for the next few days, that’s for sure.”
“Quite the task, but we’ll make sure it’s done if we have to tie her down to a chair.”
Paris smiled. “Let me take you back to her, gentlemen.”
Dustin grabbed both her hands, which shocked Mick and obviously also Paris, as her cheeks turned a bright red. His brother immediately released her and stepped back. “After you take them to Ethel, I want to see you in my office. We need to go over some paperwork together about the delivery of the Stone baby, okay?”
“Of course.” Paris led the O’Leary brothers through the double doors.
Mick wondered if there was more to Dustin’s request than just clinic business. Before he could get a chance to ask Dustin if he was right, Kelly came up.
“Doctor, we have another patient for you tonight. The guy is having stomach problems.”
“Where is he?”
She turned to the seat where the bearded man had been most of the night. It was empty.
“He’s gone,” she said. “Maybe he started feeling better.”
“Who was it?”
“No one from around here,” Mick told him. “I heard him telling someone he was scouting for land to purchase for an investor.”
“Did you catch his name?”