“I’ll go check on Charlie,” Dr. Branson said.
“Actually, Dr. Branson, I’d like to speak to you as well, if you’ll wait for a moment.” He turned to Eva. “Ms. Carpenter, I only wanted to ask if you have any idea why Ms. Best might think she was going to be sickly and weak and terribly scarred?”
“Uhmm... no. I don’t know. Maybe the Internet?”
“I don’t think Ms. Best has had time to do any research on the Internet,” said Dr. Sommers, with a shrewd smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m sure you would never say such things to a patient in the CCU, because I think you value your job here.”
“Yes, Dr. Sommers. I mean... No, I wouldn’t say anything like that.”
“That will be all, Ms. Carpenter.”
Eva glanced at Dr. Branson, who was regarding her with steely contempt. She slunk out of the room, knowing her opportunity was ruined. She whispered a curse. But she wasn’t one to give up easily. The seeds of a plan sprouted before she reached the end of the long hallway.
“SHE SCARED CHARLIE?” Josh pressed his hands against his legs to stop the shaking. He glared at the empty doorway as if his eyes could somehow follow Eva and slice her to pieces.
“I believe so. But Charlotte also seemed quite concerned you might be upset about her scars.”
“Why would she think that? Did Eva tell her that, too? I don’t care if she has scars on her chest. I wouldn’t even care if she had scars on her face.”
“I understand. And I’m sure you told her as much when you declared your love this morning. I assume you must have spoken about it, since she told me you were getting married.” Sommers pinned him with an already-familiar accusing stare.
“Yes, we did talk about getting married.” Why had he confided in Dr. Sommers? It must have been fatigue and hunger affecting his good judgment. “In fact, we’re getting married next month.”
“I see,” Sommers replied. “So she shouldn’t have any reason to be insecure.”
He suppressed a groan. This was going to be more complicated than he thought. “She has no reason to be insecure.”
“You see, she specifically asked me not to talk to you, because she said you would simply say it didn’t bother you even if it did. So I’m going out on a limb here, going against her wishes. But her parents heard her as well, and I assumed you’d hear about it from them. I just didn’t
want you to be blind-sided.”
“Thanks.” This wouldn’t help his case with Steven.
“I’ve authorized enough medication to keep her out of pain, but she’s hiding it. She thinks it’s a sign of weakness to need pain meds. And before you get angry about that, I’ll tell you I’m fairly certain no one else put this idea in her head. She came up with it all on her own.”
“Okay.” He wondered how he could help her overcome her stubborn streak for her own good.
“That means she’ll probably push herself physically before her body is ready. You’ll have to watch her.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“And Dr. Branson?”
“Yes, sir?”
“She’s a great girl.” He cocked his head and pinned Josh with a shrewd glare. “Don’t blow it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Chapter Fifteen
JOSH WAS LOSING HIS temper even as he struggled to keep a neutral expression. Derek laughed until his eyes watered. At least the others were trying to keep their amusement hidden. The entire group had been lounging around the house, waiting for Josh to arrive and give them the latest update on Charlie. Anne and Steven were still at the hospital, and Spencer and Emily were taking a turn during the afternoon.
“So now you and Charlie are getting married? Can I assume this means I no longer have permission to date her?” asked Derek.
“Shut up, Derek.”
Grace was grinning as she hugged him. “Congratulations, Josh. I guess this means we’re not going to be related after all.”