My Christmas Doctor

"Come on, we're both doctors here, do me a solid and give me the scoop," he replied. "She's got a tight little body, and those curvy hips, damn that female is fine."

"Stop acting like a high school punk. She's an intelligent woman, she doesn't need you hitting on her like some horndog jock." I folded my arms across my chest and glared at him.

"Fuck you, I was just asking for some info. You're probably already doing her, aren't you?" He glared back at me.

I raised my hand to get the waiter's attention, calling him over.

"Yes, sir?" he asked in confusion.

"I'm sorry, it seems the hospital needs me to return, may I have my order to go, please?"

"Of course, sir." He nodded. "I will inform the kitchen."

"Oh, come on, you don't have to leave—"

"You know what, Porter, I've had enough of you for today. And stay away from my patient."

"Or what?"

"Just leave her alone." I sighed.

The waiter returned with Michael's appetizer and my check. "Here is your bill, sir, would you care to settle this now?"

I handed him my credit card. "I'll just wait up by the hostess for it and my carryout. Thank you."

"As you wish, sir." He took my card and nodded. "We'll have it ready for you in a few moments."

"Thank you." I stood and pushed my chair in. "Nice to see you again, Porter. I hope we won't be seeing each other again for a while." I turned and left him to his food. I knew I should have eaten in the café. Not that The Capital Grille was subpar, it was far from it and I was very much looking forward to my sandwich and truffle fries.

As I waited, a vision of Jane entered my head, her lovely red locks flowing down her back and around her face, and I realized I'd become a little bit protective of her. I didn't want Michael Porter anywhere near her. Heck, I didn't want any other man near her.

"Here you are, sir. Thank you for dining with us today, I am sorry you have to rush off. Do enjoy your meal."

I took the bag from him. "I will, thank you." With that, I headed back to the hospital.Chapter 7JaneLara was back on duty that afternoon and took me for the MRI. I was anxious about it, torn between wanting to return home and wanting to stay because this was where Dr. Chase was. He'd been starring in my dreams since I'd first met him. I was having a massive hero-worshiping crush on the man. But who wouldn't? He was perfect. Kind, caring, smart, gorgeous… everything I wanted in my heroes.

"So, if this test comes out okay, it looks like you might be leaving us tomorrow," Lara said as she pushed my wheelchair down the hall.

I was so glad she'd brought that chair and wasn't moving the bed again. It made me feel like such an invalid. "That's what Dr. Chase said this morning."

"You know that you won't be finished seeing him though, right? Not with pericarditis, you'll have a battle on your hands making sure it doesn't return."

"Oh?"

She nodded. "Yeah, but I'm sure Dr. Chase will talk to you about it this afternoon if he hasn't already. He's really good like that. Making sure the patients are in good shape and know what they're supposed to do afterwards."

She pushed me into the room with the expensive equipment and then helped me onto the table so they could take the images. Once they finished taking the shots they needed, I got back in the chair and we returned to my room. I was so looking forward to that shower, I'd forgotten that I still had to wait for the results before they'd let me take one. Instead, Lara helped me back into bed and hooked me up to the monitor again.

"Just for a little bit, until Dr. Chase gets a chance to view your results."

I nodded as she left and then picked up the remote and found a show to watch, but before I could get into it, Ellie showed up to visit.

"Hey, how are you doing?" she said, coming into the room and hugging me.

"Hi, I'm doing better. Promise."

"I can't stay long, I got up early so I could come see you, have to be at Lenox in about an hour and you know traffic."

"You didn't have to come, I know how busy you are, El. You could have just called."

"I know, but I wanted to see you for myself." She smiled. "So, when are they letting you out? And what happened anyway?"

"Not sure a day or two, I guess. Anyway, you know I have been having those chest pains?"

"Yeah, the gastric reflux?"

"But it's not gastric reflux, apparently. Dr. Fletcher misdiagnosed me. It's pericarditis."

"Oh wow, that's serious." Ellie's mahogany brown eyes widened. "Who's the attending?"