His brows jump up. “Those Coopers don’t waste time, do they? I thought you’d only been in town for just over a month?”
Knowing Sutton the way I do, he could’ve had me over a decade ago if I’d known he existed.
A sheepish smile curves my lips. “Yeah. I’m seeing Sutton.”
“The man moves quick. Then again, when that family knows, they know.” He sighs and shakes his head.What doesthatmean?“Right, I’ll take you to his room. He was sleepin’ earlier but he should be awake now.”
“Thanks, Derrick. I hope you know you can call me at any time if you have concerns. I understand he wants me to be discreet and I’ll honor that, but I can be here within twenty minutes. Any time of the day, for any reason. Even if it’s just for peace of mind. OK?”
“Thanks, Blair. I appreciate that. My family will too. When Em gets home, it’ll be the first time we’ve all been under the same roof in years.”
And isn’t it ironic that those circumstances sound very similar to a certainotherfamily I know…
“I’m fine,” Sully grumbles from where he sits in an armchair in the living room. Derrick was just as shocked as I was when we walked through the entryway and heard the tell-tale hacking cough coming from the living area. “Didn’t need to trouble yourself with a house call.”
Walking into the room, I place my bag on the floor next to his chair before straightening and holding my hand out to shake his. “Good afternoon, Mr. Wilson. It’s nice to meet you.”
He looks me up and down, taking me in from head to toe before sliding his palm against mine and pulling it back again. “You’re George’s niece. He speaks highly of you.”
“I’m Blair. We spoke on the phone earlier.”
“I’m sick, not senile, missy,” he grumbles, muttering sorry when a growl rumbles from his son behind us.
I smile and pick up my bag again, taking it with me to the chair closest to where Mr. Wilson is situated. “It’s nice to meet you anyway.”
He eyes me skeptically, a snort escaping his dry lips. “Sorry, doctor. You’ll have to forgive me for not believin’ that. We can skip the niceties if you like.”
I cock my head with a smirk. “I will if you will,” I stage whisper, earning a startled laugh.Win one for me!
His tired eyes crinkle at the sides. “Deal. George said you’re a cardiologist?”
“I sure am. Not as much since I’ve been working at the hospital here, but I’m wondering if that’s because all of the patients needing my help are hiding away at home.”
Sully’s lips twitch. “Hate hospitals.”
“A lot of people do,” I say, deciding it’s high time we get this party on the road. “OK, Mr. Wilson. First thing first. Are you happy for your son to stay here while I examine you? Or would you like him to leave?”
“Can’t get the boy to do anythin’ he doesn’t want to.” His lips twitch. “He’s almost as stubborn as I am.”
“That’s a big call, Dad,” Derrick replies.
Sully coughs, the harsh congested sound cutting through the air. “I ain’t lyin’ though, am I?”
Grabbing my stethoscope out of my bag, I hook it around my neck before pulling out my portable pulse oximeter and hovering it over his hand.
“Let’s check your heart rate and oxygen levels first, then I'll listen to your chest. But going by looks alone, I’m going to hazard a guess that you’ve done a bit too much today?”
“You a psychic, Blair?” Derrick quips. “Or just a mind reader? He’s always doin’ too much.””
I quirk a brow at Sully. “You going to deny it, Mr. Wilson?”
“No point when my boy will rat me out anyway,” he grumbles.
“That’s very true,” I say with a wink. “Besides, I can tell the truth anyway, so there’s no point wasting your energy on lying.”
“You sure you’re a doctor?” Sully asks. “Cause you ain’t like any doctorsI’veseen before.”
His pulse is a little high and I make a note of it. It’s not enough to insist on emergent care but given his pallor, breathing, and just my instincts, I know things aren’t trending in the right direction. I’ll have confirmation of my suspicions in a moment.
