“Slip off your shirt, please. I’d like to see the skin where you’ve got holesin your shirt.”
He did as asked and the doctor made a few grumbling soundsthen stood up.
“I think you’ll live,” she joked, her smile wide. “You’ve got a few minor burns and cuts. I’ll send in a nurse to clean them up. You’ve also got a possible concussion. Slight, but I’d like to keep you here for observation for a short while. Mostly because you lost consciousness. If everything looks good, we could send you home by dinner time.”
“Is that necessary?”
“Humor me,” she said. “I’m going to assume your friend will have a similar treatment.”
“Could we share a room?” He winked at the doctor and grinned.
Laughing, she answered, “Probably not, but don’t give me any more hassle and I might be able to get them near each other. Let me gocheck on her.”
A few minutes later a nurse walked in with a tray holding ointment and bandages. “Your friend, Ms. Silva, is still being treated at the moment. The doctor’s recommending a few hours of observation. Most likely she’ll be sent upstairs in a short while. She’s been askingabout you too.”
If Heather had time to worry about him then she must not be too bad off. A weight lifted from his shoulders. As the nurse finished with some of the wounds on his back,Jack showed up.
“Scott? Are you all right? I drove past Heather’s house on the way here and there’snothing left.”
“We got out right before it blew.”
“How’s Heather? Callie wanted to come, but we couldn’t get a sitter this quickly. I told her I’d call as soonas I saw you.”
“Heather’s still being treated. Guess we’re both getting watched for a bit. There’s no reason for it. I’m good to go.”
Jack glared at him. “You were both almost blown up. Let them keep an eye on you for a while.”
An orderly walked in pushing a wheel chair and Scott groaned. “I do not need that. I’m perfectly capable of walking.”
“Sorry, sir, hospital regulations.” The man maneuvered the chair next to the bed but Scott refused to allow him to help. Even when the room did a little dance and spun around.
“Let me call Callie to tell her I’ll be a few hours.” Jack pulledout his phone.
“No. I don’t need you sitting, watching me. Go home. I’ll call you when I need a ride.” Hopefully his truck hadn’t been damaged too badly, as it’d been farther away from the house. Heather’s car had looked totaled under all theflaming debris.
Jack raised an eyebrow and Scott pointed out the door. Jack left and Scott had to sit through the embarrassment of being wheeled down the Emergency Room hall. As they passed another room he heard Heather’s voice and put his foot down tostop the chair.
“Mom, Dad, I do not need you hanging around while I rest. You’ll be wasting your time and I’ll feel like I have to entertain you.” You had to love her argument.
“But dear—”
“No, Mom, I’m a big girl. I can handle this. You heard the doctor. I’m fine. It’s simply a precaution. I’ll call if I needa ride later.”
Heather’s wheelchair rolled out and her face lit up when she saw him.
“You’re all right?”
“Same as you, it seems. Observation.”
Scott held out his hand and nodded at the orderly who rolled him down the hall. Heather’s orderly followed beside them. She now wore a scrub top that snapped up the front. Her shirt must have been more damaged than his.
In the elevator the two orderlies looked at each other and said,“Fifth floor.”
“I bribed the doctor to put us close together,”Scott told her.
“Bribed or flirted?” She chuckled though her eyes seemed blank somehow. “I saw your doctor was a woman. I’m sure there was a little charm involved.”
“Are you saying I’m charming?” God, he would love herto think that.
