“You look good in pink.”
Dr. McBride had gone for pink uniforms, because she said it made people happy. Annabelle couldn’t argue with that, as she loved pink.
“You should see the dresses I’ve got for the wedding. Macy loaned them to me.”
“Annabelle, you really don’t have to come with me if you don’t want to. I’ll go by myself,” he added. “I can see now that you’re right. Hope wouldn’t have sent the invitation if she didn’t want me to attend.”
“I’m coming, especially since you’re paying for my flight.”
“Mercenary wench.”
Annabelle pulled a trolley across the room and began to check it had everything she needed. “Sue me.” She took the arm he had lying across his waist and laid it flat on the bed. “You okay?”
“Just not real big on blood, especially my own.”
His face had lost color as slowly she unwound the bandage Jake had wrapped around it.
“Weren’t you in Iraq with Jake?’
“I flew a helicopter.”
“And no one got into it with any blood on them?”
“Yes, Annabelle.” He said the words slowly, as if addressing a child. “But it was different then. Adrenaline and everything else kicked in and I didn’t notice it so much, plus it wasn’t my blood.”
“Okay, so if I want to bring you to heel, I just make one of us bleed?”
“Anytime you want to bring me to heel, honey, you just say the word.”
Even pale and shaky, with a decent slice in his arm, he could still made her pulse
flutter.
“Did they teach you that stuff when you got handed your first pair of cowboy boots?” Annabelle started cleaning around the injury, getting rid of the dried blood.
“What?” His eyes were focused on her, probably because he didn’t want to look down at his arm. Annabelle had treated many people like Ethan, people who hated the sight of blood.
“Talking like that.”
He smiled, but it was a long way off his usual style. “It’s a gift, Smith.” Then Annabelle ran some of the antiseptic wash over the cut and he hissed. “Ouch, Jesus, Annabelle!”
“Stop being a baby. It’s just a scratch.”
“Step aside, Annabelle. I got me a big needle.” She moved closer to the top of the bed as Jake arrived.
“You better at doctoring than her, McBride? Or do I have to call for your mom?”
“Annabelle’s a nurse, and she’s far more experienced in doctoring than me, but I’ll give it a shot just for you, bud.”
“I don’t feel so good,” Ethan whispered. He seemed to be losing even more color.
“Hey, Tomcat, how about if I take off my uniform? Will that help?” Annabelle bent over the bed so he could see only her, and not what Jake was doing.
“It may…some. Not promising anything, though.” He was sweating now, and breathing fast.
“Well, damn if the staunch Texan isn’t just a pussycat after all,” she said gently.
“You only just figuring that out, Annabelle? Damn, I’ve known him for years, and saw through him right from the start,” Jake said from over her shoulder.
