One Sure Thing (Mamma Lou Matchmaker Series) (10 page)

A continuous blast of air from the air conditioning vent directly above him, kept the unread newspaper flapping in his stilled hands. Gruff and grimy in appearance, his matted hair was a disastrous crop of black and gray, seemingly unkempt and uncombed for many days. He had a large suitcase near his dirty socked feet, which were very comfortably planted next to his pair of very new, very chic, very red, three-inch patent leather pumps and matching purse.

Raymond shook his head, not completely surprised by New York’s finest. Hospital waiting rooms were notorious for bedding the homeless and mentally ill nightly. Often forced back out onto the streets by security, they often returned, craving the relative safety of the hospital to the streets.

And yet, far be it for him to pass judgment on anyone, he thought as he wandered around the dimly lit hospital corridors at six o’clock in the morning. It wasn’t the oddest thing, but not exactly the most normal thing to do.

With relative ease, Raymond followed the directions exactly. But instead of finding himself in the cafeteria, he was headed directly to the doctor’s lounge. Hopeful to find a hot cup of coffee, he pushed through the doors and entered.

She had her hands cupped over the top of her head with her head bowed low into her chest. Soft gentle sobs of pain emanated from her obvious distress. In an instant her head bobbed up displaying anguish across her face. Her gasp of surprise was as heartbreaking as her still gently falling tears.

With little thought to the appropriateness of the situation Raymond found himself by her side within seconds. He embraced her lovingly and protectively wrapped his arms around her.

He leaned her head onto his chest. She conformed easily allowing his strength to still her. Raymond drew her closer and inhaled the sweetness of her scent. She smelled of clean fresh cotton and jasmine.

“I’m sorry,” Hope said as she tried to move away before she thoroughly embarrassed herself. She had misjudged his compassion. “This is totally unprofessional of me. I’m sorry.” Utterly and completely mortified by her show of weakness, she continued to apologize.

“What’s wrong, what can I do, how can I help?”

“Nothing’s wrong. I’m sorry,” she hiccupped and swallowed a sob while continuing to edge away from him.

“There’s obviously something wrong, tell me, what is it?”

“Nothing,” she sniffed away a falling tear then turned to the anxious man beside her. “Your grandmother will be fine.”

“I know that,” Raymond said indignantly, slightly insulted by her assumption that his only concern at that moment was for his own well being and that of his family. “My concern is for you. How can I help?”

Hope stared at Raymond for an instant. She was taken aback by his genuine concern, his ardent, almost passionate plea to help her. He was actually concerned about her feelings and her discomfort.
Why?
She wondered to herself with dubious curiosity.
What possible difference could her distress make to him?
Then, suddenly, an overwhelming sense of attraction swept through her.
Gasp.
She sat back and shook her head as if to dispel the odd feeling of attraction and fascination that had somehow snuck up on her.

Raymond watched closely enough to notice a sudden change in her facial expression. The uptight, embittered medical professional had turned from a sobbing heap to an aloof and guarded woman right before his eyes.

“Listen,” he said, speaking in the barest whisper, “whatever it is, whatever the problem, sometimes talking about it, talking to someone else, a friend maybe, makes a difference.” Raymond reached up to wipe the last fallen tear from her cheek. Her skin was soft, too soft. He smiled, openly assessing. “Sometimes even talking to someone you barely know, can’t stand, and just met after an argument in the hospital quiet room can be helpful.”

Hope suppressed the smile for as long as she could. But eventually, it forced its way free. It crept from a single corner, than spread wide across her full mouth until her entire face was lit by her radiance. Raymond’s touching slightly comical remark had somehow sparked hope into a dismal memory. Hope easily succumbed yielding to the charm Raymond so naturally exuded. Surrendering to this man would be too easy.

“I’m sorry for this, this...” she paused to consider her wording, “unprofessional...”

“Why do you keep apologizing?” Raymond questioned still sincerely concerned. “There’s no need to apologize.”

“It was unprofessional.”

“To show emotion isn’t unprofessional?” She remained silent.

“Do you want to tell me about it?”

She slowly shook her head.

“Okay.” He acknowledged her simple statement with acceptance.

Hope looked around the small room uncomfortably. Suddenly being this close was too close and she needed breathing room. She stood up suddenly taking Raymond by surprise. “The final tests results came in. Mrs. Gates experienced a serious allergic reaction to something she ingested.”

“I see. Do the tests indicate the catalyst?”

“No, I’ve ordered a comprehensive allergy test later today. I’ve already contacted admitting about an available room.”

“So you’re recommending she stays here?”

“Yes, her blood pressure is still elevated. Her cholesterol is borderline dangerous and her heart rhythm is a little erratic. I’d like her to stay at least a day for observation.”

Raymond walked over to the pot of newly brewed coffee on the side desk. He poured rich dark coffee into a Styrofoam cup. “I can have her transferred to Manhattan Medical within an hour.”

“Transferred?”

“Yes.” He took a sip of the hot brew then pulled his telephone from his jacket pocket and prepared to dial. Then closed it and looked for a landline.

“Why would you want to disturb her rest by transferring her to another facility?”

“Because it’s a better hospital and it’s my hospital.”

“Are you implying that Golden Heart is less than adequate?”

“I’m saying that I want my grandmother at Manhattan Medical, a hospital that I’m associated with where I can be sure that she’s receiving the best care and attention.”

“And exactly what do we administer to our patients here, Doctor, chopped liver?”

“That’s not what I said. I merely inferred that Manhattan Medical has doctors who are experts with this particular issue. Geriatric care can be complicated. Manhattan Medical has an extremely well-trained staff and they have a high level of expertise and experience. The doctors are less,” he paused to consider his wording, “
constrained.”

“That’s extremely generous of you,
doctor
,” she said sarcastically.

“Hey, I’m only speaking the truth. This facility is sorely lacking in many respects. Even my brief time here has shown me that.”

“So, not only are you questioning the quality of our care and concern, but you’re also degrading this facility.”

“You’re twisting my words.”

“You’re twisting your own words,” she replied sharply as she walked over to the door and angrily pulled it open. “When you decide to come down off of your high horse, let the rest of the world know. Until then, stay out of my way.” She stormed out of the room without a backward glance.

“How can anyone be so damn arrogant and pigheaded?” She mumbled as she breezed through the empty halls.

“And to think, I was just beginning to see him as a regular guy, then he goes and acts like a complete jerk by opening his mouth.”

Her mind still buzzed with Raymond’s remarks. She ranted and raved with each step, pounding her footsteps harder and harder as she went. Within minutes Hope rounded the corner that led her back to the ER. Just as she breezed through the main doors her arm caught and held. She looked down, and then whipped around to face Raymond. She looked down at his hand gently gripped around her arm.

Raymond let go instantly. “I’m sorry.”

Hope looked at him coldly. “For what? Your honesty?”

“It’s obvious now that some of my remarks were uncalled for. My behavior was unconscionable.”

“You could say that.”

“Look, I only want what’s best for my grandmother and her being in Manhattan Medical with me is what’s best.”

“Maybe you should ask her.”

“I don’t have to. I know what she needs.”

Hope took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You are a piece of work, aren’t you?”

“Maybe you should get to know me better and find out for yourself.” His brow rose ever so suggestively.

A proposition?
Hope questioned silently. She looked at him oddly.
He’s serious
.
Unbelieving,
she smirked, shook her head and walked toward the nurses’ station.

“Why you arrogant jerk.” She moved to walk away from him.

Raymond stepped in front of her. “Name calling is a bit childish don’t you think Doctor?”

“Get out of my way,” she said through gritted teeth.

Raymond smiled the genuine smile that always got him his way. The fire in her eyes had sparked something deep inside of him and he was enjoying every bit of it.

“I’ve got this uncontrollable urge to kiss you.”

Hope’s eyes grew wide with shock. She was utterly speechless. She blinked twice, blew out a deep completely exasperated breath, turned and marched back to the nurses’ station.

Raymond couldn’t help but smile. His suggestion had taken the confident Dr. Adams completely by surprise. The expression on her face was priceless. He looked over to the nurses’ station before entering his grandmother’s room. There was something about her. The indomitable spirit that came along with that wicked tongue made her interesting.

Raymond paused by the open doorway a few seconds before entering. He turned, and looked toward the nurses’ station. Hope looked up. They stared at each other a moment. His dimple winked, she quickly glanced away.

Raymond entered the room surprised to see his grandmother awake and smiling happily. She and Colonel Wheeler were talking quietly. “Come in dear, the orderly just left. My room is ready.” Louise looked up and smiled when Hope entered seconds later. “How am I doing doctor?”

Hope smiled and checked the monitors. “Your paperwork is complete. An orderly will be here in a few moments to take you to your room. “Do you have any questions?”

“No.”

“Good. Sit back and relax.” She helped Louise lay back in the bed. Cautiously, she looked up at Raymond who had been silently staring at her the entire time. Uncomfortable under his intense stare, she looked away quickly, and began to fidget with the machines.

Just then the orderly arrived. Hope breathed a sigh of relief and made a speedy exit. Thank God her shift was over.

Chapter Eight

Dr. Hugh Wescott stood at the window of his comfortable office and looked down at his surroundings. Trash, broken bottles, abandoned cars and dilapidated houses greeted him at every turn. He hated the view and he hated everything associated with his situation.

He had been assigned to head the ER at Golden Heart for one reason. He was being punished for his lackluster performance at his last hospital.

He looked far off into the distance. Beyond the hospital complex was a single six-floor building that connected to the four-level parking garage, which was situated on a few acres of less-than-prime real estate. Surrounded by a poor, working class neighborhood, the hospital was more than slightly rough around the edges. Yet what it lacked in charm, the neighborhood more than made up in civic spirit.