After those docs patched me up I recuperated on my own at the ranch. Anyway, the Lonesome Road, my ranch, is well named. Its two hundred acres in the middle of nowhere. He gestured with his hand and once again the IV lines rattled. Someone like you would get bored there before a day passed.
She began backing toward the door. Seeing the shape he was in she probably shouldnt take personally his reluctance to hire her. After shed taken over from Lola as the only private duty nurse in the ranch community around Abilene, her jobs were mostly caring for ranchers or their wives following simple surgeries. There was Tom Parker, whod been gored by a bull and gangrene had set in. Besides nursing shed done their cooking so Toms wife could get their cattle to market. She could handle McNabbs job.
To be honest she felt rattled over the possibility of working for the fancied McNabb brother. Someone who had matured and had definitely gotten more muscular. Even amid all his casts and bandages, and with the scruff of a five oclock shadow, Rio McNabb was still handsome as sin. Had he become better looking than Ryder? The deeper questionwas he nicer?
Quickly contemplating what itd be like to share his home if it was as remote as he indicated, all while handling his most intimate needs, left her thinking this was probably a bad idea.
She was almost out the door when Rio called, Hey. In high school, did you date my brother?
The pain caused by that query even so many years later sent Binney spiraling in anger. But, loath to admit that his brother had stood her up, she stepped fully into the room again. Are you kidding? I never garnered Ryders attention, although it wasnt for the lack of my hoping to.
Rio might have responded, but Nurse Murphy came into the room and stopped to greet Binney. Hey, hello. Hows Raenell Foster? I heard you were taking care of her after her heart attack. What a shock. Shes my age, you know. And she was never an ounce overweight. Nothing like me, the woman said, patting her ample girth.
I completed my stint at the Fosters. Binney glanced at her watch. In fact Im filling a few shifts in ER until another outside job comes up. Im working three to eleven tonight. Guess Id better go grab the elevator to keep from clocking in late. She dredged up a smile for Rio then peeled off the sterile gloves and gown shed donned to enter ICU.
Gertrude Murphy shot a furtive glance between her patient and Binney. Oh, so you two are friends. She broke into a wide smile. Or more than friends? I forget you younger nurses have lives outside of the hospital. If you two are dating, feel free to stop back anytime.
Binney choked. Were not friends. Dr. Layton thought Mr. McNabb might have need of home nursing once hes dismissed from here. She wadded up her used gown. He doesnt think hell require home care.
Of course he will. Gertrude made a face. Waitll the morphine wears off and we try to get him up to see if he can manage crutches. The tougher these cowboys are, the harder they go down. Youd better keep in touch.
Im not deaf, Rio exclaimed, gray eyes thunderous. And I dont think I said for sure I wouldnt need help, only that I didnt want it. Dr. Layton or the resident said theyd be back to check me this evening. Earlier I wasnt thinking straight. Now I have some definite questions for the doctor as to my prognosis. So, Binney...er, Nurse Taylor, keep in touch, okay?
She felt a childish urge to stick her tongue out at him. Instead she inclined her head, and murmured to Gertrude, The hospital has my phone number and ER schedule. With that, she spun away, dumping everything in the trash receptacle situated right outside his room.
It doesnt sound as if you made a very good impression, Gertrude chided, marching to Rios bedside.
He scowled all the way through her taking and logging in his vital signs. He practically growled when she pulled a syringe from the deep pocket of her uniform. No more shots for pain.
Dr. Layton ordered a shot every three hours through tomorrow. Then hell reevaluate.
The stuff you give me knocks me out cold.
She grinned. Thats the point. Sleep facilitates healing. Come on. Dont make me call in an orderly to hold you down.
Rio noticed pain had begun to seep back. Is there a reason I need to sleep sitting up?
You had a collapsed lung. You dont want it deflating. I expect if all sounds good later, your surgeon will give us leeway to adjust the head of your bed. Between a tightly taped clavicle, a neck brace and recovering from a pneumothorax, sleeping reclined for the time being is preferable. Has anyone suggested you order a hospital bed to use at home?
Yes. His
scowl deepened.
So is that what you and Binney were fussing at each other about?
Were we fussing? Rio didnt care to tell a friend of Nurse Taylors that his irritation at the younger nurse centered on the fact shed all but admitted to lusting after Ryder. Not that he wasnt used to women flocking around his more flamboyant twin, like bees buzzing over a flowerpot. He wondered when it had started bothering him so much. Possibly when he heard admiration for his twin falling from the kissable lips of the attractive blonde nurse with the striking green eyes. Those eyes were memorable, and yet he couldnt place her. Damn!