But part of her success, part of the reason her patients did so well and their parents always returned to her, was that she knew how to make it seem as if she was on top of a situation. She knew how to make them think that she had all the answers even before the questions were formed. Knew how to make them feel confident.
She wished she could say the same for herself. It was all a ruse. She supposed that gave her something in common with magicians and actors.
Thats no excuse, she told him tersely. Youre here to assist and learn our way of doing things. She fisted her hands at her waist as she looked up at him. He was a good ten inches taller. Or dont you think you need to?
The fire in her eyes had him feeling nostalgic despite the sharpness in her voice. There was a time when he would have warmed himself at that fire, rather than feel it as a threat. I know better than to be lured into a fight with you, Alix.
She resisted the temptation to tell him to call her Dr. DuCane. She wanted no more familiarity between them than was absolutely necessary. Oh, really? I wouldnt have thought you knew anything about me at all.
Terrance looked around for someplace more private. Look, I
Whatever he had to say, she didnt want to hear it. There was nothing that could be said to whitewash what had happened six years ago.
Why dont you make yourself useful and take the patient to Bed K? It was not a suggestion, but an order, issued crisply. Ill be around if you need me.
Terrance remembered how she used to say that to him when they were studying for their MCATS. Shed always been the better student. The familiar phrase brought a smile to his lips. Just like old times.
Her eyes narrowed. Nothing at all like old times, she informed him tersely. Bed K, she repeated, pointing toward the general area as she walked away. The nurse said he has projectile vomiting, so Id stand clear if I were you.
As Alix rounded the desk at the nurses station, Wanda made a comment. Seems to be sparks flying between you and that new miracle worker.
Alix punched her ID into the computer. A screen popped up, and she began a search for information she needed to treat one of the patients shed
admitted early this morning.
God, this was all she needed, hospital gossip. No sparks, Wanda.
The woman snorted. Didnt look that way from where I was standing.
Alix slanted a quick glance in her direction. Then Id say that you were obviously standing in the wrong place.
Yes, Doctor. Wandas tone was sing-songy and falsely deferential.
Alix looked up from the screen, flashing a contrite smile. Sorry, Wanda. I didnt mean to snap.
No, Wanda readily agreed, you didnt. Need to talk?
That was the last thing Alix wanted to do. The less said about Terrance, the better. No.
But Wanda wasnt put off. Cocking her head, she crossed her arms before her ample chest. Ive got three kids and a passel of grandkids, Doctor D. I know when someone needs to talk.
Alix looked at her for a long moment, then sighed. Maybe I cant.
Now thats different, the older woman allowed. I can understand that. She gave Alixs shoulder a maternal pat. But dont hold it in too long, Dr. D., or youre liable to explode. And Im not cleaning up that mess when you do. Her pseudo-serious warning faded as she studied Alix. Something was most definitely going on here. She was far too good a judge of human nature not to notice. In case youre wondering, he seems to have a good bedside manner.
No. Alixs fingers flew over the keyboard. I wasnt wondering.
From the way Wanda smiled, it seemed she was willing to bet that Alix knew all about Terrance McCalls bedside manner firsthand.
I meant with your patients father. Just because they issue someone a stethoscope doesnt mean they know how to handle people. Sometimes the best medicine they can dispense is a dose of hope, even if theres not much available.
Alix nodded dismissively. Wanda was right. A good bedside manner was a much-underrated ability. But right now she wasnt willing to give Terrance any accolades, deserved or otherwise. Finding what she needed on the computer, she made a mental note and logged off.
Youve got my number if you change your mind, Wanda called after her.
That made two people whod offered her a shoulder to cry on, she thought, walking away. Not that she was going to take either of them up on it. Shed cried herself out a long time ago. There were literally no tears left. Not for anything.
If there had been, she would have shed them for the little girl shed worked on.
Since the turmoil in the E.R. had gone down a notch after Reese had taken Wendy Carey up into surgery, Alix decided that it wouldnt hurt anything to stop by the small chapel on the premises before she went on with her duties.
And maybe it would even help a littleboth her and the little girl. Involuntarily her thoughts turned to Terrances sudden reappearance. She could do with a little something extra on her side right now.
So hows it going?
Rounding a corner, Terrance stopped short. Hed almost walked directly into a dark-haired, cocky-looking orderly wielding a cart of empty lunch trays.