When the man himself turned and gave her a megawatt smile that, despite her anger, had her knees shaking just a bit beneath her warm blanket, she strengthened her resolve. Locking her knees into place, she sent another glare his way—this one not cold, but guaranteed to melt steel—and felt a smidgen of satisfaction as his movie-star smile faltered again and he stood there looking unsure what to do next.
“Yes, Dr. Whitman. Her grandmother has been called.”
“I’ll go ahead and release you, Ms. Banks, but I need you to get plenty of rest over the next few days. Make an appointment with your general practitioner as soon as possible.”
He spoke while scribbling on his pad, clearly avoiding her eyes. Of course, she could look away from him, too. But she was trying to prove something to herself—that he didn’t affect her.
“I’ll send a prescription to the pharmacy in case the pain is too much in a few hours.” With that, he walked from the room.
“Good riddance,” she muttered, causing the nurse to turn and look at her as if she’d sprouted three heads. “Oh come on, he’s not that great,” Sage snapped, and the woman turned and left, probably chasing down Spence to tell him their patient clearly had brain damage.
“Sage!”
Sage turned to find her grandmother in the doorway, sporting red cheeks and tears in her eyes. “Hi, Grandma . . .”
“Oh, sweetheart, I’ve been so worried.” Bethel rushed to the bed and sank down in the chair next to it, grasping Sage’s hand.
“I’m fine, Grandma. It was only a little accident. They were just being thorough, that’s all.”
“I don’t think we should take you home. What if something terrible is wrong and we don’t find out until it’s too late?”
“I promise you that I’m virtually unscathed despite all the drama. And nothing could possibly make me feel better than some of your special hot chocolate and a full night’s rest.” Sage was desperate to get out of this bed and out of this hospital. She’d be here plenty beginning next week, when her residency began. At least due to this experience she’d be more understanding when her patients began feeling restless. Maybe all medical staff should have to be patients before treating anyone.
“Of course, darling, if you really think you’re safe to leave, then I’ll take good care of you. Eileen, Maggie, and I can take shifts so you aren’t alone for a single minute.”
Still, Bethel didn’t look reassured. Sage would have to try really hard not to wince as she was leaving. The thought of her grandma, Maggie, and Eileen hovering over her nonstop was enough to send her blood pressure shooting through the roof. Hardly the best way to get some rest.
The aches were starting to set in and she suspected that she’d have a rough few days of it. But it wasn’t as if she hadn’t been sore before. She’d just have to grit her teeth and bear it.
“Could you go ask the nurse about my clothes while I use the bathroom?”
“Certainly, sweetie. I’ll be right back.”
Bethel left the room and Sage climbed slowly from the bed. To her surprise, she had to stand there gripping the bar on the side. Her head had begun spinning, and the resulting nausea forced her to take several deep breaths to avoid passing out. When the nausea went away and she took her first steps, pain sliced down her spine. Nope. The next few days weren’t going to be fun. At least her residency didn’t start for a week.
That would give her plenty of time to study up on her specialty, emergency medicine, while she was recuperating. She was actually looking forward to it. When it came to books, Sage was a pro. She had an incredible memory, which in medical school, at least, was an advantage. In love, not so much.
But there was no time to dwell on romance, or in her case, lack of romance. She’d signed up for years of school and continuing education when she’d decided to be a doctor. She didn’t regret that decision. It was just that seeing her old crush after all these years was messing with her head.
No. It couldn’t be that. Her head must still be foggy from the wreck. Yes, that was it, she assured herself. Her grandmother returned promptly and handed her the clothes, then gave her privacy as she put them on very, very slowly.
Home, hot chocolate, and bed. That was all she needed. Sure it was, her mind said mockingly, but Sage quickly shut off that traitorous thought and then sat and waited for her grandmother’s return. In a few days she’d be right as rain . . .
“I can’t believe you’ve been in town for two days already and you haven’t called me. I thought I was your best friend.”
The ridiculously beautiful Grace Sinclair glared at Sage from the doorway of the small bedroom at her grandmother’s house.
Rest just wasn’t going to happen, not with what felt like everyone she’d ever met since moving here at the age of four showing up and wishing her well. If one more person held her hand and told her how sorry they were, she’d give them a reason to be sorry. All right, she could admit how petty and unappreciative that sounded, and she was thankful that she’d never said such a thing aloud.
“It’s so great to see you, Grace. I can’t believe it’s been almost a year,” Sage said, guilt consuming her that she’d let so much time go by without even a phone call to her dearest friend. “I guess the only excuse I can come up with is the last year of medical school was grueling and I barely found time to breathe, much less speak to anyone outside of the classroom.”
“I don’t care about any of that. I’ve just missed you like crazy, darling. I can’t believe, number one, that you were moving back home and didn’t bother telling me, and then, number two, that you get in a near-fatal car crash and still don’t feel I’m worth a phone call.” Grace’s long fingers sat stiffly on her shapely hips, and her dark brown eyes shot fire.