Gina Wilkins - The Doctor's Undoing

Her breathing rasped in the quiet room, but her smile was impish when she saw that she had his attention. “How’s it going, cutie?”

He grinned. “Fine, thank you, Ms. McMillan. And you?”

“Still hanging in.”

“Is there something I can do for you?”

She crooked a bony finger at him, inviting him into the room. Thinking of the list of tasks his resident had given him to complete within the next hour, he entered. She was probably just a little lonely. As far as he had observed, Ms. McMillan had no family. She wasn’t one of the three patients he’d been assigned—she was Haley’s responsibility—but since he saw her every morning on team rounds, she wasn’t a complete stranger to him.

“How are you feeling?” he asked her.

She waved off the question impatiently. “Same as always. Must be better, though, they’re letting me out of here tomorrow.”

“That’s good to hear.” She would be back, he knew, and probably soon. It was obvious even to a third-year student that her health was deteriorating.

“How’s your life outside of work?” she asked, her gaze locked on his face. “You got a girlfriend?”

He chuckled. “No, ma’am, not at the moment. I don’t have time for one.”

“Nonsense. There’s always time for a personal life. Don’t let your job consume you.”

“I’ll try not to.”

“What about that other pretty medical student? Haley? She’s not seeing anyone, either. I asked her.”

“What about her, Ms. McMillan?”

“Why don’t you ask her out? I really like her.”

“Well, yes, so do I, but Haley and I are just friends.”

She waved her unsteady hand again. “My third husband was my best friend. Only one of my marriages that lasted. We’d still be married today if he hadn’t flipped over his tractor while he was mowing a steep hill. I lost him four years ago. Still miss the silly puns he was always coming up with.”

“I’m sorry about your loss, ma’am.”

She nodded, then shrugged. “Just shows, you have to make the most of every moment. Me and Joe did that. We had a good twelve years together.”

“I’m glad you have those nice memories of him. But Haley and I aren’t—”

She gave a wheezy laugh. “You’re thinking I’m a nosy old biddy, and you’re right. Ain’t like I’ve got anything else to do in here but watch the staff and speculate about their private lives. I like Haley. She’s a sweetheart. And since I’m leaving here tomorrow and neither of you are working this weekend, I probably won’t get another chance to meddle with the two of you.”

“Ms. McMillan—”

“Take my advice, young man. Give that one a chance. She’s a keeper.”

He smiled, both amused and unnerved by the woman’s persistence. He really did like kids and seniors, even when their artless observations startled him at times. “I’ll keep your suggestion in mind, ma’am.”

She nodded in satisfaction. “You do that.”

“I really have to get back to work. Is there anything you need before I go?”

“No. That silly girl will be in here in a few minutes. The nurse’s aide. Talks a mile a minute, and giggles between every other word. Good at her job, though,” she added grudgingly.

“Okay. Have a good night, Ms. McMillan. It’s been a pleasure to meet you. I hope you continue to do well after you return home tomorrow.”

She shrugged, an acknowledgment of what they both knew about her prognosis. “You’re a nice young man. You’re going to be a damned good doctor. Good husband material, too.”

Chuckling, he moved toward the door. He’d have to tell Haley about this conversation. She’d get a kick out of—

He stopped abruptly in the doorway. With a slight frown, he turned to the patient again. “Ms. McMillan, you haven’t said anything to Haley about this, have you? About her and me, I mean?”

He could tell the answer from her expression.

“I might have mentioned that you seem like a good catch to me. And that you might be interested in her, judging from the way you look at her.”

“Huh. Well, maybe you shouldn’t mention anything like that again. Okay?”

She shrugged. “I’m leaving tomorrow, anyway. Probably won’t see her again. Just thought I’d plant a seed in a couple of young minds before I go.”

Giving her a little wave of farewell, Ron left the room. He didn’t realize he was scowling as he stalked down the hallway until a young volunteer jumped out of his way, looking warily at him when he passed.

Smoothing his expression, he pushed Ms. McMillan’s words to the back of his mind. He had work to do now. But he would be having a talk with Haley before the night was over.

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