Radclyffe - Crossroads

“I do. I think the size of the room still fits with the interior layout, but there’s plenty of work space and that window overlooking the yard is especially nice.”

“Good.” Hollis hadn’t entertained before and only her family had seen the house. Annie’s remarks made all the hard work worth it.

“Can I do anything?”

Hollis shook her head as she assembled ingredients. “No, but I forgot to ask if you wanted coffee.”

“I’ve already had more than my quota for the day. Would you happen to have sparkling water?”

“In the fridge.” Hollis inclined her head. “If you don’t mind, you’ll find a few bottles of Saratoga water. You can open one for each of us.”

Annie jumped off the stool and retrieved the water from the fridge. She twisted off the tops and set one of the bright blue bottles next to Hollis. Sipping the effervescent water, she watched Hollis, relaxing despite her vow to remain on guard. Hollis worked quickly and efficiently, no surprise. She sliced mushrooms and broccoli with precise, swift movements, grated cheese with a few long, even strokes, and mixed it all together with eggs she whipped in a crockery bowl.

“Do you operate like you cook?”

“Hmm?” Hollis shot her a questioning look.

“Fast and efficient?”

Hollis grinned. “I don’t do any general GYN surgery, so when I do operate it’s almost always an emergency. So I guess the answer is yes. Speed and efficiency on my part means a better outcome for mother and baby.”

“I can’t help thinking it must be a little bit of a letdown to have to deliver the baby surgically. I mean, I love that moment when the baby emerges and I can lift her up and pass her onto the mother’s breast.”

Hollis stopped chopping and regarded Annie contemplatively. “What do you think is the most exciting moment in a delivery?”

“That’s a very difficult question. I think mothers really remember—”

“I meant for you.”

Annie drew a breath and took her time. She didn’t feel as if she was being tested, but the question tested her nevertheless. How much of every birth was for her? How much of what she did was about her personal pleasure, and not the patient’s? Questions she wasn’t sure she wanted to answer. But, in the interest of their fragile truce, she tried. “For me, the greatest joy is when the baby takes his first breath. Then I know my part is over and the rest of his life is about to begin.” Hollis was watching her intently, and she wondered what her answer revealed about her. “I don’t imagine you have an opportunity to savor the birth, do you? When you’re operating?”

“Most mothers come to me because they have complications or are at risk to develop complications, so a large percentage of my births are surgical. You’re right about that.” Hollis fired up the gas flame under the cast-iron skillet. “But, believe it or not, I do more vaginal deliveries than C-sections.”

That wasn’t a topic Annie wanted to reopen just now. She was enjoying their unexpected connection too much to spoil it. “So? What do you like best?”

“I guess when it’s all over, and I know I’ve done the best I can do and both of them are okay.” Hollis shrugged. “Guess we’re not so very different after all.”

“Maybe not.” Annie rose to take one of the plates with the perfectly turned omelet and half a toasted bagel. “But then, we haven’t even begun to find out, have we?”

Chapter Six

At the sound of a familiar voice just outside her cubicle, Honor paused in the middle of giving discharge instructions. The deep, throaty timbre was unmistakable and never failed to stir her. Refocusing on her young patient and his mother, she said, “And no swimming while that cast is on, all right?”

“What will happen?” the six-year-old asked, his eyes alight with some inner vision Honor was afraid to contemplate. She sensed a wily mind at work.

“The cast will fall off and your mom or dad will have to bring you back here so I can put on a new one.”

“Will it hurt?”

“Not if the cast stays on. Your wrist needs to rest so it can heal.”

“Like a nap?”

“Sort of.”

“I’m too big for a nap.”

“I see that. Which is why we made it so just your wrist can sleep.”

“I almost made it to the top of the jungle gym. Julie and I were racing. She usually wins but I’m getting faster.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Honor saw the mother’s resigned shake of her head and sympathized. “I imagine you’ll catch her one day soon, but no climbing until you’re better. You need two hands on the jungle gym, right?”

“Yeah.” His bright, lively eyes scanned the room as if searching for new challenges.

“Okay, we’re done.” She smiled at his mother. “He should be fine tonight. If his fingers swell more than they are now or the cast starts to look tight, you should bring him back so we can adjust it.”

“Does he need a sling?”

“The nurses will give him one when you leave,” Honor said, “but don’t rely on it. Just remind him not to dangle it, and prop his forearm up on a couple of pillows when he goes to bed.”

“And if he gets it wet?” the mother whispered when her son wandered over to the enclosing curtain and stuck his head out.

“As long as he doesn’t soak it, it will probably be fine, but let’s make that our secret.”

“Absolutely. Thanks so much.”

“You’re very welcome.” Honor signed off on the paperwork and handed it to the mother. “Schedule an appointment in a month with an orthopedist. They’ll take off the cast and x-ray his wrist. Until then, there’s nothing you have to do unless for some reason you’re concerned. Then by all means, make a follow-up appointment earlier.” She squeezed the boy’s shoulder. “You be careful, now.”

“Thanksbye.” The boy raced out through the curtain and the mother hastily pulled it aside to follow.

Honor listened to the thump of running footfalls, marveling at the resilience of children. The curtain twitched aside again, and she expected the mother to return, but she was mistaken. Her heart gave a little jump as Quinn stepped in and closed the curtain.

“Hi.” Quinn kissed Honor a little longer than necessary for hello. “Busy?”

Honor traced the edge of the vee in Quinn’s scrub shirt, letting her fingers drift over the skin of Quinn’s chest. No matter how many times she touched her, she was still astounded by the miracle of loving her. “Steady, all pretty routine. What are you doing down here?” She mentally sorted through the list of patients up on the board and couldn’t remember one that might need a trauma consult. “Did something come in just now? I didn’t hear an alert.”

“No.” Quinn slid an arm around Honor’s waist, rested her hips against the treatment table, and tugged Honor close. “Just wanted to steal a minute with you.” She kissed her again.

Laughing, Honor rested her cheek on Quinn’s shoulder. “You can steal as many minutes as you want, but you’ll have to collect them at home tonight.”

“Hmm,” Quinn said, resting her chin on top of Honor’s head. “I’ve got karate practice with Arly tonight, remember?”

“That’s right. And Jack has a sleepover at Robin and Linda’s. I promised I’d take the early shift in case he wants to come home.”

“So there goes the night.”

Honor kissed Quinn’s throat. “There’s always later-later.” Quinn chuckled, the vibrations spreading through Honor’s cheek and settling somewhere south of her diaphragm. Even contemplating their lack of alone time made her happy, when it was family time taking up the evening. “I love you.”

Quinn stroked Honor’s hair. “I love you too. I should let you get back to work.”