Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 75240 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75240 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
“No,” I finally decided. “Nothing against y’all or anything, but Elise doesn’t really like anybody but my brother, my mom and me. She’s super picky, and I would hate for her to hate you before she even knew you.”
I heard PD’s chuckle over the phone, and then another chuckle inches away from my face.
My eyes automatically flew to the head of the bed, and my heart warmed.
“Gotta go,” I said to PD. “Sleeping beauty just woke up.”
I put the phone down on the bed between Bowe’s legs, and leaned over him.
“You know my name?” I asked.
He blinked.
“Angie.” I reminded him.
He blinked again.
“Are you in pain?” I questioned.
Two blinks.
“No?” I asked. “You had a breathing tube down your throat yesterday, so it might be kind of painful to talk.”
He blinked once.
“Thought so. Do you want some water?” I asked.
“Yes,” he croaked, then winced as the words fell from his lips.
I looked down at Elise to make sure she was still securely in place, and then up to Bowe.
“I’m going to go tell your nurse that you’re awake and get you some ice and water,” I said, reaching down for Elise.
“Leave. Her.” He cleared his throat. “Please.”
I grinned. “Okay.”
Hesitantly, I backed out of the room.
I didn’t fully leave it until he placed his large hand on her chest, then smiled.
That’s when I left. But I did it quickly, unsure if he’d fall back asleep at some point while I was gone and be unable to keep his eyes on her.
“Excuse me,” I stopped at the nurses’ station. “Mr. Tannenbaum is awake. Room 2332.”
The woman looked up, saw me, and stood.
“Okay,” she grinned. “I’ll let his nurse know.”
“Thanks,” I muttered.
Then I walked to the door where hospitality was located for the nurses and aids to use, pulled my badge from my pocket, and walked inside.
It may not be my floor, but all nurses, aids and doctors had access to the hospitality room on every floor. It was easier that way.
Other than the one ugly look from the nurse that was inside, I got the ice and water without any trouble and hurried back in the direction of Bowe’s room.
I came to a halt when something flew my way, ducking just in time to miss the incentive spirometer—a device that was used to ensure that you took deep breaths so you didn’t catch pneumonia for those patients bed ridden or post-surgery—from knocking me in the head.
“Go away!” Bowe bellowed. “She’s not leaving.”
I blinked, then hurried back in the room to see the nurse huddling in the corner, her eyes wide and fearful.
“Bowe!” I snapped loudly. “What’s your deal?”
Bowe’s eyes flicked to mine; instantly his defensive posture relaxed.
He was sitting straight up in bed, his eyes wide and filled with something that I couldn’t quite decipher.
In his arms was a still sleeping Elise. She looked comfortable and peaceful, content as only a baby with no troubles in the world could be.
Bowe’s swollen head and face fell back against the bed with a soft thump, and I winced when a moan left him.
“Owww,” he moaned.
I hurried to his bed and took Elise from him, setting her down in the stroller that was leaned back, allowing her to sleep there whenever she might have need of it.
And I figured now she had need of it.
I couldn’t hold her and still get in the middle of whatever had just happened to Bowe and the nurse.
Once securely inside, strapped in and all, I pushed the stroller to the side of the room, covered her with the blanket that was hanging from the canopy, and turned back around.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“She tried to tell me that I couldn’t have the baby. That I needed to give her over.”
My brows rose as I turned to the nurse.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “That’s my fault. I shouldn’t have left her.”
Bowe waved his hand as if to clear the apology out of the air.
“It’s okay,” he said. “Wasn’t a big deal like she made it out to be.”
“It’s hospital policy to…”
Bowe turned his glare back on her.
“How about you leave?”
“Bowe!” I started forward. “She’s your nurse, not some lady you yell at. How about you let her take a look at you and check to make sure everything’s all right. You had brain surgery for God’s sake.”
Bowe’s brow rose as I spoke, and kept rising until I was finished.
“I had brain surgery?” he asked in surprise.
I nodded my head.
“You did,” I confirmed. “A big one, in fact.”
Bowe’s eyes drifted to the side of the room when Elise made a random whine, then settled back down again.
“She’s a beautiful baby,” he croaked. “I didn’t think they were pretty as babies.”
I blinked in confusion.
“Didn’t think they were pretty? Why?”
He shrugged. “Do I have kids?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know.”
That’s about when it struck me as wrong. Something—and I didn’t know what—was wrong. He seemed to know me just fine, but shouldn’t he know if he had kids or not?