Chapter 12 #2
Her mouth quirked up at the edges. “Little thingies? I’ve never heard it put that way.”
“I don’t know the exact definition but I got the gist.”
“It’s a small metal or plastic tube. But yes, you got the gist.”
“What’s the worst-case scenario?”
Her light brown brows furrowed. “Full open-heart surgery, done by a cardiovascular surgeon. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Her phone beeped. “I have to go. “Are you alone here?”
“Yes. But I called my brothers. They’re on their way in.”
“I can update all of you when they get here. You should know that in either case, she can’t be alone when she goes home. Does she live with anyone?”
“No, she has her own house.”
“Then you and your brothers should discuss who will be with her for a few weeks.”
“We will. Thank you, Dr. Baxter.”
“You’re welcome.”
She smiled fully. It transformed her face. Man, she was pretty. She wore no makeup but had flawless skin. Her steel-blond hair was pulled back in a knot at her neck. And her blue eyes shone like the sky. He watched her walk away, then sat down at a table.
* * *
Anabelle Baxter led a quiet life. That’s how she liked it. At forty, she’d succeeded in her career and was raising two beautiful little girls.
Oh, dear. Then why did she feel her heart jump-start when she was with Oliver Ricardi? He was cute enough, and sweet enough, but Anabelle didn’t let men in her life anymore.
Just after she put in the order for an MRI, her phone rang. “Dr. Baxter.”
“Hi, honey.”
“Mom, is everything all right? How are the twins?”
“They’re fine. Your dad’s taking the afternoon off so we’d like to take them out on the boat. Any chance you can get away?”
“Aw, no. I wish I could. But I have a new patient and have to operate on her asap.”
“Ah. Would you like us to keep the two darlings all night?”
“I’ll probably be late in any case. So that’d be best for them.”
“I’ll be here tomorrow morning when you pick them up.”
Anabelle sighed when she disconnected. Her mother was a doll. She was a pediatrician and selfless, especially where Anabelle and the girls were concerned.
Her phone buzzed again. This time, she was called in for an immediate consult. Pushing back the notion of Mr. Ricardi’s effect on her, she hurried to the elevator.
* * *
Oliver’s brothers arrived in twenty minutes. He stood. Matt, the oldest, crossed to him and hugged him.
The second in order, Adam, asked, “How is she?”
“Mom’s still alive. The doctor said she’ll need to have either stents put in, or open-heart surgery. She’s coming out to talk to all us after she gets the results of the MRI.”
Tommy, the next oldest and the sensitive one, asked, “Are you okay buddy? You look a little pale.”
“I’m not all right. I’m worried.” The latter came out hoarse.
Pete checked his watch. “How long?”
“How long what?”
“Will she keep us waiting?”
Oliver frowned. “She’s not keeping us waiting. They have to run the MRI and then get the results. It’s going to be a while.”
Matt said, “Okay, let’s settle in.”
And so they waited. Three of them were on the phones. Matt walked around the waiting area for a while then joined them. After an excruciating hour, Dr. Baxter came out. Petey, a ladies’ man, said under his breath, “Man, is she a hottie.”
Oliver snapped, “Don’t be a jerk.”
The brothers stood when she reached them. “Hello to all of you. I’m Dr. Baxter, an interventional cardiologist. I have the results of the MRI.” She raised her chin a bit and her silver necklace glinted off the harsh lights of the waiting area. “Let me first say this is good news.”
Adam rolled his eyes. “How can that be?”
“It’s the better alternative. Your mother doesn’t need open-heart surgery. Her arteries are 95% blocked but they can be remedied by placing stents in both of them.”
“Will she be all right after that?” Matt asked.
“She will be. Most patients feel better than they’ve felt for a long time.”
Oliver blew out a heavy breath. “Oh, wow. When will you do the procedure?”
“Wait a sec.” Adam again. “What’s an interventional cardiologist?”
“I use catheter-based techniques to diagnose and treat heart and vascular conditions without major surgery. In other words, I’ll inflate the artery with a balloon and use it to guide me in inserting a stent.” She explained what a stent was.
Pete frowned. “Shouldn’t she have a real cardiologist?”
The doc gave him a searing look. “I am a real cardiologist. I went to med school, had residency in my field and did a fellowship at Johns Hopkins. I’ve done hundreds of these in the years since.”
Petey didn’t apologize.
Oliver moved closer to her. “I’m sorry for my brother’s insulting innuendo.”
She turned to him. “Emotions are running high. To answer your question, I’ll do it tonight. It’s best to take care of it right away. And I’m already here.”
“That sounds like a good plan.”
She scanned them. “I’m assuming you’ll wait until I’m finished and you have a lot to discuss. As I already told Oliver, your mother can’t recuperate alone. She has to have someone stay with her.”
“Can we get an aide?” Adam asked.
Damn him. Adam was always looking for an easy way out.
“Like hell.” This from Matt. “She’ll never accept one and she’s got five boys who she took care for years. It won’t kill us to help her out now.”
“When I’m finished,” Annable said backing away a bit. “I’ll come out to tell you how the surgery went.” She moved a couple of feet away but Oliver followed her and grasped her arm. A shock raced through both of them. “I-I I hope you know I have complete faith in you.”
She touched his hand. More shockwaves. “I do, Mr. Ricardi. And thanks.”
Oliver went back to the table.
“Everybody sit.” Matt again. “I’ll take notes on my phone. “Oliver, what do think? How many days should we plan for?”
“I’d give it two weeks.”
“Shit.” This from Adam. “I can’t give up that much time. My kids got activities and I’ve got jobs going.” Adam was an architect.
That pissed Oliver off again. “We all have commitments. Suck it up.”
“So, there’s five of us,” Matt continued. “We should each take two days and then reevaluate.”
“Wait a sec,” Adam interrupted. “Why don’t you take a week off, Oliver? You can reschedule your sessions. Massage therapy isn’t exactly necessary and certainly not immediate.”
Oliver glared at him. “Thanks, a lot, Adam. I appreciate you supporting my choice of a career.” His tone was killer cold.
“I’m just sayin’.”
“The answer’s no. Not this time. I’ve taken care of Mama a lot more than you guys have and I’ve done it without complaint. But I’m not accepting full responsibility for this. We’ll all do our part.”
Tommy put in, “I agree with Oliver.”
“So do I.” This from Petey.
Matt stood, pulled Adam from the chair and grabbed him by the collar. “And you’ll do yours or you’ll contend with the wrath of your four brothers. Don’t you remember what that was like as a kid?”
* * *
Oliver blanked his mind of all the reasons he shouldn’t be doing this and walked into the office of Dr. Anabelle Baxter. He’d been unable to get her out of his mind, even after she’d done the surgery and his mother was released from the hospital.
“How can I help you?” the receptionist asked in a friendly tone.
“I’d like to see Dr. Baxter. My mother is a patient of hers.”
“Do you have a consultation with her?”
“Not exactly.”
“She’s busy, I’m afraid.”
“I’ll wait.”
“I wouldn’t do that. She’s at lunch now and then has a surgery scheduled.”
“Hmm. All right. I’ll be back.”
“Why don’t you…”
But he was out of earshot before she finished. He went to a hospital map, found out where the cafeteria was and headed there. He took a peek inside.
She sat near a window, alone, eating her meal. She looked so…solitary. He went inside and crossed to her.
“Hello, Dr. Baxter.” When she looked up at him, there was that connection again. “Mr. Ricardi. Can I help you with something?”
“Mind if I sit.”
“I guess that would be all right.”
He dropped down across from her. “I know I’m out of line seeking you out like this. But I need to talk to you.”
“Is it your mother? She was fine at our appointment the other day.”
“No. It’s us.”
“Us? I don’t understand.”
“We have a connection. I know you felt it when we last met.”
She blushed. Oh, good. He wasn’t wrong.
“No…I…Mr. Ricardi…”
“Don’t deny it, Anabelle. There were shockwaves when you touched me.”
She shook her head.
“Then call it electricity. Or maybe even love at first sight.”
“Mr. Ricardi.”
“Call me Oliver. Please, Anabelle. I want to see you outside of the hospital.”
“That’s totally inappropriate. Your mother is my patient.”
“Transfer her to another cardiologist.”
“How do you know I’m not married?”
He looked down at her hand. “You’re not wearing a ring. And I don’t believe you’d react to me if you have a family.”
“I don’t have a family. I have twin girls.”
“You didn’t say husband.”
She blushed again.
“I love children. How old are they?”
“A year.”
“Did you adopt them?”
She nodded. “My mother’s a pediatrician. There was this young…” She shook her head vehemently. “Why am I telling you all this?”
“Because of our connection.”
“Stop saying that.”
Oliver was shocked to see fear in her eyes. Was he bullying her? “I’m sorry if I’m too aggressive. Do you really want me to leave you alone?”
“Even if I don’t, your mother is my patient. Professional ethics and all.”
“Like I said, we can change her to another cardiologist.”
When she hesitated, he said, “I’m going leave you alone to think about this. I hate the idea that I’ve scared you. But, please, Anabelle, think about it.” He stood. “Say my name before I go.”
“I’ve said it many times.”
“My first name.”
Their gazes locked. God, he knew there was something here.
“Goodbye, Oliver.”
He grinned and walked away.