Lightning Strikes Part 2 (36 Hours) by Baxter Mary Lynn

Author:Baxter, Mary Lynn [Baxter, Mary Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-02-18T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Thank goodness for the reprieve, Amanda thought, lifting her aching shoulders up and down. She was tired; she couldn’t remember ever being this worn-out. Every muscle in her body screamed for relief in the way of a hot shower and sleep.

That wasn’t going to happen, not anytime soon. She had decided the shift was interminable, and she knew everyone else did, too. Still, the lull was a blessing, and the ER team was taking advantage of it.

“That was the longest night of my life,” Liz was saying, “I swear it.”

Dr. Karen Sloane smiled but with lax enthusiasm. “Me, too. I feel like someone’s made me walk a thousand miles on a stair climber.”

Doris Conner made a face. “Holy cow, that thought’s worse than actually staying here.” She held up her hand before anyone had a chance to comment. “I know, I need to walk the StairMaster, but guess what?”

“You’re not,” Amanda said, smiling for the first time in a long while.

“You got that right.”

“I’ll tell you what I want,” Beth put in, “is a stiff drink. I don’t care if it is 10:00 a.m.”

Karen gave a thumbs-up. “I hear you.”

“Me, too, whatever it is.”

The four women focused their attention on Noah, who strode into the trauma room where they were gathered. For a second, Amanda’s heart kicked in her chest, a reaction she wondered if she’d ever get past. But then, Noah had always affected her that way from the first time she’d met him. That was why she had fallen instantly and completely in love.

Had.Key word, here. She had to keep that in the forefront of her mind, especially during the harrowing hours that lay ahead. To do so wouldn’t be a piece of cake, either. Already, it had turned into a monumental endeavor. The knowledge that she wouldn’t be at Vanderbilt much longer gave her comfort. There was no longer room for both her and Noah.

If that was taking the coward’s way out, then so be it. She was a coward, and she’d admit it.

“We were discussing how appealing a drink would be about now,” Doris said, filling the short silence.

Noah half grinned. “I could use a few beers myself. Damn, is this shift ever going to end?”

“Man, listen to us,” Doris said. “We sound like a broken record.”

“I feel like one, too,” Bethany said in a grumpy tone.

“Is this weather ever going to let up?” Liz asked. “That’s what I want to know.”

“Same here,” Doris retorted, “especially since I’m giving this place my time for free, gratis. But it still looks as dark as midnight out there.”

Amanda’s eyes remained on Doris so as not to look at Noah, who was so close he was almost within touching distance. Yet she didn’t have to look at him to be aware of him. Every nerve in her body was attuned to his presence and the fact that he was as worn-out as the rest of them.

What provoked her was that his body appeared to have suffered no outward ill effects from the wear and tear.

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