The Only Man by Rochelle Alers

Author:Rochelle Alers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Stop beating up on yourself,” Jeremy whispered to Tricia for what seemed like the hundredth time since Gus Parker was wheeled into the emergency room.

She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. “I should never have argued with him.”

Jeremy tightened his grip around her waist as they sat together on a love seat in a waiting area. “You snapped at me earlier about ordering you about, and now I’m going to do exactly that. I want you to stop blaming yourself for Gus’s heart attack. If it hadn’t happened now, there’s nothing to say it wouldn’t have happened after your return to Baltimore. Gus seeing your face once he comes out of surgery is certain to lift his spirits.”

Tricia nodded. She opened her eyes to find Sheldon sitting several feet away staring at her and Jeremy. Ryan had driven Gus to the hospital and stayed to confer with the cardiologist who was scheduled to perform open-heart surgery. Ryan then called Sheldon and informed him of Gus’s condition. Sheldon had driven from the farm to the hospital in record time.

Pushing off his chair, Sheldon stood up. “I’m going to get some coffee. Would either of you like some?”

Jeremy straightened and removed his arm from Tricia’s waist. “How do you want yours?”

Tricia seldom drank coffee, but this was one time when she needed a jolt from the caffeine. “Black.”

“Make that two blacks, Pop.”

Waiting until Sheldon walked away, Jeremy leaned closer to Tricia, held her hand and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “He’s going to be all right.” Gus had been in surgery for more than two hours.

Turning her head, she smiled at him. “I want to thank you for being here for me.”

“There’s…”

The cardiologist walked into the waiting room preempting whatever it was Jeremy planned to say. Tricia stood up on trembling legs as Jeremy came to his feet.

She bit down on her lower lip, gathering courage. “How is my grandfather?”

He offered her a comforting smile. “He has been stabilized and is in the intensive care unit.”

“When can I see him?”

“Not until tomorrow.”

A flicker of apprehension coursed through Tricia. “What aren’t you telling me, Dr. Lawrence?”

“It’s apparent your grandfather suffered a mild heart attack in the past which weakened the heart wall. He’s going to have to take it easy so the muscles can heal.”

“My grandfather never had a heart attack,” she argued softly.

“Perhaps he’d experienced chest pains in the past but ignored them. But I can assure you that there is evidence of some heart damage.”

“How long will Mr. Parker have to remain in the hospital?” Jeremy asked as he moved closer to Tricia’s side.

“At least a week,” Dr. Lawrence replied, “followed by a minimum of six weeks of limited activity. After he’s reevaluated, then he will have to undergo physical therapy that will help him regain some endurance.” He stared at Tricia. “Is there someone at home who can take care of him?”

“I’ll take care of him,” she said, not hesitating. Her grandfather’s heart attack meant she would not return to Baltimore as planned.

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