Christmas with the Single Dad Doc by Annie O'Neil

Author:Annie O'Neil
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-08-16T13:12:02+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

KIARA SHOWED HER patient the blood pressure gauge. ‘We can do it again if you like, but I think it might stress you out more.’ She released the cuff and untagged the Velcro from around the woman’s arm. ‘It is worth bearing in mind that one fifty-nine over one ten is edging on severely high.’

Audrey Keene gave her arm a rub where the cuff had been and blew out a breath that clearly didn’t calm her in the slightest. The poor woman was all nerves.

‘Would you like to call your husband?’ asked Kiara.

‘Can’t.’ She said briskly. ‘He’s away until Crimbo.’

‘And he’s out of touch until then?’

‘Oil rigs. His is way out. He can send texts sometimes, but I don’t want to tell him this in a text.’ She pretended to type on her phone. ‘Hey, babe. Your wife and child might be dead by the time you get back. Merry Christmas!’

‘Hey...’ Kiara soothed. ‘No. We’ve got this.’

She took the phone out of her patient’s hand, put it on the desk, and then took both of Audrey’s hands in hers. She looked her straight in the eye. This was her first child, and she was only young. Twenty-three. Having a husband who worked out on the oil rigs most of the year didn’t help either.

‘There are risks with any pregnancy but being aware of what’s happening with you and the baby is half the battle. You’re at the best midwifery centre in the area. And there’s a hospital nearby if—’

‘Hospital!’

Audrey paled further, and Kiara could actually see her pulse pounding in her throat. Oh, crumbs... Were they were heading for a panic attack?

‘We’re here now. Look at me, Audrey. Focus on my eyes. Breathe in and out. Nice and slow. That’s it. Now, is there anyone else we can ring for you?’

Audrey pressed her lips together, then pushed them out, her face contorting as if she were about to cry. ‘I’d really feel happier if my GP was aware of this.’

‘Not a problem.’ Kiara’s heart went out to Audrey. She picked up a pen. ‘Just give me the number and I’ll give them a ring as soon as we’re done.

‘I mean...’ Audrey squeaked. ‘Right now. I think we should tell them right now.’

Kiara and Audrey stared at the blood pressure machine. It was telling both of them the same thing. Audrey’s blood pressure was way too high and she was potentially staring down the barrel of pre-eclampsia—something definitely worth avoiding. Professionally, Kiara knew she was spot-on with her diagnosis. And years of experience had taught her that trying to talk a frightened pregnant woman out of something when she was feeling alone and vulnerable was a bad idea.

‘Not a problem,’ she said again. ‘Shall we get a urine sample and take a blood test first?’ she suggested. ‘That way we can give her a fuller picture of what’s going on and—’

Audrey cut her off. ‘My GP’s a he—not a she.’

‘Sorry.’ Kiara pressed a hand to her chest. ‘My bad. I shouldn’t have assumed.

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