Make Believe Match by Joanne Rock

Author:Joanne Rock
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mills & Boon Desire
Published: 2023-01-27T13:50:58+00:00

* * *

Two hours after arriving at the hospital, Oliver stood in the ICU waiting area of Royal Memorial, listening to his father’s neurologist discuss next steps for treating Timothy Price’s second stroke.

Logically, Oliver followed the woman’s diagnosis of an ischemic stroke, and he understood the treatment plan of administering a thrombolytic drug that could break up potential blood clots. Yet the whole evening had been so scary and so surreal that he also now understood why people brought family members into medical offices with them to help retain and process what was said in that kind of setting.

Because the fear of losing his father had caused his thoughts to spiral and his concentration to fracture even when he’d told himself to pay close attention. Thank goodness his mother and siblings were all present to hear the same information as him—or at least, they were all present via video conference.

As for Jessica, she’d somehow become an integral part of the family without him ever making a formal introduction. Over the last two hours, he’d seen her set up video messaging with the family members who couldn’t be present, ensuring a dedicated device went into any meeting between his mother and the medical team so that everyone could hear the news at once. At some point, she’d disappeared on a coffee run for the whole group.

Everyone had been distracted and scared but grateful for her help.

The neurologist wrapped up her overview of his dad’s condition and asked if anyone had questions, careful to include all the concerned faces on the video conference screen. Oliver’s mother spoke up.

“How long will he be on the medication?” Fiona Price was dressed in a pink tracksuit, her dark hair in a ponytail. Apparently, they’d been on a walk around the neighborhood when Timothy had noticed he couldn’t lift his left arm.

“It depends on how he responds to the treatment,” the physician replied, her concerned demeanor communicating that she was invested and caring—things Oliver appreciated on a day that had scared a decade off his life. “We’ll want to monitor him closely for the next twenty-four hours.”

“So he’ll stay in ICU for that long?” asked Kate, still wearing the blue suit she’d had on when she stopped by Oliver’s house hours ago.

“Yes. And as you know, he can’t receive more than one visitor at a time, so you might want to take turns sitting with him so you all stay rested.”

Oliver exchanged glances with Kate, knowing they should come up with a schedule now that—he prayed—his father seemed to be out of the woods. They’d all been on the internet, searching for answers, and what he’d gathered suggested that Fiona’s quick reaction time had been crucial in getting Timothy on the drugs that would minimize damage.

As the doctor took her leave and the family took a collective breath, Oliver became aware of the scent of fresh coffee. Turning, he spotted Jessica holding a cardboard carrying tray with four cups.

Gratitude filled him, and it didn’t have a damned thing to do with the coffee.

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