The Complete Orchard Valley Collection: Valerie ; Stephanie ; Norah ; Lone Star Lovin' by Debbie Macomber

Author:Debbie Macomber
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MIRA Books
Published: 2018-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THREE

“Rowdy Cassidy has had me transferred out of the emergency room!” Norah shouted, clenching her fists. “The nerve of the man!”

“But why?” Steffie wanted to know.

“So I could be there to wait on him hand and foot like everyone else.” Norah stalked angrily to the other side of the kitchen. “I don’t believe it! Of all the—”

“Nerve,” Steffie supplied.

“Precisely.”

“Surely you’ve got some say in this,” Steffie said, as she resumed setting the table. Norah glared at her sister, wondering how Steffie could think about dinner at a time like this.

“Apparently I don’t have a choice in the matter,” Norah fumed. “I’ve been asked to report to Karen Johnson at seven tomorrow morning.”

“Oh, dear.”

“I’m so furious I could scream!”

“What’s this yelling all about?” her father asked, strolling into the bright, cheery kitchen.

“It’s Rowdy Cassidy again,” Steffie said before Norah had the chance.

David rubbed one hand along his jaw. “I don’t think you need to worry—he’ll be gone soon.”

His words were of little comfort to Norah. “Unfortunately, it won’t be soon enough to suit me.”

Her father chuckled softly and left the kitchen.

* * *

Norah arrived on the second floor early the following morning.

Karen Johnson was at the nurses’ station making entries on a patient’s chart. “So you heard,” she said.

Norah gave her friend a grumpy smile. “I’m not happy about this.”

“I didn’t think you would be, but what else can we do when His Imperial Highness issues a decree?”

“Is he awake?”

Karen nodded. “Apparently he’s been up for hours. He wants to see you the minute you get here,” Karen said, and made a sweeping motion with her arm.

Although Norah was furious with Rowdy, her friend’s courtly gesture produced a laugh. “How’s he doing?”

“Better physically. Unfortunately, not so well emotionally. Being stuck in a hick-town hospital, as he so graciously describes Orchard Valley General, hasn’t improved his disposition. But then, he’d find something to complain about in paradise. He wants out, and there isn’t a man or woman on this floor who wouldn’t grant him his wish if it was possible.”

Norah pushed up the sleeves of her white cardigan sweater as she walked into Rowdy’s room, prepared to do battle. He smiled boyishly when he saw her, which disarmed and confused her. She hadn’t expected him to be in a good mood.

“Morning,” he greeted her cheerfully.

“I want you to know I don’t appreciate the fact that you’ve adjusted my life to suit your own purposes.”

“What?” he demanded. “Asking the administrator to assign you to this floor? You were the one who gave me his name, weren’t you? Aren’t you being a bit selfish?”

“Me? If I’m selfish, what does that make you?”

“Lonely. You’re the only person I know in this entire town.”

“Your acquaintance is with my sister, not me,” she reminded him forcefully.

“In this case, it’s any port in the storm. I trust you, Norah, although I’m not sure why. You’ve already admitted Valerie didn’t know about my accident because you didn’t tell her until after the wedding. I can only assume you wanted me for yourself.

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