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“Looks like it.” Shaking her head, Rebecca sighed. “I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news as soon as you started your shift, but I know you were fond of him.”
“Thank you for letting me know,” Rose whispered.
“I’ve asked the ICU nurses to keep me posted on his progress. I’ll tell you if I hear anything more.” Rebecca patted her arm and walked away, leaving Rose alone with her thoughts.
Sinking into a chair, Rose struggled to draw breath. It’s not the same. Mr. Patrones was an elderly man who had no business being on a ladder at all but especially not right after a heart attack. In contrast, Steven was still confined to a wheelchair. And he was following the doctors’ orders. Mostly.
Rose closed her eyes. And there it was, her worst fear rearing its ugly head at the news of Mr. Patrones. The truth was, even if he couldn’t climb ladders or clean gutters, Steven was still at greater risk of a second heart attack. And his insistence on returning to work the moment he’d left the rehab facility further jeopardized his health.
Images of Steven lying on the floor of his house, cold and unresponsive, came unbidden to Rose’s mind. She squeezed her eyes tight, trying to block the thoughts.
Get control of yourself. She forced herself to take deep breaths, trying to calm the erratic beating of her heart. Steven was fine. At the diner, he’d even looked healthier. The circles under his eyes had faded, and he seemed in better spirits.
Shaking off her morose concerns, she stood and wiped her eyes. She could check on Mr. Patrones later. It was time to start her shift.
She began making her rounds, changing fluids, dispensing medications, and catching up on her patients. As she finished up with a new patient, she rounded the corner and almost collided with a wheelchair. She blinked as she met the familiar hazel eyes of her fiancé.
Her heart jumped into her throat. “Steven? What are you doing here?”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her down for an awkward hug. “I had an appointment with Dr. Myers and Dr. Bhati this afternoon. Didn’t I tell you?”
Just an appointment. That’s all. But she allowed her eyes to rove over him to reassure herself nothing was amiss.
“Rose? What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Forcing a smile, she shook her head. “Nothing. I don’t recall hearing about your appointment, and seeing you here scared me for a moment. How’d it go with the doctors?”
“Everything’s looking good. Dr. Bhati said the spinal contusion has healed enough to where we can increase my physical therapy to help me start walking again.”
She frowned. “Is he sure you’re ready for that? You don’t want to overdo it.”
Steven rolled his eyes. “We can trust the good doctor, but you’re welcome to interrogate him yourself if it’ll make you feel better.”
Heat rushed to her face. “That’s not what I meant.” She swallowed around the lump in her throat. “I’m worried about you. That’s all.”
He sighed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. It’s just… I was excited to share the news with you, and I had hoped for a better reaction.”
“No, it’s my fault.” At his questioning look, she continued, “A patient of mine who was discharged the other day is back in the ICU. He had another… heart attack.” Her voice broke on the last word.
Steven’s expression morphed into one of sympathy and concern. “Oh, Rose, that’s awful.” His eyes softened. “No wonder you were so frightened when you saw me.”
“I certainly wasn’t expecting it.” She cleared her throat. “Anyway, where are you going for PT?”
“Dr. Bhati gave me a referral for an outpatient physical therapist closer to home. I don’t have to go to the rehab center anymore.” He held out a small piece of paper.
After scanning the information, she laughed. “Oh, Ronnie. You’re in for a world of hurt.”
It was his turn to frown. “Why do you say that?”
“Let’s just say she believes in getting people back on their feet as quickly as possible.” More laughter bubbled up in her throat, and she pressed her lips together to hold it in.
“I’m not sure I like the sound of that. But I’ll do whatever I have to if it means you’ll smile like that more often.”
His words melted her heart, and for a moment, she could pretend all was right in their world. She slipped her arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss.
“Are you going on break soon?” he asked.
“Unfortunately, no. I only arrived an hour ago.”
