Another quizzical look.Jim kept silent but was obviously watching to ensure Eric wrapped it correctly.
Fire out, and bags loaded, Eric helped her into the canoe while Jim and Josh steadied it.Once she was settled, everyone else got in, and they were off.
Chapter Thirteen
Ericpacedtheemergencyroom cubicle in the Whitecourt Healthcare Centre.It was an old facility, but well maintained and clean.The staff had checked Wanda for exposure and other injuries, and then they’d taken her away twenty minutes ago.Just to X-ray, he thought.So why was it taking so long?They’d floated the last few miles down the river to camp and had been brought by pickup truck to the hospital.
Brent had stayed at the last camp while the other boaters went on to Calgary.Once Wanda and Eric reached the hospital, Eric encouraged Brent, Jim, and Josh to head for Calgary as well.He’d rent a car to drive himself and Wanda home.No sense forcing others to wait around.Trips to the emergency room could take minutes or hours.Eric and Wanda had waited ninety-seven minutes to see a doctor.Day-old broken bones didn’t take priority over sick children, accidents, or heart attacks.
Tired of waiting for Wanda to return, he pushed back the curtain to find someone who could locate her.He looked left, then right, and sighed in relief.An older lady, dressed as a porter, was pushing Wanda down the corridor in a wheelchair.
“There you are, I was starting to fret.”
The porter smiled.“Sorry for the delay.We’re a bit short-staffed today, and I was busy helping in the children’s ward.Here she is, safe and sound.”
“They wouldn’t let me bring myself back,” Wanda grumbled lightly.“Thanks, Mavis.I appreciate the push.”
“You are quite welcome, dear.”She helped situate Wanda back on her ER stretcher, while Eric looked on helplessly.
When Mavis was gone, he said, “I could have helped you.”
“Are you pouting?”She chuckled.
“I was worried.It’s practically my fault you were hurt and stranded.”
“No, it isn’t.Accidents happen.”She looked like she was going to say something more, but he interrupted.
“It is.My company set this whole debacle up.Ergo, it is my fault.Besides, I didn’t see the rock soon enough.”The guilt was almost overwhelming.It always was when an employee got hurt.“Varner Industries will take care of you while you heal.We’ll hire anyone you need.We’ll get you live in help.”
“Du-ude.Stop.”
The doctor, a middle-aged man in scrubs, popped through the curtain.“Here you are, Wanda.I took a look at those X-rays.The radiologist is on his way in to look at them now.Looks like your fibula is broken, and your tibia may have a micro-fracture.We’ll just wait for confirmation and get you into a cast.”
“An air cast, right?”she asked.
“While we could use an air cast, we’re going with fiberglass for strength, and because the material is quite light.We don’t want any extra stress on that micro-fracture.The nurse is going to clean up your foot and leg, and once I have radiologist confirmation, we’ll get that cast on.”He punched some information into the computer, and several sheets of paper spilled out of the printer.“Here’s a prescription for pain medication, plus care instructions for the ankle and the cast.Follow up with your doctor when you get back home,” he turned toward Eric.“Son, I’d advise you to pop out and pick up your wife’s prescription while you wait.We’ll give her a shot before she leaves, but you’ve got a long ride home.”
“I can do that.”Eric said, just as Wanda said, “He’s my boss, not my husband.”
The doc’s gaze flipped back and forth between them.He shrugged and thrust the papers at Wanda.“Back in a few minutes.”
“What?Nosportscar?”Wanda teased Eric outside the ER exit.She leaned on her crutches and grinned, nearly able to ignore the ache in her leg.
“Nope.Nothing but the best available in Whitecourt for my lady.Well, not exactly luxury.I was going for comfort and roominess.This was the biggest SUV they had.”He opened the Suburban’s passenger door for her.“Hop on in.I’ll take those crutches when you’re settled in.”
He shifted so that she could pass.She handed him the crutches, shucked her thick sweater, and hopped in.“Thanks.”
He opened the back door, stowed the crutches, and handed her a fuzzy blanket.“I don’t want you to be cold.”
“Can you stop buying me things?The clean clothing was enough.”And she was mortified that he had probably rummaged through her bag to find the correct sizes, because everything fit perfectly.Cozysweats, a long-sleeved T-shirt, a zipper hoodie, and, ugh, undergarments.How embarrassing was that?
He grinned and shut her door.
Infuriating man.She was torn between embarrassment, frustration, and a secret pleasure that he was being so kind and caring.
He got in and pulled away.“What’ll it be?McDonald’s, Wendy’s, subs, or a sit-down place.The nurse told me there’s a fabulous place downtown.We could go there.”
“I don’t know.”She was exhausted.Despite the painkillers they’d given her, her leg was hurting more as time passed.She just wanted to sleep.Except her stomach growled.
