Page 10 of A Very Grumpy Doctor

“Are you at home?Resting?”I demand.

“Yeah, doctor’s orders.Why?”

“Because I’m standing on your front porch.”

“Shit!”The line goes dead.

I tuck my phone into my pocket and knock on the door.

It swings open a minute later.

“What are you doing here?”Alexi gasps.

I frown as I look her over.Her color is bad, and she looks like one strong puff of wind will knock her over.

Stepping forward, I reach for her wrist, searching for her pulse.“I needed to check on you.You didn’t sound good on the phone.How are you feeling?And don’t lie this time because I can see you.”

A shudder goes through her, and goosebumps erupt across her arms.“I’m fine.”

Still lying.She’s hot to the touch, which means she still has a fever.She’s still flushed, still coughing, still looking miserable.

“Alexi—”

“Are you taking my pulse right now?”she cuts me off, looking annoyed.

“Yes, I need to?—”

The front door slams in my face.I try the handle.Locked.

“Dammit, Alexi!You need medicine!Or different medicine!I need to examine you so I know what to prescribe.”

No answer.

I walk to the window and see her standing in the front room, bracing one hand against the wall.Christ, she looks so pale.

“Alexi, open the door,” I shout, the panic clear in my voice.

She doesn’t.Instead, she collapses onto the floor.

“Fuck!”

I’m already moving.Taking a step back, I ram the door with my shoulder.It takes a few tries before it gives.I grab my bag and step over the splintered wood, rushing to her side.

“Alexi?Can you hear me?”

She doesn't respond.

I feel for a pulse and let out a shaky breath when I find one.

“Come on, Alexi, stay with me, baby,” I urge as I check her eyes and vitals.“You can’t leave me.I’ve only found you.”

I rip open an alcohol wipe and hold it beneath her nose.A few seconds later, her eyelids flicker open, and she stares up at me.

“Thank fuck,” I say, gently helping her to sit up.

I lean her against the wall, scanning her features, noting her pale face, red nose, dry lips, and raspy breathing.

“I thought you had the respiratory bug that’s going around, but the medicine from yesterday should have helped with that.Now, I think it might be something else, but I’ll need to do a swab to be sure.”