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Chapter Twenty-Three
Jason woke up cuddled close to Stephanie, his hand on one breast.If he cupped it, would she pull away or snuggle closer?Figured he'd never know unless he tried.
She flipped over."Good-morning," she whispered, running her fingers through his hair and giving him a slow, sexy kiss."You're already up?"she giggled.
"Guess I am.Sleeping next to you is a dangerous thing.I could stay where we are all day."
"Shops closed today and we have very little business on Monday mornings."She rubbed her foot with his.
"Are you asking for trouble?"He nibbled her neck and drew her close.
"I sure am.Do you have to work today?"She slipped down a little and kissed his chest."You might want to let them know you may be an hour late."
"That would require movement."
"Then stay with me for just a little bit longer?"
He ignored a few calls, but a half-hour later he swung his legs over the side of the bed and returned one from the scheduling department.He informed the woman quickly that he’d called in last night to say he'd be out for the day, and to check her record.He might be a love-sick cow, but he'd never leave the hospital short.
Heulyn had called twice.Jason patted the bed beside him and put the phone on speaker.Steph sat next to him, wrapped in a sheet.
"Hey, how are things over there?Stephanie's here so we're on speaker."
"Good to hear.Want to know about Henry's latest adventure?"
"We're all ears," Jason said.
"The nursing staff changed shifts around five this morning.Guess no one notified the new nurse, Gabrielle, about her patient and his temper."
"Oh no!”Jason said.“What did the old goat do?"
"When I arrived this morning to check on him, the nurse had plenty to say."He cleared his throat."Apparently Henry wouldn't allow her to touch him, or make up the bed, and he wouldn't say a word, but mumbled obscenities directed at her."
"What is wrong with that man?"Jason's exasperation was clear."How does he expect to get what he wants with that rude behavior?"
"Not to worry," Heu told them. "Gabrielle is a big strong woman who can hold her own.She was determined that he had to be out of that bed and dressed because he was going home today."
“Yay for Gabrielle.Except we don't want him too."
“Henry still refused to co-operate so she began removing the sheet from under him, and he spread his arms and legs wide to block her.”Heulyn sounded appalled.“Told me she stood her ground and glared at him, telling him that she was going to whip his ass."
Stephanie laughed, but Jason had a more serious expression."If Henry doesn't start acting like a sane man soon, nobody will believe a word he says."
"True enough,” Heu agreed.“After a few more harsh words between them he eventually sat in a chair, watching her the whole time."He cleared his throat.“Gabrielle took that for a win, but I don't know what to think.She told me that the fire went right out of him and Henry became as docile as a doll.Didn't give her any trouble after that."
"Look Heu...I'm not trying to burst your bubble, but he might be digging himself into a hole."Jason shook his head."With his outbursts and lack of control, the hospital could decide he's mentally unstable, and rightfully so."
"Henry's calmed down,” Heulyn said.“Nurse Gabrielle got him back in his bed and helped him eat his porridge and fruit.”
“Decent of her.”Jason glanced at Stephanie, still frowning."Has anyone been in to see Henry this morning?"
"The doctors, you mean?Not yet.Apparently, they do the rounds around ten."
"Let's hope there aren’t any more outbursts."Jason stroked his chin."Last thing he needs is to make trouble."
"Gabrielle said that after eating his breakfast, he asked for the brown envelope on the counter next to the TV.He opened it and brought out the pictures that I had left him, spreading them on his bed to show her.She pulled up a chair and listened as he told her about his daughter and that he's decided to give her his kidney."
"Oh my gosh!"Stephanie squealed."That would be so amazing.Henry could use an ally right now to fight for him."
