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“Then why are they going to do a CAT scan?” she asked worriedly. “She wasn’t bleeding.”
“To rule out a skull fracture. She lost consciousness, Bridget. It’s a possibility. A physical examination isn’t enough. Better safe than sorry.”
“Oh, Jonas. I wish I hadn’t gone riding with her. This never would have happened.”
“It was an accident,” he said firmly. “Kids have them, especially active kids like Molly.” He reached out and took her by the shoulders.
More than anything, Bridget just wanted to rest her head on his brawny chest and feel his arms wrap around her in a reassuring hug. But she didn’t dare.
She had never seen him in doctor mode, and probably never would have if not for Molly’s accident. It was disconcerting. There was so much about Jonas she didn’t know. He was far from being the small town boy she’d loved so foolishly so long ago. Bridget looked up into his eyes and saw only cool professionalism.
“If you have questions about your child’s treatment, you have to ask. I’m not on staff here and I can’t do it for you.”
She guessed he was trying to be supportive, but Bridget was too frazzled to think straight. “Hey, I’m not sure what to ask. You were with her during the examination. I wasn’t. I haven’t even spoken to the ER doctor yet.”
“You will. He’ll be back to explain the CAT scan to you and answer your questions. He’ll do a write-up and your pediatrician can request a copy.”
Calm. Collected. He was talking almost as if he thought she was about to get hysterical.
She wasn’t going to. It wasn’t her style and it wouldn’t do Molly one bit of good. “Okay. I’ll ask the questions,” she said dully. “Thanks for distracting her, by the way. It worked.”
“If you want reassurance, Bridget,” he replied in a level voice, “I can give you that. Your daughter doesn’t show the signs of a serious concussion, although she had a mild one. Her abrasions have been treated and the cut is about to be bandaged.” He raised his hand to wave to the returning nurse. “I’m going to get a cup of coffee. Want one?”
“No.”
He rubbed her arms in a way that wasn’t quite professional but it sure was comforting. She felt a little better. Just a little.
“I’ll stay with you until they release Molly, how’s that?”
She nodded and went back into the room to be with her daughter.
An orderly in scrubs showed up to wheel Molly down the hall for her CAT scan. Bridget accompanied her, holding her daughter’s hand through the rails and chatting about nothing in particular. They passed Jonas, coffee in hand, talking to one of the residents. Bridget only caught a little of the conversation, and it made her curious. Family practice. Doc Winston is selling.
Maybe he was serious about staying. Still and all, he was bound to miss the excitement of New York and the prestige of a Park Avenue office. The thought was dispiriting. She turned her attention back to Molly and squeezed the small hand in hers.
They turned the corner. “What are they going to do?” Molly asked nervously.
“I don’t know, honey, I’ve never had a CAT scan. I know it doesn’t hurt.”
The CAT technician appeared and began to explain, allaying the little girl’s fears with his cheerful manner. “All you have to do is lie still and look up. Your mom’s right, it doesn’t hurt at all. It doesn’t feel like anything. Basically, it’s a picture of the inside of your head.” He smiled at Molly. “So what’s in there?”
Molly screwed up her face in a funny grin. “I’m not sure. My homework? My dreams?”
The technician laughed. “Well, those won’t show up. But I tell you what. You think about something peaceful and it will be over before you know it. Your mom can stay right here with you.”
“I’m going to think about riding my horse in the woods,” Molly said immediately. “That’s the most peaceful thing I know.”
Bridget felt a wave of gladness. She didn’t want Molly’s love of riding to be affected by the accident, and she didn’t want her daughter to be afraid of getting back in the saddle.
“Good idea, Molly,” she said brightly. The technician helped Molly moved onto the table support that she would lie on, and Bridget gave her hand another reassuring squeeze.
“Ready?” the technician asked. Molly nodded. He moved the table support back and positioned her head within the arch of the CAT scanner.
“Close your eyes and think about Satin,” Bridget said softly.
“Okay.”
A few clicks and the procedure was over before either of them knew it. The orderly had timed his return so Molly didn’t have to wait, and she was rolled back through the corridors, sitting up in the railed bed and looking rather proud of herself.
