Page 3 of Jordan’s Breakthrough (Unexpected Love #3)

MILES

I whip my head up, concern blooming in my chest. That’s Ruth. The woman with large red glasses. “Is she okay?”

Dr. Mullins frowns. “She asked for help to the bathroom.”

I blink at him. And you couldn’t be bothered to help her? “Oh. Uh, sure. I’ll go in a minute.”

The doctor walks away without so much as a thank-you.

I grind my teeth together. I knew Dr. Mullins was a douche, but seriously?

Ana gives me the side eye before leaning in to whisper, “Do you see what I mean? He’s just… ugh.”

I nod without replying.

After slipping the iPad onto the docket, I walk down the hall toward Ruth’s room. She came in two days ago with stomach pain and is being monitored for constipation and kidney stones, though the initial tests came back negative.

The older woman is sitting up, brown eyes comically big behind her glasses. But right away, I can tell something is wrong. Her smile is too weak.

“Hey, beautiful,” I say in a warm tone. “A little bird told me you needed some help.”

The woman groans. “I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t apologize. That’s what I’m here for. You feeling okay, otherwise?”

Ruth doesn’t reply, which is a red flag for me. She’s usually chatty when I visit. She must be pretty uncomfortable.

Needing to be sure we aren’t missing any other symptoms, I swipe a digital thermometer across her forehead. When it beeps, I gasp and turn it around to show her the screen.

“Look at that. Perfect as a peach.”

She smiles weakly.

I lower the bed rail. “Have you been drinking enough water?”

“Plenty.” Her dry lips give away her lie.

“Mm-hmm. Tell you what. I’ll get you some fresh water and ice chips when we’re done, okay?”

“Maybe some food too?”

“I’ll ask, sure.” Dinner was delivered a few hours ago, but Ruth is a night owl, so her eating habits don’t line up with the hospital’s serving times.

Slowly, I ease her out of the hospital bed. She has a surprisingly firm hold around my arm.

“You must have been a golfer in your younger days,” I say, gesturing to her hand.

She gives a bemused smile. “Tennis, actually.”

“Ah, see. I was close. I could tell by how tight your hold is. Did you play singles or doubles?”

“Singles. Won two National Championships back in the day too.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Oh, really?”

Her smile grows. “1977 and ’81.”

“That’s amazing. I’ll have to look it up. Think there are any videos of it somewhere?”

“Oh, I don’t know.”

“I was never any good at tennis, but I was on my school’s cheerleading team for four years.”

That’s not something I usually admit to strangers, since it was one hundred pounds and many moons ago, but hey. Ruth isn’t the judging type.

Ruth stops, turns to look at me with her wide eyes, then raises her other arm in the air as if holding a pompom. “Gimme an M! Gimme an I. Gimme an—”

I burst out laughing.

“L-E-S! What’s that spell?”

“Miles!” We say together.

She winces as she lowers her arm, quickly holding her abdomen.

“More pain?”

She nods.

“Dull or sharp?”

“Dull.”

I frown. “I’ll talk to the doctor again, see what we can do for you. It’s good to know you still have some spunk in you, though. Maybe you should’ve been on the cheer team too.”

That earns a soft smile.

I adore this woman. She’s only been here a couple of days, but she’s quickly become my favorite patient. Her quick wit and ease of conversation pulls me right in.

Our former love for sports continues, distracting us through the awkward moment.

I mean, come on—helping old ladies use the toilet is not why I went to nursing school.

But it is part of the job, and I refuse to pass things off just because I don’t like doing them. Unlike some of the staff here, anyway.

Finally, several long minutes later, Ruth shuffles back to the bed. Her grip is a little weaker and her gait more unsteady as she leans into me. That small journey took a lot out of her.

I fluff her pillows while she pulls at the blankets. When she’s finally comfortable, I smile and hand her the word search book she’d set on the table.

“I’ll get that water and check into some food for you, okay?”

Ruth blinks. “Thank you, dear.”

“Alright. Be back soon.”

When I exit the room, Ana grins at me from where she is refilling a mobile supply cart. “How are you so good with the patients? It’s unfair.”

“What do you mean?”

“Her.” She nods toward the door. “You literally treat her like a queen.”

I shrug. “I’m only treating Ruth how I’d want to be treated if I were in her position.” It is our job, after all.

“I know, but you’re just like… a natural at it.” Ana shoves more alcohol wipes into the middle drawer, then makes a funny face. “Were you the oldest child?”

I snort. “No.”

“Second oldest?”

“Maybe.”

She grins wider. “Knew it. You probably have at least two younger siblings, don’t you? And you were expected to babysit them?”

“Three actually, but no. I wasn’t expected to babysit. I offered.”

Ana laughs. “Oh, you poor sweet thing.”

“What? I like helping people.”

“No one likes their siblings that much.” She narrows her eyes. “How much were they paying you?”

I crack a smile. “Enough.”

“Ha! See. I knew there was an ulterior motive.” She reaches for another box to add to the cart. “But now I’m curious. How much younger is the youngest sibling?”

“Fourteen years. Why?”

“So you were basically a young dad to her.”

I gasp. “Ana!”

“What? I’m just saying, you have good paternal instincts. You’ll be a good father someday. If you want to, of course.”

“I’d need a partner for that to happen,” I say flatly. “And so far, that’s not in my cards.”

“Oh, it’s coming. I know it is.”

“Sure, sure.”

“You have the purest heart, Miles. I promise you, someday soon, some lucky guy is going to see it.”

I look away. I’d have to get a guy’s attention at all for them to see my ‘pure heart,’ and I’ve basically given up dating with this job.

“Do you have plans tonight?” Ana asks when I return with a large plastic mug full of water for Ruth.

“You mean besides working until midnight?”

She frowns. “Right. I still forget you’re working second shifts here. That sucks.”

“Tell me about it.” Second shift, from noon to midnight, four days a week, makes socializing impossible. “Maybe next weekend?”

Her frown deepens. “I’m taking a shift for David next weekend so he can go to his brother’s wedding.”

“Oh. Well, we’ll figure it out. We have time.”

“Hardly. We’ve already been here two months and we haven’t hung out yet. It’s going by so fast.”

Has it only been two months? It feels so much longer. Probably because Sophie isn’t here with me. But at least Ana is. It’s nice working with her again. It’s been too long. We don’t get stationed together very often.

“Do you know where you’re going after this?” she asks.

“Not yet. You?”

“I’m hoping to go to Washington. My cousin is having a baby in August, so I want to see her.”

“Aw. Better put your request in now.”

“I know.” Ana reaches for her sweater before rolling the cart back against the wall. “Anyway, I’m needed in radiology for a couple of hours. I’ll see you later, Miles.”

“See you. And don’t forget to call Sophie!”

Ana waves.

I chuckle. I’ll need to remind her at least three more times before she finally calls. Attention of a gnat, that one.

After giving Ruth the water jug, I confirm with Dr. Mullins about taking her some food, then take the elevator down to the main floor. Since there’s no food service at night, I have to get it for her myself.

Posters of the monthly blood drive, vaccine clinics, and other health events are taped to the walls. The music from the speakers plays soft and low. I suck in a deep breath and lean against the wall, grateful for a break. Maybe I’ll get lucky and someone will be there to hang out for a bit.

No such luck.

When I get to the cafeteria, it’s dark and empty.

An overhead light automatically flicks on as I walk to the self-service station.

After seeing the options, I scan my nurse’s badge and order two chicken and rice bowls—one for Ruth, one for me.

Carrying the tray to a table by the window, I allow myself a few minutes to eat.

Or rather, a few minutes to pick at the food.

I haven’t wanted to admit it, but the loneliness is starting to get to me.

I knew coming here without my best friend would be tough, but I didn’t expect to have no one to hang out with at all.

Ana’s schedule doesn’t match mine. Our hours are close, but we work opposite days, and I haven’t clicked with anyone else.

I haven’t even explored the city yet, which is unusual for me. Most of the time, I stay holed up in my hotel room. On my days off, I might hit the pool or walk to the sandwich shop across the street, but that’s about it. I haven’t actually seen Salt Lake City yet.

I pick up the phone and call Sophie. No answer, so I leave a voicemail.

“Hey, darlin’. You’re probably asleep. What is it, like midnight there? Anyway, it sucks that we’re on opposite shifts this time. Sucks even more that you’re not here. Salt Lake City is seriously lame without you. Like embarrassingly lame.”

I pause, trying not to sound too needy. The last thing I want is to make her feel guilty for taking a class that’ll boost her career.

“Anyway, how’s Texas? Hopefully no one is being a racist asshole. I’ll come down there and beat them up if I need to. Okay, no I won’t, but you know I would in spirit. I’m here for you. I love you. Call me.”

I slide down in my seat and twirl my phone between my fingers before opening the chicken bowl and forcing myself to take a few bites.

In my seven years as a travel nurse, this is only the second time I’ve taken an assignment without Sophie.

The separation anxiety is tearing a hole through me, creating a void I can’t escape.

Her outgoing spirit has always been the wind in my sails, making it easier to adjust to new places.

Now, I just feel like I’m wandering, lost at sea.

Six months without seeing her gorgeous face seems like an eternity.