A Bridge Unbroken (A Miller's Creek Novel) by Cathy Bryant Read Free Book Online

longed for.
     
    * * *
     
    Weary beyond words, Chance stared down at the patient paperwork trying to make the words come in focus. The new hospital administrator--or Ivan the Terrible, as he liked to refer to him--had insisted he make up the time by adding hours to his already long twelve-hour-days. Here it was Friday afternoon, and he still hadn’t found the time to get out to the farm to see Dakota.
    He scribbled a note on the paperwork and clicked the ballpoint to closed position. Thankfully, Grampa was better, though he was a long way from being out of the woods or the hospital, with his heart only pumping at thirty percent capacity. Not good.
    His gaze traveled to the clock. Only a few more minutes and then he’d be free to go check on his grandfather. Once Grampa was tucked in for the night, he'd take the time to go see Dakota.
    Guilt stabbed holes in his conscience as he thought about the way he’d treated her. In his concern for his grandfather, his unleashed tongue had made her responsible for something that was no one’s fault. Even after the way he’d accused her, she made sure he had a vehicle to get home in, responding with grace and forgiveness.
    Chelsea, one of his fellow nurses and a single woman about his age, hurried into the nurse’s station. “You’re still here?”
    “For just a few more minutes, thanks to Ivan the Terrible.”
    “Sorry he has it in for you.” She laid a hand on his upper arm.
    “So I’m not the only one who’s noticed.”
    “Don’t take it personally. I hear he treats all the male nurses that way.”
    Well, that tidbit was news to his ears. “Really?”
    “Yep. From what I’ve been able to gather, he’s pretty old school that way.” Chelsea opened a file cabinet and shoved in a file, then slammed the drawer. “He thinks only women make good nurses.”
    “That’s the most prejudicial thing I’ve ever heard.” His tongue came unglued again. “Well, I have a piece of advice for Ivan. He needs to join the twenty-first century.”
    Chelsea’s face paled and her brown eyes latched on someone over his left shoulder before she turned a chagrined expression his way.
    Chance’s stomach fell to his toes. “He’s behind me, isn’t he?”
    She nodded, then scooted out of the nurse’s station.
    “Yes, and I heard every word, Mr. Johnson. If you think I'm Ivan the Terrible now, wait until you hear my next piece of good news.”
    He faced Jeremy Gains. “Look, I was out of line. Please accept my apology.”
    “Apology accepted.” His lips were so tight, creases shot out in every direction. “But that doesn’t change the news. One of the other nurses asked for emergency leave next week to visit her ailing mother. I’m dividing her shifts among you and two other nurses.”
    “But my grandfather is ill as well.”
    “Yes, and he's receiving expert care. Don’t mind if you check on him during your breaks, as long as we don’t have a repeat of the other day.”
    Chance nodded obediently though everything in him wanted to protest. As he filed the paperwork, a thought came to mind. He closed the cabinet and leaned against it. “Just as a matter of curiosity, who are the other two nurses I'm splitting shifts with?”
    Gains didn’t even look up from the clipboard he held in his hands. “Mike and Jimmy. Why do you ask?”
    There was no way to answer his boss without blowing his top. At just that moment, the minute hand moved to eight p.m. Finally. He stalked out of the station and to the elevator. A minute later he stood outside Grampa’s room. Familiar laughter and voices sounded from behind the cracked door.
    “Sorry to drop in on you so late.” The voice was Mama Beth’s. “I was waiting on my ride.”
    “As was I,” added Trish Tyler dryly.
    “And I’m the guilty party.” He’d recognize Andy Tyler’s laid-back voice anywhere. “Everyone thinks lawyers have an easy life. Sheesh.”
    “Have a seat." Grampa's voice held weakness that hadn't been