Cameron, Paige - The Alluring Billionaire Country Doctor [Wives For The Western Billionaires 6] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) by Paige Cameron Read Free Book Online

didn’t think so. He’d never been a player who went from one woman to the next.
    It was late. He needed to sleep. The next week promised to be very busy. He’d put Marian out of his mind and look forward to the new challenges facing him. This was the first time Dr. Neels had been gone. Rand knew his job. What could happen?

    * * * *

    At six that morning he wished he hadn’t had the earlier thought. The husband of the woman who handled the office with a firm but gentle hand called.
    “Eloise is sick. She’s at the hospital. They think she may have had a heart attack. She’s not going to be in today for sure and probably will be out longer.”
    “I’ll be there in a few minutes,” Rand assured her husband. When he hung up, it hit him. She was his right hand. How the hell would he manage without her? Dr. Neels and his wife were leaving town early today. He wasn’t going to let them know.
    Rand dressed in his wool shirt, jeans, and boots. He grabbed his jacket on the way out. Early mornings were cold.
    During the drive to the hospital, he kept trying to think of someone to fill in during the morning office hours. He could take afternoon calls while he was out and about.
    Eloise was still in the emergency room when he arrived. She took his hand and held tight. “They say it might be my heart.” Fear showed on her drawn face. “If it’s real serious, I’d have to fly to the city to one of those large impersonal hospitals. I don’t want to go, Dr. Brodie.”
    “Wait until we hear the results of your lab work and X-rays. Your problem might be managed by medicine.” Rand shook her husband’s hand. “This must have been frightening for both of you.”
    “It was. Eloise has been so healthy. Neither of us expected this.”
    The ER doctor came into the room. “Dr. Brodie, good to see you.” He turned to Eloise and her husband. “You were lucky. I’m pretty certain this was an anxiety attack. But within the next few weeks I want you to make an appointment to see a cardiac specialist for a more complete workup. Just to be on the safe side. Is there something going on you’re worried about?”
    “Our youngest daughter is in Wyoming. She’s having her first baby. She’s had problems with her blood pressure. Momma here”—Eloise’s husband nodded at her—“is a bit of a worrier.”
    “Well, I’m going to start you on some mild medication. I want you to see the specialist within the next month or sooner if you have another episode.
    “Also, no work this week. Go home and rest. Next week Dr. Brodie will check you. If you feel all right and he says you can travel, then fly to visit your daughter. Seeing her might work better than any medicine.”
    “I agree. Eloise, just come in anytime a week from today,” Rand said. “I’ll see you when you get there.”
    “Thanks, but I feel so bad. Dr. Neels is gone and now me. How will you manage?”
    “I’ll do fine. Well, not fine. I’ll miss you, but I can manage.”
    Rand left and headed for the office. The doors opened at nine. He’d run upstairs to his apartment, eat some cereal, and call Chelsea. Maybe she knew of one of the cowboys’ wives that would like to make some extra money for a few weeks.
    He dialed Chelsea’s number as he climbed the stairs. He had twenty minutes before office hours.
    “Chelsea, this is Rand. I’m in a fix.” He explained about Eloise being ill and how he’d be without help. “Anyone who can deal with people and answer the phone would be fine. I’m desperate.”
    “I’ll see what I can do. If I find someone, I’ll send them to town. If not, I’ll call you back.”
    Rand thanked her and hung up. A quick breakfast, and then he was going to have a very busy day.

    * * * *

    Marian had tucked a white cotton shirt into her jeans and pulled on a light-green sweater. She ran a comb through her shoulder-length hair and added pink lipstick for her only makeup. Hearing a knock on the door, she strode out of the bedroom and