Crossing Lines (Cops and Docs #2) by K.D. Williamson Read Free Book Online Page B

As Nora closed the dishwasher, she heard the telltale rustle of Phineas’s entry into the kitchen.
    He paused to look at her and snuffled in greeting. Nora smiled at him and watched his progress toward his bowl. It was empty. Phineas sat down in front of it and placed the tip of his snout on the dish. Nora almost laughed. Kelli thought that was the funniest thing ever. The wave of sadness that flooded her was almost unbearable. Nora moved mindlessly toward the refrigerator to get his food. When she turned back to him, Phineas was looking at her.
    Nora froze. “She’s gone.”
    There was no response. The house was quiet…too quiet.
    * * *
    The hospital was a safe place, a neutral place, or it was close, which was just what Nora needed it to be this afternoon. It was strange for her to be here on a Sunday, but her home was a little too big right now. Here, at the hospital, there was noise and people. Being here wasn’t going to cure her loneliness, but it was a good Band-Aid. Nora took a stack of charts off the desk at the nurses’ station, intent on completing some paperwork and scheduling upcoming surgeries as far out as she could. It never hurt to be prepared.
    “Dr. Whitmore, what are you doing here? You’re not on the board this weekend. I’ve been on vacation the last couple weeks. I heard you were back. Nice to see you.” The nurse smiled.
    Nora blinked. With a couple of nasty comments, she could reestablish herself and become the person she used to be. It would bring her another step closer and spread through the hospital like wildfire.
    The nurse continued to smile, but it was beginning to dim.
    Nora made her decision. “I—” Her mouth snapped shut. Those particular words were stuck in her throat, but others came out instead. “Thank you.” That felt right. Nora was actually relieved.
    “I guess it’s a good thing you’re here. We’re actually short staffed in Peds and ER/Trauma. So, feel free to help out.”
    Nora glanced down at the stack of charts in her arms. She couldn’t go to her office with these. That was the last place she wanted to be. Too many memories. “Let me get situated in an empty on-call room, and I’ll head down to trauma within the hour. If they need me for an emergency, just page me.”
    The nurse nodded. “Will do.”
    Nora walked down the hall. A chart fell from the top of the stack. She bent to get it and the others started to slide from her arms, as well. Nora sighed loudly and kneeled. A few seconds later, she almost toppled over as someone plowed into her from behind.
    “Oh God! I’m so sorry. I was paying more attention to my shirt than the hallway. Are you okay? Here, let me help,” the nurse said, as she swept gray hair out of her face and helped Nora pick up the charts. “Spilled soup down my scrubs, and now I almost took out a doctor in the hallway. My shift just started. Can’t wait to see what the next eight hours will be like.” Her tone was filled with laughter, and her blue eyes sparked with humor. “You okay, Dr. Whitmore?”
    “Yes, thank you.” Nora paused. The nurse looked familiar, just like the rest of them. She glanced at the nurse’s name tag to see Susan Collier. “Yes, Susan. I’m fine.”
    Susan gazed at Nora thoughtfully. “Are you sure? I mean, you don’t look like you are.”
    Nora assumed Susan’s observation had nothing to do with their collision. She knew her inner disarray was bleeding outward. Nora stepped back and retreated into herself a little. “I—”
    “I wasn’t trying to pry or fish for gossip. Believe me, there’s enough misinformation floating around about you. You look completely human to me.” Susan’s grin took the sting out of her words.
    Nora was still taken aback. She had no idea what to say, so she remained quiet.
    Susan scrunched up her nose. “That was me…trying to be friendly. I blew it, didn’t I? Did I make it weird?”
    Surprised that the conversation was continuing, Nora nodded. “Yes,