More Than Friends by Susan Mallery Read Free Book Online

few times, she tiptoed into the room to check the machines, then made notations on a chart. Minutes, or maybe hours later, she handed him a cup of coffee. He smiled his thanks.
    He continued to watch over his father. Half-remembered times from the past crowded in on one another. He and the old man had never been close. Strangers living in the same house, sharing the same blood, the same name. Chase had wanted to be friends, but they were too alike to back down and give in and too different to see eye-to-eye. He’d wanted a regular dad—one he could play ball with, one who would teach him things: William Jackson had wanted a CEO-in-training. All that remained of the battles were empty memories and a sense of duty. Still, he’d never thought it would come to this. He’d always thought his father was made of steel, not flesh and blood. Steel didn’t die.
    After a while, the muscles in his neck and back stiffened. He rose to stretch. When he stepped out of the room, an attractive woman in a white coat walked toward him.
    “You must be Chase Jackson,” she said, holding out her hand. “I’m Barbara Martin, your father’s cardiologist.”
    Chase shook her hand, impressed by her firm grip and competent smile. He glanced over at the clock above the nurses’ station. It was after ten-thirty. “Pleased to meet you, Doctor. But isn’t it a little late to be making rounds?”
    She smiled. “I like to check on my patients before I head home. Usually I get here before this, but there were a couple of emergencies to take care of.”
    He studied her, taking in the sensible short hair and friendly expression. She wasn’t from around here, and he relaxed slightly.
    “Uh-oh,” she said. “You’re not going to make some statement about my being a woman, are you?”
    “No.” Chase felt his spirits lift. “I was going to say how young you look.”
    “In that case I won’t stop you. And I certainly won’t mention that I have a daughter who just graduated from high school. Let’s have a seat.”
    She led him down the hall to an alcove off the nurses’ station. A small desk filled the space, with a second chair on one side. “I’m sure you have a lot of questions,” she said, sitting down and motioning for him to do the same. “Let me bring you up to date on his condition and then you can ask me what you’d like.”
    Quickly, she outlined his father’s medical history and the severity of the heart attacks. “The second was what we would consider major. At this point, our main concern is to have him rest and regain his strength.”
    She paused expectantly. Chase wasn’t sure what he was supposed to ask. Finally he blurted out the only question he could think of. “Is he going to die?”
    Dr. Martin set her pen on the desk and laced her fingers together. “That really depends on your father. The fact that he’s survived as long as he has is good news. Now we wait.”
    “For what?”
    “For the chest pains to stop. For him to start breathing on his own.”
    “When do we know he’s going to be okay?”
    The question hung in the air. The doctor glanced at Chase, then away. “Let’s just take it one day at a time. We’re doing all we can.” She offered a tight, sympathetic smile. “I wish I could say more.”
    “I understand.” He rose with her and shook her hand. “You’ll be back in the morning?”
    “Yes. I make my rounds about eight thirty.”
    “I’ll be here.”
    “Mr. Jackson—”
    “Chase.”
    “Chase, you look tired. Why don’t you get some rest? If you make it into the hospital for my rounds, great.” She handed him her card. “If you don’t, call my office and I’ll give you the latest report. He’s hung on this long, it’s unlikely there will be any change in the next twenty-four hours.”
    He tucked the card into his wallet. “Thanks, Doc. I really appreciate your help.”
    “My pleasure. Hang in there.” She walked over to the desk at the nurses’ station and spoke briefly to