Parker by Maddie James Read Free Book Online Page A

and ended up scooting closer to the smokers so he
could inhale some second-hand smoke and engage in small talk.
    He’d bum a cigarette and a light, but
quitting smoking was the one thing he’d promised his father he
would do several months ago. And he had. He didn’t want to pick
that bad habit up again.
    Even though, he could use a long, deep drag
off one about now. Might calm his nerves.
    He glanced at his watch and then inside the
waiting room as someone exited the large double doors.
    Parker dodged the closing doors and jogged
inside. “Mike. I’m here.”
    His old friend turned and acknowledged him
with a nod. Parker and Mike had gone to one year of college
together at the University of Montana in Missoula and had become
fast friends. Parker ended up coming back to the ranch, and his
heart, after a year. Mike continued and ended up in medical school.
They kept in touch, and Mike became a regular visitor to McKenna
Ranch over the years. When it came time for him to settle somewhere
and open his practice, he chose Livingston rather than Chicago,
where he grew up.
    “Parker. Hey, man. Walk this way.”
    Shit. Something was wrong. Mike let him into
another corridor.
    “How is she?”
    Turning, Mike said, “She’s going to be just
fine, Parker. Just inconvenienced for a little while.”
    Parker exhaled, and the stress melted from
his shoulders. “That’s great.”
    Mike cocked his head to the right. “It looks
like a broken elbow, but it’s difficult to tell quite yet. Bone
fractures generally show up better on X-ray after about ten days,
so I’ll set up an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon to take it
from here. The bump on her head will be okay. She’ll be sore,
swollen and bruised around her eye for a while, but nothing is
broken there.”
    “Great.” He sighed again.
    “She was dehydrated, so we pushed some
fluids. She’ll need to stay until we take out the IV. Her blood
sugar was low, but that’s probably because she hadn’t eaten. She’s
had a sandwich and some fruit but probably could use a good meal
when she gets home, and of course, water. What she told you and
Callie was probably right—her body is still adjusting to this
altitude. Kentucky is barely above sea level in most parts. It’s a
bit of a change for her, especially up in the foothills where she
lives. But she’ll adjust. The water will help. That’s about
it.”
    Parker didn’t know how to thank him and said
so. “I’ll see to all of that.”
    “Of course, you realize I’m telling you all
of this unofficially.”
    “What?”
    “You can’t act like you know any of this. Let
her tell you. She didn’t indicate on her paperwork that I could
share this information with anyone, but seeing that you brought her
in here and evidently spent the night with her at her house last
night, I’m making an exception. Although, when I asked her if she
wanted you to come in, she flat out said no.”
    Parker grimaced. “She did?”
    “Yes, she did.”
    “I see.”
    “So what gives?”
    He shrugged. What does give?
    “Are you two dating?”
    Parker shook his head. “No. I just met her
yesterday.”
    “Is this the same woman who was in your
kitchen yesterday taking care of all the food?”
    That question took Parker aback. “Actually,
yes. You saw her?”
    He nodded. “I thought I recognized her. I
went into the kitchen for water at some point. She was bustling
about.”
    “Yes, she made herself quite at home. I think
she just wanted to be neighborly and useful. She bought the
Crandall cabin down the road. You know the place?”
    “I do. And yes, she told me she lived
there.”
    “Oh.” Parker rubbed the stubble on his jaw.
“She was heading there last night and flipped her SUV leaving the
ranch. I got her out, took her home, and the rest I think you know
about….”
    “So just to be clear—this is a casual thing
between the two of you?”
    Parker nodded. “Sure. Casual. Neighbors.
We’re just friends.”
    It was Mike’s