PATIENT CARE (Medical Romance) (Doctor Series) by Bobby Hutchinson Read Free Book Online

the knife, let me tell you.”
    Melissa nearly choked on her bite of brownie.
    Rudy didn’t notice. “Turned on the old telly the other night and there’s this stuff about the doc’s bein’ on strike. So I just called up the members of the local, and we figured a little support was in order. Couple of the wives got busy and cooked, and I volunteered to set up the trailer out here. It’s the least I can do for the good doc.”
    “Does, uh, does Dr. Burke know you’re here?” Melissa looked over at the picket line. She couldn’t see Burke. She couldn’t imagine him on a picket line, anyway.
    Rudy glanced at his watch. “Should be along any minute now. I called up his answerin’ service. They said the doc would be here along about seven-thirty. He rides his bike over.”
    Melissa checked her watch. It was twenty past. She snatched up her purse and her briefcase. “Thanks for the—”
    “Hey, there he is now.” Rudy raised his voice. “Hey, how d’ya do, Doc. Remember me?”
    James Burke looked up and waved. He was locking his bicycle to a bike rack at the back of the lot. He unhooked his helmet and looped it over the handlebars, and then he came striding over.

Chapter Seven
     
    Melissa felt her heart begin to hammer. Her hands were trembling. She was still furious with Burke, but damned if she’d let him see how upset she was. Her first reaction had been to run, but she decided to hold her ground. She’d have to face him sooner or later. It might as well be now. Besides, Lennie hadn’t yet reappeared with her lousy car keys.
    “Hey, Doc Burke, I was just tellin’ this lady that if not for you, I’d be pushin’ up daisies,” Rudy said.
    Melissa’s skin felt tight and hot, but she stared Burke in the eye. It was gratifying to see that he looked as uncomfortable and ill at ease as she felt. He was wearing black biking shorts and a tight-fitting top that emphasized his lean build. His forehead was covered with sweat and he used the back of his hand to wipe it.
    “There’re a coupla guys I wanna introduce to ya, Doc, if you gotta minute.” Rudy raised his voice. “Hey, Stan. Vern.”
    Two men on the picket line set down their signs and walked over.
    “This here’s Doc Burke. He’s the guy I told ya about. If you ever need to get anythin’ cut out, this is the man to do it.” Burke shook their hands, although his discomfort at Rudy’s testimonial was evident.
    Melissa made a move to leave, but Rudy stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Dunno where my manners are. I didn’t even get your name, ma’am.”
    “It’s Melissa. Melissa Clayton,” she said.
    “How d’ya do, Melissa.” Rudy reached out and shook her hand all over again. “You know Dr. Burke, Ms. Clayton?”
    “We’ve met, yes.” Melissa eyed him, and James Burke turned an interesting shade of magenta.
    “How ’bout a coffee, Doc? And a cinnamon bun.” Rudy had the coffee poured and the bun on a plate before Burke could refuse.
    “Let me warm that up for you, Melissa.” The thermos was poised over her cup, but Melissa shook her head.
    “I have to get to work. Thanks for the coffee.” She glanced down at the empty plate that had held the sweet. “And the brownie.” God, she’d eaten the entire thing. “I need my—“
    Before she could finish, Lennie appeared like an apparition and handed her the car keys.
    She stuffed them in her bag and hurried across the lot to the hospital entrance, but once inside she had to wait for the elevator.
    “Melissa.” Burke’s voice sounded from behind her, but she didn’t turn around.
    “Melissa, wait just a moment. We need to talk.” He came up beside her, and the dratted elevator still wasn’t showing any sign of arriving. She debated escaping up the stairs, but part of her knew he was right; they did have to talk. It might as well be now.
    “What I said about your mother was clinically correct, but it came out the wrong way, and I apologize.” He rattled the words off as