2. Prescription For Love

“I noticed a lot of things,” Flann said softly, each word a subtle caress. “I noticed you’re smart and strong and compassionate.”

“You forgot stubborn and controlling,” Abby said, her throat tight.

Flann grinned that damnably charming grin. “No, I didn’t. I just didn’t want to make you mad.”

Laughter threatening to bubble out, Abby pulled her gaze away and went back to work. Flann was too good at distracting her. “That’s probably smart considering your position right now.”

Flann pushed up on her elbows and surveyed her leg. She nodded. “Not bad. I’d put you at about a third-year resident level.”

“Oh, please,” Abby said, snipping the last suture. “That’s as good as half the attendings you work with, I bet.”

“Three-quarters, maybe.”

Secretly pleased, Abby found gauze and wrapped Flann’s leg with the circular bandage. “I still would not recommend standing on that.”

“If I don’t, I’ll have a tough time keeping my balance in the OR.”

Abby stripped off her gloves, sat on the edge of the sofa, and rested her hand on Flann’s uninjured calf. “Be serious for a minute.” “I’m always serious.”

“I doubt that you ever are,” Abby said with a snort, “but you need to be now. You’ve been through a lot. Your body has been bruised, battered, and exposed to the elements. That’s a nasty laceration on your leg and I know it hurts, even though you’re too macho to admit it. You won’t do anyone any good if you get halfway through a case and collapse.”

“What if I promise I won’t start a case if I don’t feel a hundred percent?”

“Do you mean it?”

“If I promise, I mean it.”

“All right then. Your word.”

Flann leaned over, grasped Abby’s hand. “My word.”

Harper came through the doorway. “What’s the verdict?”

Abby realized she was sitting with a half-naked Flann on the sofa, and Flann was holding her hand. She jumped up and started collecting supplies. “A deep laceration, but fortunately the muscle’s spared. We’ve closed it.”

Harper strode to the side of the sofa, jammed her hands on her hips, and stared down at Flann. “Are you bullshitting or can you really work?”

Flann pushed herself all the way up and eased her legs off the sofa. Her back ached, her shoulders ached, and her leg really hurt. “I feel like you kicked my ass like you used to do when we were kids playing football, but I’m okay. Do you hear anything from Dad?”

Harper shook her head. “I’ve been trying him and Mama and Carson, but I’m not getting anybody.”

“One of us should go by the house—probably you. Any of the urgent traumas will need me.”

“You’re right. I’ll go there, and then straight over to the Rivers. Presley needs to get to the hospital too.”

“What about the kids,” Abby said. “Are they both okay?”

“Fine.” Harper smiled wryly. “I had to make them promise not to go out kitten hunting.” “They can stay here, and Presley, Flann, and I can go in my car to the hospital,” Abby said. “That’s a plan,” Harper said.

“I need some pants,” Flann said.

“Might be a good idea,” Harper said dryly. “I’ve got some scrubs that I keep here to hang around in. They’ll fit you.”

“If you get them for me, I’ll get dressed and we can go.”

Abby packed up the rest of the supplies. “I want to talk to Blake for a minute. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

As Abby left, Harper said, “How’re you doing, really?”

“I’ll make it for a few hours. Abby did a good job.”

“I don’t doubt it. She’s solid.”

“Yeah,” Flann said slowly. “She’s something.” “What are you doing there, Flann?” Harper asked.

“Not a thing.” Flann gave her a long, flat look until Harper shrugged and shook her head. Satisfied, Flann said, “How about you get me those scrubs so we can get to work.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN “You should take the truck, Harp,” Flann said.

“Presley’s car will do me,” Harper said. “The three of you have farther to go.”

“Yeah, but the road’s likely to be washed out along the river. Presley’s car won’t handle that.” Flann got a stubborn set to her jaw, a look Abby was coming to recognize.

Flann was used to being in charge, of making decisions that no one—except Harper, apparently— ever questioned. Abby wondered if Flann had always been that way, or if her training or some other experience conditioned her to be most comfortable when she shouldered the responsibility for the welfare of others. She wondered too what happened if Flann was wrong—imagining those inevitable mistakes must eat at her. A wave of sympathy washed through her.

“No one should take any unnecessary chances,” Abby said. “We’re all going to be needed at the hospital.”

Presley slipped an arm around Harper’s waist. “I’d feel better if you took the truck.”

Harper caressed her arm. “Okay. But if the three of you run into any problems on the way in, you turn back, okay?”

“I’ll look after them,” Flann said.

Since Abby didn’t know what she faced, she could hardly object to Flann being Flann and assuming she was in charge, but she wasn’t going to be a bystander either. “How about Presley drives, and I’ll watch the roads for obstacles. Flann, you can stretch out in the backseat and keep your leg elevated.”