Love On Call

Mari tried not to bristle. “Not exactly. I’ve had plenty of hands-on experience. Our program was very intensive, one of the best.”

“I don’t doubt it. We put on a big push to fill our instructor slots with good clinicians, and Dr. Remy wouldn’t have taken anyone who wasn’t the best. But there’s a difference between boot camp and boots on the ground.”

“I assure you, my boots are ready.”

Glenn laughed again, such a rare sound it was as surprising as it was pleasing. She nodded and glanced at the coffee, untouched in front of Mari. “You ought to try it. Start getting indoctrinated.”

Mari sighed and sipped. She tried another swallow. “Huh. It’s quite good.”

“That’s Flann’s doing. She got them to upgrade the brand of coffee and change out the urns every couple of hours. One of the perks of a small place like this. You won’t be a cog in a wheel here.”

“I’m glad.” Maybe this place would be the community she’d lost. “I think I’ll like—”

“Hey, Archer. Seven ten and you’re still lounging over coffee. No wonder you jumped ship.”

Mari stared up at the woman in navy scrubs and a wrinkled, shapeless green cover gown, rather like a giant cloak, standing beside the table. A surgical mask dangled around her neck and her disheveled mop of dark hair still showed the imprint of a surgical cap. Her face was all edges and long lines, attractive, Mari supposed, if you liked the dark, edgy type. She preferred Glenn’s cooler, classic contours…and stopped herself before that thought went any further. Glenn was very good-looking, and the swift changes that came over her face—from light to dark, cool to warm—along with the fleeting hints at whatever she kept so close were fascinating. Mari had never looked at a woman and thought fascinating in her life, which ought to be caution enough. Glenn had secrets, just as she had, that was all. She felt a flush rise in her neck when she realized the newcomer was studying her with unapologetic frankness. She lifted her chin, refusing to be embarrassed by the scrutiny.

“Actually,” Glenn said with that faint hint of a drawl, “we’re in the midst of orientation.”

“Ah. Fresh boots?” Grinning, the woman held her free hand out to Mari and sipped from the cup of coffee she held in the other. “Flannery Rivers. Welcome aboard.”

Mari smiled and took her hand. The long fingers that closed over hers were firm and smooth and certain. “Mari Mateo, and my boots are already well broken in.”

“Good to hear. Glenn will probably need all the help she can get.”

“Thanks,” Glenn said good-naturedly. “How’s the patient from last night?”

“Just saw her. Temp’s down and the leg looks good. Nice work.”

“Thanks,” Glenn said quietly.

Flann pulled a chair over from an adjacent table and settled in between Mari and Glenn at their small table. “How many more recruits do you have coming?”

“One more new staff and four students.”

Flann laughed. “It’ll be a hell of a day down there.”

“We’ll handle it.” Glenn smiled. “Dr. Remy has put together an amazing program in an incredibly short time.”

“You helped,” Flann said.

“I followed orders,” Glenn said.

“Well, Abby is very efficient when she wants something done.” Flann glanced at Mari. “Dr. Remy managed to seduce Glenn away from the OR in record time.” She shook her head. “First she takes my job, then she takes my right hand. It’s a damn good thing I love her.”

“Um…” Mari was at a complete loss and sent a helpless look in Glenn’s direction.

Glenn laughed. “Dr. Rivers is chief of surgery, Mari, and for a while she wore another hat—heading up the ER too. Until Dr. Remy came along.”

Flann sighed. “Yeah. Then Abby decided that Glenn belonged in the ER full-time, and she took her too.”

“It seems that Dr. Remy has very good judgment,” Mari said.

Flann grinned. “She has to, she’s going to marry me.”

“Oh.” Mari laughed. Flannery Rivers might like to tease, but her fondness for Glenn was obvious, and the way her eyes sparkled every time she said Abigail Remy’s name told exactly how she felt about her. Flann reminded her a little bit of her oldest brother Hector, always high on life, playful and charming, when he wasn’t being downright annoying. A swift shock of sadness and unexpected longing shot through her. She caught her breath and forced a smile. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks. I’m hoping Glenn gets bored fast and comes back where she belongs.” Flann stood. “But in the meantime, good luck.” Her voice had gone from teasing to sincere, and the warmth with which she looked at Glenn gave Mari some idea of the depth of the friendship between the two. She was glad. Glenn seemed so very alone.

“Don’t get into too much trouble without me,” Glenn said.

Flann squeezed Glenn’s shoulder. “Wouldn’t think of it. Don’t forget to tell Mari and the rest of your new boots about the barbecue.”

“Right,” Glenn said, pulling her phone from her pocket as Flann walked off. She glanced down and then at Mari. “Incoming. You ready to go to work?”

Mari stood. “You have no idea.”

Chapter Four