Page 19 of Deprived No More

I continue to inspect the finger to the point I have to admit that I’m stalling. “I need to pull this portion of the finger up and over this area,” I demonstrate, pointing to the deformed digit. “I’m going to need you to pull back some so I can get enough traction to move it.”

“Okay. I can do that.”

Wrapping my hand around his wounded index finger, I feel for the ridge where the bones overlap so I know where I need to pull up. My heart is in my throat. I brace my feet and pull with all my might, but nothing happens. My hands look like a toddler’s around his. I just don’t know if I will have enough force to do this. Widening my stance, I give it another try to no avail.

“Mr. Sutter. I’m going to see if any of the providers here may have more strength in their hands than I do,” I offer, having to admit defeat. I don’t want to risk breaking the bone as I reset it by doing it incorrectly because I can’t get past the tension. If I can get it to budge at all, that is.

Walking around the department, I realize change of shift has occurred, and Marty is no longer here. Dr. Smith is now on duty, and her fingers are even smaller than mine. Where’s Donovan when you need him? Entering the main physicians’ work area, I notice Dr. Murphy’s things. She’s no bigger or stronger than Dr. Smith or me.Ugh. I can’t believe I have to do this.

“Hi. I have to place a consult to the orthopedist on call,” I advise the operator. She gathers the patient’s information before asking for the number to which the surgeon will need to return the call. “Oh, my ER zone phone isn’t working. Can you use this number instead?” I provide my cell number and keep it close by as I return to Mr. Sutter to update him on the plan.

“Mr. Sutter, I have a call into the orthopedist. We’re going to get this straight. I just don’t want to risk not having the manual dexterity and strength to pull the bone back into alignment without causing more damage in the process.”

“I get it. It’s a blessing and a curse being this size.”

Still flustered by my inability to reset his dislocation, I look up to him in question. Sensing my confusion, he gives me a saucy wink.Oh.

Bzzz. Bzzz.

Reaching into my pocket for my phone, I excuse myself from Mr. Sutter’s room so I can give the embarrassing details to the on-call orthopedist that I could not handle a finger dislocation without help. God, this is embarrassing.

Relieved he didn’t feel the need to rub my nose in my failure as some on-call providers might, I disconnect the call and reassure the patient help is on the way.

Walking down the hall, I encounter a familiar face. “Hey, Meghan. What’re you doing working nights?”

“Oh, I switched a few months back. I needed a change. How late are you here?”

“Hopefully not too much longer. I have a patient requiring an orthopedic consult. Once they’re taken care of, I can head out.”

“Hmmm. Seems to me you have some pull in that area.”

“Little good it’s doing me tonight. My pull is trying to get four kids to sleep,” I huff.

“Bet he’d trade places with you.” She laughs.

“I’m going to grab some water. I’ll be right back.” I stroll down to the physician’s lounge and grab a cold bottle of water and a breakfast bar. There’s no way I’m admitting that my being sick yesterday has anything to do with my inability to fix this guy’s finger. But I confess, I haven’t taken care of myself as Nick encouraged. I’ve only consumed one cup of coffee in the last four hours. With that thought, I open the fridge and grab another bottle and a yogurt. Maybe if I down these before Dr. Knight gets here, I’ll feel more apt to assist.Like he’ll need it.Gah. I hate feeling incompetent.

“Oh, Kat. There you are. The orthopedist is in room four. He was looking for you.”

Man, that was fast. He probably arrived and fixed that finger in the short time I was in the break room. Man, am I going to get an earful for making him come in for this. Placing my items on the desk, I practically sprint down the hall to Mr. Sutter’s room and brace myself.

As I turn the corner, my mouth goes dry. Holy hell. This man is gorgeous. He’s about Nick’s height and with similarly colored golden hair but deep blue eyes that rival my husband’s green. A picture-perfect five o’clock shadow resides along his firm, square jaw.Jeez. Someone should warn a girl.

“Hi. You must be Kat.” He grins. A slight dimple in his right cheek distracts me from his extended arm.

“Oh, yes. Nice to meet you, Dr. Knight.” I turn to Mr. Sutter, hoping he’s too preoccupied with his wounded finger to notice my flustered reaction to the man candy in front of me, only to find him smirking at me.Oh, Good lord.

“I feel terrible I had to call you, Dr. Knight. But I couldn’t get the bone up and over that joint.”

“It’s no trouble. That’s what I’m here for.” He beams back at me. Holy shit. I bet nurses just throw their panties at him when they walk down the hallways of St. Luke’s. Hot and helpful. What a combination. “Would you mind getting the supplies together to splint his finger immediately after I reduce it so we don’t risk it popping back out of place?”

“Oh, of course.” I dart out of the room without blinking an eye to help him complete this procedure and let him get back home where he belongs. I need to get my shit together. What the hell is wrong with me? I’m a married woman. And not just married. Happily married.

Returning to the patient’s room with everything needed to splint Mr. Sutter’s finger, I place the supplies on the stretcher beside him and look over just as Dr. Knight pops the joint back into place without batting an eye. Looking up, I notice both men staring wordlessly at me and realize my mouth is hanging open.

“God, you made that look so easy,” I blurt. I’m ridiculous.

“Thank you.” He chuckles. “I’ll hold it steady while you wrap it. Then we need another x-ray to confirm it’s in place and the bone wasn’t chipped in the process.”

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