Page 72 of Harbor Lights

“Hey there, Rip Van Winkle.” Con spoke softly and Shiv swiveled her head, with a look of something—relief? Then her expression turned to its more usual guarded frown.

“How are you feeling this morning?”

“Thirsty.” Shiv’s voice was gruff. Con wished fervently for a more appropriate opportunity to hear her morning voice. She reached for the glass she’d left nearby, and Shiv sat up a little and gulped the contents. Had she given Shiv enough fluids last night? Perhaps if she hadn’t been staring into her eyes and making her tell stories of her life, she’d have been a better doctor.

The rational part of Con’s brain told her she’d been attentive and professional in her care, and their personal relationship was a separate thing. But beating herself up gave her a reason not to look too deeply into how she felt about Shiv. And right now, that was the easier option.

She took the empty glass and refilled it. “Coffee?”

Shiv took the glass, nodding enthusiastically. “God, yeah. All the coffee.”

Con busied herself in the kitchen area, aware of Shiv rising and stretching behind her. A low groan made her turn. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m okay.” Shiv gave a small smile. “My calf feels like it was in a car crash without me.”

“Where you had cramp?”

“Yeah.” Shiv bent to rub it.

“I’m afraid that might bother you for a few days. Violent cramps can cause your muscle all kinds of trouble. When you can bear the thought, ice will help.”

And massage.But she wasn’t going to offer.

She prepared the coffee how Shiv liked it and carried it to her. “I need to take your BP and pulse first, if you don’t mind.”

Shiv held out her arms, the sleeves of Tierney’s pajamas reaching to her fingertips. “I’m all yours.”

Con wished that was true. In her limited experience, people you loved were yours—until they were someone else’s and you were no one’s.

She shook her head and pulled her bag closer, settling on the couch next to Shiv. Her pulse was still regular, although it raised a little as she took it. She was sure her own heartbeat was audible as she tried to keep the process as businesslike as she could. She dropped Shiv’s wrist as soon as she could. “All good there.”

She arranged the blood pressure monitor, and they both waited in silence for the cuff to inflate and then deflate. Keeping her eyes on the monitor readout felt safer than looking Shiv in the eye.

“Blood pressure’s normal, too.” She held out a thermometer. “Can you place that in your armpit for me?” Now Shiv was fully alert, there was no way she was going anywhere near the inside of those pajamas.

Oh, God, that sounds terrible.

She put her face into her hands and pretended to rub herself awake rather than suppress the need to groan at the situation she’d made for herself.

“Did you not sleep?” Shiv held out the thermometer, her brow wrinkled. “You could’ve slept in the bedroom.”

“I’m fine, don’t worry about me. I can catch up on sleep later.” She was again glad the health center in town was covering her urgent appointments until the New Year, but it was expensive and she didn’t want her patients to get too accustomed to the shiny surroundings. Shiv was right—she needed a nurse to work with her.

“Temperature’s back to normal. Good work!”

“I didn’t do anything other than lie in front of a fire. It was the excellent professional care that saved me.” Shiv grinned her rare cheeky grin.

“I’m not sure how professional some of it was, but you’re very welcome. It was my pleasure.”Pleasure indeed.

She reached for her coffee and took a long drink. How she’d missed it. But today wasn’t the time to worry about hot flashes. They might even help her keep her eyes open.

A knock at the door disturbed her thoughts. Shiv jumped up. “I’ll get it.”

As Shiv hobbled to the door, Con wondered just how painful her leg was.

“Hey, Denny, Pegeen. What have you brought?”

Shiv’s question was followed by a loud chattering and a clearer voice. “I cawwied them cause Peggy tried to eat them all.”

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