Page 3 of The Library on Plum Island
“I didn’t think it was relevant,” Harley admitted. “No one was hurt.” He shrugged. “Well, except for Shaun, who Alex knocked out.”
“And Alex,” Daniella added. “He was injured and drugged.”
“He’s tough.” Harriet waved it off.
“Doctor Thornton,” Tanya called her. “I’m done. I’ve moved Mr. Blackwell to exam room one.”
“Thank you,” Daniella said. “Sorry, I was about to get the room ready.”
“No problem,” Tanya assured her. “I’ve set the X-rays up on the screen, and I’ll get the materials ready.”
Daniella nodded as Tanya turned and walked back to the exam room.
“Shay, if you need to talk, I’m here,” Daniella told her. “I also double as the Island’s therapist.” She gave the teenager a warm smile.
“Thank you, Doctor Thornton,” Shay said.
Daniella nodded and walked into the exam room, where Alex was perched on the examination bed, scrolling through his phone. He looked up as she entered, and their eyes met. Alex smiled a smile that had the power to bowl a person over. It even made Daniella’s heart jolt—he was an incredibly handsome man who knew how to use his smile to get that reaction from whomever he aimed it at. Daniella wasn’t impervious to it, but she did know how to shield her heart, especially from the Alex Blackwells of the world.
She gave him a nod before walking over to the screen where Tanya had positioned the X-rays and was surprised to find her legs a little shaky. Daniella forced herself to concentrate and switched on the light that lit up the X-ray to examine it. It confirmed her diagnosis—Alex had a boxer’s fracture.
“What’s the verdict, Doc?” Alex asked.
“It’s as I suspected. You’ve fractured your hand,” Daniella told him.
He got up and stood next to her. Daniella ignored the fluttering in her stomach as his cologne teased her senses. She took a step away from him and pointed to the picture of his hand.
“See here?” Daniella pointed to a specific area on the X-ray where one of the long bones in the hand showed a clear break. “This is the fourth metacarpal bone—the one that connects to your ring finger. You’ve fractured it right here,” she explained, tracing a line across the bone where it was broken. The fracture was clean, a straight line dissecting the bone. “This type of fracture is commonly called a boxer’s fracture. It usually happens when you punch something hard with a closed fist. The force of the impact breaks the bone.”
“Huh!” Alex snorted. “I did strike Shaun hard. You don’t know how hard a jaw bone is until your knuckles connect with it.”
“You won’t be punching anyone or anything soon,” Daniella told him.
“How do you treat it?” Alex asked, moving back to the examination bed while Daniella switched off the light.
“The main goal is to ensure that the bone heals correctly so you regain full use of your hand,” Daniella explained. “We’ll need to immobilize your hand. This typically involves a cast or a splint. Given the nature and location of your fracture, a cast is the best option to keep the bone in the correct position while it heals. You’ll wear the cast for about four to six weeks. It’s crucial to keep the cast dry and intact to avoid any complications.”
“Awesome!” Alex sighed. “Can I still sail?”
“I’d stay away from any water sports for a while, including sailing,” Daniella told him. “You’ll likely experience some pain and swelling, especially in the first few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage the pain. If the pain is severe, I can prescribe something stronger.”
“No.” Alex shook his head. “I’m good. I don’t like pain medication.”
“I’ll give you a script for an over-the-counter recommendation and one for something stronger,” Daniella told him. “You don’t have to use them, but you may need to.” She smiled at him. “We’ll schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your healing process. It’s important to attend these appointments so we can catch any potential issues early. Depending on how your bone is healing, we may need to adjust the treatment plan.”
“Thank you,” Alex said. “I’ll be sure to follow the doctor’s orders.” He smiled that smile again.
Daniella swallowed, her throat suddenly dry as their eyes locked once again. She quickly looked away and was relieved when Tanya walked into the room with the equipment trolley.
“Here you are, Doctor Thornton,” Tanya said. “All ready.”
“Thank you, Nurse Beckett.” Daniella went to the sink to scrub and disinfect her hands before Tanya helped her put on latex gloves and a mask.
“Are you operating on me?” Alex raised an eyebrow as Tanya helped her put on her protective gown.
“This is to protect you and me,” Daniella told him. “Are you ready?”
Alex nodded, and Daniella got to work. An hour later, the cast had set, and Daniella walked Alex out to where Harriet, Shay, and Harley were still waiting for him.
