Page 82 of Tumbleweed Temptation
“What are you doing out here?” The older man squinted against the early morning sun.
“I called, but there was no answer. I got your test results delivered.”
Mr. McKay’s expression didn't change. “I’m guessing it’s not good news if you’re coming out here to talk to me.”
“It’s not.” Austin wished he had the paperwork with him, just to have something to do with his hands, but he was confident enough of the information that he’d left the paperwork at the office. “Diabetes, like we expected. It’s not going to be manageable with oral medication, so we’re going to have to go with injections. You can come in to me so I can show you how to do it, or I can send Lacey out here to show you. She can even do it for you.”
Mr. McKay pressed his lips together. “I can do it myself.”
“Okay, well.” Austin wasn’t a hundred percent sure he could count on the man to keep up with it, but he wasn’t going to argue that now. “We need to get started on that sooner rather than later. But also there was something concerning in your blood count. Your white blood count is alarmingly high. I am going to ask you to go to San Angelo for further testing so we can get to the cause.”
The man squared his shoulders, and Austin sensed the argument ahead. Mr. McKay didn't want to go to San Angelo when they had a doctor in town.
“I don't have the means for the testing we need to do,” Austin said preemptively.
“You think you know what it is.”
Austin blew a breath out through his nose. “There are a few things. We need to get you tested so we can get to the treatment as soon as possible. I can get Ginny to call for you, if you’d like, and let you know when and where to go.”
“Am I going to have to stay in the hospital?”
For the first time, Austin heard uncertainty in the older man’s voice. “I think we can avoid that for now, just do it as outpatient.”
“Good. I don't want my family to know. I don't want them to worry.”
“I can understand that.”
“What I’m telling you is I don't want anyone to know.” He turned back to the hole he’d been digging. “No one in town.”
Austin angled his head back to meet the older man’s gaze. “Of course. We have doctor/patient confidentiality. I won’t be saying anything.”
“I know you see my son a lot. If it slips—”
“It won’t.” Austin cut him off abruptly. Con did not discuss his father, as a rule, and Austin wouldn't bring it up.
The person he needed to keep it from was Ginny. She had sensitive information now and while he trusted her to keep quiet about most people, she couldn't let the information slip to Con.
“I’ll make the call myself, and I’ll go with you to San Angelo, if you’d like.” Help him navigate not the town so much as the procedure at the facilities. “Meanwhile, I’d like Lacey to come out and show you how to do the injections for the diabetes.
The older man winced. Austin gave the scars on his hands and forearms a pointed look. “It’s no big deal. You’ll get used to it. Can I tell her to come out?”
The older man was quiet for a bit, before he nodded. “Maybe that’s all it is,” he said.
“Maybe,” Austin said, and headed back to his SUV.
On the way back to the office, he called Lacey, then called Ginny to tell her he was on his way back in.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, ah. I’ll talk to you about it when I get in. Did everyone get rescheduled?”
“I’ll take care of it, don't worry.”
“Thanks. I’ll be there in a few.” He’d thought about asking her to make the appointments for Mr. McKay, but decided he’d do it himself. The fewer people that knew, the better they could keep the secret.
But he was going to urge the man to tell his family the truth. He had no reason to keep it a secret when he could have the support of his family. And maybe the illness would have a silver lining, and end the rift between him and Con.
*****
