Page 20 of Tumbleweed Temptation
“I was going to go to the bathroom, but just outside the door I felt some liquid come out, but I still had the urge to go, so I don't think it was pee, but I can’t be sure. It wasn't how I expected it at all.”
“That’s often the case,” he said. “Let’s get you over to the office so I can examine you, see if you’re dilated.”
Poppy stepped close, under Lacey’s raised arm, just as Lacey let out a cry, pressing her hand to her side, and more fluid flowed down her leg.
“Did you pee?” Austin asked.
“No, I did that already.” Lacey’s voice lifted in a wail.
“All right, then, looks like your water broke. Was that your first contraction?”
“Ah.” She looked at Poppy. “No. But they haven't all been like that.”
“Okay, well, we’re going to start timing them.” He slid in next to Poppy and wrapped his arm around her to support her. “But I think it’s time to head to San Angelo.”
Chapter Five
He should have toldMelissa to let him know ahead of time when any of the town council came into the office. That way he would have been better prepared to see Mr. McKay standing in his waiting room, arms folded.
“Can we talk?” The man’s voice was gruff.
“Do you have an appointment?” Austin had to keep the upper hand here. The town was paying for this place, sure, but only because they needed a doctor in town. And Austin was the doctor. He’d worked hard to get here. He had power. Not just Mr. McKay.
“I don't need an appointment. I need to talk to you about some concerns the people have come to us about.”
Great. So he had to be defensive after all. Why couldn't it be Lacey’s dad, or Marianne, coming to confront him? Why did it have to be Mr. McKay?
Austin motioned for the big man to precede him into his office. He thought, for a minute, the older man would sit in his chair, behind his desk, but no, he sat in one of the visitor chairs. Austin stepped behind his desk, but didn't sit.
“What can I help you with?”
“I understand you’re sending people to San Angelo for blood tests.”
“That’s right. I don't have a nurse to do that for me and I don't have a lab, or an arrangement with a lab where we can ship the samples. It’s more efficient for the patients to have the blood tests done in San Angelo, and those labs send me the results, as well as the patients.”
“If they have to drive all the way to San Angelo for a blood test, they may as well go to a doctor there, too. The whole point of having you here is so they don't have to go.”
