Page 5 of Call Out
“Will she be okay?” Viv strokes the woman’s head with such a loving tenderness.
“We’re taking her in. I can only make a preliminary assessment, ma’am.”
“And what is that?” Her voice trembles. I can’t help how my heart withers at the splinter of sadness.
Wheels whirl as Johnny pushes the stretcher up behind us. I glance back and nod. “Possible heart attack.”
“Omigod!” Viv’s gasp tugs at my emotions. “Oh, Wini!” She clutches the woman’s frail hand and holds it to her lips.
I consider comforting her with positive words of reassurance, or an embrace that would put her mind at ease, but I’m not here for her. Focus is everything. I dropped the ball once, and I’ll never do it again. Instead, I ignore her questions and work studiously to ensure my patient is carefully positioned on the stretcher.
“She’ll receive the best medical care in the hospital, ma’am.” I’ve said that line to countless relatives in the past. It may be true, but it doesn’t alter the fact the woman could die. Death has a way of ripping out the heart and soul of those who are left behind, and that's why I’m a paramedic—so it’s my face patients see and hopefully not death’s.
“I’ll follow in my car.” Viv trots to keep up as we break out into the morning sun.
The scent of her perfume catches me off guard. My senses go haywire like she’s slapped me in the face with a flower bomb and then wrapped me in cotton candy. My gaze drifts sideways. Her brows pinch together and strawberry varnished nails twiddle with the secured tip of her braid. Viv places her hand on my forearm. A bolt of lightning awakens and brightens me from within. Our gazes blend in fleeting acknowledgment. Johnny calls my name. She smiles. Not a full beam, flirty grin—an appreciative sweet curve to glossy lips.
“Danny,” Johnny repeats, aligning the stretcher to the rear of the ambulance.
The old lady whimpers. My gaze snaps back to the patient, and we glide the stretcher inside.
“I’ll see you there, Wini,” Viv calls out.
I don’t look back at her. She’s too much of a distraction right now.
“Ma’am, report to the Emergency Room when you arrive. She’s in expert hands.” Johnny pats my shoulder as he speaks to her.
“Okay, thank you,” Viv replies.
I dare a quick glance up, content I’ve strapped the patient securely. The sun pours liquid gold over the stunning woman wearing another sexy as fuck skirt and fine stockings. My insides burn up, just like they did when I found thigh-highs on soft thighs the night before.
Johnny jumps out of the vehicle and closes the doors, erasing the daylight and removing Viv from my sight.
I’ve met her twice in twenty-four hours. Perhaps I’ll be lucky enough to get a hat trick and meet her a third time.
“Are you comfortable, Wini?” I jiggle the pillows behind her head and haul the bedspread higher.
They released her into my care yesterday after a week of observation in the hospital. “Okay…” I check off my updated list. “Pillows, glasses, blanket. I’ll get your meds once I’ve…”
“Viv, there’s no need to fuss over me.” Wini halts me mid speech with a sigh and a pout, “The young doctor said it was only a warning.” She winks and reaches for my hand, squeezing it affectionately.
“This time,” I point out, “no more pastries or cheesecakes. You can’t risk another episode. From now on, you’ll eat cabbage and broccoli with every meal.”
“Oh, honey, I’d rather be dead.” Wini laughs softly. “When you get to my age, you deserve to eat all the naughty treats your younger, vain self, turned away.”
“Okay, one treat a week.” I relent, mostly because I’d give anything to watch Nonna enjoy a slice of red velvet cake, and Wini loves everything sweet and sugary. “I brought you freshly snipped chrysanthemums from my garden, and Louise left a new book on your nightstand. It’s a romance novel this week.” I tick off the last few Wini related tasks.
“Perhaps you should read it first?” She smirks. “When are you going to put yourself out there and start dating properly?”
I burst into laughter. “I’ll never ‘put myself’ out there.’ You know me, Wini.” My hand lands on my hips. “I believe in romance, and that doesn’t mean hunting down a man and flaunting myself in his face.” I wave my list of tasks at her. “Anyway, I’m more than happy to spend my time with you guys.” The vase seems off center, so I reposition it a little to the left. “See. I have plenty to do here.”I’m lonely and bordering on desperate.
Wini unfolds her glasses. “And you’re going to wait at home for a man to sweep you off your feet? I’ll be dead and buried by the time you get married.”
“Toss me a compass and the coordinates to a good guy, and I’ll claim him immediately.” My brows lift. “Anyway, Nonna told me men are only after one thing. She warned me about giving my heart away.”
“Love doesn’t care for being careful. It just happens.”
“It won’t happen if they’re jailbirds, ex-criminals, surfers, gang members and—” I visualize the lengthy checklist of unsupported careers scribed in my brain over the years.
